Surah Al-Kahf, the 18th chapter of the Quran, holds special significance for Muslims worldwide. This Surah, which consists of 110 verses, is known for the profound lessons and protection it provides, especially when recited on Fridays.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of Surah Kahf and delve into a complete transliteration of the verses, making it easier for those who wish to recite it accurately in Arabic, even if they are not fluent in the language.
Whether you’re preparing for Jummah or simply seeking to build a regular recitation practice, this guide will assist you in understanding the significance of Surah Kahf and how to read it correctly.
Why Surah Al-Kahf is Important
Surah Al-Kahf, also known as “The Cave,” is beloved for the stories it contains and the life lessons it imparts. The Surah tells the tales of the People of the Cave, the two men with their gardens, the story of Prophet Musa (Moses) and Khidr, and Dhul-Qarnayn. Each of these narratives offers unique insights into themes of faith, patience, humility, and gratitude. Moreover, it is said that reciting Surah Al-Kahf on Fridays provides light and protection for the reciter for the coming week.
A well-known hadith from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) mentions: “Whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf on the day of Jummah, will have a light that will shine from him from one Friday to the next.” This hadith highlights the virtue of reciting this Surah, encouraging Muslims to memorise, understand, and regularly recite it.
Understanding Transliteration in Quran Recitation
Transliteration serves as a bridge for those who may not read Arabic fluently but wish to engage with the Quran. Through transliteration, Arabic letters are represented using the Latin alphabet, enabling non-Arabic speakers to pronounce the words of the Quran. While transliteration can be an excellent tool for beginners, it’s essential to approach it with dedication and gradually learn proper pronunciation, as each word in the Quran carries precise meanings and sounds.
For those reciting Surah Kahf in transliteration, pronunciation accuracy is crucial. A slight change in pronunciation can alter the meaning, so it’s advisable to listen to recitations by qualified scholars or reciters alongside reading in transliteration.
Transliteration of Surah Al-Kahf (Complete)
Below is the transliteration of Surah Al-Kahf in its entirety. It’s recommended to read this alongside listening to an audio recitation to familiarise yourself with the correct pronunciation.
1. Alhamdu lillaahi allathee anzala ‘alaa ‘abdihil Kitaaba wa lam yaj’al lahoo ‘iwajaa.
2. Qayyimal liyunthira ba’san shadeedam mil ladunhu wa yubashshiral mu’mineena alladheena ya’maloonas saalihaati anna lahum ajran hasanaa.
3. Maakitheena feehi abadaa.
4. Wa yunthiral ladheena qaalut takhadhal laahu waladaa.
5. Maa lahum bihee min ‘ilminw wa laa li aabaaa’ihim; kaburat kalimatan takhruju min afwaahihim in yaqooloona illaa kadhibaa.
6. Fala’allaka baakhi’un nafsaka ‘alaaa aatharihim illam yu’minoo bihaadhal hadeethi asafaa.
7. Innaa ja’alnaa maa ‘alal ardi zeenatal lahaa linabluwahum ayyuhum ahsanu ‘amalaa.
8. Wa innaa lajaa’iloona maa ‘alaihaa sa’eedan juruzaa.
9. Am hasibta anna Ashaabal Kahfi war Raqeemi kaanoo min aayaatinaa ‘ajabaa.
10. Idh awal fityatu ilal kahfi faqaaloo Rabbanaa aatinaa mil ladunka rahmatanw wa haiyi’ lanaa min amrinaa rashadaa.
11. Fa darabnaa ‘alaa aazaanihim fil kahfi sineena ‘adadaa.
12. Thumma ba’athnaahum lina’lama ayyul hizbaini ahsaa limaa labithoo amadaa.
13. Nahnu naqussu ‘alayka naba ahum bil haqq; innahum fityatun aamanoo bi rabbihim wazidnaahum hudaa.
14. Wa rabatnaa ‘alaa quloobihim ith qaamoo fa qaaloo rabbunaa rabbus samaawaati wal ard; lan nad’uwa min doonihee ilaahan laqad qulnaa ithan shatataa.
15. Haaa’ulaaa’i qawmunattakhadoo min doonihee aalihatan law laa yaatoona ‘alayhim bisultaanim bayyin; fa man azlamu mimmanif taraaa ‘alal laahi kazibaa.
