state, in the hadith, “from the end of Surah al-Kahf.” (1) These reports may be reconciled by taking the precaution of reciting ten verses from its beginning and ten from its end. It contains lessons, including:

The story of the Companions of the Cave;

the story of the two men who owned two gardens;

the story of Moses with Khidr;

the story of Dhul-Qarnayn;

and the story of Gog and Magog.

For this reason, encouragement has been reported to recite it on Friday, before or after the prayer.

“And he should frequently supplicate and invoke blessings upon the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, …”

His statement, “and he should frequently supplicate,” means that it is recommended to supplicate often on Friday, because Friday contains an hour which no Muslim servant encounters while standing in prayer and asking Allah for something except that He grants it to him. This is due to the Prophet’s statement, peace and blessings be upon him: “Indeed, on Friday there is an hour which no Muslim servant encounters while standing in prayer and asking Allah for something except that He grants it to him.” (2) One should therefore supplicate often, in the hope of attaining the hour when supplications are answered.

The author, may Allah have mercy on him, did not specify the kind of supplication that one should make abundantly; this is left to the individual. Every person has particular needs before his Lord, so let him ask his Lord for whatever he wishes.

His statement, “and he should frequently invoke blessings upon the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him,” means that it is recommended to invoke blessings upon the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, often on Friday, because the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, instructed that one frequently invoke