as they sat inside the cave, they saw only Arius and his companions standing at its entrance.
Yamlīkha went ahead of them and entered upon his companions weeping. When they saw him weeping, they wept with him. Then they asked him what had happened, and he informed them and related to them the entire account. Thereupon, they realized that they had been asleep all that time by Allah’s command, and that they had only been awakened to serve as a sign for the people, as confirmation of the Resurrection, and so that people might know that the Hour is surely coming, without doubt.
Then Arius entered after Yamlīkha and saw a copper casket sealed with a silver seal. He stood at the entrance of the cave, then summoned one of the eminent men of the city. The casket was opened in their presence (1), and they found in it two tablets of lead, inscribed: “Maksalmina, Makhshilmina, Yamlīkha, Martunis, Kashtunis, Yabrunis, Dimus, Batyus, and Halush were young men who fled from their tyrannical king, Decius, fearing that he would turn them away from their religion. They entered this cave, and when he was informed of their whereabouts, he ordered that the cave be sealed over them with stones. We have recorded their affair and their story so that whoever comes after them may know it, should they discover them.”
When they read this, they were astonished and praised Allah, who had shown them in these young men a sign of the Resurrection. Then they raised their voices in praise and glorification of Allah. They entered the cave to the young men and found them seated in their midst, their faces radiant and their clothes unchanged. Arius and his companions fell down in prostration and praised Allah, who had shown them one of His signs. Then they spoke with one another, and the young men told them what they had suffered at the hands of their king, Decius—[his compelling them to worship idols and sacrifice to false gods, their concealing their faith from him, and their flight to the cave] (2).
Then Arius and his companions sent a courier to their righteous king, Baydarus, saying, “Hasten to us, that you may behold one of Allah’s signs, which Allah has brought forth in your realm and made a sign for all people, so that it may be a light and illumination for them, and a confirmation of the Resurrection. Hasten to the young men whom Allah Most High has raised up, though He had caused them to die more than three hundred years ago.”
When news reached the king, his senses returned to him and his distress departed. He said, “I praise You, O Allah, Lord of the heavens and the earth; I worship You and glorify You. You have bestowed Your favor upon me and shown me mercy: You did not extinguish the light which You had granted to my forefathers, including Your righteous servant, King Constantine.”
When he informed the people of the city of this, they mounted and rode to him, and travelled with him until they reached the city of Ephesus. The people of the city came out to receive them, and they went with him until they ascended toward the cave. When the young men saw Baydarus, they rejoiced at his arrival and fell upon their faces in prostration. Baydarus rose, embraced them, and wept, while they sat before him on the ground, glorifying and praising Allah.
Then the young men said to Baydarus, “We entrust you to Allah—[your faith and the final outcome of your deeds] (3). Peace be upon you, and Allah’s mercy. May Allah preserve you and preserve your kingdom. We seek Allah’s protection for you from the evil of mankind and the jinn.” While the king was standing there, they returned to their beds and slept, and Allah Most High took their souls. The king went over to them, placed their garments over them, and ordered that each of them be placed in a golden coffin. Then, when evening came and he slept, they came to him in a dream and said: