The Cave (Al-Kahf)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
ALL PRAISE is due to God, who has bestowed this divine writ from on high upon His servant, and has not allowed any deviousness to obscure its meaning: 1 Straightforward, that it may warn of a severe violence from before Him, and bring glad tidings to the believers who work righteous works that theirs shall be a goodly hire. 2 therein to abide for ever, 3 And to 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 But wouldst thou, perhaps, torment thyself to death with grief over them if they are not willing to believe in this message? 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 and We shall surely make all that is on it barren dust. 8 Or, do you think that the Fellows of the Cave and the Inscription were of Our wonderful 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 draw (a veil) over their ears, for a number of years, in the Cave, (so that they heard not): 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