The Cave (Al-Kahf)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Praise be to God. He has sent the Book to His servant and has made it a flawless guide (for human beings) 1 (But hath made it) straight, to give warning of stern punishment from Him, and to bring unto the believers who do good works the news that theirs will be a fair reward, 2 wherein they will remain [in a state of bliss] forever. 3 And it (the Koran) warns those who say: 'Allah has taken a son' 4 They do not have any knowledge of it – nor did their forefathers; profound is the word that comes out of their mouths; they only speak a lie. 5 Perhaps, you, would kill yourself (O Muhammad SAW) in grief, over their footsteps (for their turning away from you), because they believe not in this narration (the Quran). 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 [AND SINCE the life of this world is but a test, dost thou [really] think that [the parable of] the Men of the Cave and of [their devotion to] the scriptures could be deemed more wondrous than any [other] of Our messages? 9 [Mention] when the youths retreated to the cave and said, "Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance." 10 Then We draw (a veil) over their ears, for a number of years, in the Cave, (so that they heard not): 11 Thereafter We raised them up that We might know which of the two parties was best at reckoning the time that they had tarried. 12