The Cave (Al-Kahf)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
All praise is to Allah Who sent down the Book upon His bondman, and has not kept any deviation in it. 1 Rightly directing, that he might give warning of severe punishment from Him and give good news to the believers who do good that they shall have a goodly reward, 2 Wherein they will abide for ever; 3 Furthermore, [this divine writ is meant] to warn all those who assert, "God has taken unto Himself a son." 4 Surely, of this they have no knowledge, neither they nor their fathers; it is a monstrous word that comes from their mouths, they say nothing but a lie. 5 Yet perchance, if they believe not in this tiding, thou wilt consume thyself, following after them, of grief. 6 We have indeed placed all that is on the earth as its adornment in order that We may test them, who among them has the best deeds. 7 Verily what is on earth we shall make but as dust and dry soil (without growth or herbage). 8 Or deemest thou that the People of the Cave and the Inscription are a wonder among Our portents? 9 Behold, the youths betook themselves to the Cave: they said, "Our Lord! bestow on us Mercy from Thyself, and dispose of our affair for us in the right way!" 10 We sealed their ears in the cave for a number of years. 11 and then roused them so that We might see which of the two parties could best tell the length of their stay. 12