Translation, Commentary & Explanation of Chapter 18 Al-Kahfi.
Literal Translation of verse 22.
They will say that there were 3 of them and the forth was their dog, and they will say that there were 5 of them and the sixth was their dog, as their guess of the unseen. Then they will say that there were 7 of them and the eight was their dog. Say,
"My Lord knows best their numbers. None knew their numbers except a few."
Therefore, do not dispute about their affairs, except physical debate only, and do not ask about
it from any of them.
Commentary by Jalalain.
The people during Prophet Muhammad time disputed about the number of the youths in the cave. Some said they were 3 and the 4th was their dog, some others said they were 5 and the 6th was their dog. These 2 opinions came from the Christians in Najran, which were only speculations, as there were no evidence to substantiate their narration.
Then another opinion, among the Muslims, said that they were 7 and the 8th was their dog.
Imam Jalalain explained that the grammatical arrangement of the original Arabic words and sentences, shows that, the third opinion is the acceptable one.
He also narrated that Ibnu Abbas, whom Prophet Muhammad said was well-versed with the knowledge of the Quran, declared that he was among the "few" who knew the correct number
of the youths in the cave, and he said there were 7 of them.
Therefore, do not argue anymore about this matter anddo not ask anyone, not even the people of the book, or the Jews.
Commentary by Muhammad Asad.
And in times to come some people will say they were three and their dog is the fourth. Some others will say they were five and their dog was the sixth, as they idly guessing without any knowledge, until some people will say that they were seven and the eighth of them being their dog. Say,
"My Sustainer knows best how many they were. None but a few have any real knowledge of them. Hence, do not argue about them otherwise than by way of an obvious argument, and do not ask any of those storytellers to enlighten you about them."
Muhammad Asad wrote in his footnote that, the future tense in the first word "sayakuluna" points to the legendary character of the story, and implies that all speculation about its detail is irrelevant to its parabolic, ethical purport. Do not argue about them except for self-evident ethical lesson.
Commentary by Abdullah Yusuf Ali.
The controversy is after ages about the number of the Sleepers: were they 3 or 5 or 7?
People answered not from knowledge, but from conjecture.
People answered not from knowledge, but from conjecture.
Gibbon's version, which has now become well-known, makes the number of Sleepers seven.
The number is immaterial. We should pay attention to the spiritual lesson.
The true significance of the story is known only to a few. Most people discuss the details which are not in their knowledge.
It is unprofitable to enter into such immaterial controversies, and many other controversies
that have been waged about religion by shallow men from time immemorial.
Yes, if there is a matter of clear knowledge from experience that matters, we must openly proclaim it, so that the world may be brought to listen to God's Truth.
Vulgar story-mongers as such know little of the true significance of stories and parables.
We have a clear exposition in The Quran. What need is there to go into details of the
number of men in the Cave, or of the length of time they remained in it?
Commentary by Muhammad Taqiuddin & Muhsin Khan
Some say they were 3 and the dog was the 4th. Others say they were 5 and the dog was the 6th, guessing at the unseen. Yet others say they were 7, and the dog was the 8th. Say,
"My Lord knows best their number, none knows them but a few."
So debate not except with clear proof. And consult not any of the people of the book, Jews and Christians, about the affairs of the people of the Cave.
Commentary by Harun Yahya
Such speculation is wrong as they were only guessingat the Unseen. Muslims must not arguebut just say that
"ALLAH knows best."
Obviously, there is no point in listening to arguments based on hearsay, conjecture and ignorance.
ALLAH warns against such arguments,
"Do not pursue what you have no knowledge of. Hearing, sight and hearts will
all be questioned"
[Chapter Al-Isra' Verse 36]
However, ALLAH do reveals some of the unseen to HIS messengers.
"HE is the Knower of the Unseen, and does not divulge HIS Unseen to anyone -
except a Messenger with whom HE is well pleased, and then HE posts sentinels before him
and behind him"
[Chapter Al-Jinn Verse 26 - 27]
--------------to be continued--------------------
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