The Cave (Al-Kahf)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Praise be to God. He has sent the Book to His servant and has made it a flawless guide (for human beings) 1 A just Book, to warn of Allah’s severe punishment, and to give glad tidings to the believers who do good deeds, that for them is an excellent reward. 2 wherein they shall abide for ever; 3 And warn those who say: Allah has taken a son. 4 They have no knowledge of this, as their fathers did not have. How terrible are the words they utter! They speak nothing but lies. 5 Possibly you may risk your life by grieving (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him) for them if they do not believe in this narration. 6 We have appointed all that is on the earth an adornment for it, in order that We try which of them is finest in works. 7 Verily what is on earth we shall make but as dust and dry soil (without growth or herbage). 8 [AND SINCE the life of this world is but a test, dost thou [really] think that [the parable of] the Men of the Cave and of [their devotion to] the scriptures could be deemed more wondrous than any [other] of Our messages? 9 When the young men sought refuge in the cave, they said, "Our Lord, grant us Your special mercy and give us right guidance in our affair." 10 We sealed off their ears in the cave for a number of years, 11 Then We roused them, in order to test which of the two parties was best at calculating the term of years they had tarried! 12