hearing Al-Bara say: "There was a man reciting [Surat] Al-Kahf when he saw his riding animal stamping his feet, so he looked and there was something like a shadow or cloud, so he went to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and mentioned that to him. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "That was the tranquility which descends with the Qur'an, or descends because of the Qur'an."
Hadith Text & Context
This narration from Al-Bara' ibn 'Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) describes a remarkable incident where a companion was reciting Surat al-Kahf and witnessed his riding animal becoming agitated while a cloud-like tranquility descended. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) identified this phenomenon as divine tranquility (sakinah) accompanying the Qur'anic recitation.
The Nature of Divine Tranquility (Sakinah)
Scholars explain that sakinah is a divine calmness and peace that Allah sends down upon His servants, bringing stillness to hearts and certainty to souls. It manifests physically and spiritually, as evidenced by the animal's reaction and the visible cloud-like appearance.
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) stated: "Sakinah is a wind from Paradise that brings tranquility to the heart of the believer." This incident demonstrates that sakinah isn't merely metaphorical but can have tangible manifestations perceptible to creation.
Virtues of Reciting Surat al-Kahf
This hadith specifically highlights the special status of Surat al-Kahf. Classical commentators note that this chapter contains profound lessons about faith trials, the nature of worldly life, and divine protection - making it particularly potent in attracting divine mercy and tranquility.
Imam al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) emphasized that the recommended recitation of Surat al-Kahf on Fridays carries special blessings, with this hadith indicating the tangible spiritual effects that can accompany its proper recitation.
The Qur'an's Living Reality
This incident proves the Qur'an isn't merely written text but living speech of Allah with ongoing spiritual effects. As al-Qurtubi (may Allah have mercy on him) noted: "This demonstrates the honor of the Qur'an and that it's not like other speech, for it has effects upon hearts and bodies that other words don't possess."
The dual phrasing "with the Qur'an or because of the Qur'an" indicates both the accompaniment of divine tranquility during recitation and its causation by the Qur'an's inherent spiritual power.
Practical Implications for Recitation
Scholars derive from this that proper Qur'anic recitation with presence of heart attracts divine blessings. The animal's perception of sakinah before its rider emphasizes that spiritual realities can be perceived by creation before humans recognize them.
This encourages believers to recite Qur'an with reverence and expectation of divine response, knowing that Allah honors those who engage with His speech with appropriate awe and devotion.