The Cave (Al-Kahf)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
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 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 [a state of bliss] in which they shall dwell beyond the count of time. 3 And to warn those who say “Allah has chosen a child.” 4 They have no knowledge of it, nor had their fathers; a grievous word it is that comes out of their mouths; they speak nothing but a lie. 5 Haply thou art going to kill thyself over their footsteps, if they believe not in this discourse, out of sorrow. 6 We have appointed all that is on the earth for an adornment for it, and that We may try which of them is fairest in works; 7 And most surely We will make what is on it bare ground without herbage. 8 Do you think that the Men of the Cave and the Inscription were one of Our wondrous signs? 9 When the young men sought refuge in the cave, they said, "Our Lord, grant us Your special mercy and give us right guidance 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 afterward We raised them up that We might know which of the two parties would best calculate the time that they had tarried. 12