The Cave (Al-Kahf)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
Praise be to Allah Who has revealed to His servant the Book devoid of all crookedness; 1 an unerringly Straight Book, meant to warn of a stern punishment from Allah, and to proclaim, to those who believe and work righteous deeds, the tiding that theirs shall be a good reward 2 wherein they will remain [in a state of bliss] forever. 3 And warn those who say: Allah has taken a son. 4 No knowledge thereof have they, nor had their fathers. Odious is the word that cometh out of their mouths; they say not but a lie. 5 Perhaps you will destroy yourself out of grief because they disbelieve this Book. 6 Surely We have made all that is on the earth an embellishment for it in order to test people as to who of them is better in conduct. 7 For We shall certainly turn it to barren dust. 8 Or deemest thou that the People of the Cave and the Inscription are a wonder among Our portents? 9 When the youths sought refuge in the cave, they said: Our Lord! grant us mercy from Thee, and provide for us a right course in our affair. 10 We sealed their ears in 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