16. Wa ‘ithi’tazaltumoohum wa maa ya’budoona illal laaha fa’aw ilal kahfi yanshur lakum rabbukum mir rahmatihee wa yuhayyi lakum min amrikum mirfaqaa.
17. Wa tarash shamsa ithaa tala’at tazaawaru ‘an kahfihim dhaat al-yameen wa ithaa gharabat taqriduhum dhaat ash-shimaal wa hum fee fajwatin minh; dhaalika min aayaatillaah; man yahdi illaahu fahuwal muhtad; wa man yudlil falan tajida lahu waliyyam murshidaa.
18. Wa tahsabuhum ayqaa zanw wa hum ruqood; wa nuqallibuhum dhaat al-yameen wa dhaat ash-shimaal wa kalbuhum baasitun dhiraa’ayhi bilwaseed; lawi tala’ta ‘alayhim la wallayta minhum firaaranw wa la mulita minhum ru’b.
19. Wa kadh aalika ba’athnaahum liyatasaaloo baynahum; qaala qaa’ilum minhum kam labithtum qaaloo labithna yawman aw ba’da yawm; qaloo rabbukum a’lamu bima labithtum faba’athoo ahadakum biwariqikum hathihi ilal madeenati fal yanzur ayyuhaa azkaa ta’aaman falyatikum birizqim minhu wal yatalaattaf wa laa yush’irannabikum ahadaa.
20. Innahum iny yadharoo ‘alaykum yarjumookum aw yu’eedo kum fee millatihim wa lan tuflihoo ithan abadaa.
21. Wa kadh aalika a’tharnaa ‘alayhim liya’lamoo anna wa’dal laahi haqqun wa annas saa’ata laa raiba feehaa ith yata naaza’oona baynahum amrahum fa qaaloo bnoo ‘alayhim bunyaanaa rabbuhum a’lamu bihim; qaalal ladheena ghalaboo ‘alaa amrihim lanattakhidhanna ‘alayhim masjidaa.
22. Sayaqooloona thalathatun rabi’uhum kalbuhum wa yaqooloona khamsatun saadisuhum kalbuhum rajman bil-ghayb wa yaqooloona sab’atun wa thaminuhum kalbuhum; qul rabbee a’lamu bi’iddatihim maa ya’lamuhum illaa qaleel; falaa tumaari feehim illaa miraa’an zaahiranw wa laa tastafti feehim minhum ahadaa.
23. Wa laa taqoolanna lishay’in innee faa’ilun dhaalika ghadaa.
24. Illaaa any yashaaa Allah; wadhkur rabbaka idhaa naseeta wa qul ‘asaa any yahdiyani rabbee li aqraba min haadhaa rashadaa.
25. Wa labithoo fee kahfihim thalaatha mi’atin sineena wazdaadoo tis’aa.
26. Qul laahu a’lamu bimaa labithoo lahoo ghaibus-samaawaati walard; absir bihii wa asmi’; maa lahum min doonihee min waliyyinw wa laa yushriku fee hukmihee ahadaa.
27. Watlu maa oohiya ilayka min kitaabi rabbika laa mubaddila likalimaatihee wa lan tajida min doonihee multahadaa.
28. Wasbir nafsaka ma’al lazeena yad’oona rabbahum bilghadaati wal’ashiyyi yureedoona wajhahu wa laa ta’du ‘aynaaka ‘anhum tureedu zeenatal hayaatid dunyaa wa laa tuti’ man aghfalnaa qalbahoo ‘an dhikrina wattaba’a hawaahu wa kaana amruhoo furutaa.
29. Wa qulil haqqu mir rabbikum faman shaa’a falyu’minw wa man shaa’a falyakfur; innaaa a’tadnaa lilzaalimeena naaran ahaata bihim suraadiquhaa wa iny yastagheesoo yughaathoo bimaa-in kalmuhli yashwil wujooh; bi’sash sharaabu wa saa’at murtafaqaa.
30. Innal lazeena aamanoo wa ‘amilus saalihaati innaa laa nudee’u ajra man ahsana ‘amalaa.
31. Ulaaa’ika lahum jannaatu ‘adnin tajree min tahtihimul anhaar yuhallawna feehaa min asaawira min dhahabinw wa yalbasoona siyaaban khudram min sundusinw wa istabraqim muttaki’eena feehaa ‘alal araaa’iki ni’mas sawaabu wa hasunat murtafaqaa.
