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 an unerringly Straight Book, meant to warn of a stern punishment from Allah, and to proclaim, to those who believe and work righteous deeds, the tiding that theirs shall be a good reward 2 Wherein they shall remain for ever: 3 and to warn those who say, 'God has taken to Himself a son'; 4 a thing about which they have no knowledge, neither they nor their ancestors. Dreadful is the word that comes out of their mouths. What they utter is merely a lie. 5 Thou wouldst only, perchance, fret thyself to death, following after them, in grief, if they believe not in this Message. 6 Behold, We have willed that all beauty on earth be a means by which We put men to a test, [showing] which of them are best in conduct; 7 And lo! We shall make all that is thereon a barren mound. 8 Or, do you think the companions of the Cave and the tomb stone were a wonder among Our signs? 9 Recall what time the youths betook themselves to the cave, then said: our Lord! vouchsafe unto us mercy from before Thee, and prepare for us in our affair a right course. 10 And thereupon We veiled their ears in the cave for many a year, 11 Then roused them to ascertain which of the two groups could account for the period they had stayed. 12