These 10 opening verses are particularly important — they are narrated to provide protection from the trials of the Dajjal when memorised. Take your time with each verse; verses 1–8 set the theological context, while verses 9–10 introduce the story of the People of the Cave. See the Tajweed for Beginners guide if any of the notation below is unfamiliar.
Verse 1
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَلَمْ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ عِوَجًا
Alhamdu lillaahil-ladhee anzala 'alaa 'abdihil-kitaaba wa lam yaj'al lahoo 'iwajaa
“[All] praise is due to Allah, who has sent down upon His Servant the Book and has not made therein any deviance.”
Pronunciation: "Alhamdu lillaahi" — the Lam in "Lillaahi" is a heavy Lam (Lam Al-Jalaalah) when preceded by a Dhammah or Fathah vowel. Pronounce it with a full mouth. The Laam in "anzala" is light. "'Iwajaa" ends with a long Alif — give it 2 counts.
Verse 2
قَيِّمًا لِّيُنذِرَ بَأْسًا شَدِيدًا مِّن لَّدُنْهُ وَيُبَشِّرَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
Qayyimal-liyundhira ba'san shadeedam-mil-ladunhu wa yubashshiral-mu'mineen
“Straight, to warn of severe punishment from Him and to give good tidings to the believers.”
Pronunciation: "Qayyiman" — the double Ya uses Shaddah; hold the Y sound firmly. "Ba'san shadeedan" — Idgham occurs between "shadeedan" and "min": the Nun fuses into the Mim with Ghunnah (a nasal hum for 2 counts). "Mu'mineen" — the Hamzah is a clear glottal stop before the Mim.
Verse 3
مَـٰكِثِينَ فِيهِ أَبَدًا
Maakitheena feehi abadaa
“In which they will remain forever”
Pronunciation: "Maakitheena" contains a 2-count Madd on the Alif. "Feehi" — the "ee" vowel is also a 2-count Madd. "Abadaa" ends with a 2-count natural Madd on the Alif. This short verse should flow smoothly and calmly.
Verse 4
وَيُنذِرَ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوا۟ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ وَلَدًا
Wa yundhiral-ladheena qaalutat-takhadhal-laahu waladaa
“And to warn those who say, "Allah has taken a son."”
Pronunciation: "Qaaluu" — the Waaw Madd gives a 2-count "oo" prolongation. "Ittakhidha" begins with Hamzah Al-Wasl — the Hamzah is dropped when following the previous word in connected recitation. The double Ta uses Shaddah.
Verse 5
مَّا لَهُم بِهِۦ مِنْ عِلْمٍ وَلَا لِـَٔابَآئِهِمْ ۚ كَبُرَتْ كَلِمَةً تَخْرُجُ مِنْ أَفْوَٰهِهِمْ ۚ إِن يَقُولُونَ إِلَّا كَذِبًا
Maa lahum bihee min 'ilmiw-wa laa li-aabaa'ihim, kaburat kalimatan takhruju min afwaahihim, in yaqooloona illaa kadhibaa
“They have no knowledge of it, nor had their fathers. Grave is the word that comes out of their mouths; they speak not except a lie.”
Pronunciation: "Min 'ilmin wa laa" — Idgham: the Nun in "min" fuses into the Waw with Ghunnah. "Laa li-aabaa'ihim" — the Hamzah in "aabaa'i" is a glottal stop; do not skip it. The elongated Alif in "aabaa" is a 2-count Madd.
Verse 6
فَلَعَلَّكَ بَـٰخِعٌ نَّفْسَكَ عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِمْ إِن لَّمْ يُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِهَـٰذَا ٱلْحَدِيثِ أَسَفًا
Fala'allaka baakhi'un-nafsaka 'alaaa aathaaarihim il-lam yu'minoo bihaadhal-hadeethi asafaa
“Then perhaps you would kill yourself through grief over them, [O Muhammad], if they do not believe in this message, out of sorrow.”
Pronunciation: "Ba'akhi'un-nafsaka" — Idgham: the Noon Tanwin of "Baakhi'un" assimilates into the following Noon with Ghunnah. "Aathaaarihim" — the Tha (ث) is a soft interdental sound, like "th" in "thin". "Al-Hadeeth" contains a 2-count Madd before the end.
Verse 7
إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ زِينَةً لَّهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا
Innaa ja'alnaa maa 'alal-ardhi zeenatal-lahaa linabl-uwahum ayyuhum ahsanu 'amalaa
“Indeed, We have made that which is on the earth adornment for it that We may test them [as to] which of them is best in deed.”
Pronunciation: "Innaa" — the Shaddah on the Noon gives it extra weight; hold the nasalisation. "Al-Ardi" — the Ra (ر) is slightly heavy here following a Kasrah that itself follows a letter of Isti'laa. "Zeenatan" — Idgham: Tanwin Noon fuses into the Lam without Ghunnah (Idgham Bila Ghunnah).
Verse 8
وَإِنَّا لَجَـٰعِلُونَ مَا عَلَيْهَا صَعِيدًا جُرُزًا
Wa innaa lajaa'iloona maa 'alayhaa sa'eedan juruzaa
“And indeed, We will make that which is upon it [into] a barren ground.”
Pronunciation: "Innaa lajaa'iloona" — the "aa" in "Innaa" is 2 counts. "Jaa'iloona" contains a 2-count Madd on the Alif. "Sa'eedan" — the Ain (ع) is a distinctive Arabic sound produced deep in the throat; do not replace it with a simple vowel.
Verse 9
أَمْ حَسِبْتَ أَنَّ أَصْحَـٰبَ ٱلْكَهْفِ وَٱلرَّقِيمِ كَانُوا۟ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا عَجَبًا
Am hasibta anna as-haabalkahfi war-raqeemi kaanoo min aayaatinaa 'ajabaa
“Or have you thought that the companions of the cave and the inscription were, among Our signs, a wonder?”
Pronunciation: "Al-Kahfi" — the Ha (ح) is a light breathy sound from the throat, not a gargling Kha. "Ar-Raqeemi" — the Ra is light here (following a Kasrah). "Kaanoo" contains a 2-count Waaw Madd. "Aayaatinaa" — double 2-count Madd on each Alif.
Verse 10
إِذْ أَوَى ٱلْفِتْيَةُ إِلَى ٱلْكَهْفِ فَقَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا
Idh aawal-fityatu ilal-kahfi faqaaloo Rabbanaa aatinaa mil-ladunka rahmataw-wa hayyi' lanaa min amrinaa rashadaa
“[Mention] when the youths retreated to the cave and said, "Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance."”
Pronunciation: "Rabbanaa aatinaa" — the Shaddah on Ba in "Rabbana" holds the Ba twice. "Aatinaa" begins with Madd Al-Badal — the Alif replaces a Hamzah giving 2 counts. "Rahmataw-wa" — Idgham: Tanwin Mim into Waw with Ghunnah. "Rashadaa" ends with 2-count Alif Madd.