The Cave (Al-Kahf)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-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 In which they will remain forever 3 And that it may warn those who say: God hath taken a son. 4 They have no knowledge of this, nor did their forefathers have any either. What they say is monstrous: they are merely uttering falsehoods! 5 Thou wouldst only, perchance, fret thyself to death, following after them, in grief, if they believe not in this Message. 6 We have appointed all that is on the earth an adornment for it, in order that We try which of them is finest in works. 7 And verily We are going to make whatsoever is thereon a soil bare. 8 Or, do you think the companions of the Cave and the tomb stone were a wonder among Our signs? 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 We sealed their ears in the cave for a number of years. 11 Then roused them to ascertain which of the two groups could account for the period they had stayed. 12