سُوْرَةُ الْكَهْفِ

Surah Al-Kahf (18) — Ayah 11

The Cave · Meccan · Juz 15 · Page 294

فَضَرَبْنَا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاذَانِهِمْ فِى ٱلْكَهْفِ سِنِينَ عَدَدًا ﴿11﴾
Therefore We covered up their (sense of) hearing (causing them to go in deep sleep) in the Cave for a number of years.
فَضَرَبْنَا faḍarabnā So We cast
عَلَىٰٓ ʿalā over
ءَاذَانِهِمْ ādhānihim their ears
فِى in
ٱلْكَهْفِ l-kahfi the cave
سِنِينَ sinīna years
عَدَدًۭا ʿadadan a number

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

The object of {فَضَرَبْنَا عَلٰۤى اٰذَانِهِمْ …:’’ فَضَرَبْنَا ‘‘} is implied, that is, {’’حِجَابًا‘‘} “So We cast a cover over their ears,” meaning We made them sleep, so that their distress and anxiety would be alleviated, because sleep is the best remedy for this, and they would also be safe from their polytheist people. This is an idiom in the Arabic language; when someone falls asleep, it is said {’’ ضُرِبَ عَلٰي آذَانِهِ ‘‘} “a cover has been cast over his ears.” Although in sleep, the eyes and other organs are also covered and they have no awareness of the outside world, it is the hearing of the ears that ceases last, and then a person falls into deep sleep. {’’ سِنِيْنَ عَدَدًا ‘‘} for a number of years, the count of which is mentioned ahead.

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

11. 1. That is, by placing a covering over their ears, their ears were closed so that external sounds would not disturb their sleep. The meaning is that We made them sleep deeply.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

11. So We cast a cover of sleep over them in the cave for many years [10].

[10] Acceptance of Prayer and Prolonged Sleep
These people entered the cave with the intention that, from time to time, one of them would disguise himself and bring food items, and would also find out what people were saying about them and in which direction the circumstances were heading. However, when they entered the cave praying to Allah and lay down there to rest, Allah cast a sleep upon them for a long period and patted their ears as a mother soothes her child to sleep. Thus, they lay there asleep for years and years, and this was the result of their prayer being accepted: Allah saved them from the oppression and tyranny of the government by making them sleep for a long time.