In Chapter 18 of the Qur'an we are given the story of the "Sleepers of the Cave" (from 18:9-26), which is a very old story recorded previously in Greek and Christian literature dating back to before the days of Christ.
The events of the story are begun with a group of youths, accompanied by their dog, deciding to hide in a cave to avoid being persecuted for their belief:
"Have you perceived that the dwellers of the cave and the numerals were of Our wondrous signs? When the youths hid in the cave, and they said: "Our Lord, bring us a mercy from Yourself, and help us in our affair!" So We sealed their ears in the cave for many years. Then We sent them to know which of the two groups had remained for as long as they stayed. We narrate to you their news with the truth. They were youths who believed in their Lord, and We increased them in guidance. And We made firm their hearts when they stood and said: "Our Lord, the Lord of the heavens and the earth, we will not call besides Him any god. If we have done so then it was in error. Here are our people, they have taken gods besides Him, while they do not come with any clear authority. Who then is more wicked than he who invents lies about God?" So when you withdraw from them and what they serve besides God, seek refuge in the cave, and your Lord will spread His mercy upon you and prepare for your problem a solution." (18:9-16)
The cave that these youths had chosen was very special as they were being guided by God. Therefore, when they laid to rest in it, the design of the cave would only entertain a little light, enough to touch them from their left side upon its setting:
"And you see the sun when it rises, it visits their cave from the right, and when it sets, it touches them from the left, while they are in an enclosure from it. That is from the signs of God. Whoever God guides is the guided one, and whoever He misguides, you will not find for him any ally to give direction. And you would think they are awake while they are asleep. And We turn them on the right-side and on the left-side, and their dog has his arms outstretched at the threshold. If you looked upon them you would have run away from them and you would have been filled with terror from them! And it was thus that We delivered them so they would ask themselves. A speaker from among them said: "How long have you stayed?" They said: "We stayed a day or part of a day." He said: "Your Lord is surely aware how long you stayed, so send one of you with these stamped coins of yours to the city, and let him see which is the tastiest food, and let him come with a provision of it. And let him be careful and let no one notice you. If they discover you, they will stone you or return you to their creed. Then you will never be successful."" (18:17-20)
The above description could best be understood in today's terminology as a form of "cryogenic freezing," where the youths were subject to a suspension in animation where their eyes are open and they awake, while they are in-fact asleep, and were being turned on their sides to avoid suffering from a drop in blood circulation or ulcers - the dog however, seems to have been set in one single state (with its arms outstretched). The youths, after thinking they had been asleep for one day or less, wanted to send one of their comrades to bring food from the city, but told him to be careful that none observe him, else he would be persecuted.
"And it was thus that We let them be found, that they would know that the promise of God is true and that there is no doubt regarding the Hour. They argued among themselves regarding them, so they said: "Erect a monument upon them, for their Lord is moat aware of them!" Those whose argument was lost said: "We should construct a temple over them."" (18:21)
The story then deals with the reaction of the people who were allowed to discover the remains of the sleepers after they had died, and how they were awed by the miracle of God who chose to save His people (apparently the people of the city had now embraced the very faith their ancestors had fought to keep from spreading) - the discussion turns to what action should be taken to commemorate this great sign, with one group suggesting a monument be built, while the lesser group suggest building a temple.
"They will say: "Three, the fourth is their dog." And they say: "Five, the sixth is their dog," guessing at what they do not know. And they say: "Seven, and the eighth is their dog." Say: "My Lord is fully aware of their number, none know them except for a few." So do not argue regarding them except with proof, and do not seek information regarding them from anyone."" (18:22)
Finally, we are left with verse 18:22 that tells us that there is much speculation regarding the facts of this story and that the people are full of conjecture regarding the true details of the story.
Where and when this story took place is very difficult to ascertain from the history texts, with some claiming it took place during the rise of Christianity in Rome near the city of Ephesus (in Turkey), while other narrations relate the events as taking place in another time altogether near the city of Amman (in Jordan)...In all cases, we are told by the Lord in 18:22 not to seek information from the people regarding this story- apparently because the truth of the tale is lost to time as are most stories we are taught from the Almighty.
We would however be wise to take note of the some of the clues the Quran has given us:
"And you would think they are awake while they are asleep. And We turn them on the right-side and on the left-side, and their dog has his arms outstretched at the threshold. If you looked upon them you would have run away from them and you would have been filled with terror from them!" (18:18)
The first clue that stands out is the mention of the dog in this story is very odd and grabs the attention of the reader. Why describe the dog in such detail with his arms outstretched and his standing guard at the enclosure to the cave?
