The Cave (Al-Kahf)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Praise be to God who has sent down to His servant -- the Book, which is free from any ambiguity 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 Furthermore, [this divine writ is meant] to warn all those who assert, "God has taken unto Himself 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 Yet it may be, if they believe not in this statement, that thou (Muhammad) wilt torment thy soul with grief over their footsteps. 6 Surely We have made whatever is on the earth an embellishment for it, so that We may try them (as to) which of them is best in works. 7 And indeed We shall one day make all that is on it a barren plain. 8 Deemest thou that the people of the cave and the inscription were of Our signs a wonder? 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 off their ears in the cave for a number of years, 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