The Cave (Al-Kahf)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
All praise unto Allah who hath sent down unto His bondman the Book, and hath not placed therein any crookedness. 1 and which rightly directs, to give warning of stern punishment from Him, and to proclaim to the believers who do righteous deeds that they shall have an excellent recompense, 2 and they will live for ever therein. 3 and to warn those who say, 'God has taken to 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 Perhaps you may destroy yourself with grief if they do not believe in this message. 6 We have caused earthly things to seem attractive so that We can see who will excel in good deeds. 7 And indeed, We will make that which is upon it [into] a barren ground. 8 Or, do you think that the Fellows of the Cave and the Inscription were of Our wonderful signs? 9 Recall what time the youths betook themselves to the cave, then said: our Lord! vouchsafe unto us mercy from before Thee, and prepare for us in our affair a right course. 10 So We cast [a cover of sleep] over their ears within the cave for a number of years. 11 and then We awakened them: [and We did all this] so that We might mark out [to the world] which of the two points of view showed a better comprehension of the time-span during which they had remained in this state. 12