سُوْرَةُ الْكَهْفِ

Surah Al-Kahf (18) — Ayah 12

The Cave · Meccan · Juz 15 · Page 294

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ثُمَّ بَعَثْنَـٰهُمْ لِنَعْلَمَ أَىُّ ٱلْحِزْبَيْنِ أَحْصَىٰ لِمَا لَبِثُوٓا۟ أَمَدًا ﴿12﴾

Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali

Then We raised them up (from their sleep), that We might test which of the two parties was best at calculating the time period that they had tarried.

Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning

ثُمَّ thumma Then
بَعَثْنَـٰهُمْ baʿathnāhum We raised them up
لِنَعْلَمَ linaʿlama that We make evident
أَىُّ ayyu which
ٱلْحِزْبَيْنِ l-ḥiz'bayni (of) the two parties
أَحْصَىٰ aḥṣā best calculated
لِمَا limā for what
لَبِثُوٓا۟ labithū (they had) remained
أَمَدًۭا amadan (in) time

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi

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 meaning of (Ayah 12){ ثُمَّ بَعَثْنٰهُمْ لِنَعْلَمَ اَيُّ الْحِزْبَيْنِ … : ’’بَعَثَ‘‘} is to bring something stationary into motion. This word is used for reviving the dead and awakening the sleeping, that is, then We raised them, so that We might know which of the two groups among the sleepers is better at remembering the duration of their stay. This translation applies when {’’اَحْصٰى ‘‘} is considered a comparative noun, and this meaning is preferred, because from the form of باب افعال, the comparative form also comes on the pattern of {’’أَفْعَلُ‘‘}. The second meaning is in the case that {’’ اَحْصٰى ‘‘} is considered a past active verb, then the meaning will be: which of the two groups has remembered the duration they stayed. Remember that Allah Almighty has knowledge of everything past, present, and future—what has happened, what is happening, and what will happen—but it is obvious that the knowledge that a certain event has occurred can only be when that event has taken place, that is, so that We may know, according to Our knowledge, its occurrence.

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf

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.

12. 1. By these two groups are meant the people who differed. These were either the people of that era among whom there was disagreement about them, or the believers and disbelievers of the time of the Messenger are meant, and some say that these are the People of the Cave themselves who became two groups. One said that we slept for such a long period, the other denied this and mentioned a period more or less than the first group.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani

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.

12. Then We raised them up to see which of the two groups [11] could best calculate the length of their stay.

[11] In this state, centuries passed while they slept, then when Allah willed, He awakened them. After waking up, their first question among themselves was: how long have we been asleep in this state? There was disagreement among them regarding the determination of this period, because they had no means to know or determine this duration except that they could estimate the time from the sunlight.
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