The Cave (Al-Kahf)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Praise be to Allah Who hath revealed the Scripture unto His slave, and hath not placed therein any crookedness, 1 [a divine writ] unerringly straight, meant to warn [the godless] of a severe punishment from Him, and to give unto the believers who do good works the glad tiding that theirs shall be a goodly reward 2 and they will live for ever therein. 3 And to warn those who say: Allah hath chosen a son, 4 Surely, of this they have no knowledge, neither they nor their fathers; it is a monstrous word that comes from their mouths, they say nothing but a lie. 5 Perhaps you will destroy yourself out of grief because they disbelieve this Book. 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 Verily what is on earth we shall make but as dust and dry soil (without growth or herbage). 8 Do you think that the people of the Cave and the Inscription were one of Our wondrous signs? 9 When those youths sought refuge in the Cave and said: "Our Lord! Grant us mercy from Yourself and provide for us rectitude in our affairs." 10 We sealed off their ears in the cave for a number of years, 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