The History of the Companions of the Cave.
In the year 106 AD, Roman armies occupied the land of Jordan, where the kingdom of the Nabateans had established. The Roman Emperor Trajan was a pagan fanatic who had persecuted believers, especially the followers of Isa (AS). Before this military expedition, Syria, Palestine and Jordan had experienced a kind of autonomy, and capital Rome had been satisfied with the payment of taxes in those countries. For this reason the Roman forces in the region were numerically small. Therefore, the Romans organized the expedition in order to completely dominate those countries and submit them to the direct rule of Rome. In the year 112 AD, Trajan decreed: "Those who follow the Issa and refuse to worship the gods are unfair to the state, thus sentenced to death!" Philadelphia At that time, the people called the city of Amman (Jordan's capital) of Philadelphia, because of its beauty. They decorated with statues, but not used these statues as decoration only. The worshiped as deities instead of worshiping God, the Glorified. There was a statue of Athina, the god of war. He had a sword in his right hand and a shield on the left. There was also a statue of Taiki, the god of wealth and guardian of the city. This statue is currently in the museum of Amman. Philadelphia was southeast of Amman, witnessed the great civilization of that time. As for believers, led a life of fear, especially when the Roman forces occupied the city at the time of Trajan and dominated the government from Rome. In the year 112 AD, Trajan regarded all Christians as disloyal to their government and made them choose between idolatry and death. The Seven Young Many people in the city led a life of terror, so they pretended to worship the Roman gods. While the committees of the government inspect the beliefs of the people, so that people felt unsafe. However, seven young people living in that city. History mentioned their names as: 1. Maxminyanius 2. Amlikhius 3. Motyanius 4. Danius 5. Yanius 6. Aksa Kadtho Niyanius 7. Antonius These young Christians were perplexed, not knowing what to do. They had two choices, or death or disbelief. In those hard times, decided to flee the city. As they fled? That early morning, while government investigators seeking believers, the guards saw seven young people and a dog leaving the city, then asked them: "Where are you going?" One of the seven boys said, "We're going hunting." The guards said, "Well, to return and take part in the official celebration!" Toward the Cave The seven young people and their dog went to the cave. The cave is located seven kilometers from the city, near a village called Al Raqim. The youth came to a mountainous area and then climbed the mountains toward the cave that had previously chosen. The cave was at the foot of a hill in the south. He had a particular position, it was mild climate had two openings, one right and one left. Its entrance faced south. The cave was seven and a half feet wide and was the place that young people had chosen to take refuge. Young decided to isolate the people hiding there waiting for the mercy of God. They had no hope of overcoming the force of the Romans. But also, resolutely refused to worship idols. They knew that God was the Lord of heaven and earth, and that idolatry opposed the great truth of existence. The people of that time did not believe in the Day of Judgement. I thought that when a person died, his soul migrated to another body or an animal. The Long Sleep Young people were exhausted when they entered the cave. However, they were also excited because they thought that the Roman soldiers would come after him and discover his hiding place. They were tired because they had not slept for a day, well, they were sleepy, then fell asleep while dreaming of a happy future. To demonstrate his power to revive the man after death, God, the Glorious, has made the seven young fast asleep and closing your ears. How long are seven young people sleep? They slept for many years. The sun rose and stood still while sleeping. The Roman soldiers sought by young people everywhere, but all their attempts came to nothing. The country's people commented about the seven young men, saying: "The seven young men were hunting. They disappeared and nobody found it yet." Many years have passed but no one knew what had happened in that cave. The dog stretched its paws at the entrance of the cave and went to sleep too deeply. The air here was enjoyable because the cave entrance faced south and the two side vents let the sun in the morning and afternoon. The seven young people were sleeping and did not know what had happened. Dozens of years passed while they were asleep. If a shepherd had found a cave or a traveler had gone there during a storm, would have escaped that frightening sight. Why? Why would people with open eyes and a hunting dog still in the cave entrance. The seven boys were sound asleep, but had no dreams. What happened out there? In cities and villages of the country? The Death of Trajan The Emperor Trajan died. Many emperors followed him and also died. Diqyanius, who ruled from 285 to 305 AD, also died. Tadmor had lost its glory in the year 110 and then to have recovered. But in 272 the city has completely lost its glory when the Romans attacked her and made her