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First 10 Ayat of Surah Al-Kahf (سورة الكهف)

Quran 18:1-10 — The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Whoever memorizes ten verses from the beginning of Surah Al-Kahf will be protected from Dajjal." (Sahih Muslim 809)

Surah Al-Kahf · Verses 1-10Listen to full surah →
1

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ وَلَمْ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ عِوَجَا ۜ

Alhamdu lillaahil lazeee anzala 'alaa 'abdihil kitaaba wa lam yaj'al lahoo 'iwajaa

[All] praise is [due] to Allah, who has sent down upon His Servant the Book and has not made therein any deviance.

2

قَيِّمًۭا لِّيُنذِرَ بَأْسًۭا شَدِيدًۭا مِّن لَّدُنْهُ وَيُبَشِّرَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا حَسَنًۭا

Qaiyimal liyunzira baasan shadeedam mil ladunhu wa yubashshiral mu'mineenal lazeena ya'maloonas saalihaati anna lahum ajran hasanaa

[He has made it] straight, to warn of severe punishment from Him and to give good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a good reward

3

مَّٰكِثِينَ فِيهِ أَبَدًۭا

Maakiseena feehi abadaa

In which they will remain forever

4

وَيُنذِرَ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوا۟ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ وَلَدًۭا

Wa yunziral lazeena qaalut takhazal laahu waladaa

And to warn those who say, "Allah has taken a son."

5

مَّا لَهُم بِهِۦ مِنْ عِلْمٍۢ وَلَا لِءَابَآئِهِمْ ۚ كَبُرَتْ كَلِمَةًۭ تَخْرُجُ مِنْ أَفْوَٰهِهِمْ ۚ إِن يَقُولُونَ إِلَّا كَذِبًۭا

Maa lahum bihee min 'ilminw wa laa li aabaaa'ihim; kaburat kalimatan takhruju min afwaahihim; iny yaqooloona illaa kazibaa

They have no knowledge of it, nor had their fathers. Grave is the word that comes out of their mouths; they speak not except a lie.

6

فَلَعَلَّكَ بَٰخِعٌۭ نَّفْسَكَ عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَٰرِهِمْ إِن لَّمْ يُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِهَٰذَا ٱلْحَدِيثِ أَسَفًا

Fala'allaka baakhi'un nafsaka 'alaaa aasaarihim illam yu;minoo bihaazal hadeesi asafaa

Then perhaps you would kill yourself through grief over them, [O Muhammad], if they do not believe in this message, [and] out of sorrow.

7

إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ زِينَةًۭ لَّهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًۭا

Innaa ja'alnaa ma 'alal ardi zeenatal lahaa linabluwahum ayyuhum ahsanu 'amalaa

Indeed, We have made that which is on the earth adornment for it that We may test them [as to] which of them is best in deed.

8

وَإِنَّا لَجَٰعِلُونَ مَا عَلَيْهَا صَعِيدًۭا جُرُزًا

Wa innaa lajaa 'iloona maa 'alaihaa sa'aeedan juruzaa

And indeed, We will make that which is upon it [into] a barren ground.

9

أَمْ حَسِبْتَ أَنَّ أَصْحَٰبَ ٱلْكَهْفِ وَٱلرَّقِيمِ كَانُوا۟ مِنْ ءَايَٰتِنَا عَجَبًا

Am hasibta anna Ashaabal Kahfi war Raqeemi kaanoo min Aayaatinaa 'ajabaa

Or have you thought that the companions of the cave and the inscription were, among Our signs, a wonder?

10

إِذْ أَوَى ٱلْفِتْيَةُ إِلَى ٱلْكَهْفِ فَقَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةًۭ وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًۭا

Iz awal fityatu ilal Kahfi faqaaloo Rabbanaaa aatinaa mil ladunka rahmatanw wa haiyi' lanaa min amrinaa rashadaa

[Mention] when the youths retreated to the cave and said, "Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance."

Why These 10 Verses Are Special

Abu Darda (RA) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Whoever memorizes ten verses from the beginning of Surah Al-Kahf will be protected from Dajjal." (Sahih Muslim 809)

The Prophet (ﷺ) also said: "Whoever reads Surah Al-Kahf on Friday, a light will shine for him from one Friday to the next." (Al-Bayhaqi, authenticated by Al-Albani)

These opening verses establish the core themes of the surah: the perfection of the Quran, the warning against false beliefs, the temporary nature of worldly life, and the introduction to the story of the People of the Cave — young believers who chose faith over comfort.

Benefits & When to Recite

Protection from Dajjal

The primary benefit — memorizing these 10 verses shields you from the greatest trial of the end times, as stated by the Prophet (ﷺ) himself.

Friday Light

Reading Surah Al-Kahf on Friday generates a spiritual light that lasts until the next Friday. Start with these 10 verses and build up to the full surah.

Resistance to Fitna

The four stories in Surah Al-Kahf address four types of trials: faith, wealth, knowledge, and power. The opening verses set the foundation for resisting all of them.

A Beautiful Dua

Verse 10 contains the dua of the youth: "Our Lord, grant us mercy and guide our affair." A powerful prayer for anyone seeking Allah's guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should we memorize the first 10 ayat of Surah Al-Kahf?
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Whoever memorizes ten verses from the beginning of Surah Al-Kahf will be protected from Dajjal (the Antichrist)." (Sahih Muslim 809). This is one of the few specific protections the Prophet mentioned against the greatest trial of the end times.
When should you recite Surah Al-Kahf?
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Whoever reads Surah Al-Kahf on Friday, a light will shine for him between the two Fridays." (Al-Bayhaqi). It is recommended to read the entire surah on Friday, and to especially memorize the first 10 verses for protection from Dajjal.
What is the story of the People of the Cave?
The People of the Cave (Ashab Al-Kahf) were young believers who fled persecution for their faith in one God. Allah caused them to sleep in the cave for 309 years, then awakened them as a sign. Verse 10 introduces their story and their beautiful dua for guidance.
Listen to Surah Al-Kahf →