سُوْرَةُ الْكَهْفِ

Surah Al-Kahf (18) — Ayah 13

The Cave · Meccan · Juz 15 · Page 294

نَّحْنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ نَبَأَهُم بِٱلْحَقِّ ۚ إِنَّهُمْ فِتْيَةٌ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِرَبِّهِمْ وَزِدْنَـٰهُمْ هُدًى ﴿13﴾
We narrate unto you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) their story with truth: Truly they were young men who believed in their Lord (Allâh), and We increased them in guidance.
نَّحْنُ naḥnu We
نَقُصُّ naquṣṣu narrate
عَلَيْكَ ʿalayka to you
نَبَأَهُم naba-ahum their story
بِٱلْحَقِّ ۚ bil-ḥaqi in truth
إِنَّهُمْ innahum Indeed, they (were)
فِتْيَةٌ fit'yatun youths
ءَامَنُوا۟ āmanū who believed
بِرَبِّهِمْ birabbihim in their Lord
وَزِدْنَـٰهُمْ wazid'nāhum and We increased them
هُدًۭى hudan (in) guidance

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.

(Ayah 13) ➊ { نَحْنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ نَبَاَهُمْ بِالْحَقِّ:} From this it is understood that this incident was well-known, but many superstitions and incorrect things had become mixed into it, so it was said that We narrate to you their story in truth.
{ اِنَّهُمْ فِتْيَةٌ …:} The summary of the statement of Hafiz Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) is that Allah Almighty stated that they were a few young men, and young people are more receptive to the truth than the elderly. That is why most of those who responded to the call of Allah and His Messenger were young. The elderly elders of the Quraysh remained on their own religion; very few of them believed. Several imams, such as Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) and others, have deduced from {’’ وَ زِدْنٰهُمْ هُدًى ‘‘} (And We increased them in guidance) that faith increases and decreases. Imam Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) has mentioned eight verses and many ahadith for this. Even after reading such clear verses and ahadith, several people insist that everyone is equal in original faith, it neither decreases nor increases, our faith and that of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) and Jibreel (peace be upon him) is all the same. May Allah grant them the ability to say {’’سَمِعْنَا وَ آمَنَّا‘‘ } in response to the statement of His Prophet. (Ameen)
{ اٰمَنُوْا بِرَبِّهِمْ :} That is, these were a few young men who belonged to the upper class of their people, as is evident from their request to bring food from the person who had the cleanest food when they sent for food. Their people and king were idol-worshipping polytheists, but these young men abandoned idolatry and came to firm and pure faith in the oneness of their Lord, and they remained steadfast upon it. For the sake of Allah, they left their relatives, wealth, and homeland and migrated, so Allah Almighty granted them even more guidance and faith.

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.

13. 1. Now, after brevity, detail is being given. These young men, some say, were followers of Christianity, and some say their era was before the time of ‘Isa (Jesus) ؑ. Hafiz Ibn Kathir has preferred this latter opinion. It is said there was a king, Daqyanus, who encouraged people to worship idols and offer vows in their names. Allah Almighty inspired the hearts of a few of these young men that only Allah alone is worthy of worship, who is the Creator of the heavens and the earth and the Lord of the universe. فِتْیِۃ is a plural of paucity, from which it is understood that their number was nine or even less. They separated themselves and worshipped Allah alone at a certain place. Gradually, news of their belief spread among the people, and the matter reached the king. He summoned them to his court and questioned them, and there they openly declared the oneness of Allah. Eventually, out of fear of the king and their polytheist people, to save their religion, they took refuge in a cave on a mountain far from the settlement, where Allah Almighty cast sleep upon them, and they slept there for three hundred and nine (309) years.

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.

13. We relate to you their true story. They were young men who believed in their Lord, and We increased them in guidance [12].

[12] Further guidance refers to remaining steadfast in their faith, as is evident from their declaration in the next verse. It was so difficult for them to utter a word of disbelief and polytheism that they preferred to leave their homes and businesses rather than say such a thing, and they went into hiding from the eyes of society.