سَيَقُولُونَ ثَلَـٰثَةٌ رَّابِعُهُمْ كَلْبُهُمْ وَيَقُولُونَ خَمْسَةٌ سَادِسُهُمْ كَلْبُهُمْ رَجْمًۢا بِٱلْغَيْبِ ۖ وَيَقُولُونَ سَبْعَةٌ وَثَامِنُهُمْ كَلْبُهُمْ ۚ قُل رَّبِّىٓ أَعْلَمُ بِعِدَّتِهِم مَّا يَعْلَمُهُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ ۗ فَلَا تُمَارِ فِيهِمْ إِلَّا مِرَآءً ظَـٰهِرًا وَلَا تَسْتَفْتِ فِيهِم مِّنْهُمْ أَحَدًا 22
Translations
They [i.e., people] will say there were three, the fourth of them being their dog; and they will say there were five, the sixth of them being their dog - guessing at the unseen; and they will say there were seven, and the eighth of them was their dog. Say, [O Muḥammad], "My Lord is most knowing of their number. None knows them except a few. So do not argue about them except with an obvious argument and do not inquire about them among [the speculators] from anyone."
Transliteration
Sayaqulun thalathun rabi'uhum kalbuhum wa yaqulun khamsun sadisuhum kalbuhum rajman bil-ghayb wa yaqulun saba'un wa thaminuhum kalbuhum qul rabbi a'lamu bi'iddatihim ma ya'lamuhum illa qalil fa la tumari fihim illa mira'an zahiran wa la tastafti fihim minhum ahadan
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the differing opinions regarding the number of the young men (Ashab al-Kahf) and their dog, emphasizing that only Allah possesses certain knowledge of their exact number. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note that various claims existed—some saying three with the dog as a fourth, others five, six, seven, or eight—all being mere speculation (rajm bil-ghayb). The ayah instructs the Prophet to refrain from disputing about such matters and not to seek clarification from the People of the Book, establishing a principle that not all knowledge of unseen matters is meant for human inquiry.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Surah Al-Kahf, a Meccan surah dealing with trials and tests of faith. The context addresses the Meccan pagans and scholars from Medina who questioned the Prophet about the story of the young men in the cave, testing his knowledge. Allah revealed this surah to provide the correct account while simultaneously testing the believers' acceptance of what they cannot fully verify with certainty.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari reports that various companions held different views on the number of the sleepers, with Ibn Abbas mentioning three, five, seven, and eight as differing reports. This hadith reinforces the ayah's teaching that Allah alone knows the precise number. Additionally, hadiths about the Ashab al-Kahf in Sunan Ibn Majah elaborate on the story while affirming the uncertainty about specific details.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches Muslims to distinguish between essential religious knowledge and matters of minor detail where speculation serves no spiritual purpose, encouraging humility before divine wisdom. In modern contexts, it advises against engaging in endless debates over non-essential issues and cautions against accepting unverified claims, promoting intellectual modesty and focus on practical faith.