32. Wadrib lahum mathalan rajulayni ja’alnaa li ahadihimaa jannataini min a’naabinw wa hafafnaahumaa binnahlinw wa ja’alnaa baynahumaa zar’aa.
33. Kiltaa aljannataini aatat ukulahaa wa lam tazlim minhu shay’aw wa fajjarnaa khilaalahumaa naharaa.
34. Wa kaana lahoo thamurun faqaala lisaahibihee wa huwa yuhaawiruhooo ana aksaru minka maalanw wa a’azzu nafaraa.
35. Wa dakhala jannatahoo wa huwa zaalimun linafsihi qaala maa azunnu an tabeeda haadhihi abadaa.
36. Wa maa azunnus Saa’ata qaa’imatanw wa la’ir rudidtu ilaa rabbee la ajidanna khairam minhaa munqalabaa.
37. Qaala lahoo saahibhoo wa huwa yuhaawiruhoo akafarta billazee khalaqaka min turaabin thumma min nutfatin thumma sawwaaka rajulaa.
38. Laakinnahoo Allahu rabbee wa laaa ushriku bi rabbii ahadaa.
39. Wa law laaa iz dakhala jannataka qulta maa shaaa’al laahu laa quwwata illaa billaah; in tarani ana aqalla minka maalanw wa waladaa.
40. Fa’asaa rabbeee any yu’tiyani khairam min jannatika wa yursila ‘alaihaa husbaanam minas samaaa’i fatusbih sa’eedan zaluqaa.
41. Aw yusbiha maa’uhaa ghawran falaa tastatee’a lahoo talabaa.
42. Wa oheeta bisamarihii fa-asbaha yuqallibu kaffayhi ‘alaa maa anfaqa feehaa wa hiya khaawiyatun ‘alaa ‘urooshihaa wa yaqoolu yaa laitanee lam ushrik bi rabbee ahadaa.
43. Wa lam takul lahoo fi-atuny yansuroonahoo min doonil laahi wa maa kaana muntasiraa.
44. Hunaalikal walaayatu lillaahil haqq; huwa khairun sawaabanw-wa khairun ‘uqbaa.
45. Wadrib lahum mathalal hayaatid dunyaa kamaaa’in anzalnaahu minas samaaa’i fakhtalata bihee nabaatul ardi fa asbaha hasheeman tadhroohur riyaah; wa kaanallaahu ‘alaa kulli shai’im muqtadiraa.
46. Al-maalu wal-banoona zeenatul-hayaatid-dunya wal-baaqiyaatus-saalihaatu khairun ‘inda rabbika sawaabanw-wa khairun amalaa.
47. Wa yawma nusayyiru aljibaala watara al-arda baarizatan wahasharnaahum falaa nughaadiru minhum ahadaa.
48. Wa ‘uridoo ‘alaa rabbika saffan laqad ji’tumoonaa kamaa khalaqnaakum awwala marratin bal za’amtum allannaaj’ala lakum maw’idaa.
49. Wa wudi’a al-kitaabu fatara al-mujrimeena mushfiqeen mimmaa feehi wa yaqooloona yaa waylatanaa maa li haadha al-kitaabi laa yughaadiru sagheeratan wa laa kabeeratan illaa ahsaa haa wa wajadoo maa ‘amiloo haadiran wa laa yazlimu rabbuka ahadaa.
50. Wa idh qulnaa lil-malaa’ikati usjudoo li Aadama fasajadoo illaa ibleesa kaana minal-jinni fafasaqa ‘an amri rabbih; afatattakhidhoonahu wa dhurriyyatahoo awliyaaa’a min doonee wa hum lakum ‘aduww; bi’sa lil-dhaalimeena badalaa.
51. Maa ashhadtohum khalqas-samaawaati wal-ardi wa laa khalqa anfusihim wa maa kuntu muttakhidhal mudilleena ‘adudaa.
52. Wa yawma yaqoolu naadoo shurakaa’i alladheena za’amtum fada’awhum falam yastajeeboo lahum wa ja’alnaa baynahum mawbiqaa.
