Surah 18. Al-Kahf, Ayah 14

Lit., "when they stood up" - i.e., stood up to their misguided fellow-men, or to the rulers who persecuted the believers (see note [7]).

So that they were not afraid to speak out openly, and protest the truth of the Unity which they clearly saw in their own minds and hearts.

We may suppose them to have taken their stand and made a public protest before they betook themselves to the Cave (xviii. 16). The story really begins at xviii. 13, and the verses xviii. 9-12 may be considered as introductory. As the emphasis is on spiritual lessons, the facts stated in the introductory part are passed over lightly in the story.