We shall narrate to you their news truthfully. Indeed, they were young men who believed in their Lord. And We gave them more guidance.
We strengthened their hearts, as they stood up before the disbelieving people, saying, ‘Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. We shall never worship no one besides Him. If we did, we would certainly have said unjust utterance.’
These, our people, have worshiped other gods besides Allah. Why do they not bring clear evidence substantiating their worship? Who is more unjust than he who fabricates a lie about Allah?
Now that you have left them, and that which they worship besides Allah, seek refuge in the cave. Your Lord will generously give you from His mercy and facilitate means of life for you. [Surah al-Kahf: 13-16]
Tafsir
The Youths Being in the Spaciousness of Belief in Allah
We shall narrate to you their news truthfully. Indeed, they were young men who believed in their Lord. And We gave them more guidance. [13]
O Messenger Muhammad! We, Allah, shall truthfully narrate to you the story of those youths who went to the cave in order to flee from the oppressive disbelievers. They were some young men who believed in the Oneness Allah, their Creator. We increased and strengthened their faith so they could emotionally endure leaving their hometown and kinship to protect their faith. They deserted their comfortable life and went to live in a cave despite its coarse environment.
(We shall narrate to you their news truthfully.)
Stating that Allah will truthfully reveal the story of the people of the cave to Messenger Muhammad implies that some people knew their story. However, this knowledge was mixed with some myths, and delusions.
(Indeed, they were young men who believed in their Lord.)
Allah mentioned that they were young men. Typically, young people have a disposition that is more likely to accept the truth than old people, who spend their life adopting and being deceived by false belief. Similarly, most of the followers of the Prophet Muhammad were youths while most of the old people of his tribe disbelieved in the message of Islam except for a few number.
(And We gave them more guidance.)
Some scholars, such as imam al-Bukhari, inferred from this ayah that belief increases and decreases. Allah says, interpretation of meaning,
Those who are rightly guided, We have given them more guidance and led them to the path of piety. [Surah Muhammad: 17]
Then, Allah, Exalted is He, narrates an aspect of how He gave them more guidance.
We strengthened their hearts, as they stood up before the disbelieving people, saying, ‘Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. We shall never worship no one besides Him. If we did, we would certainly have said unjust utterance.’ [14]
We, Allah, strengthened the young men's hearts with the light of faith so their souls were able to keep away from their comfortable life. They stood before the disbelieving king, who blamed them for abandoning the worship of idols. They said, ‘Our Lord, Allah, is the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and the Lord of every created being. We shall never worship other gods besides Him, as there is no creator other than Him. Had we worshipped other gods besides Allah, we would have done an extremely unjust thing and said false utterance.’
The ayah indicates how strong the faith of those young men was, and that whoever firmly believes in Allah, Allah will strengthen his heart so that it can endure hardship for His sake.
Then, ayat state that those young men did not only declare their truthful belief in Allah alone; rather, they condemned their people's worship other gods besides Allah. They said,
These, our people, have worshiped other gods besides Allah. Why do they not bring clear evidence substantiating their worship? Who is more unjust than he who fabricates a lie about Allah? [15]
After those young men gathered, they vowed to worship Allah alone. They abandoned whatever that might be worshipped besides Allah. They condemningly said, ‘These, our people, have weak-mindedly worshipped idols besides Allah. Why do they not bring clear evidence proving the truthfulness of their worship? Indeed, they would be unable to do so.’
(Why do they not bring clear evidence substantiating their worship?)
This question brings a motion of censure, for coming up with a proof authenticating their worship of idols is impossible. It also serves as a proof that imitation in creed is invalid; rather, clear evidence must exist to support belief in a specific creed.
The following is a similar ayah asking the disbelievers to bring evidence to substantiate their claim:
Say, ‘Have you considered those you worship besides Allah? Show me. What they have created of the earth, or do they have a share in the creation of the heavens? Bring me a scripture before this Quran, or some remnant of knowledge if you are truthful.’ [Surah al-Ahqaf: 4]
Then, the ayah is concluded with a proof confirming that people lie when they worship other gods besides Allah and describing what they say as false utterance.
(Who is more unjust than he who fabricates a lie about Allah?)
Indeed, Allah is the only God deserves worship. Any god worshipped besides Allah is false.
Then, the ayat narrates the conversation that took place between the young men after clearly stating their decisive position, and after declaring firmly and truthfully that they would never worship other gods besides Allah.
Now that you have left them, and that which they worship besides Allah, seek refuge in the cave. Your Lord will generously give you from His mercy and facilitate means of life for you. [16]
The young men said, 'Now that you have left whatever your people worship besides Allah, go to a cave where you can sincerely worship Allah alone. If you do so, Allah will generously give you from His mercy in this life and the Hereafter, and will facilitate means of life for you.’
(…seek refuge in the cave. Your Lord will generously give you from His mercy and facilitate means of life for you.)
This indicates their firm belief in Allah and absolute certainty in His bounty. When they left their people and enjoyments of the worldly life, and decided to retreat to the cave though life therein was hard, they did not feel any doubt with regards to the mercy of Allah. They were certain that Allah would provide for them from His bounty and facilitate their affairs.
The ayah also indicates that withdrawing from the environment of disbelief in order to protect one’s creed leads to attaining the mercy of Allah and His limitless bounty. Allah mentions in the Quran that when Prophet Ibrahim left his people for the sake of Allah, Allah rewarded him from His vast bounty. Allah says, interpretation of meaning,
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