{When the youths retreated to the Cave and said: 'Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy'}—meaning: sustenance—{'and facilitate for us from our affair a right course.'}

Muhammad said: The meaning is, 'Guide us toward that which brings us closer to You.'

Yahya said: They were a people who had believed and fled with their religion from their people; their people were in a state of disbelief, and they feared for themselves [from] being killed.