The Cave (Al-Kahf)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
All praise unto Allah who hath sent down unto His bondman the Book, 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 They will abide therein for ever. 3 and also to warn those who say: "Allah has taken to Himself a son," 4 (A thing) whereof they have no knowledge, nor (had) their fathers, Dreadful is the word that cometh out of their mouths. They speak naught but a lie. 5 Yet perchance, if they do not believe in this tiding, you will consume yourself with grief and follow after them. 6 We have adorned the earth with attractive things, so that We may test mankind as to which one is best in conduct, 7 and We shall surely make all that is on it barren dust. 8 Deemest thou that the people of the cave and the inscription were of Our signs a wonder? 9 When the youths took refuge in the Cave saying, 'Our lord, give us mercy from Thee, and furnish us with rectitude in our affair.' 10 Then We draw (a veil) over their ears, for a number of years, in the Cave, (so that they heard not): 11 Then roused them to ascertain which of the two groups could account for the period they had stayed. 12