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Ashabi-Kahf is a sanctuary in a natural cave which is located in the eastern part of the city of Nakhchivan, in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan. Since ancient times Ashabi-Kahf is considered as a sacred place. It is known not only in the Republic, but also in other regions of Azerbaijan and countries of the Middle East. Each year tens of thousands of people make a pilgrimage to this place. [1]
The meaning of Ashabi-Kahf in Arabic is “the cave possessers”. Ashabi-Kahf was mentioned in chapter 18 of Islam's holy book, the Qur'an. The surah is a parable about a group of young believers who had stood against those who trusted in others, besides God and hid themselves inside a cave in order to escape a persecution. The Qur'an says that number of young believers and the length of their stay is known only to God. It also emphasized that it is not the important part of the story, but rather the lessons learned from it. The event described in holy Qur'an can also be seen in legends about Ashabi-Kahf in.
The natural structure of the cave, as well as geographical conditions allows say it is one of the early settlements in Azerbaijan. Natural shelters reminds rooms. There was a spring at the entrance of the cave. But later this spring was dried up. The restoration and construction works in "Ashabi-Kahf" was carried in 1998 in accordance with the instructions of Heydar Aliyev, National Leader of the Republic of Azerbaijan. A mosque was built, road was laid and everything was performed for the good and proper conditions of pilgrims. [2]
Azerbaijan is a country in the Caucasus region, situated at the juncture of Europe and Western Asia. Three physical features dominate Azerbaijan: the Caspian Sea, whose shoreline forms a natural boundary to the east; the Greater Caucasus mountain range to the north; and the extensive flatlands at the country's center. About the size of Portugal or the US state of Maine, Azerbaijan has a total land area of approximately 86,600 square kilometers, less than 1% of the land area of the former Soviet Union. Of the three Transcaucasian states, Azerbaijan has the greatest land area. Special administrative subdivisions are the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, which is separated from the rest of Azerbaijan by a strip of Armenian territory, and the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region, entirely within Azerbaijan. The status of Nagorno-Karabakh is disputed by Armenia.
In the Islamic and Christian traditions, the Seven Sleepers, otherwise known as the Sleepers of Ephesus and Companions of the Cave, is a medieval legend about a group of youths who hid inside a cave outside the city of Ephesus around AD 250 to escape one of the Roman persecutions of Christians and emerged some 300 years later. Another version of the story appears in the Quran (18:9–26). It was also translated into Persian, Kyrgyz, and Tatar.
The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, is a landlocked exclave of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The region covers 5,502.75 km2 (2,124.62 sq mi) with a population of 459,600 bordered by Armenia to the east and north, Iran to the southwest, and Turkey to the west.
Al-Ma'idah is the fifth chapter (sūrah) of the Quran, with 120 verses (āyāt). Regarding the timing and contextual background of the revelation, it is a "Medinan surah", which means it is believed to have been revealed in Medina, instead of Mecca.
Al-Kahf is the 18th chapter (sūrah) of the Quran with 110 verses (āyāt). Regarding the timing and contextual background of the revelation, it is an earlier "Meccan surah", which means it was revealed in Mecca, instead of Medina.
Al-Mu’minun is the 23rd chapter (sūrah) of the Qur'an with 118 verses (āyāt). Regarding the timing and contextual background of the supposed revelation, it is an earlier "Meccan surah", which means it is believed to have been revealed in Mecca, instead of later in Medina.
An-Naml is the 27th chapter (sūrah) of the Qur'an with 93 verses (āyāt).
As-Saffat is the 37th chapter (sūrah) of the Qur'an with 182 verses (āyāt).
Az-Zumar is the 39th chapter (surah) of the Qur'an, the central religious text of Islam. It contains 75 verses (ayat). This surah derives its name from the Arabic word zumar (troops) that occurs in verses 71 and 73. Regarding the timing and contextual background of the believed revelation, it is believed to have been revealed in the mid-Maccan period when persecutions of the Muslim believers by the polytheists had escalated.
Sadarak District is one of the 7 districts of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan. The district borders the district of Sharur, as well as the Iğdır Province of Turkey, Ararat Province of Armenia and the West Azerbaijan Province of Iran. Its capital is Heydarabad and largest settlement is Sadarak. As of 2020, the district had a population of 16,100.
Sharur District is one of the 7 districts of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan. The district borders the districts of Kangarli, Sadarak, as well as the Vayots Dzor and Ararat provinces of Armenia and the West Azerbaijan Province of Iran. Its capital and largest city is Sharur. As of 2020, the district had a population of 117,600.
Babek District is one of the 7 districts of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan. The district borders the districts of Julfa, Shahbuz, Kangarli, Nakhchivan city, as well as the Vayots Dzor Province of Armenia and the East Azerbaijan and West Azerbaijan provinces of Iran. Its capital and largest city is Babek. As of 2020, the district had a population of 76,200.
Nakhchivan is the capital of the eponymous Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan, located 450 km (280 mi) west of Baku. The municipality of Nakhchivan consists of the city of Nakhchivan, the settlement of Əliabad and the villages of Başbaşı, Bulqan, Haciniyyət, Qaraçuq, Qaraxanbəyli, Tumbul, Qarağalıq, and Daşduz. It is spread over the foothills of Zangezur Mountains, on the right bank of the Nakhchivan River at an altitude of 873 m (2,864 ft) above sea level.
Julfa District is one of the 7 districts of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan. The district borders the districts of Ordubad, Babek, Shahbuz, as well as the Syunik Province of Armenia and the East Azerbaijan Province of Iran. Its capital and largest city is Julfa. As of 2020, the district had a population of 47,000.
Kangarli District is one of the 7 districts of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan. The district borders the districts of Babek, Sharur, Nakhchivan city, as well as the Vayots Dzor Province of Armenia and the West Azerbaijan Province of Iran. Its capital is Givrag, while the largest settlement is Khok. As of 2020, the district had a population of 32,700.
Khinalug, Khinalugh, or Khinalyg, is an ancient Caucasian village going back to the Caucasian Albanian period. It is located high up in the mountains of Quba District, Azerbaijan. It is also a municipality in Quba District, which consists of the villages of Khinalug and Galaykhudat.
Havuş is a village and municipality in the Sharur District of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic enclave in Azerbaijan. It is located 35 kilometers west of the district center on the slope of the Daralayaz ridge, which forms the border with Armenia. Havuş is about 2,000 meters above sea level. There is a secondary school, club, and a medical centre in the village. As of 2005, Havuş had a population of 114. The settlement ofTamaşalı and a cemetery dating back to the Middle Ages are located within its territory.
Günnüt is a village in the Sharur District of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Azerbaijan. It is located in the right side of the Nakhchivan-Sadarak highway, 22 km away from the district center, on the plain. The village was destroyed by the Armenians in 1992, the population moved to the Mahmudkənd village.
The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is one of the touristic regions of Azerbaijan with its flora and fauna, climate, and ancient cultural monuments. Nakhchivan is known for its historical monuments such as Momuna Khatun, Yusif ibn Kuseyir, Gulustan tombs, and Garabaghlar. There are other touristic places like Babek castle, Kilit cave, Alinja castle, and Gamigaya in Nakhchivan.