In the Christian, Syriac, and Aramaic scriptures, the Seven Sleepers, otherwise known as the “Sleepers of Ephesus” and “Companions of the Cave”, is a medieval legend about a group of youth who hid inside a cave outside the city of Ephesus around AD 250, to escape one of the Roman persecutions of Christians. They emerged about 300 years later. The Companions of the Cave returned today with the Qa’im.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuhahf) said, “The Companions of the Cave (Ashab Al-Kahf) are the assistants of the Mahdi.”
– Mo’jam Ahadeeth Al-Imam Al-Mahdi, Ali Al-Korani, 1st ed., v.1, p.466, hadith 313 (Online book: p. 468)
– Fath Al-Bari Sharh Saheeh Bukhari, Ibn Hajar Al-Askalany, v.6, p.581
– Al-Dorr Al-Manthoor fe Al-Tafsir Al-Ma’thoor, Jalal Al-Din Assiouty, v.4, p.215