There is no better way to spend your Ramazan than learning about the many pious men who have listened to prophets and followed their teachings. The Companions of the Cave is one such book that discusses the men known as Ashab-e-Kahf, who are even mentioned in the Holy Quran.

Written by Badar Maqbool and illustrated by Sajid Qureshi as part of the Quran Stories series, Companions of the Cave is something every young reader should read. Not only is it targeted at you and your friends, but the simple language and the easy-to-understand scenario also make it better than any story you know.

It tells you the story of a group of pious men who many historians believe lived in the region of present-day Izmir (in modern-day Turkey) in around 250 AD (though the Quran does not specify the date). The believed in the one God, the Almighty Allah. However, the cruel and unjust king of their time, considered to be a Roman ruler known as Decius, and his disbelieving men humiliated them very often, which made them flee and take refuge in a cave where they prayed to Allah ‘to show them the right way’.

The book explains that the men — 3, 5 or 7 in number — stayed in that cave for meditation along with their dog, where Allah made them fall asleep for 309 years! Allah kept them alive all this time to show that He could do things no one else could. When they finally woke up, they had no clue how much time had passed or that they had slept for over three centuries.

When one of the men visited the city to buy food, and even though he wasn’t recognised, his coins piqued the locals’ curiosity. After returning to the cave, he told his fellows about the development, who were surprised. While the Holy Quran does not clearly state what happened afterwards, it is believed that Allah caused them to pass away soon after.

The story not only removes all doubts about rising from the dead and the Day of Judgement, but also shows that, no matter the situation, Allah always helps those who worship him and ask Him for help.

The illustrations will also help you understand the cultures of the cities long before Islam, and what pious folks did before Allah sent his last prophet, Muhammad, to them.

Published in Dawn, Young World, February 28th, 2026