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 it (the Koran) warns those who say: 'Allah has taken a son' 4 No knowledge have they of such a thing, nor had their fathers. Mighty is the word that comes out of their mouths [i.e. He begot (took) sons and daughters]. They utter nothing but a lie. 5 Thou wouldst only, perchance, fret thyself to death, following after them, in grief, if they believe not in this Message. 6 Indeed, We have made that which is on the earth adornment for it that We may test them [as to] which of them is best in deed. 7 And indeed, We will make that which is upon it [into] a barren ground. 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 off 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