queen, Zenobia, as a prisoner. Just Emperor The emperor Theodosius ascended the throne of Rome in 408 ad, and then embraced the Christian faith, so that the Roman Empire became Christian. In the year 412, God willed that the truth came out and that his power is revealed to all mankind, as a sign of his mercy. Then the seven young people have slept for three centuries. What had happened in the cave? Kutmirun, the dog barked, so young people awakened from sleep longer history. One of the seven boys thought he had slept for a few hours, so he asked his companions: "How much time sleeping? The boys were still sleepy. The sun was about to come by, but still cast its golden rays into the cave through the opening . So the boys thought they had slept for a whole day. What had spent all night sleeping and had not noticed the sunset and sunrise. The sun was setting at that moment, then said: "We sleep all day and part of another day. ' One said: 'Our Lord knows best how long we were sleeping. " Only God knows how long their sleep. Only God knows what is hidden. When the man falls asleep, he does not know what happens in the world around them. Suppose a person slept in the early fall and awoke to see snow and bare trees. He feels it would have slept for more than three months. Understand why so? Why think that would last fall asleep and it would then winter. The seven young men awoke and saw the sun setting. They knew they had slept for some hours or more. Because they did not know if the sun had set and then born the next day. They did not know if the sun was trying to restart it or not. They firmly believed in God, and said, "Only God knows how long we were sleeping." They just assumed that they had slept for a whole day and part of another. Hazardous Task The next morning, the seven young people were hungry and wanted to buy food. Thus, one of them showed some gold coins and said, "Let us take one of these gold coins and buy some good food, but he must take care of people. You should not recognize that. If they know our cache, we will be caught and killed. " Another said: "Indeed, they stone those who refuse to worship their gods." Another commented: "Perhaps, compel us to prostrate ourselves to their idols." And another said: "For what is this miserable fate!" In Market One of seven young men volunteered to go to the city to buy food at the market. He left the cave and went down the hill. Thought on how to enter the city and how to respond to the Roman guards when they surveyed. He did not see the changes the rain, flooding and wind had done for three centuries. I was nervous because it had not gone hunting or take a walk with his companions when he fled to the cave. Returned to buy food, but was afraid. I thought the situation was as before. Came to town and looked at its walls and buildings. He walked perplexed, thought to be in another city. No one stopped him from entering the city. Also found no statues of deities, however, felt a stranger in town. People looked at his clothes in horror, was not dressed according to the season. He saw the people in town wearing a new type of clothes, and found that the Roman soldiers pursued and punished to the other because of their beliefs. He saw the city people living, working and planting in peace. At the same time, not found on their faces the marks of anxiety. The young man continued to walk to the market. Asked one person about the market and this guided him. He was surprised to hear the accent of the people, since they differed from his. They spoke with an accent again. "What a wonderful thing!" said the young man. Then he asked himself: "I got lost and arrived in another city?" The Great Truth The young man began to pay attention to their behavior. Thought you had to buy food and return to the mountain hideout. Thus, behaved in a normal way, like a city dweller. People saw him as someone coming from a distant village in the mountains. The young man searched for a good man who sold food, and not found it. Then he realized what had happened. When the seller received their gold coins, looked at him with surprise. Then he said to himself: "These coins are from the time of Emperor Trajan. Were minted three centuries ago." The salesman looked stunned for the young. It was assumed that the youth had found a treasure, so I told him: "You found a treasure?" "What do you mean?" asked the young man. The salesman replied, "I mean that these coins are from centuries ago." "They're mine and I came to buy food," said the youth. "Look, we deal with these coins!" said the salesman. The young man looked at the money the seller. He had not seen before, so he asked: "My Lord, what happened?" The salesman said, "If you give me a share of the treasure, I will not tell anybody." "What a treasure? Asked the young man" I have nothing but these coins. "The salesman grabbed the girl and shouted, so that the people gathered around them. The young man turned from one side to another and said," Why Please, drop me! Trajan's soldiers will kill me if I catch! Do not have pity on me. "" Trajan! said the salesman. People looked surprises for the young, and then laughed. One person said: "Trajan died many years ago. Are you crazy?" "Who is the government of the empire now?" asked the young man. "Theodosius is the government. He is a good emperor. Adopted