Surah 18:22

"Some say, ‘(There were) three, the fourth of them was their dog.’ But others say, ‘(There were) five, the sixth of them was their dog’ – guessing about what is unknown. Still others say, ‘(There were) seven, the eighth of them was their dog.’ Say: ‘My Lord knows about their number. No one knows (about) them except a few.’ So do not dispute about them, except (on) an obvious point, and do not ask for a pronouncement about them from any of them."

Islamic Commentaries (1)Manuscripts (49)

Their Number Verses 18:22

Show Full Scripture Context (18:22) — 1 Verse

Verse 22

سَيَقُولُونَ ثَلَٰثَةٞ رَّابِعُهُمۡ كَلۡبُهُمۡ وَيَقُولُونَ خَمۡسَةٞ سَادِسُهُمۡ كَلۡبُهُمۡ رَجۡمَۢا بِٱلۡغَيۡبِۖ وَيَقُولُونَ سَبۡعَةٞ وَثَامِنُهُمۡ كَلۡبُهُمۡۚ قُل رَّبِّيٓ أَعۡلَمُ بِعِدَّتِهِم مَّا يَعۡلَمُهُمۡ إِلَّا قَلِيلٞۗ فَلَا تُمَارِ فِيهِمۡ إِلَّا مِرَآءٗ ظَٰهِرٗا وَلَا تَسۡتَفۡتِ فِيهِم مِّنۡهُمۡ أَحَدٗا

Some say, ‘(There were) three, the fourth of them was their dog.’ But others say, ‘(There were) five, the sixth of them was their dog’ – guessing about what is unknown. Still others say, ‘(There were) seven, the eighth of them was their dog.’ Say: ‘My Lord knows about their number. No one knows (about) them except a few.’ So do not dispute about them, except (on) an obvious point, and do not ask for a pronouncement about them from any of them.

Allah tells us that people disputed over the number of the people of the Cave. The Ayah mentions three views, proving that there was no fourth suggestion. Allah indicates that the first two opinions are invalid, by saying,

{guessing at the unseen}, meaning that they spoke without knowledge, like a person who aims at an unknown target - he is hardly likely to hit it, and if he does, it was not on purpose.

Then Allah mentions the third opinion, and does not comment on it, or He affirms it by saying,

{and the dog being the eighth.} indicating that this is correct and this is what happened.

Quoted Scripture

"Say: "My Lord knows best their number...""

indicating that the best thing to do in matters like this is to refer knowledge to Allah, because there is no need to indulge in discussing such matters without knowledge. If we are given knowledge of a matter, then we may talk about it, otherwise we should refrain.

{none knows them but a few.} of mankind. Qatadah said that Ibn 'Abbas said: "I am one of the few mentioned in this Ayah; they were seven." Ibn Jurayj also narrated that 'Ata' Al-Khurasani narrated from him, "I am one of those referred to in this Ayah," and he would say: "Their number was seven." Ibn Jarir recorded that Ibn 'Abbas said:

{none blows them but a few.} "I am one of the few, and they were seven." The chains of these reports narrated from Ibn 'Abbas, which say that they were seven, are Sahih, and this is in accordance with what we have stated above.

Quoted Scripture

"So debate not except with the clear proof."

meaning, gently and politely, for there is not a great deal to be gained from knowing about that.

Quoted Scripture

"And consult not any of them (about the people of the Cave)."

meaning, 'They do not have any knowledge about it except what they make up, guessing at the unseen; they have no evidence from an infallible source. But Allah has sent you, O Muhammad, with the truth in which there is no doubt or confusion, which is to be given priority over all previous books and sayings.'

— from Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Page 136-137)

About this Source & Scholarly Authority (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)

Universal Sunni Consensus: Tafsir al-Qur'an al-Azim by Hafiz Ibn Kathir (701–774 AH / 1301–1373 AD) is universally regarded across all major schools of Sunni Islam (traditional, Salafi, Ash'ari) as the most authoritative classical exegesis. It is prized because it relies on Tafsir bil-Ma'thur—interpreting the Quran using the Quran itself, authentic Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad, and recorded statements of the early Companions (Sahabah).

Standard English Edition: This text is from the standard 10-volume English abridgment published by Dar-us-Salam Publications (supervised by Shaykh Safiur-Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri), which is the official, most widely distributed English Quranic commentary in mosques and Islamic libraries worldwide today.

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