53. Wa raal-mujrimoona an-naara fa-zannoo annahum muwaaqi’ooha wa lam yajidoo ‘anhaa masrifaa.
54. Wa laqad sarrafnaa fee haadha al-Qur’aani linnasi min kulli mathalin wa kaana al-insaanu aksara shay’in jadalaa.
55. Wa maa mana’an-naasa any yu’minoo idh jaa’ahumul hudaa wa yastaghfiroo rabbahum illaaa an ta’tiyahum sunnatul-awwaleena aw ya’tiyahumul ‘adhaabu qubulaa.
56. Wa maa nursilu al-mursaleena illaa mubashshireena wa munthireena wa yujaadilul-ladheena kafaroo bil-baatili liyudhidhoo bihil-haqqa wattakhadhoo aayaatee wa maa unthiroo huzuwaa.
57. Wa man azlamu mimman dhukkira bi-aayaati rabbihi fa-a’rada ‘anhaa wa nasiya maa qaddamat yadaah; innaa ja’alnaa ‘alaa quloobihim akinnatan any yafqaahoohu wa fee aazaanihim waqraa; wa in tad’uhum ilal hudaa falany yahtadoo idhan abadaa.
58. Wa rabbuka al-Ghafooru dhur-Rahmati law yu’aakhiduhum bimaa kasaboo la’aj-jala lahumul ‘adhaab; bal lahum maw’idun lan yajidoo min doonihi maw’ilaa.
59. Wa tilka al-quraa ahlaknaahum lammaa zalamoo wa ja’alnaa limahlikihim maw’idaa.
60. Wa idh qaala Moosa lifataa hoo laaa abrahu hattaa ablugha majma’al-bahrayni aw amdiya huqubaa.
61. Falammaa balaghaa majma’a baynihimaa nasee hootahumaa fattakhadha sabeelahoo fil-bahri sarabaa.
62. Falammaa jaawazaa qaala lifataah; aatinaa ghadaa’anaa laqad laqeenaa min safarinaa haadha nasabaa.
63. Qaala ara’ayta idh awaynaa ilas-sakhrah fainnee naseetu al-hoot; wa maa ansaaneehu illaa ash-shaytaanu an adhkura hoo wa ittakhadha sabeelahoo fil-bahri ‘ajabaa.
64. Qaala dhaalika maa kunna nabgh; fartaddaa ‘alaa aathaarihimaa qasasaa.
65. Fawajadaa ‘abdam min ‘ibaadinaa aataynaahu rahmatam min ‘indinaa wa ‘allamnaahu min ladunnaa ‘ilmaa.
66. Qaala lahoo Moosa hal attabi’uka ‘alaa an tu’allimani mimmaa ‘ullimta rushdaa.
67. Qaala innaka lan tastatee’a ma’iya sabraa.
68. Wa kaifa tasbiru ‘alaa maa lam tuhit bihi khubraa.
69. Qaala satajidunee in shaa allaahu saabiran wa laa a’see laka amraa.
70. Qaala fa inittaba’tanee falaa tas’alnee ‘an shay’in hatta uhditha laka minhu dhikraa.
71. Fantalaqaa hatta idha rakibaa fis-safeenati kharaqahaa; qaala akharaqtahaa litughriqa ahlahaa laqad ji’ta shay’an imraa.
72. Qaala alam aqul innaka lan tastatee’a ma’iya sabraa.
73. Qaala la tu’aakhidhnee bimaa naseetu wa laa turhiqnee min amree ‘usraa.
74. Fantalaqaa hatta idha laqyaa ghulaaman faqatalahoo; qaala aqatalt nafsan zakiyyatan bighayri nafs; laqad ji’ta shay’an nukraa.
75. Qaala alam aqul laka innaka lan tastatee’a ma’iya sabraa.
76. Qaala in sa’altuka ‘an shay’in ba’dahaa falaa tu-saahibnee qad balaghta min ladunni ‘udhraa.
77. Fantalaqaa hatta idha atayaa ahla qaryatin istat’amaa ahlahaa fa abaw an yudhayyifoo huma fa wajadaa feehaa jidaaran yureedu an yanqadd fa aqaamah; qaala law shi’ta lattakhadhta ‘alayhi ajraa.
