Surat al Kahf: An exposition of 4 trials and the intoxication of power
Trials in Surat al Kahf
Allah says in Surat al-Kahf:
أَمْ حَسِبْتَ أَنَّ أَصْحَابَ الْكَهْفِ وَالرَّقِيمِ كَانُوا مِنْ آيَاتِنَا عَجَبًا
“Or did you think that the companions of the cave and the inscription were among Our wondrous signs?” (18:9)
إِذْ أَوَى الْفِتْيَةُ إِلَى الْكَهْفِ فَقَالُوا رَبَّنَا آتِنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا
“When the youths took refuge in the cave and said: ‘Our Lord, grant us mercy from Yourself, and prepare for us guidance in our affair.’” (18:10)
We recite this surah every Friday, because it brings the light of guidance. Why did the Prophet ﷺ specifically ask us to recite this surah, instead of, for instance, Baqarah or Aal-‘Imran?
Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
مَنْ قَرَأَ سُورَةَ الْكَهْفِ فِي يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ أَضَاءَ لَهُ مِنَ النُّورِ مَا بَيْنَ الْجُمُعَتَيْنِ
“Whoever recites Surat al-Kahf on Friday, a light will shine for him between this Friday and the next.” (Bayhaqi)
Abu Darda’ reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
مَنْ حَفِظَ عَشْرَ آيَاتٍ مِنْ أَوَّلِ سُورَةِ الْكَهْفِ عُصِمَ مِنَ الدَّجَّالِ
“Whoever memorises ten verses from the beginning of Surat al-Kahf will be protected from the False Messiah.”
In another narration: “from the last ten verses.” (Sahih Muslim)
The greatest trial on earth is the trial of al-Dajjal. Whoever memorises these verses is given ʿisma (divine protection). Why? Because these verses carry the very essence of imaan. If this essence is alive in the heart, nothing can remove it, even the greatest fitnah.
Four Trials in Surat al-Kahf
When you go through the surah, which most people are familiar with, you see the four main lessons in the surah.
1. The Trial of Faith
The youths of the cave were tested in their faith. Do not think that if you are a believer you will be spared from tests. Belief itself invites trials. How do you respond? In business transactions, in politics, in daily dealings, do you cling to your principles, or do you dilute them? These young men are a lasting example of firmness in their imaan under pressure.
2. The Trial of Wealth
The man with two gardens was tested with his wealth. He became arrogant and miserly, and Allah destroyed what he owned. In contrast, the youths were preserved because they submitted to divine guidance. Wealth is not evil in itself, but it is a heavy test: will you use it with gratitude and humility, or with pride and ingratitude?
3. The Trial of Knowledge
The story of Musa (peace be upon him) and al-Khidr shows that even the most knowledgeable will be tested. Knowledge demands humility. Without it, knowledge breeds arrogance. Think of professors and doctors you meet: some are down-to-earth, while others reek of arrogance.
4. The Trial of Power
Dhul-Qarnayn’s story illustrates the test of power. Allah gave him authority, wealth, wisdom, technical ability, and the means to travel east and west, north and south. He defended the oppressed, established justice, and was invincible. Yet he was a person of tawadu, he remained humble.
Some suggested he was Persian, others Chinese, but not European. His ethnicity is irrelevant, the Qur’an highlights his character: he was a just ruler who used power to spread justice, and defend the oppressed.
Intoxicating nature of power
The test of power is especially great, and we are witnessing it before our very eyes. Power was meant to relieve and defend the oppressed, not to oppress them further. Even if you are powerful, never forget there is always someone more powerful than you — Allah Almighty. No matter how many armies you have, how many nuclear weapons, how many fighter jets, Allah is far more powerful than you. Do not abuse power. Do not become a tyrant.
Power itself is an intoxicant. Some scholars said that alcohol is only one form of intoxicant, but there are many others that are haram and one of them is power. The one who has power can become drunk on it. Unless he uses it with justice, fairness, humility, and righteousness, it will only bring destruction. Sadly, we see this today in the genocide in Gaza, carried out by some of the most powerful people of our time.
Contrast this with Dhul-Qarnayn. He used his power to defend the oppressed, not to kill them. He used his power to establish justice across the globe, not to starve and massacre people. He was a righteous leader. But today, we do not have righteous leaders among us.
Surat al-Kahf as a Mirror of Society
This surah speaks not only of four trials but shows us an array of many types of people. If you read the surah through a different lens, you will notice the types of people mentioned, who are the very same types we encounter every day.
Though it is a beautiful surah we recite every week, we must remember that the Qur’an is alive. It speaks to us; it walks among us in our communities, our politics, our societies, and our social fabric — not only in the mosque. It is the living, divine word of Allah.
Allah is teaching us that the Qur’an is not to be read only for barakah, but so that we apply its teachings to our lives.
A Supplication in Trials
In times of hardship, confusion, trial and difficulty, what should be our response? Allah Himself teaches us in Surat al-Kahf what to call upon:
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا
“Our Lord, grant us mercy from Yourself, and prepare for us guidance in our affair.” (18:10)
This is the duʿa of those young believers who, when abandoned by people, placed their complete hope in Allah are asking for two things:
Mercy (raḥmah): divine protection, forgiveness, compassion, and deliverance from harm.
Guidance (rushd): right direction, sound judgment, and success in decision-making.
- Al-Ṭabari said this meant protection from their people and success in acting upon what Allah loves.
Al-Qurṭubi noted that their first instinct was duʿa – seeking both safety and firmness in faith. - Ibn Kathir explained they asked for salvation of their belief as well as a sound outcome in their escape.
- Al-Baghawi understood mercy here as forgiveness and safeguarding, and guidance as uprightness.
- Ibn ʿAshur highlighted that their duʿa combined deliverance and correct decision-making – a model for anyone facing danger or confusion.
The Prophet ﷺ emphasised reciting Surah al-Kahf every Friday. It renews our faith, reminding us that life’s trials can only be faced through holding fast to tawḥid, righteous deeds, and reliance on Allah. And memorising its opening or closing verses shields the believer from the greatest trial of all: the fitnah of the Dajjāl.
Surah al-Kahf begins with praising Allah and ends with reminding us of meeting Him, wrapping the believer’s week in a cycle of tawḥid and righteous action. It is not simply for barakah, but a living manual of protection against every trial we will encounter.
Our Lord, grant us mercy to us, especially the people of Palestine. Grant us mercy from Yourself, as we have lost hope in people, and you are the only One we can trust and rely on. Grant us mercy from Yourself, and grant us guidance in our affairs, because we are lost and do not know where to go. We have lost trust in our leaders and the courts of justice, but we never lose trust in You. Ya Rabb al ‘Alameen. Ameen.
Based on the Khutbah of Shaykh Haytham Tamim on 3rd October 2025