Basic
Youth
Surah: Al-Kahf (10)
When the Youth Took Refuge in the Cave and Said: Our Lord, Grant Us Mercy — Youth and Fleeing With Faith
إِذۡ أَوَى ٱلۡفِتۡيَةُ إِلَى ٱلۡكَهۡفِ
— الكهف الآية 10
Verse: "When the youth took refuge in the cave and said: Our Lord, grant us mercy from Yourself and prepare for us right conduct in our affair." (18:10) — "Youth" = young men — Allah chose youth as the heroes of this story. "Took refuge" = sought shelter with intent and awareness. They left a disbelieving society they could not change — forced religious emigration. Their supplication combined two requests: "mercy" (facilitation of means) + "right conduct" (correct decision-making). The cave was narrow and dark — but a safer environment than a palace adorned with falsehood. Lesson: seclusion from a corrupt environment is obligatory when reform is impossible — but with supplication, not passivity.
Source: Ibn Kathir (5/131); Al-Sadi
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What is the wisdom in Allah specifically choosing youth as the heroes of the Cave story?
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