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Imagine you had a nap and woke up to find the world around you has drastically changed, practically advancing hundreds of years during your slumber. Incredible, right?

Living under a tyrannical ruler, King Decius. Who was exceedingly arrogant and went to great lengths in his tyranny, enforcing idol worship and persecuting those who adhered to the religion of al-Masih (Christianity).

Amidst this oppression, a group of young men, leaders, and children of nobility witnessed the fitnah and turned humbly toward Allah. They dedicated themselves to prayer and supplication, seeking divine guidance.

Their devotion did not go unnoticed, and soon, Decius's soldiers apprehended them and brought them before the tyrant. When confronted with the request to worship idols or die, the youths boldly declared,

“We have a God who has filled the Heavens and the Earth with His Sublime Greatness. We will not call upon anyone other than Him.”

Determined to preserve their faith, the youths decided to flee. They were followed by a dog named Kitmir, who would stand guard as they slept.

After reaching the Cave, they devoted themselves to prayer, humbly calling on Allah.

Their refuge was not long-lived, as Decius soon discovered their absence and ordered a search.

The youths' parents, brought before Decius, claimed their children had squandered their wealth and fled.

As they prayed for protection, Allah answered their supplications by sealing their ears, causing them to fall into a deep sleep.

When Decius’s men found the cave, through Allah’s will, they could not enter. One suggested sealing the entrance, leaving the youths to perish within. Decius agreed, and a wall was constructed, concealing the sleepers from the world.

Centuries passed, and the world around the cave changed. Eventually, Allah decreed that the youths awaken so that people might know the truth of His promise of resurrection.

When they awoke, they were unaware of how much time had passed. One was sent to the city to buy food, but when he presented the ancient silver coins, the people were astonished, thinking he had discovered a hidden treasure.

The story of the youths reached the city’s ruler, who was a pious man. He and a group of townspeople, both believers and non-believers, went to the cave to meet the youths.

The ruler listened to their story and recognized the divine sign in their resurrection.

Realizing the fulfillment of Allah’s promise, the youths took their leave, commending the people to Allah. They lay back down in the cave and passed away once more.

The ruler ordered that their resting place be honored, initially with golden coffins but later with coffins made from the wood of the Saj tree, respecting the simplicity preferred by the youths. A place of worship was built over the cave, where people could remember the miracle.

It was turned into a mosque over time, with the conversion of the local population to Islam. A cave near Amman, Jordan, also known as the Cave of Seven Sleepers, has eight smaller sealed tombs inside and a ventilation duct coming out of the cave.