Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a) narrates through the chains of his Holy Lineage that: “Once the Holy Prophet (s) was present in Prophet’s Masjid. There was a discussion regarding Prophet Sulaiman Ibne Dawud (a) and his Flying Carpet and the Companions of the Cave. People asked regarding them whether they are alive or dead?
The Holy Prophet (s) said: Who among you wants to see the Folks of the Cave and wants to greet them?
On hearing this, Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman said, “We would like to wish them and send salutation.” The Messenger of Allah (s) said: Darhaan bin Malik! Do come. On hearing the Holy Prophet a young man in fragrant clothes appeared. The Holy Prophet said to him: Present before us Carpet of Sulaiman.
After a few moments, the young man came to the Masjid and he was carrying a spread sheet forty-four inches long and made of white fur. The young man kept two spread sheets and disappeared.
The Prophet (s) told Bilal and his slave Subaan to spread the sheet on the ground. Bilal and Subaan obeyed Holy Prophet (s). The Prophet turned to Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Amirul Momineen Ali (a) and Salman and said: Each of you sit on one corner of the spread sheet, while Ali (a) will sit in the centre.
According to the command of the Holy Prophet, the five people sat down in their respective places. Hazrat Ali (a) called out: O Wind do come. Then the wind entered under the sheet, it lifted it up and flew into the air. It started flying in air until it stopped at the entrance of the cave where the companions of cave were sleeping. All the people came alighted from the spread sheet (carpet).
Amirul Momineen (a) said to Abu Bakr, “Since you are elder from Quraish.” So go ahead and greet them. Abu Bakr said to Ali (a): “With what words shall I greet them? Hazrat Ali (a) said: “Greet them with these words. Peace be upon you, O the youths of the people of the house O! the one who believe in your Lord, Peace be upon you, O the people whom God has chosen on His earth.” Abu Bakr went towards the edge of the door of the cave. The cave door was closed at that time. He greeted them three times but none answered. He returned and told Amirul Momineen (a) that none had answered him.
Amirul Momineen (a) said to Umar, “Now you go and greet them.” Umar also greeted the companions of the cave thrice but did not get any reply. Then Amirul Momineen (a) said to Uthman, “Get up and greet the Companions of Cave.” So, he also greeted but no one answered him.
Then Amirul Momineen (a) said to Salman Farsi, “Now you go and greet them.” Salman got up and greeted the companions. At that moment, a voice came from the cave, saying, “You are such a servant whose heart has been tested by Allah of faith, you are steadfast towards good. Yes, and your end will be better, but we are ordered to only respond to the greetings of the prophets and testament. Hearing this, Salman (r) came and sat down.
At last Amirul Momineen (a) got up and greeted them and said: “Peace be on you, God’s people on earth! Peace be on you, for fulfilling the covenant of Allah and peace be on you, you are the best young men.” At that time many voices were raised from inside the cave “Peace and blessings be upon you, O Amirul Momineen (a), chief of the Muslims, Imam of the Pious, Leader of the brightfaced ones, God bless you. Those are successful who loves you, and those are losers who have enmity against you.”
Amirul Momineen (a) inquired: “Why did you not respond to my companions?”
The companions of Kahf said: “Amirul Momineen (a)! We are alive, but we have been stopped from speaking. We only respond and answer to Prophet or his successor.” “Peace be upon you and your successors after you. Allah will make truth prevail at their hands.” Then they fell silent.
Amirul Momineen (a) then asked them to sit on the carpet and ordered the carpet to raise them. The carpet returned to Medina and all the companions sitting on the carpet narrated the whole incident to the Prophet.1
1 Uyunul Mojizaat, Pg. 14; Biharul Anwar, Vol. 39, Pg. 136, Tr. 11