Nations of the QuranA group of the Quran

The companions of the cave

أصحاب الكهف

Young believers who fled with their faith to a cave, where Allah made them sleep for three centuries.

Their story

Surah al-Kahf tells of young men who believed in their Lord and left the worship of their people, taking refuge in a cave (18:9–16). Allah made them sleep, and they stayed in their cave three hundred years, and nine more (18:25).

When they woke, the people they had fled were gone. The Quran mentions their dog and that people would dispute their number, and says only a few know it (18:22); islamweb's fatwa points to the commentators for the details, which the Quran leaves aside.

Evidence

QuranAl-Kahf (The Cave)Quran 18:9

أَمْ حَسِبْتَ أَنَّ أَصْحَـٰبَ ٱلْكَهْفِ وَٱلرَّقِيمِ كَانُوا۟ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا عَجَبًا ٩

Or have you thought that the companions of the cave and the inscription were, among Our signs, a wonder?[781]

Translator's notes

[781] Rather, it is only one of the many wonders of Allāh.

Saheeh International · QuranEnc v1.1.2

Another translation: Al-Hilali & Muhsin Khan · QuranEnc v1.1.2

9. Do you think that the people of the Cave and the Inscription (the news or the names of the people of the Cave) were a wonder among Our Signs?

Read in context on Quran.com

QuranAl-Kahf (The Cave)Quran 18:25

وَلَبِثُوا۟ فِى كَهْفِهِمْ ثَلَـٰثَ مِا۟ئَةٍ سِنِينَ وَٱزْدَادُوا۟ تِسْعًا ٢٥

And they remained in their cave for three hundred years and exceeded by nine.[786]

Translator's notes

[786] i.e., 309 lunar years.

Saheeh International · QuranEnc v1.1.2

Another translation: Al-Hilali & Muhsin Khan · QuranEnc v1.1.2

25. And they stayed in their Cave three hundred (solar) years, adding nine (for lunar years). (Tafsir Al-Qurtubi)

Read in context on Quran.com

Scholarly opinionAbout the companions of the cave (islamweb fatwa 35798)islamweb.net

Report an error on this page