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Khutbah: The Virtue of Surah Al-Kahf

By Dr. Adi Hidayat - Notes on the profound virtues of reciting Surah Al-Kahf on Fridays and understanding the meanings of light in Islam.

Introduction

There is a hadith that not only shows the virtue of Friday itself — not merely the day, its name, or its meaning — but also highlights the actions associated with it and their profound impact on the life of every Muslim.

Among the special deeds of this blessed day is one that grants light (nūr) every week to the life of a believer.

The Hadith

This hadith is documented by Al-Hakim in Al-Mustadrak (no. 3392), narrated by Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (RA), from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:

Hadith - The Virtue of Surah Al-Kahf

Arabic: مَنْ قَرَأَ سُورَةَ الْكَهْفِ فِي يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ أَضَاءَ لَهُ مِنَ النُّورِ مَا بَيْنَ الْجُمُعَتَيْنِ

Translation: "Whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf on the day of Jumu'ah (Friday), will have a light that will shine for him between this Friday and the next."

Reference: Al-Hakim, Al-Mustadrak (no. 3392) — graded authentic

The Prophet ﷺ once taught this noble practice for Fridays, emphasizing the importance of not just reading, but also understanding and reflecting upon Surah Al-Kahf.

The word "man" in Arabic (من) — "whoever" — is an ism mawṣūl, meaning it applies generally and inclusively. It calls upon every one of us to take this practice personally — to read, understand, and internalize Surah Al-Kahf.

Whoever does so — whether young or old, male or female — and truly engages with the surah on Fridays, Allah will bless that person with light that lasts until the next Friday.

This narration was authenticated by Imām Al-Hakim in Al-Mustadrak, a compilation that gathers authentic hadiths that meet the strict conditions of Imām Al-Bukhārī and Imām Muslim, though they did not include them in their own collections.

Why Surah Al-Kahf? What Is This Light (Nūr)?

The word nūr (light) appears many times in the Qur'an, always as a noun — and even as the name of an entire chapter, Surah An-Nūr (Chapter 24).

After careful study, these occurrences reveal that nūr has many different meanings in Islam.

Whoever engages deeply with Surah Al-Kahf and practices its lessons receives this divine light until the next Friday. In these notes, we will explore two of the most important meanings of nūr.

Two Important Meanings of Light (Nūr)

1. Nūr as Islām

Ibn 'Abbās (RA) explained that one of the meanings of nūr in the Qur'an is Islam itself.

Surah As-Saff (61:8)

Arabic: يُرِيدُونَ لِيُطْفِئُوا نُورَ اللَّهِ بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَاللَّهُ مُتِمُّ نُورِهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ

Translation: "They wish to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah will perfect His light, even if the disbelievers hate it."

Reference: Quran 61:8

No matter how much people try to suppress or ridicule Islam, Allah continues to elevate it. Sometimes, those who mock Islam eventually find truth within it and embrace it. The more it is questioned or opposed, the more it shines — for Allah Himself protects and raises the light of Islam.

How does this relate to Surah Al-Kahf?

Surah Al-Kahf consists of five sections:

  • The introduction — a guide to Islam itself (the light of guidance)
  • Four major stories — each illustrating aspects of faith and life.

Together, they represent the curriculum of life (hudā — guidance). Whoever lives by these lessons experiences growth, enlightenment, and success in this world and the next.

Surah Al-Kahf (18:1)

Arabic: الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَنزَلَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ الْكِتَابَ وَلَمْ يَجْعَل لَّهُ عِوَجًا

Translation: "All praise is due to Allah, Who has sent down upon His servant the Book and has not made therein any deviance."

Reference: Quran 18:1

This verse reminds us: Alhamdulillah! We thank Allah for granting us the Qur'an — a complete life curriculum and a timeless source of success and happiness. It teaches us how to be the best — as individuals, as parents, as workers, as leaders, and as members of society.

A Personal Reflection

Ask yourself:

  • In one week, how many verses of the Qur'an have we truly lived by?
  • Have we used our eyes, tongue, hands, and feet in line with its guidance?
  • Have we avoided gossip, lies, and harm — remembering the Prophet's ﷺ command: "Let whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day speak good or remain silent."

So when we read Surah Al-Kahf, the first hidayah (guidance) it gives is to reaffirm our identity as true Muslims — people who live by divine light.

If we truly carry that light — in our words, our eyes, our hands, and our steps — then we cannot commit sins knowingly, for light and darkness cannot coexist.

That is the meaning of nūr bayna al-jumu'atayn — the light between two Fridays. Even one verse, if lived sincerely, can transform us into true, living Muslims who journey back to Allah in light.

2. Nūr as Īmān (Faith)

Another meaning of nūr is faith (īmān).

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:257)

Arabic: اللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يُخْرِجُهُم مِّنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَوْلِيَاؤُهُمُ الطَّاغُوتُ يُخْرِجُونَهُم مِّنَ النُّورِ إِلَى الظُّلُمَاتِ

Translation: "Allah is the Protector of those who believe; He brings them out of darkness into light. But those who disbelieve — their protectors are the false gods — they take them out of light into darkness."

Reference: Quran 2:257

Believers who truly have faith in Allah — who trust in His judgment and accountability — are guided and protected by Him. Through His guidance, He liberates them from the darkness of confusion, hardship, and despair, and brings them into the light of clarity and peace.

The closer a believer's īmān, the stronger his taqwā (God-consciousness). And Allah promises in Surah At-Talāq (65:2–3):

Surah At-Talāq (65:2-3)

Arabic: وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ

Translation: "Whoever fears Allah — He will make for him a way out and provide for him from where he does not expect."

Reference: Quran 65:2-3

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:282)

Arabic: وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ اللَّهُ

Translation: "Fear Allah, and Allah will teach you."

Reference: Quran 2:282

Thus, knowledge, solutions, and sustenance come with taqwā — and taqwā grows with īmān.

Faith as the Foundation of Solutions

Surah Al-Kahf shows that many of life's problems cannot be solved merely through intellect, position, or wealth — but through faith.

If you face problems in your home, career, or nation that seem unsolvable, it may not be due to a lack of knowledge or resources — but a weakness of īmān.

Surah Al-Kahf illustrates this through its four core stories:

  • The People of the Cave (Ashab al-Kahf): Youth who preserved their faith despite persecution — showing how īmān can create new civilizations.
  • The Owner of Two Gardens: A wealthy man who became arrogant and forgot Allah. His downfall reminds us that wealth and status must be accompanied by gratitude and faith, or they will vanish.
  • Musa & Khidr: Faith guiding knowledge and power.
  • Dhul-Qarnayn: Faith guiding knowledge and power.

Conclusion

It is good to recite Surah Al-Kahf — but it is far better to understand it and apply its lessons in life until we return to Allah.

A true believer who engages with this blessed surah receives the divine light of Islam and faith that illuminates their path through life. These are just two of the many meanings of nūr that can be found in the Quran.

References

Source: Dr. Adi Hidayat Khutbah

Hadith Reference: Al-Hakim, Al-Mustadrak (no. 3392)

Quran References: Surah Al-Kahf (18), Surah As-Saff (61:8), Surah Al-Baqarah (2:257, 2:282), Surah At-Talāq (65:2-3)

Video Reference: Khutbah Jum'at: Keutamaan dan Hikmah Membaca Surat al-Kahfi di Hari Jum'at (October 3, 2025)