the religion of Issa two or three years ago," someone said. The young man asked, "You mean they do not kill Christians?" "What you say?" one person asked, "The people believed in the religion of God. The time of oppression and torture is over." An old man rubbed his forehead and said: "My Lord, When I was a kid, my grandmother told me that some pious young men feared for their religion, fled, and none was found. ' The young man was about to faint. I was about to fall to the ground by what he heard. Then he asked himself: "Did we sleep through all these years? It is possible for a man to sleep for three centuries? "The young do not remember anything. I thought I had slept for a day and a part of another. He rubbed his eyes. He thought he had a dream. Then he said:" No! No! This is very true! The governor of the city heard about the events. Heard that there was a young believer, so he ordered him to report to him. The governor knew that he was faced with a great truth, and that Allah, the Glorified, wanted to show humanity a sign of his power to resurrect the dead. The governor asked the young man who would lead them to cave. So the young man walked over there, followed by the governor and his soldiers. Young people in the cave were in distress because his companion was too long. One said: "Maybe he has been arrested!" Another commented: "Perhaps he was slow to enter the city, we know that the guards are ruthless!" In those difficult moments, one of them left the cave and climbed to the top of the hill. From there, he could see the roads leading into town. He saw with his own eyes what he feared. Then he cried: "The Roman soldiers are coming to us!" Then he quickly returned to his companions and told them: "I saw the soldiers coming towards us! They captured our friend and he is leading them to us!" One young man said: "I do not think so! Hopefully! Perhaps the soldiers are going to another place." The tense moments passed quickly. Suddenly, his companion entered the cave and told them about the great truth: "You do not fall asleep for a day and part of another. Fall asleep for three centuries. God has made you a sign that He is able to raise the human and that their souls will return to their bodies. " At that time some people used to say: "When the soul leaves the body does not return to him, goes to another body!" While the believers say, "God has power over all things. It is He who created man, he does die and resurrect." The young man had asked the governor to go alone to the cave, saying, "My companions are afraid of oppression and do not know what happened." When young people discovered the truth, shed tears of fear and love God. Then begged God to make them die because they belonged to another age, far from that in three centuries. Thus, the Glorious God, accepted the plea and made them die, so that their souls ascended to heaven and found a world full of goodness and peace. The governor and his men waited outside the cave. When the wait became too much, decided to join. When they came there, they saw a striking image: Seven young and his dog were killed. They realized that young people had just died because their bodies were still warm. The governor and his soldiers fell before God. The people of that time arguing among themselves about the spirit. Some said that the soul returned to the body on Judgement Day, others, that the soul is transferred to another body. When they saw with their own eyes, the companions of the cave, believed in the power of God. The polytheists doubted the fact, and said, "Raise a monument over them, their Lord knows them better." As for the believers said, "Certainly we will raise a masjid over them." They added: "We get the blessing of the place where God showed us his power." Thus, believers triumphed over the polytheists and then erected a Masjid on the seven young people, which worshiped God, the One God. When someone visits the capital of Jordan today, can see the companions of the cave. The cave is located at 8 km from Amman. Between the villages of Al Raqim and Abu Alanda. There one can see seven coffins. In addition, there is a small skiff, which is probably the tomb of the dog of the Companions of the Cave. Thanks to the archaeologist Dajjani Rafiq Al Wafa, who published the results of his excavations in 1964, proved that the cave is where the Qur'an and not the city of Afsus in Turkey as European historians have claimed. The scholars asked: "How long will the Companions of the Cave fell asleep?" The Holy Quran says, "stayed in their Cave three hundred years and nine." The answer is the period of their 309 years of sleep is the lunar calendar, which equates to 300 years of the solar calendar. The solar year is equal to the lunar year and 365 days to 354 days. 300 times 365 equals 109,500 days and 309 times 354 days equals 109,386 days. Since the lunar year is 354 days, 8 hours and 48 minutes, then 8 hours and 48 minutes = 528 "Do they think that of the Cave and the Inscription are a wonder among Our signs? Recalls when a group of youths sought refuge in the cave, saying, 'Lord, grant us Thy mercy, and reserves a success in our company! them were asleep in the cave for years. Then raised them up that We on which of the two parties would best calculate the time it had remained there. " (Quran, C.18 - V. 9 to 12)