Basic
Al-Kahf
Surah: Al-Kahf (10)
People of the Cave — Fleeing for the Sake of Faith
Quranic context: Al-Kahf, verses 9-26
Context: Young men who believed in Allah in a pagan society, fearing for their faith, took refuge in a cave. Allah says: "When the youths took refuge in the cave, they said: Our Lord, grant us mercy from You and prepare for us right conduct." Allah caused them to sleep for three hundred and nine years, then awakened them.
Signs of divine care:
The sun's rays shifted away from the cave opening, and their dog lay with paws outstretched at the threshold. Ibn Kathir explained this detail shows the precision of Allah's care for His awliya.
They awake after three centuries:
They thought they had slept a day or part of a day. When one went with silver coins, they discovered the time gap. "We caused them to sleep in the cave for a number of years."
Lesson: Migrating for the sake of one's faith when remaining becomes impossible is an obligation before sacrificing one's creed. Whoever leaves something for Allah, Allah compensates them with better.
Context: Young men who believed in Allah in a pagan society, fearing for their faith, took refuge in a cave. Allah says: "When the youths took refuge in the cave, they said: Our Lord, grant us mercy from You and prepare for us right conduct." Allah caused them to sleep for three hundred and nine years, then awakened them.
Signs of divine care:
The sun's rays shifted away from the cave opening, and their dog lay with paws outstretched at the threshold. Ibn Kathir explained this detail shows the precision of Allah's care for His awliya.
They awake after three centuries:
They thought they had slept a day or part of a day. When one went with silver coins, they discovered the time gap. "We caused them to sleep in the cave for a number of years."
Lesson: Migrating for the sake of one's faith when remaining becomes impossible is an obligation before sacrificing one's creed. Whoever leaves something for Allah, Allah compensates them with better.
Source: Ibn Kathir Tafsir (5/140); Al-Sadi; Al-Qurtubi (10/351)
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Why did the People of the Cave take refuge in the cave?
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