Day 13 | Ayat 14 | The Youth Stood Up

The religious beliefs at the time this story takes place were idolatrous/polytheist. According the the tafsir Ibn Kathir, the whole town was out at a festival celebrating and making offerings to the gods. A few young men of the town, who had belief in Allah, separated themselves from the crowd and found themselves together away from the others. When caught and taken to the king, Allah had increased them in guidance (ayat 13) and strengthened their hearts (ayat 14). Their hearts were made firm and were also calm and settled as they addresses the king. They said they believed in the God of the heavens and earth and that IF they should say otherwise it would be a great disbelief. These young men were clever in their wording and firm in their hearts. Their actions were paramount to treason as we gather their insubordination resulted in their lives being threatened. But, these youths were clear in their belief. The use of the word 'lan' in this ayat doesn't just mean they will 'never call upon a deity other than Allah', its depth in meaning means absolute and eternal, as in they will never ever call upon a deity other than Allah. That absolute negation was a challenge to the king and the religious beliefs of the state. Curiously, the king is never mentioned, but later we will see that Allah mentions their dog.