78. Qaala haadhaa firaaqu baynee wa baynik; sa’oonaabbi’uka bitaa’weeli maa lam tasti’ ‘alayhi sabraa.
79. Amma as-safeenatu fa kaanat limasaakeena ya’maloona fil-bahri fa aradtu an a’eebahaa wa kaana waraa’ahum malikun ya’khudhu kulla safeenatin ghusbaa.
80. Wa amma al-ghulaamu fa kaana abawaahu mu’minayn fakhasheena any yurhiqahuma tughyaan aw wa kufraa.
1. Fa-aradnaa any yubdilahumaa rabbuhumaa khayran minhu zakaatan wa aqraba ruhmaa.
82. Wa ammal-jidaaru fa-kaana lighulaamayni yateemayni fil madeenati wa kaana tahtahoo kanzun lahumaa wa kaana aboohumaa saalihaa fa-arada rabbuka any yabloogha ashuddahumaa wa yastakhrijaa kanzahumaa rahmatan min rabbik; wa maa fa’altuhoo ‘an amree; dhaalika taaweelu maa lam tasti’ ‘alayhi sabraa.
83. Wa yas’aloona ka ‘an dhi al-qarnayn; qul sa-atloo ‘alaykum minhu dhikraa.
84. Innaa makkannaa lahoo fil-ardi wa aataynaahu min kulli shay’in sababaa.
85. Fa-atba’a sababaa.
86. Hattaaa idhaa balagha maghribash-shamsi wajadahaa taghrubu fee ‘aynin hami’atinw wa wajada ‘indahaa qawmaa; qulnaa yaa dhal-qarnayni immaa an tu’azziba wa immaa an tattakhida feehim husnaa.
87. Qaala amma man zalama fasawfa nu’azzibuhu thumma yuraddu ilaa rabbihi fayu’azzibuhu ‘azaaban nukraa.
88. Wa amma man aamana wa ‘amila saalihan fa lahoo jazaaa’anil husnaa wa sanaqoolu lahoo min amrinaa yusraa.
89. Thumma atba’a sababaa.
90. Hattaaa idhaa balagha matli’ash-shamsi wajadahaa tatlu’u ‘alaa qawmin lam naj’al lahum min doonihaa sitraa.
91. Kadhaalik; wa qad ahatnaa bimaa ladaihi khubraa.
92. Thumma atba’a sababaa.
93. Hattaaa idhaa balagha baynas-saddayni wajada min doonihimaa qawman laa yakadoona yafqahoona qawlaa.
94. Qaaloo yaa dhal-qarnayni inna ya’jooja wa ma’jooja mufsideena fil-ardi fa hal naj’alu laka kharjan ‘alaa an taj’ala baynanaa wa baynahum saddaa.
95. Qaala maa makkannee feehi rabbee khayrun fa-a’eenooni bi-quwwatin aj’al baynakum wa baynahum radmaa.
96. Aatoonee zubaral hadeed; hattaaa idhaa sawaa baynas-sadafayni qaala unfukhoo; hattaaa idhaa ja’alahoo naaran qaala aatoonee ufrig ‘alayhi qitraa.
97. Famaas-taawoo any yadhharoohu wa mas-tafaa’oo lahoo naqbaa.
98. Qaala haadha rahmatum mir rabbee fa-idhaa jaa’a wa’du rabbee ja’alahoo dakkaa’a; wa kaana wa’du rabbee haqqaa.
99. Wa taraknaa ba’dahum yawma-idhiny yamooju fee ba’d; wa nufikha fees-soori fa-jama’naahum jam’aa.
100. Wa ‘aradnaa jahannama yawma-idhin lil-kaafireena ‘ardaa.
101. Alladheena kaanat a’yunuhum fee ghitaaa’in ‘an dhikree wa kaanoo laa yastatee’oona sam’aa.
102. Afahasiballadheena kafaroo any yattakhidhoo ‘ibaadee min doonee awliyaaa’; innaa a’tadnaa jahannama lil-kaafireena nuzulaa.
103. Qul hal nunabbi’ukum bil-akhsareena a’malaa.
104. Alladheena dalla sa’yuhum fil-hayaatid-dunyaa wa hum yahsaboona annahum yuhsinoona sun’aa.
105. Ulaaa’ika alladheena kafaroo bi-aayaati rabbihim wa liqaa’ih; fa habitat a’maaluhum falaa nuqeemu lahum yawmal-qiyaamati waznaa.
