The Cave (Al-Kahf)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
All praise unto Allah who hath sent down unto His bondman the Book, and hath not placed therein any crookedness. 1 so that he could warn them of His stern retribution, give the glad news of the best and everlasting reward to the righteously striving believers, 2 wherein they will remain [in a state of bliss] forever. 3 And to warn those who say, "Allah has taken a son." 4 They have no knowledge of this, nor did their forefathers have any either. What they say is monstrous: they are merely uttering falsehoods! 5 But wouldst thou, perhaps, torment thyself to death with grief over them if they are not willing to believe in this message? 6 Behold, We have willed that all beauty on earth be a means by which We put men to a test, [showing] which of them are best in conduct; 7 In the ultimate, We shall reduce all that is on the earth to a barren plain. 8 Do you think that the people of the Cave and the Inscription (the news or the names of the people of the Cave) were a wonder among Our Signs? 9 When the youths sought refuge in the Cave, they said: 'Lord give us from Your Mercy and furnish us with rectitude in our affair' 10 Then We smote their ears many years in the Cave. 11 Then roused them to ascertain which of the two groups could account for the period they had stayed. 12