Surah Al-Kahf (18) — Ayah 16
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
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.
➋ Some people have deduced from this the practice of seclusion, that is, separating from people, whereas the Companions of the Cave separated from the disbelievers, not from their own people; rather, they remained together among themselves. There is no room for monasticism in Islam. (Qasimi)
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.
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.
[13]
The Fame of the Temple of Diana and Polytheistic Customs and Practices:
At the time when these monotheistic youths took refuge in the cave, the city of Ephesus, where they were residents, was the greatest center of idolatry and sorcery in Asia Minor. There was a magnificent temple of the goddess Diana, whose fame had spread throughout the world, and people from far and wide would come to worship there. The magicians, practitioners, fortune-tellers, and amulet writers of that place were famous all over the world. Their business extended as far as Syria, Palestine, and Egypt, and the Jews also had a significant share in this business, attributing their art to Sayyiduna Sulaiman ؑ. In this environment of polytheism and superstition, the condition of the monotheists can be gauged from the sentence that appears in the next section: if they gain power over us, they will either stone us to death or force us to return to the same religion of idolatry and polytheism.
[14] Thus, Allah Almighty accepted their prayer and, taking them into His mercy, cast them into sleep for centuries. When they awoke, the enemy of monotheism and monotheists, King Decius, had perished, and the present king had accepted the religion of Christianity. The name of this king is said to be Emperor Theodosius II (Theodosius). During his reign, the entire Roman Empire had accepted Christianity, so now there was no such hardship for the monotheists as there was in the time of Decius.
