PEOPLE OF THE CAVE - ASHABUL KAHFI

Have you heard about the story of Ashabul Kahfi before?

Well, I often go for coffee sessions with Johari, a friend from work. During these coffee sessions, sometimes we talk about movies, another time we would talk about politics, other times we simply talk about things, which is also famously known as 'Sembang Kedai Kopi'. Hehe.. 

Recently, Johari brought up the story of Ashabul Kahfi - (Arabic words meaning 'The Cave Men' or 'People of the Cave'). Not really a new story for both of us. We have heard of this story many times before because it is one of the famous stories from the Quran. After that talk with Johari, I went on to find out more about this story and I am now interested to share this story with the world - My World!!
(Hint: That's the name of my Blog) :)

Now, let me start with a little intro on why this story was mentioned in the Quran.

One day, there was a non-believer who have just heard about a man named Muhammad (S.A.W), claiming himself to be the Messenger of Allah. The non-believer then approached his friend, a Jew living the city of Madinah to ask for his advise on how to prove that Muhammad is a liar.

And the Jew advised him "Ask him about Ashabul Kahfi". And so he did as advised.

This is when Surah Al-Kahfi was revealed to Prophet Muhammad by the Angel Jibril.

THE TIME FRAME: This is a story after Prophet Isa (Jesus) and before Prophet Muhammad S.A.W.

THE LOCATION: The cave is believed to be located about 7 KM from Amman, Jordan.

Ok, actually there seems to be some disputes on the actual location - some say that it is in Syria, some say that it is in Iraq, while some others say that it is in Turki. Wallahualam! But the strongest claim is the one in Jordan. The area where this cave is located in Jordan used to be called Ar-Raqim because there was an old archaeology site there named Khirbet Ar-Rqim. And the word 'Ar-Raqim' can also be found in the Quran in this particular surah.

NOW, THE STORY: There used to be a state ruled by a king. Its people have always been believers and followers of the teachings of Prophet Isa (Jesus) and they have been prosperous. But all these changed during the time of King Dikyanus. At this point, people have already started to associate Allah with other idols, which is a grave sin. King Dikyanus is one of those who worship idols and he ordered all of his people to do the same. He even threatened to kill whoever disobeyed him. So, everyone obeyed.

Everyone, except for seven young men among them. They remained steadfast with the teachings of Prophet Isa - There is no other God besides Allah!

Their names are Maksalmia, Martinus, Kastunus, Bairunu, Danimus, Yathbunus and Thamlika. And this is their story.

Before I proceed any further, I think it is worth for me to mention that there is a dispute with regards to the total number of Ashabul Kahfi. Some say 3 people, some say 5 people and some say 7 people. But Allah reminded us not to prolong the dispute because it is considered part of ghaib. Only Allah knows the actual number of Ashabul Kahfi. With that, let's continue with the rest of the story.

King Dikyanus was extremely angry when he heard of their refusal. He ordered for these seven disobedient men be brought before him for questioning. And Allah mentioned their bravery facing the king in the Quran:

"And We strengthen their hearts when they stood (in front of the king) and they say - Our god is the god of heaven and earth. We will never worship any other gods (idols) beside Him, because if we do, indeed we have strayed very far away from the truth. The people have associated Allah with these other idols, but why have they not given clear reasonings (for worshipping idols)? Who are more cruel than those who have created lies against Allah?"

(Surah Al-Kahfi : 14-15)

The king got very angry and gave those seven men a few days to reconsider on their beliefs. After that few days, they either have to submit to idols worshiping or they will be killed. Once back home, they discussed on what would be their next course of action. And Allah have given them the idea of hiding in a cave as mentioned in another verse of the same surah:

"And because you have disassociate yourselves from them and from what they worship besides Allah, so go now and take refuge in that cave, and your God will give blessings upon you and provide you with means to make your dealings successful with help that are useful"

(Surah Al-Kahfi : 16)

So they went to this cave in the hill of Nikhayus. On the way to the cave, they found a dog named Kithmir, which also followed them to hide in the cave. Allah gave them peace and tranquility in the cave and they soon feel sleepy... sleepy... sleepy... and they slept.

How long did they sleep?

Well, that is the peak of this story - They slept for 309 years!

Before Islam, people of the book followed a calender, the Gregorian calender as we know it today. Based on that calender, these young men slept in the cave for 300 years. But Allah corrected the number of years to be based on the Islamic calender when this story was revealed to Prophet Muhammad, as mentioned below:

"And they slept in the cave for three hundred years, and you must add another nine years"

(Surah Al-Kahfi : 25)

When they finally woke up, they didn't realize how long they have slept. They thought that they must have slept for a day or half a day only. And they soon feel hungry and they voted for one of them to go to the city to buy food. Thamlika was selected to carry out the task. So, he went to the city with the silver coins that they had brought with them to the cave earlier.

Once in the city, Thamlika noticed that the city is not how he remembered it to be 'just a day before'. He also noticed the wordings of "There is no other God besides Allah" displayed openly in the city. He got curious, but still very careful as to not raise any suspicious, because if the king found out about them, they will be killed for sure. But when he wanted to buy food, the shop owner was surprised to see old coins handed to him. Those coins are now considered as valuable treasures. The news about a man with treasure coins spread quickly and Thamlika soon found himself accused of hiding a treasure chest somewhere, which he vehemently denied. He was then brought in front of the king to be tried.

Thamlika was surprised again to see that the king is no longer the king he knew, who wanted to kill them earlier. This new king is a just person and one who follows the true teachings of Prophet Isa, just like him. So, he told the new king of what has happened to them and why they went to hide in the cave. What Thamlika remembered as 'yesterday', is actually an event that happened centuries ago. Upon hearing this, the king and his men went with Thamlika to the cave. But not long after arriving at the cave and Thamlika were re-united with his brothers, the Ashabul Kahfi drew their last breath and died.

The story of Ashabul Kahfi became an immediate reminder to the people that Allah is always true to His words and there is no doubt about after life (Kiamah). May Allah give us knowledge and guidance from their story.


OTHER STORIES (click title to read):

• The Great Migration - Hijrah.
• The Night Journey - Israk & Mikraj.
• History of Aidiladha and the Kaabah.
• Campaign to Smear and Discredit Islam.