With a special day such as Jumu’ah comes a momentous occasion to practice some of the most neglected Sunnahs. Friday is a chance to engage in multiple acts of Sunnah which have all been prescribed by the Prophet ﷺ, and reciting Surah Kahf is just one of them.
A simple sunnah that is very often neglected is the act of reciting Surah Kahf on the day of Jum’uah.
In one narration, the Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever reads Surah Al-Kahf on Friday, he will be illuminated with light between the two Fridays.” [Mustadrak al-Hakim]
According to another hadith, a man recited Surat-al-Kahf (in his prayer) and in the house, there was a (riding) animal which got frightened and started jumping. The man finished his prayer and all of a sudden a mist or a cloud hovered over him. He informed the Prophet ﷺ of that and the Prophet ﷺ said, “O so-and-so! Recite, for this (mist or cloud) was a sign of peace descending for the recitation of Qur’an.” [Sahih Bukhari]
When Should You Recite Surah Kahf on Friday?
There is no specific time in which Surah Kahf has to be recited. It may be recited during the night of Jumu’ah (Thursday night) or on the day of Jumu’ah.
Reciting Surah Kahf can end up taking anywhere between 10-40 minutes depending on the speed of your recitation. So whilst it is recommended to recite the entire Surah, you can choose to read the first ten verses or the last ten verses or both the first ten and last ten verses of the Surah if you struggle with finding the time.
With such a Sunnah being neglected, effort should be made to devote time towards the recitation of Surah Kahf – an act that brings about its very own exclusive benefits.
For example, in one hadith, Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reports that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever recites Surat Al-Kahf on Jumu’ah will have illumination from the light from one Jumu’ah to the next.” [Sunan Nasai]
Another great blessing of reciting Surah Kahf on Friday is that it protects against the trials and tribulations of Dajjal. In another hadith of Abu al-Darda’, the Prophet ﷺ said: “He who memorizes the first ten verses of Surah al-Kahf will be protected from the trial of the Dajjal. In another narration, it is the last ten verses of Surah al-Kahf.’ [Sahih Muslim]
From this, we can learn the immense power of only the first ten and last ten verses of this Surah.
Other Acts of Sunnah To Practice on the Day of Jumuah
Bathing, Applying Oil and Wearing Perfume
In one hadith, the Prophet ﷺ said, “If a man takes a bath on Friday, purifies himself as much as he can, oils his hair or applies perfume with scent available in his house, then sets forth for the mosque (for the Jumu’ah prayer), and does not separate two people (to make a seat for himself) then prays as much as (Allah has) written for him, then remains silent when the Imam is delivering the Khutba, his sins between that Friday and the following Friday will be forgiven.” [Sahih Bukhari]
Going To The Mosque Early
It is also a Sunnah to go to the mosque as early as possible. In one hadith, the Prophet ﷺ remind us why this is beneficial.
“When it is Jumuah, the Angels stand at the gate of the masjid and keep on writing the names of the persons coming to the masjid in succession according to their arrivals. The example of the one who enters the masjid in the earliest hour is that of one offering a camel (in sacrifice); the one coming next is like one offering a cow, and then a ram; and then a chicken; and then an egg respectively. When the Imam comes out (for Jumu’ah sermon) they (i.e. Angels) fold their papers and listen to the sermon.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Durood and the Special Hour
It is also recommended to send peace and blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ by constantly reciting the following:
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّمْ عَلَى نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Among the most excellent of your days is Friday; on it, Adam was created, on it, he died, on it the last trumpet will be blown, and on it, the shout will be made, so invoke more blessings on me that day, for your blessings will be submitted to me. The people asked: Messenger of Allah, how can it be that our blessings will be submitted to you while your body is decayed? He replied: Allah, the Exalted, has prohibited the earth from consuming the bodies of Prophets.” [Sunan Abu Dawud]
Lastly, to end the day of Jumu’ah on a positive note, be sure to cherish the last few moments as you reach the time of Maghrib. This is a special time which according to the Muslim scholar Ibn al-Qayyim is to be found after the ‘Asr prayer until the time of Maghrib. In a hadith, the Prophet ﷺ mentioned, “Friday is divided into twelve hours. Amongst them, there is an hour in which a Muslim does not ask Allah for anything but He gives it to him. So seek it in the last hour after the afternoon prayer (‘Asr).” [Sunan Abu Dawud]
Juber Ahmed is our Digital Editor and travel enthusiast with a keen interest in Islamic history and heritage. He travels with his wife to various places around the world and writes about his experiences.
Juber's favourite Quote...
"The World Is a Book and Those Who Do Not Travel Read Only One Page" [Saint Augustine]
