Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "While three persons were traveling, they were overtaken by rain and they took shelter in a cave in a mountain. A big rock fell from the mountain over the mouth of the cave and blocked it. They said to each other. 'Think of such good (righteous) deeds which, you did for Allah's sake only, and invoke Allah by giving reference to those deeds so that Allah may relieve you from your difficulty. one of them said, 'O Allah! I had my parents who were very old and I had small children for whose sake I used to work as a shepherd. When I returned to them at night and milked (the sheep), I used to start giving the milk to my parents first before giving to my children. And one day I went far away in search of a grazing place (for my sheep), and didn't return home till late at night and found that my parents had slept. I milked (my livestock) as usual and brought the milk vessel and stood at their heads, and I disliked to wake them up from their sleep, and I also disliked to give the milk to my children before my parents though my children were crying (from hunger) at my feet. So this state of mine and theirs continued till the day dawned. (O Allah!) If you considered that I had done that only for seeking Your pleasure, then please let there be an opening through which we can see the sky.' So Allah made for them an opening through which they could see the sky. Then the second person said, 'O Allah! I had a she-cousin whom I loved as much as a passionate man love a woman. I tried to seduce her but she refused till I paid her one-hundred Dinars So I worked hard till I collected one hundred Dinars and went to her with that But when I sat in between her legs (to have sexual intercourse with her), she said, 'O Allah's slave! Be afraid of Allah ! Do not deflower me except legally (by marriage contract). So I left her O Allah! If you considered that I had done that only for seeking Your pleasure then please let the rock move a little to have a (wider) opening.' So Allah shifted that rock to make the opening wider for them. And the last (third) person said 'O Allah ! I employed a laborer for wages equal to a Faraq (a certain measure: of rice, and when he had finished his job he demanded his wages, but when I presented his due to him, he gave it up and refused to take it. Then I kept on sowing that rice for him (several times) till managed to buy with the price of the yield, some cows and their shepherd Later on the laborer came to me an said. '(O Allah's slave!) Be afraid o Allah, and do not be unjust to me an give me my due.' I said (to him). 'Go and take those cows and their shepherd. So he took them and went away. (So, O Allah!) If You considered that I had done that for seeking Your pleasure, then please remove the remaining part of the rock.' And so Allah released them (from their difficulty).
Hadith Commentary: The Three Men in the Cave
This profound narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 5974 in the Book of Good Manners and Form (Al-Adab) demonstrates how sincere righteous deeds performed purely for Allah's pleasure can serve as means of salvation in times of distress.
First Man: Filial Piety
The first man's deed exemplifies birr al-walidayn (kindness to parents) by prioritizing his elderly parents over his hungry children. Scholars note this demonstrates the supreme importance of honoring parents in Islam, even when it requires personal sacrifice. His action showed complete submission to Allah's command regarding parental rights.
The scholars comment that his patience throughout the night, despite his children's crying, reflects true taqwa (God-consciousness). The opening of the cave after his supplication indicates Allah's acceptance of deeds performed with ikhlas (sincerity).
Second Man: Chastity and Fear of Allah
The second man's story illustrates how abandoning sin for Allah's sake brings divine assistance. Despite strong desire and having paid the agreed amount, he desisted when reminded of Allah. Scholars emphasize this shows the power of taqwa in overcoming base desires.
Classical commentators note that his previous intention was sinful, but his ultimate obedience to Allah's prohibition transformed the situation. This teaches that sincere repentance and abandoning unlawful acts for Allah's pleasure can erase previous misdeeds.
Third Man: Honesty in Business
The third man's account highlights Islamic business ethics. Though the worker initially refused his wages, the employer continued investing until the amount multiplied significantly. Scholars explain this exceeds ordinary fairness, demonstrating extraordinary honesty.
Commentators note that giving the worker cows with their shepherd—far exceeding the original debt—shows the Islamic ideal of going beyond mere legal requirements in fulfilling others' rights. This complete fulfillment of amanah (trust) pleased Allah enough to completely remove their difficulty.
Scholarly Conclusions
This hadith establishes the permissibility of tawassul (seeking means to Allah) through one's righteous deeds. The scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah agree that these were not mere words but actions reflecting true faith and sincerity.
The progressive opening of the cave demonstrates Allah's gradual response to increasing levels of righteousness. Ultimately, the complete removal of the rock shows how comprehensive righteousness can remove all difficulties by Allah's permission.