﷽

Alhamdulilah, after learning the four stories of Surah Al-Kahf, one question naturally comes to mind: How did this surah come about and what’s the story behind its revelation?

Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was from the Quraysh tribe in Mecca. When he began proclaiming that he was a Prophet of Allah, some of the elders of his tribe approached the Jewish community of Yathrib (later known as Madinah) and asked, “What are the signs of a true Prophet?”

The Jews responded with three questions to test the Prophet (ﷺ), saying that he (ﷺ) should know the answer to the first two but not the third question, as that knowledge belongs only to the Creator.

1. What is the story of the young men who fled seeking Allah’s protection?
2. What is the story of the king whom Allah blessed with the east and west?
3. What is the ruh (spirit)?

Indeed, Allah sent His response.

• The answer to the first question was the story of the young men who sought refuge in the cave.
• The second question was answered through the story of the wise king Dhu ‘l-Qarnayn.
• As for the third question, Allah revealed the answer in Surah Al-Isra [17:85]:

وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلرُّوحِ ۖ قُلِ ٱلرُّوحُ مِنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّى وَمَآ أُوتِيتُم مِّنَ ٱلْعِلْمِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًۭا

[Prophet], They ask you about the Spirit. Say “The spirit is part of my Lord’s domain. You have only been given a little knowledge” [17:85]

Peace & blessings upon the Nabi of Allah.