An Analysis and Comparative Study of the Foundations of the Ashāb al-Kahf Narrative in the Qurʾān and Christian Sources

The Qurʾānic narrative of the People of the Cave (Ashāb al-Kahf) is a subject that has garnered significant interest in both the Islamic world and in Western Qurʾānic studies. This study moves beyond conventional perspectives on the Ashāb al-Kahf parable, offering a deeper analysis by drawing upon the Arabic text of the Qurʾān and early Christian sources. Particular emphasis is placed on how the Qurʾān reconstructs, reinterprets, and imbues this parable with new significance within the framework of Islamic culture, while simultaneously addressing and rectifying certain omissions or inconsistencies found in the Christian narrative. The findings aim to contribute to a better understanding of the narrative similarities and differences between the two traditions, reevaluating the Qurʾān’s engagement with Christianity. In this context, the aim of this paper is to examine the story of Asḥāb al-Kahf in the Qurʾān in detail, uncovering its relationship with similar stories in Christian sources and highlighting the differences between them. Our research demonstrates that the Qurʾānic account of the Ashāb al-Kahf contains distinctive elements absent in Christian sources and is presented in a wholly original style. In this context, our study supports the thesis that the Qurʾānic narrative of Ashāb al-Kahf was not derived from Christian sources but instead represents an independent treatment marked by its unique style. By highlighting the differences between the two narratives, this study seeks to demonstrate that the Qurʾān offers an original text in this regard. Indeed, while the Qurʾān shares certain similarities with existing Christian narratives, it reveals these accounts within an Islamic framework, presenting a unique theological perspective. Additionally, this study aims to show that the story of Asḥāb al-Kahf carries an important message that emphasizes the Islamic understanding of monotheism and God’s omnipotence.