106. Dhaalika jazaa’uhum jahannamu bimaa kafaroo wat takhadhoo aayaatee wa rusulee huzuwaa.
107. Innal-ladheena aamanoo wa ‘amilus saalihaati kaanat lahum jannaatul-firdawsi nuzulaa.
108. Khaalideena feehaa laa yabghoona ‘anhaa hiwalaa.
109. Qul law kaanal-bahru midaadan likalimaati rabbee lanafidal-bahru qabla an tanfada kalimaatu rabbee wa law ji’naa bimislihee madadaa.
110. Qul innamaa ana basharun mithlukum yoohaa ilayya annamaa ilaahukum ilaahunw waahid; faman kaana yarjoo liqaa’a rabbihi falya’mal ‘amalan saalihanw wa laa yushrik bi’ibaadati rabbihi ahadaa.
Key Lessons from Surah Al-Kahf
Beyond its beautiful recitation, Surah Al-Kahf imparts several significant lessons that resonate with Muslims of all ages. Here are a few key takeaways from the four main stories in Surah Kahf:
- The Story of the People of the Cave: This story of young men who fled persecution to preserve their faith reminds Muslims of the value of steadfastness and the protection Allah provides to those who seek refuge in Him. It symbolises how faith can guide a believer through challenging times and that Allah’s help often comes in miraculous ways.
- The Story of the Two Men and Their Gardens: The second story discusses the trials of wealth and gratitude. One man was blessed with abundant resources but grew arrogant, while the other, despite lesser means, remained grateful. This tale serves as a reminder that everything in this world is temporary, and gratitude should remain at the heart of one’s success and blessings.
- The Story of Musa (AS) and Khidr: This narrative explores humility, patience, and divine wisdom. When Musa (AS) sought to learn from Khidr, he encountered actions he couldn’t understand but which had hidden wisdom. This teaches that not all events in life are immediately clear, and Allah’s wisdom surpasses human understanding.
- The Story of Dhul-Qarnayn: The final story illustrates the responsibilities that come with power and the importance of justice. Dhul-Qarnayn, a just and wise ruler, used his power to help those in need and protect them from harm. The lesson here is that true strength lies in helping others and using one’s abilities for the greater good.
Benefits of Reciting Surah Al-Kahf Regularly
The regular recitation of Surah Kahf offers spiritual benefits that extend beyond Jummah. Here are some ways reciting it can enrich a believer’s life:
- Protection from the Dajjal (Anti-Christ): According to some narrations, those who memorise the first ten verses or the last ten verses of Surah Kahf will be safeguarded from the trials of the Dajjal, a key figure in Islamic eschatology.
- Light and Guidance: Reciting Surah Kahf on Fridays brings a spiritual light that lasts throughout the week, symbolising guidance in life’s journey.
- Strengthening Faith: Each story in Surah Kahf presents scenarios that reinforce the importance of faith, patience, and trust in Allah. Regular recitation strengthens one’s connection with these values.
Tips for Learning and Reciting Surah Kahf
- Start Small: Begin by learning a few verses each day. Focus on mastering pronunciation through transliteration before moving to memorisation.
- Listen to Qualified Reciters: Listening to a reciter helps with pronunciation and rhythm. Consider following along with the transliteration to practice.
- Understand the Meaning: Reflecting on the meaning of each verse deepens one’s connection to the Surah and makes memorisation easier.
- Create a Regular Routine: Aim to recite a portion of Surah Kahf daily or at least every Friday. Establishing this habit will help you experience the blessings and protection of the Surah.
Conclusion
Surah Al-Kahf is a Surah rich with guidance, wisdom, and spiritual protection. Through its stories, it conveys important lessons and reinforces the core principles of faith, gratitude, and humility. For those who may find reading Arabic challenging, transliteration offers a valuable tool to engage with this Surah meaningfully.
However, remember that while transliteration is helpful, aspiring to learn Arabic is encouraged for a more profound connection with the Quran. May this guide to Surah Kahf transliteration help you in your journey to recite and understand the beautiful words of Allah.