(The young men said to one another): "And when you withdraw
from them, and that which they worship, except Allâh, then seek refuge in 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)." (16) And you might have seen the sun, when it rose, declining to the
right from their Cave, and when it set, turning away from them to the left,
while they lay in the midst of the Cave. That is (one) of the Ayât (proofs,
evidences, signs) of Allâh. He whom Allâh guides, is rightly guided; but he
whom He sends astray, for him you will find no Walî (guiding friend) to lead
him (to the right Path). (17) And you would have thought them awake,
whereas they were asleep. And We turned them on their
right and on their left sides, and their dog stretching forth his two forelegs
at the entrance [of the Cave or in the space near to the entrance of the Cave
(as a guard at the gate)]. Had you looked at them, you would certainly have
turned back from them in flight, and would certainly have been filled with awe
of them (18) Likewise, We awakened them (from their long deep sleep) that
they might question one another. A speaker from among them said: "How long
have you stayed (here)?" They said: "We have stayed (perhaps) a day
or part of a day." They said: "Your Lord (Alone) knows best how long
you have stayed (here). So send one of you with this silver coin of yours to
the town, and let him find out which is the good lawful food, and bring some of
that to you. And let him be careful and let no man know of you (19) "For if they
come to know of you, they will stone you (to death or abuse and harm you) or
turn you back to their religion, and in that case you will never be successful."
(20)