The Cave (Al-Kahf)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
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 They shall abide therein forever. 3 And to warn those (Jews, Christians, and pagans) who say, "Allah has begotten a son (or offspring or children)." 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 Yet perchance, if they believe not in this tiding, thou wilt consume thyself, following after them, of grief. 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 Verily what is on earth we shall make but as dust and dry soil (without growth or herbage). 8 Or dost thou reflect that the Companions of the Cave and of the Inscription were wonders among Our Sign? 9 When the young men took refuge in the Cave – then said, “Our Lord! Give us mercy from Yourself, and arrange guidance for us in our affair.” 10 Wherefore We put a covering over their ears in the cave for a number of years. 11 and then roused them so that We might see which of the two parties could best tell the length of their stay. 12