To the east of Jordan's capital, Amman, lies a town called Al-Raqim, home to a cave containing seven historical tombs in Amman revered by both Christian and Muslim pilgrims. Visitors believe these tombs belong to the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus, also known in Islamic tradition as Ashab al-Kahf (Companions of the Cave). These young men, during the religious persecution in the Roman era, sought refuge in the Cave of the Sleepers to escape oppression. According to Quranic stories and miracles, they miraculously slept for centuries before awakening, serving as a divine sign of Christian and Islamic beliefs in resurrection. In Islamic and Christian traditions, these youths are considered proof of Biblical and Quranic parallels, showcasing the power of faith. Melissa Petruzzello, an editor at Encyclopedia Britannica, notes that this story, affirming the resurrection of the dead, was widely popular in both faiths during the Middle Ages religious narratives. The mystery of the Cave of the Sleepers remains unresolved. While many believe that historical sites in Jordan, particularly the Al-Raqim cave, are the actual resting place, other claims suggest locations in Turkey, Syria, and other ancient legends of eternal sleep. However, the presence of tombs and a ventilation passage in the cave near Amman provides greater credibility to this site. This story continues to captivate scholars and believers, reinforcing its status as one of the most fascinating ancient legends of eternal sleep in history.
Christian Traditions: The Cruelty of the Roman Emperor and Historical Reality
Christian persecution in Roman history was a defining era, particularly during the reign of Roman Emperor Decius (250 AD), when the followers of Jesus Christ faced severe oppression. According to historical accounts of Christian persecution, seven (or in some accounts, eight) Christian martyrs sought refuge in a cave near Ephesus, their hometown, to escape religious oppression in the Roman era. As per Encyclopedia Britannica, the cave's entrance was later sealed, and these young men miraculously fell into a deep sleep. Years passed, and when the cave was reopened during the reign of Roman Emperor Theodosius II (408–450 AD), the youths awoke from their slumber. Their miraculous presence and testimony deeply influenced Theodosius, as it confirmed Christian resilience in the Roman Empire and strengthened belief in the faith and survival in ancient Rome. Historian Melissa Petruzzello writes that after sharing the profound significance of their experience, the Seven Sleepers passed away. Theodosius then ordered their remains to be preserved in a grand mausoleum, solidifying their place in early Christianity under Roman rule. Some scholars believe that this legend was first recorded by the Greek writer Symeon Metaphrastes, while other versions appear in the works of Latin author Saint Gregory of Tours and Syriac writer Jacob of Serugh, which later influenced Coptic and Georgian manuscripts. In his book Pious Long Sleepers in Greek, Jewish, and Christian Antiquity, historian Peter W. van der Horst states that the oldest known version of this story is found in the writings of Syrian bishop Jacob of Serugh (c. 450–521 AD). He suggests that the legend was originally based on an ancient Greek source that has since been lost. In the book Curious Myths of the Middle Ages, S. Baring-Gould explains that Jacob of Serugh, a poet and theologian from Edessa, wrote a sermon on the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus, which was later published in the journal Acta Sanctorum. Islamic scholar Maulana Maududi, in his commentary, notes that Jacob’s Syriac version reached both early Muslim commentators and Europe, where it was translated and summarized in Greek and Latin texts. The historian Edward Gibbon, in Chapter 33 of his book The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, presents a summary of the story under the title "The Seven Sleepers", which closely resembles the accounts found in Islamic exegeses, suggesting a shared historical source. Additionally, a 6th-century Syriac manuscript in the British Museum mentions eight sleepers instead of seven, indicating variations in the narrative across different historical sources.
The Test of the Prophet of Islam: How does the Quran describe this event?
Prophet Muhammad's Trial by the Meccan Polytheists became known in Arab society. In his book Asḥāb al-Kahf, Abul Kalam Azad wrote: "The means of information for the polytheists of Arabia were limited, but the Nabataean trade caravans regularly traveled to the Hijaz, and the Quraysh of Mecca also traveled to Syria every year. Certainly, the Nabataeans would have known about this incident, and the Arabs must have heard about it from them." The Nabataeans in northwestern Arabia and southern Syria played a role in conveying this story. In the 7th century, it was on their advice that the polytheists of Mecca tested the Prophet of Islam by asking him three questions. One of these questions was: "Who were the People of the Cave?" According to Tafheem-ul-Quran by Syed Abul A 'la Maududi, the three questions posed to the Prophet by the polytheists—concerning the People of the Cave, Khadr, and Dhul-Qarnayn—were answered in Surah Al-Kahf. Tafheem-ul-Quran states: "These three stories were related to the history of Christians and Jews. They were not known in the Hijaz. In Surah Al-Kahf, the Quran’s response to the Prophet’s examination is as follows: "We narrate to you their story in truth. They were young men who believed in their Lord, and We increased them in guidance. And We strengthened their hearts when they stood up and proclaimed: 'Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. We will never call upon any god besides Him, which would be a grave transgression."
According to 'Tafheem-ul-Quran', Surah Al-Kahf was revealed in response to three questions asked to the Prophet Muhammad by polytheists.
The Story of the People of the Cave
In his commentary, religious scholar Javed Ahmad Ghamidi suggests that these individuals might be the same ones known in Christian and Islamic Traditions as the Seven Sleepers. Their story is linked to the ancient city of Ephesus, located on the western coast of present-day Turkey. According to Ghamidi, Ephesus was a major center of idol worship, where the moon goddess Diana was revered. During the reign of Emperor Decius (249–251 AD), Christianity had reached this city. However, Decius, being a pagan ruler, could not tolerate the spread of monotheism. Consequently, those who embraced the faith faced religious persecution in Rome. The young men in this story were from noble families and became preachers of Christianity around 250 AD. As opposition grew, their lives were in danger, and they risked being stoned to death. In response, they fled the city and took refuge in a cave. The Arabic word kahf means a large cave, hence they came to be known as Ashab al-Kahf (People of the Cave). This is how their story is mentioned in Surah Al-Kahf: "When you have withdrawn from them and what they worship besides Allah, then seek refuge in the cave. Your Lord will spread His mercy over you and provide ease in your affair." The Quranic story describes their miraculous sleep and divine protection: "And We cast sleep over their ears in the cave for several years. Then We awakened them to make them question one another." The narration continues: "When the sun rises, it veers away from their cave towards the right, and when it sets, it moves away towards the left, while they lie in its spacious chamber. This is one of the signs of Allah. Whoever Allah guides is rightly guided, and whoever He allows to stray—there is no guide for him." "You would think they were awake, but they were asleep. We turned them over to the right and the left, while their dog lay stretched out at the entrance. If you had looked at them, you would have fled from them, filled with fear." When they eventually woke up, they were unaware of how much time had passed: "One of them asked: 'How long have we remained here?' They said: 'A day or part of a day.' Others said: 'Your Lord knows best how long you have stayed. Send one of you to the city with this silver coin. Let him find the purest food and bring you some provisions. But he must be cautious and not let anyone know about you. "If they find out about you, they will stone you to death or force you back into their religion, and then you will never prosper."
Abul Kalam Azad wrote in his book 'Ishāb-e-Kahf' that 'the sources of information of the Arab polytheists were limited, but the Nabataean trade caravans kept coming to the Hijaz.'