Maksalmina. When they said this, he ordered that the garments of rank they wore be stripped from them. Then he said: “I shall deal with you and carry out the punishment with which I have threatened you. Nothing prevents me from hastening it for you except that I see you are young and tender in years. I do not wish to destroy you until I grant you a period in which you may reflect and come to your senses.”
Then he ordered that the ornaments of gold and silver they wore be removed from them, and he commanded that they be taken away from his presence.
Decianus then departed for another city near theirs on some business of his. When the youths saw that he had left, they hastened to act before his return, fearing that when he came back to their city he would remember them [and torture them]. (1) They consulted together and agreed that each of them should take some money from his father’s house, give part of it in charity, and take the remainder as provisions. Then they would go to a cave near the city, on a mountain called Bakhlus, and remain there worshipping Allah. When Decianus returned, they would come to him and stand before him, and he could do with them as he wished.
When they said this to one another, each youth went to his father’s house, took some money, and gave part of it in charity. Then they set out with what remained with them. A dog belonging to them followed them until they reached that cave, where they remained.
Ka‘b al-Ahbar said: They passed by a dog which followed them, so they drove it away. It did this repeatedly, until the dog said to them, “My people, what do you want of me? Do not fear any harm from my side. I love the beloved servants of Allah. Sleep, and I shall guard you.”
Ibn ‘Abbas said: They fled from Decianus by night, and they were seven. They passed by a shepherd who had a dog; the shepherd followed them upon their religion, and his dog followed him. They then left the town for the cave, which was near the town.
Ibn Ishaq said: They remained there, having no occupation other than prayer, fasting, glorification, magnification, and praise of Allah, seeking His pleasure. They entrusted their funds to one of their youths, called Tamlikha. He would secretly buy their provisions from the city, for he was the most capable and steadfast of them. Whenever he entered the city, he would remove the fine clothes he wore and put on garments like those of the poor who begged there for food. He would then take his silver coins and go into the city, buying food and drink for them and gathering news on their behalf—whether anything had been said about him and his companions. Then he would return to his companions.
They remained in this state for as long as they remained. 215/b Then Decianus returned to the city and ordered its leading men to slaughter sacrifices for the false deities. This alarmed the people of faith. Tamlikha was in the city buying food for his companions, so he returned to them weeping, carrying only a little food. He informed them that the tyrant had entered the city, that they had been mentioned, and that a search for them had been undertaken among the city’s leading men.
They were terrified and fell in prostration, calling upon Allah, humbly beseeching Him, and seeking refuge from the trial. Then Tamlikha said to them, “My brothers, raise your heads, eat, and place your trust in your Lord.” So they raised their heads, their eyes overflowing with tears, and ate. This was at sunset. Then they sat talking, studying together, and reminding one another.
While they were thus engaged, Allah sealed their ears with sleep in the cave. Their dog lay with its forelegs outstretched at the entrance of the cave, and what befell them befell it as well. They were believers, certain in faith, and their provisions lay beside their heads.