أَمۡ حَسِبۡتَ أَنَّ أَصۡحَٰبَ ٱلۡكَهۡفِ وَٱلرَّقِيمِ كَانُواْ مِنۡ ءَايَٰتِنَا عَجَبًا
Occasion of Revelation (Sahih — Bukhari, Muslim & Ahmad):
The Meccan disbelievers sent Al-Nadr ibn Al-Harith and Uqbah ibn Abi Mu'ayt to Jewish scholars in Medina to ask about the Prophet. They said: "Ask him about young men who disappeared in ancient times — if he answers, he is a prophet." So they asked, and Allah revealed the story of the Companions of the Cave.
Significance:
- The Quran answered more fully than asked — giving the full story with details
- Temporary delay in revelation taught the Prophet not to say "I will do this tomorrow" without "if Allah wills" — verses 18:23-24 were part of this lesson
- A powerful proof of prophethood: the Prophet answered a question about the unseen that only Allah knows
Question: What was Quraysh's goal in asking the Prophet ﷺ about the Companions of the Cave?
Answer: To test him with a question posed by Jewish scholars: if he answers, he is a prophet. The Quran answered in full detail, silencing them.