In looking at the concept of dogs as guardians of tombs/graves, we come across the dog "Anubis" who is depicted in ancient Egypt as the "protector of tombs" and is recorded as far back as the Old Kingdom (2613-2181 BC). If we were to assume that the story of the sleepers inspired the worship of this figure, then that would place our story close to 5,000 years ago, during the time of of the "Old Kingdom."
What stands out more, is that many ancient depictions of Anubis have him positioned exactly as the Quran has describes: with his arms outstretched...
"And it was thus that We let them be found, to know that the promise of God is true and that there is no doubt regarding the Hour. They argued among themselves regarding them, so they said: "Erect a monument upon them, for their Lord is most aware of them!" Those whose argument was lost said: "We should construct a temple over them."" (18:21)
As per the Quran, not only were the sleepers linked to the dog, but they were also linked to a monument, which was erected at the site of the cave after some debate between those who came across the bodies/story
If we were to hear this story today of the youths with their loyal dog, we would most likely construct a monument of the dog, with its arms outstretched, as that is the visual depiction that we can imagine when we hear the tale from the Quran (or previous sources if inspired by the same material).
The largest monument that can be found, and which originally depicted a dog with its arms outstretched, is the statue of the Sphinx that stands in Egypt and dates back to 2494 BC:
The Sphinx at Giza has the unique attribute of being the statue of an animal (with its arms outstretched). In-fact, we could go one step further and point out that the head of the Sphinx at Giza is thought to be a more recent innovation and that the original statue (based on proportions) was that of a dog - Anubis.
That the Sphinx is the statue of a dog seems to be easily proven by a study of the different erosion of the head and body showing the two are not from the same time period - let alone the lack of proportions that we have mentioned earlier.
What the Quran also teaches us is that the youths were alive during the time of sophistication where the people had developed a sophisticated financial system that understands the use of stamped coins (not the old barter system).
"And it was thus that We delivered them so they would ask themselves. A speaker from among them said: "How long have you stayed?" They said: "We stayed a day or part of a day." He said: "Your Lord is surely aware how long you stayed, so send one of you with these stamped coins of yours to the city, and let him see which is the tastiest food, and let him come with a provision of it. And let him be careful and let no one notice you." (18:19)
According to historians, metal was used for exchange during the period of the Old Kingdom in Egypt.
"Here are our people, they have taken gods besides Him, while they do not come with any clear authority. Who then is more wicked than he who invents lies about God?" (18:15)
"And it was thus that We let them be found, to know that the promise of God is true and that there is no doubt regarding the Hour. They argued among themselves regarding them, so they said: "Erect a monument upon them, for their Lord is most aware of them!" Those whose argument was lost said: "We should construct a temple over them."" (18:21)
One more clue to ponder upon is that, when the youths went into their cave, the people at the time were idolaters/pagans, while, when they came out, the people had turned to faith in God.
This shift in faith in Egypt seems to coincide with the mission of Joseph (see article) who was a vizier to the King during the period 2630-2611 BC and after whom, for a while, the people began to believe in God alone...
"And Joseph had come to you before with proofs, but you remained in doubt regarding what he came to you with, until when he died, you said: "God will not send any messenger after him." It is such that God sends astray he who is a transgressor, doubter." (40:34)
Where is the Cave?
What is more important to our story is that we find a cave near/at the site of this monument - otherwise the entire argument is invalidated as the youths were hidden in a cave.
In 2008, a British explorer unearthed evidence of a system of caves at the Giza Plateau which for generations had been unknown (http://www.nbcnews.com/id/32417238/ns/technology_and_science-science/t/cave-complex-may-lie-beneath-giza-pyramids/). In-fact, after initial denial by the Egyptian authorities that any cave system existed, it was admitted in 2010 that the cave system was real (https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2010/09/vast-cave-complex-discovered-under-giza.html).
"And you see the sun when it rises, it visits their cave from the right, and when it sets, it touches them from the left, while they are in an enclosure from it. That is from the signs of God. Whoever God guides is the guided one, and whoever He misguides, you will not find for him any ally to give direction." (18:17)
It is unclear at this stage what has been found in the cave system - though we would venture that the thing to search for is the effect of the sun on the cave and whether the light can indeed enter from the left side as the sun is setting...
Finally, while the evidence on this subject does seem to come together, and the conclusions do seem plausible, we can only ask God to "increase our knowledge" and grant us wisdom as the search for truth is a continuous journey.
Written for www.free-minds.org
