Qur'anic Tale: Ahlul Kahf (The people of the Cave) - Part II

Note: This is a continuation of the story we posted last Friday. Part I of the story can be found here.
 

In order to save their iman (faith), the youths fled and went into hiding. On their escape route, they met a young farmer who owned a dog. They gave him da’wah; he accepted and decided to join them. Eventually, they arrived at a cave in which they made du’a to Allah (SWT) for ease. The youths decided to rest in the cave for a while leaving the dog near the entrance as a guard, and Allah (SWT) caused them and the dog to sleep for 300 years!

The event is recorded in the Holy Qur’an in sura Al-Kahf:

 

 

“And you would have deemed them waking though they were asleep, and we caused them to turn over to the right and the left, and their dog stretching out his paws on the threshold. If you had observed them closely you had assuredly turned away from them in fear, and had been filled with awe of them.

 

[English Translation of the Qur’an, Al-Kahf 18.18]

 

The Qur’an further mentions that while they were asleep, their people changed from the solar to the lunar calendars resulting in a total sleep period of 309 years.

When they woke up, they had no idea that they had slept for centuries and thought that they had only slept for a few hours. When one of them set off to buy food, the shopkeeper was amazed to see such old coins. The reality of the time they had spent in the cave gradually came to light.

The present ruling king was a believer who came on foot to see them and seek their blessings. When these youths died, they were buried in the cave along with their dog.

Apart from Amman in Jordan, the location of the cave is also claimed to be in present-day Turkey. Only Allah (SWT) knows best.

The Prophet (peace be upon him said): “Whoever reads Soorat al-Kahf on the day of Jumu’ah, will have a light that will shine from him from one Friday to the next.” So do not miss out on this great opportunity!

 
photo credit: Nick Kenrick . via photopin cc

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