The Quran

سورة الکهف

Surah Al-Kahf 18:12

The Place of Refuge · Verse 12 of 110

ثُمَّ بَعَثْنَاهُمْ لِنَعْلَمَ أَيُّ الْحِزْبَيْنِ أَحْصَىٰ لِمَا لَبِثُوا أَمَدًا

Abdul Mannan Omar

Then We raised them up (for making certain efforts) that We might distinguish as to which of the two groups had made better use of the time they had stayed there according to its rightful requirement.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Then We roused them, in order to test which of the two parties was best at calculating the term of years they had tarried!

Ahmed Ali

Then roused them to ascertain which of the two groups could account for the period they had stayed.

12 more translations

Ali Unal

Then We raised them up, (and dividing into two groups, they discussed how long they had remained in that state). We willed to make known which of the two groups were (more consciousness of time with the events in it, and therefore) better in computing for what period they had remained (in this state).

Daryabadi

Thereafter We raised them up that We might know which of the two parties was best at reckoning the time that they had tarried.

Faridul Haque

We then awakened them to see which of the two groups more accurately tells the period they had stayed.

Maulana Muhammad Ali

Then We raised them up that We might know which of the two parties was best able to calculate the time for which they remained.

Maulvi Sher Ali

Then WE raised them up that WE might know which of the two parties would preserve a better reckoning of the time that they tarried.

Muhammad Asad

and then We awakened them [and We did all this] so that We might mark out [to the world] which of the two points of view showed a better comprehension of the time-span during which they had remained in this state.

Muhammad Musin Khan

Then We raised them up (from their sleep), that We might test which of the two parties was best at calculating the time period that they had tarried.

Muhammad Pickthall

And afterward We raised them up that We might know which of the two parties would best calculate the time that they had tarried.

Muhammad Sarwar

Then We roused them to find out which of the party had the correct account of the duration of their sleep in the cave.

Muhammed ali Shakir

Then We raised them up that We might know which of the two parties was best able to compute the time for which they remained.

Rashad Khalifa

Then we resurrected them to see which of the two parties could count the duration of their stay therein.

Shabbir Ahmed

And then We roused them (out of the Cave), in order to test for themselves which of the two parties, (the young men and their friends in town, or their opponents), had made better use of the time.

Commentary 18:12 Ba‘ath-nâ بَعَثْنَا here indicates their raising to another state, the state as the People of Inscription (Ashâb al-Raqîmأَصْحَابَ الرَّقِيم). The…

ثُمَّ بَعَثْنَاهُمْ لِنَعْلَمَ أَيُّ الْحِزْبَيْنِ أَحْصَىٰ لِمَا لَبِثُوا أَمَدًا

18:12 Ba‘ath-nâ بَعَثْنَا here indicates their raising to another state, the state as the People of Inscription (Ashâb al-Raqîmأَصْحَابَ الرَّقِيم). The reference to the two groups tells us that they will be divided into factions of opposite opinions and interests (cf.: 5:14).