- Memorizing Verses from Surah al-Kahf
The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, instructed that the opening verses of Surah al-Kahf be recited against the Dajjāl. Some narrations mention its closing verses instead. This is done by reciting ten verses from either its beginning or its end.
Among the hadiths reported concerning this is the lengthy hadith of al-Nawwās ibn Sam‘ān narrated by Muslim ... (in which the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, says): “Whoever among you encounters him should recite the opening verses of Surah al-Kahf against him” (1).
Muslim also narrated from Abū al-Dardā’, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “Whoever memorizes ten verses from the beginning of Surah al-Kahf will be protected from the Dajjāl”—that is, from his tribulation.
Muslim said: “Shu‘bah said, ‘From the end of al-Kahf,’ while Hammām said, ‘From the beginning of al-Kahf’” (2).
Al-Nawawī said: “The reason for this is the wonders and signs contained in its opening. Whoever reflects upon them will not succumb to the Dajjāl’s tribulation. Likewise, its closing section contains the words of Allah Most High: ‘Do those who disbelieve think that they can take…?’ [al-Kahf: 102]” (3).
This is among the distinctive virtues of Surah al-Kahf. Hadiths have been reported encouraging its recitation, especially on Friday.