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 [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 Wherein they shall remain for ever: 3 And that it may warn those who say: "God has begotten a son." 4 They have no knowledge of this, as their fathers did not have. How terrible are the words they utter! They speak nothing but lies. 5 But wouldst thou, perhaps, torment thyself to death with grief over them if they are not willing to believe in this message? 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 lo! We shall make all that is thereon a barren mound. 8 Do you think that the people of the Cave and the Inscription (the news or the names of the people of the Cave) were a wonder among Our Signs? 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 And thereupon We veiled their ears in the cave for many a year, 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