Cave of the Sleepers

In a hill just outside Amman there is a small cave that many people connect to one of the most amazing stories in the Qur'an: Ashab al-Kahf, the People of the Cave.

The Qur'an tells of young believers who lived under a king who forced people to worship idols. They refused, kept their faith in Allah alone, and escaped to a cave in the mountains with their dog.

Allah made them sleep — not for a night, not for a year, but for over 300 years. When they woke up they thought they had napped for a day, and one of them went to town with an old coin to buy food. The shopkeeper stared: the coin was ancient!

The whole city came out to see them, and everyone realised Allah had protected these young people to show that He can do anything, including bringing life back after death.

The cave in Jordan has seven small tombs and a tiny mosque built above it. Whether or not it is the exact spot, standing there makes you remember the lesson: when you choose Allah, He takes care of you in ways nobody expects.