Surah 18:10
Show Full Scripture Context (18:9-12) — 4 Verses
أَمۡ حَسِبۡتَ أَنَّ أَصۡحَٰبَ ٱلۡكَهۡفِ وَٱلرَّقِيمِ كَانُواْ مِنۡ ءَايَٰتِنَا عَجَبًا
Or did you think that the companions of the cave and al-Raqīm were an amazing thing among Our signs?
إِذۡ أَوَى ٱلۡفِتۡيَةُ إِلَى ٱلۡكَهۡفِ فَقَالُواْ رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحۡمَةٗ وَهَيِّئۡ لَنَا مِنۡ أَمۡرِنَا رَشَدٗا
(Remember) when the young men took refuge in the cave, and said, ‘Our Lord, grant us mercy from Yourself, and furnish the right (course) for us in our situation.’
فَضَرَبۡنَا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاذَانِهِمۡ فِي ٱلۡكَهۡفِ سِنِينَ عَدَدٗا
So We sealed up their ears in the cave for a number of years,
ثُمَّ بَعَثۡنَٰهُمۡ لِنَعۡلَمَ أَيُّ ٱلۡحِزۡبَيۡنِ أَحۡصَىٰ لِمَا لَبِثُوٓاْ أَمَدٗا
and then We raised them up (again), so that We might know which of the two factions would better count (the length of) time (they had) remained (there).
Here Allah tells us about the story of the people of Al-Kahf in brief and general terms, then He explains it in more detail. He says:
{Do you think} - O Muhammad -
meaning, their case was not something amazing compared to Our power and ability, for the creation of the heavens and earth, the alternation of night and day and the subjugation of the sun, moon and heavenly bodies, and other mighty signs indicate the great power of Allah and show that He is able to do whatever He wills. He is not incapable of doing more amazing things than the story of the people of the Cave. Similarly, Ibn Jurayj reported Mujahid saying about,
"Among Our signs are things that are more amazing than this."
they fled taking refuge in the cave of a mountain, where they hid from their people. When they entered the cave, they asked Allah to show mercy and kindness towards them,
meaning, 'give us Your mercy and conceal us from our people.'
means, direct our matter well, i.e., grant us a good end. As was reported in the Hadith:
"Whatever You have decreed for us, make its consequences good".
meaning, 'We caused them to sleep when they entered the cave, and they slept for many years.'
{Then We raised them up} from that slumber, and one of them went out with his Dirhams (silver coins) to buy them some food, as it will be discussed in more detail below. Allah says:
meaning, the two parties who disputed about them,
It was said that this refers to how long they stayed in the cave.
— from Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Page 117-119)