Lessons from the Story of the Cave (part 1 of 2): And God will make your affair easy |
    Description: A story filled with lessons and reminders for those who care to listen to God’s words. By Aisha Stacey (© 2012 IslamReligion.com)Published on 27 Aug 2012 - Last modified on 27 Aug 2012 Viewed: 740 (daily average: 142) - Rating: - Rated by: 6 Printed: 20 - Emailed: 1 - Commented on: 0 Category: Articles > The Holy Quran > Jewels from the Quran |
 Does the story about the cave, and the pious young men sleeping for
hundreds of years sound familiar to you? It forms part of a chapter of the
Quran known as ‘The Cave’ and it is also an unauthenticated Christian tradition
known well in the more Orthodox areas of Christendom. It takes up a little over
20 verses in the Quran yet it is filled with lessons for those who seek to find
them.
Chapter names were not revealed
with the Quran, thus some chapters are known by more than one name. In the very
early days of Islam, chapter 18 ‘The Cave’ was known by the longer title of ‘The
Companions of the Cave’. Verses 9 – 26, believed to have been revealed in Mecca
in the 4th or 5th year of Prophethood, narrate the account
of the Companions of the Cave.
Several young men, aware of the
oneness of God and not prepared to compromise their beliefs took shelter in a
cave and sort protection from God. These young men were more accepting of the
truth then their elders and the majority of the people of their town. By their
actions they acknowledged the oneness of God and rejected idolatry thus God
protected them by sheltering them in the cave for as long as was necessary.
[The young men said to one another),
“And when you have withdrawn from them and that which they worship other than
Allah, retreat to the cave; your Lord will open a way for you from His Mercy and
will make easy for you your affair (i.e. will give you what you will need of
provision, dwelling).” (Quran 18:16)
Prophet Muhammad emphasised that
God replaces the sacrifices of the pious believers with something better.
“Whoever gives up something for the sake of God, He will replace it with
something better.”[1]
It is similar to the story known
in Christian traditions as “Seven Sleepers of Ephesus”, and refers to a group of
Christian youths who hid inside a cave, outside the city of Ephesus around 250
CE, to escape persecution by the Roman emperor Decius. Generally, Quran
commentators do not identify the companions of the Cave with the story of the
Ephesians. However God does advise Prophet Muhammad, in verse 22, not to argue
with the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) about the number of young men
who slept in the cave. We too learn a lesson in not arguing about the religion
of Islam. If someone does not want to hear about our beautiful religion it is
better to leave the discussion until another time. God guides whom He wills and
we cannot convince a person to see the truth of Islam with harsh words or
exasperating arguments. Ibn Kathir, Quran commentator of renown, was of the
opinion that this portion of the verse contains evidence for the prohibition of
seeking rulings from those not qualified to give rulings.
“…So debate not (about their number)
except with the clear proof (which We have revealed to you). And consult not
any of them (people of the Scripture - Jews and Christians) about (the affair
of) the people of the Cave.” (Quran 18:22)
In addition, Ibn Kathir believed
the narration to predate Christianity because the Jewish Rabbis of Medina asked
Prophet Muhammad about it as one of the tests of Prophethood they set.
According to Muslim historian
Muhammad bin Ishaq, the noblemen of Mecca sent two men to Medina to inquire
about the scriptures and the Prophets of God. Because their kinsmen Muhammad
had claimed Prophethood, they reasoned that the Rabbis of Medina would be able
to confirm or deny his claim. After hearing about Prophet Muhammad the rabbis
suggested that the noblemen of Mecca ask him three questions. The first was
about the young men in ancient times with a strange and wondrous tale.
When the questions were put to
Muhammad he told his questioners that he would provide them with an answer in
the morning, but according to Ibn Ishaq, Prophet Muhammad forgot to say “If God
wills’. This is an unauthenticated story; however it does teach us a valuable
lesson in knowing that nothing happens in this world without the permission of
God. Apparently it was fifteen days before the chapter of Quran known as ‘The
Cave’ was revealed and Prophet Muhammad was able to answer all three questions
satisfactorily.
“And never say of anything, “I shall do
such and such thing tomorrow.” Except (with the saying), “If God wills!” And
remember your Lord when you forget and say: “It may be that my Lord guides me
unto a nearer way of truth than this.” (Quran 18: 23 & 24)
This concept of abandoning an
idolatrous and oppressive society, and moving to another place where one can
practice the true religion of Islam, is known as migration for the sake of God
(Hijra in Arabic). It has long been the practice of Muslims to flee from
tyranny and oppression and in fact when the Prophet Muhammad and his followers
were forced to escape Mecca, Prophet Muhammad himself took refuge in a cave.
The young men sought refuge in a
cave but when their people noticed they were missing, the King sent people to
search but they could not find them. God concealed them. In the same way, when
Prophet Muhammad and his companion Abu Bakr sought refuge in the Cave of
Thawr, those in pursuit could not find them even though they passed with
metres of their hiding spot.
A person who fears for his
religion should flee from his persecutors and supplicate to God for protection.
The condition of the young men in the cave teaches us that God answers all
supplications. This story confirms that Islam teaches that prayer can change
any situation. When any person turns to God in prayer, He will respond.
“And your Lord said: “Call on me,
(i.e. believe in My Oneness and ask Me for anything), I will respond to your
supplication…” (Quran 40:60)
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