The Cave (Al-Kahf)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
ALL PRAISE is due to God, who has bestowed this divine writ from on high upon His servant, and has not allowed any deviousness to obscure its meaning: 1 Immutable, so that it may warn of a severe punishment from Him; and give happy tidings to those who believe and do the right that there is a better reward (of Paradise) for them, 2 [a state of bliss] in which they shall dwell beyond the count of time. 3 And to warn those who say: Allah hath chosen a son, 4 They have no knowledge of it, nor had their fathers; a grievous word it is that comes out of their mouths; they speak nothing but a lie. 5 Perhaps you may destroy yourself with grief if they do not believe 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 We shall surely make all that is on it barren dust. 8 Do you not think that the story of the Companions of the Cave and the Inscription was one of Our marvelous miracles? 9 When the young men fled for refuge to the Cave and said: Our Lord! Give us mercy from Thy presence, and shape for us right conduct in our plight. 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