18.Surah Al Kahf
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
سَيَقُولُونَ
ثَلَاثَةٌ
رَّابِعُهُمْ
كَلْبُهُمْ...
18: 22. (Some) say they were three, the dog being the fourth among them;
... وَيَقُولُونَ خَمْسَةٌ سَادِسُهُمْ كَلْبُهُمْ رَجْمًا بِالْغَيْبِ...
(others) say they were five, the dog being the sixth -- doubtfully guessing at the unknown;
C2359. The controversy in after ages raged about the number of the Sleepers: were they three or five or seven?
People answered, not from knowledge, but from conjecture.
Gibbon's version, which has now become best known, makes the number of Sleepers seven.
The point was immaterial: the real point was the spiritual lesson.
... وَيَقُولُونَ سَبْعَةٌ وَثَامِنُهُمْ كَلْبُهُمْ...
(yet others) say they were seven, the dog being the eighth.
... قُل رَّبِّي أَعْلَمُ بِعِدَّتِهِم مَّا يَعْلَمُهُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ...
Say thou: "My Lord knoweth best their number; it is but few that know their (real case)."
C2360. The true significance of the story is known only to a few. Most men discuss futile' details, which are not in their knowledge.
... فَلَا تُمَارِ فِيهِمْ إِلَّا مِرَاء ظَاهِرًا ...
Enter not, therefore, into controversies concerning them, except on a matter that is clear,
C2361. It is unprofitable to enter such immaterial controversies and many others that have been waged about Religion by shallow men from time immemorial.
Yet, if there is a matter of clear knowledge from experience that matters, we must openly proclaim it, that the world may be brought to listen to Allah's Truth.
... وَلَا تَسْتَفْتِ فِيهِم مِّنْهُمْ أَحَدًا ﴿٢٢﴾
nor consult any of them about (the affair of) the Sleepers.
C2362. 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 time they remained there?
Other versions:
18: 22 [ AL KAHF, Mecca 69]
Asad …….Say: “ My sustainer knows best how many they were. None but a few have any knowledge of them……….
Yusuf Ali (Some) say they were three the dog being the fourth among them; (others) say they were five the dog being the sixth doubtfully guessing at the unknown; (yet others) say they were seven the dog being the eighth. Say thou: "My Lord knoweth best their number; it is but few that know their (real case)." Enter not therefore into controversies concerning them except on a matter that is clear nor consult any of them about (the affair of) the Sleepers.
Pickthall (Some) will say: They were three, their dog the fourth, and (some) say: Five, their dog the sixth, guessing at random; and (some) say: Seven, and their dog the eighth. Say (O Muhammad): My Lord is best aware of their number. None knoweth them save a few. So contend not concerning them except with an outward contending, and ask not any of them to pronounce concerning them.
Transliteration Sayaqu_lu_na sala_satur ra_bi'uhum kalbuhum, wa yaqu_lu_na khamsatun sa_disuhum kalbuhum rajmam bil gaib(i), wa yaqu_lu_na sab'atuw wa sa_minuhum kalbuhum, qur rabbi a'lamu bi 'iddatihim ma_ ya'lamuhum illa_ qalil(un), fala_ tuma_ri fihim illa_ mira_'an za_hira_(w), wa la_ tastafti fihim minhum ahada_(n).
[Ali’s notes:
2359 The controversy in after ages raged about the number of the Sleepers: were they three or five or seven? People answered, not from knowledge, but from conjecture. Gibbon's version, which has now become best known, makes the number of Sleepers seven. The point was immaterial: the real point was the spiritual lesson. (18.22)
2360 The true significance of the story is known only to a few. Most men discuss futile details, which are not in their knowledge. (18.22)
2361 It is unprofitable to enter such immaterial controversies and many others that have been waged about Religion by shallow men from time immemorial. Yet, if there is a matter of clear knowledge from experience that matters, we must openly proclaim it, that the world may be brought to listen to Allah's Truth. (18.22)
2362 Vulgar story-mongers as such know little of the true significance of stories and parables. We have a clear exposition in the Qur-an. What need is there to go into details of the number of men in the Cave, or of the time they remained there? (18.22) ]]