Answer
Short Answer:
- You are asking: what if someone starts reciting Surat Al Kahf on Friday and is unable to complete it before maghrib and therefore completes it after maghrib before 12:00am, will he/she get the virtues of reciting the surah? Will he/she get the light? There is no problem. The person should continue reading and finishing the Surah.
- Regarding your other question on describing the light in the hadith. The scholars have mentioned two possibilities for that: either this is a metaphorical light. Meaning it’s the light of guidance and prevention from falling into big sins that decrease one’s light of faith…etc. So it is a guiding light towards the straight path and away from sins.
- Or, an actual light, meaning, the person will have light and brightness in their face here and in the hereafter. They’ll have light from under their feet guiding their path on the Day of Judgement.
………….
Walaykum Asalam waRahmat Allah wa Barakatuhu Dear Sister,
Thank you for sending your important question. Reading Surat Al Kahf indeed has many virtues and there are several hadiths on it.
What Are the Rewards of Reading Surat Al Kahf?
Among the hadiths mentioned about the virtues of Surat Al Kahf is what Abu Darda’ reported from Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:
“If anyone learns by heart the first ten verses of the Surah al-Kahf, he will be protected from the Dajjal.” [Sahih Muslim]
Of course, the trial of the Dajjal is among the biggest trials believers would face, and knowing that Surat Al Kahf provides this protection must make it of extremely high value to the believers.
(You can read this interesting and valuable presentation on how Surat Al Kahf relates to the trial of the Dajjal).
Additionally, in another hadith, Al-Bara’ ibn ‘Azib reported that a man was reciting Surat al-Kahf and in his barn was an animal which became unsettled. As he looked, there was a mist or a cloud overshadowing him. He mentioned that to the Prophet and he said,
“Continue reciting, for it was calm which descended with the Quran, or for the Quran.” [Sahih Al Bukari & Muslim]
The Light of Surat Al-Kahf
Regarding your questions, it was mentioned in the hadith from Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri that the Prophet said,
“Whoever recites Surat al-Kahf on Friday will have a light between this Friday and the next.”
In another narration, the Prophet said,
“Whoever reads Surat al-Kahf as it was revealed, there will be a light for him on the Day of Resurrection.” [al-Sunan al-Kubrá 5856. Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Albani]
You are asking: what if someone starts reciting Surat Al Kahf from Fajr or morning of Friday and is unable to complete it before maghrib and therefore completes it after maghrib before 12:00am, will he/she get the virtues of reciting the surah? Will he/she get the light?
There is no problem. The person should continue reading and finishing the Surah. Allah Almighty says “
And it is He who has made the night and the day in succession for whoever desires to remember or desires gratitude.” (Quran 25: 62)
And this verse tells us that Allah has appointed for us the day and night as means to continue the remembrance of Allah. Like the recitation of the Quran, and the acts of worship and gratitude we need to make.
So if you started with the right intention to get the reward and please Allah and come close to Him. As well as remember Him by reading His Book which is the best form of remembrance. Then most definitely Allah Almighty will preserve your reward for you and increase you from His Bounties.
Some words of advice
Having said that, as an advice, if you do know that it takes you a long time to read it or that you might not be able to finish it if you start from the Fajr of Friday. Then, you can start reading from the Maghrib of the night before, i.e. from the Maghrib of Thursday.
We have from after the Maghrib of Thursday until the Maghrib of Friday to read, and alhamduliAllah this is a vast time for us to engage in the remembrance of Allah and read Surat Al Kahf.
Regarding your other question on describing the light in the hadith. The scholars have mentioned two possibilities for that: either this is a metaphorical light. Meaning it’s the light of guidance and prevention from falling into big sins that decrease one’s light of faith…etc. So it is a guiding light towards the straight path and away from sins.
Or, an actual light, meaning, the person will have light and brightness in their face here and in the hereafter. They’ll have light from under their feet guiding their path on the Day of Judgement.
We know that there is darkness on the Day of Judgement. So, having light under one’s feet guiding their way is a major blessing and means of security.
And Allah knows best.
I hope this helps.
Salam and please keep in touch.
(From Ask About Islam archive)
Please continue feeding your curiosity, and find more info in the following links: