Phenomenal existence indicates Allah 's Existence, and Revelation provides guidance to Him. Both are needed for sound belief: study of Existence and reflection on the Revelation. Surat al-Kahf combines both elements by taking actual historical events and demonstrating the Divine Unity through them, and disclosing them as archetypal examples for human beings of every generation.

It contains the story of some young men who went to the Cave which gives the sura its name; the story of a debate between two unnamed men, one of whom was the wealthy owner of a garden and the other of whom was poor; the story of Musa with al-Khidr; and a general account of the life of Dhu'I-Qarnayn.

The stories are divided by marvellous passages guiding to Allah and preparing people to meet Him.

Before these historical events are broached, there is a brief Introduction confirming the Revelation and its Message of good news and warning, refuting the Christian heresy, consoling the prophet and stating the purpose of our earthly life; then two ayats introduce the subject of the Cave.

These ten ayats have a special significance which take them beyond the context of the sura as a whole: Abu' d-Darda' reported Allah’s Messenger peace be upon him, as saying, "If anyone learns by heart the ten ayats at the beginning of Surat al-Kahf, he will be protected from Dajjal (Antichrist)." There is a hidden dimension to the Qur'an independent of its linguistic meaning which makes it effective in other ways and the Prophet peace be upon him mentioned many ayats whose recitation in different situations would bring Allah's help to the reciter.