Al-Kahf الكهف

Al-Kahf[1] (Arabic: الكهف‎, "The Cave") is the 18th chapter of the Quran with 110 verses. Regarding the timing and contextual background of the revelation (asbāb al-nuzūl), it is an earlier "Meccan surah", which means it was revealed in Mecca, instead of Medina. Q18:9-26 "People of the Cave" Verses 9–26[2] of the chapter retells the Christian folktale of the "People of the Cave".[3] A few young believers lived in a time when they were tortured for their beliefs. Upon the guidance of God, they fled the city where believers were persecuted, together with their dog, and took refuge in a cave where they fell asleep. When they awoke they found that the people of the city had become believers. Q18:27 No room for diversity And recite (and teach) what has been revealed to thee of the Book of thy Lord: none can change His Words, and none wilt thou find as a refuge other than Him. Translation Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)[4] The commentary by Ozma Nasir Makarim Shirazi says, "There is no room for diversity to enter into His Words and Knowledge. His Speech and His Knowledge is not like the speech and knowledge of human beings which, as a result of a new invention or information, has to be changed".[5]:18:27 Ibn Kathir says this verse means of the words in the Quran, "no one can alter them, distort them or misinterpret them."[1]:18:27 Q18:32-45 God destroys what He had given In verses 32–44 the surah discusses a parable of two men, one of whom had been given blessings from God and the other poor. The rich one wronged his soul and started showing off with his wealth and noble lineage. And he had fruit, so he said to his companion while he was conversing with him, "I am greater than you in wealth and mightier in [numbers of] men." — Quran, Al-Kahf (The Cave), Ayah 34[6][7] "Whoever reads Sura Kahf on Friday, light shall shine forth for him between the two Fridays."[17] Common Muslim and Christian theme The story of believers falling asleep in a cave for a long time is present also in the Christian tradition, see Seven Sleepers.