وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا مُعَاذُ بْنُ هِشَامٍ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ سَالِمِ، بْنِ أَبِي الْجَعْدِ الْغَطَفَانِيِّ عَنْ مَعْدَانَ بْنِ أَبِي طَلْحَةَ الْيَعْمَرِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏"‏ مَنْ حَفِظَ عَشْرَ آيَاتٍ مِنْ أَوَّلِ سُورَةِ الْكَهْفِ عُصِمَ مِنَ الدَّجَّالِ ‏"‏
Translation
Abu Darda' reported Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) as saying

If anyone learns by heart the first ten verses of the Surah al-Kahf, he will be protected from the Dajjal.

Comment

Hadith Commentary: Protection from Dajjal

This narration from Sahih Muslim 809a in "The Book of Prayer - Travellers" indicates the immense virtue of memorizing and reciting the opening verses of Surah al-Kahf. The Dajjal represents the ultimate trial of faith, and this protection manifests as divine safeguarding from his fitnah (tribulation).

Spiritual Significance

The first ten verses of Surah al-Kahf contain fundamental Islamic doctrines: pure monotheism, rejection of shirk, affirmation of resurrection, and the story of the People of the Cave - all serving as spiritual armor against Dajjal's deception.

Memorization here implies not merely rote learning but deep contemplation and implementation of these verses' meanings, creating a fortress of faith in the heart that Dajjal cannot penetrate.

Practical Implementation

Scholars recommend regular recitation, especially on Fridays, with proper understanding of the verses' meanings. This practice strengthens iman and provides continuous protection through constant remembrance of Allah's promises and warnings.

The protection encompasses both worldly trials and eschatological tribulations, as Dajjal's influence begins subtly before his physical appearance.