The People of the Cave, The sleepers: In the Quran in Islamic History

In the Quran

In the QuranThe sleepers

The People of the Caveأصحاب الكهف

Commonly placed around 250 CE, under Roman persecution (traditional)Traditional date, disputedEphesus, Turkey

Young believers who fled a pagan ruler into a cave, and Allah made them sleep for 309 years.

They were youths who believed in their Lord, and Allah increased them in guidance. Refusing their people's idols, they took refuge in a cave with their dog. Allah made them sleep three hundred years and nine more, turning them in their sleep. When they woke, one went to town with an old silver coin, and their secret was discovered.

What does the Quran say?

It is We who relate to you, [O Muhammad], their story in truth. Indeed, they were youths who believed in their Lord, and We increased them in guidance.
Quran 18:13

18:9-26

What grew out of it?

Their story in Surah al-Kahf is read by Muslims every Friday.

The lesson

Allah protects those who flee to Him to protect their faith.

Who else is linked?

Cave of the Sleepers Roman Empire The city of the Sleepers

Who lived at the same time?

Decius Shapur I

Source: the Quran · Wikipedia

Everyone and everything in the timeline

People named in the Quran and the hadith, the Prophet's ﷺ family and Companions, scholars, rulers, the nations of the Quran, the world's empires and the places where it all happened. Where scholars differ, each entry says so.