Al-Kahf 16–20
The young men of the cave were guarded by Allah during their long sleep by the direction of the sun and the turning of their bodies, then upon waking they sent one person to buy food in secret for fear of the tyrannical ruler.
Verses 16-20 continue the story of young believers who hid in the cave to preserve the purity of their faith from the influence of idolatry that dominated society at that time. Allah bestowed His mercy upon them and facilitated the path of good for them. Among Allah's mercies upon them was that the sun rose on their right and set on their left so they always received the sun's warmth thus maintaining their health even though they slept for 350 years.
The story of Ashab al-Kahfi is truly amazing. Whoever can take it as a lesson will receive guidance and likewise the opposite. Allah put them to sleep and turned them right and left to maintain their physical balance. Their dog guarded them at the entrance of the cave in a position ready to pounce on anyone approaching.
After their long sleep, Allah awakened them so they would ask each other how long they had been in the cave. They felt it was only about a day or half a day. They were sure only Allah knows. Then they sent one of them to the city bringing silver coins to buy halal food. But they had to be humble in manner and must not reveal their location to anyone. For if they were discovered by the people or the tyrannical ruler of their land, they would surely be stoned to death or forced to renounce the religion of Allah and adopt the religion of idolatry that prevailed in their country. If that happened they would never prosper.
Source: Mushaf Tadabbur, Fathuddin Ja'far
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