Who were As’habe Kahaf (people of cave)?

There is difference of opinion among scholars about the time of As’habe kahaf. They are not mentioned in bible. In Ibn Katheer’s opinion, they were before sayeddina Isa (AS). However, most scholars agree that they were among the true followers of sayeddina Isa (AS) and believed in Tauheed. They used to live around 300 AD, in the city of Ephesus near the city of Izmir in modern day Turkey. The Roman emperor Decanus was very cruel, and forced these true believers to convert to paganism. According to some scholars, As’habe Kahaf were young people from aristocratic or ruling class families. When king Decanus heard about them, he ordered them to appear in his court for interrogation. They defended their belief boldly in front of the king that will surrender to none but Allah only. The king threatened them for the consequences, but gave them time to reconsider their faith. These young men thought only way to preserve their faith was to leave their city and hide in a mountain cave. When they entered in the cave, Allah put them to sleep with their dog and they remained in the state of sleep for three years. Their eyes were open during their sleep and occasionally they turned sides. Their dog stretched his forelegs as if a guard in sitting position at the cave entrance. The sunlight deflected in sideways not to disturb them and the whole scenario would strike one to terror.