Al-Kahf 18:22
The Cave · Meccan · Juz 15 · Page 296
My Lord Knows Their Number
سَيَقُولُونَ ثَلَٰثَةࣱ رَّابِعُهُمۡ كَلۡبُهُمۡ وَيَقُولُونَ خَمۡسَةࣱ سَادِسُهُمۡ كَلۡبُهُمۡ رَجۡمَۢا بِٱلۡغَيۡبِۖ وَيَقُولُونَ سَبۡعَةࣱ وَثَامِنُهُمۡ كَلۡبُهُمۡۚ قُل رَّبِّيٓ أَعۡلَمُ بِعِدَّتِهِم مَّا يَعۡلَمُهُمۡ إِلَّا قَلِيلࣱۗ فَلَا تُمَارِ فِيهِمۡ إِلَّا مِرَآءࣰ ظَٰهِرࣰا وَلَا تَسۡتَفۡتِ فِيهِم مِّنۡهُمۡ أَحَدࣰا ٢٢
(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.
Translation: Marmaduke Pickthall
Meaning
“They were three… five… seven.” Say: “My Lord knows best their number.”
Insight
According to Elmalılı, the first two views are guesses at the unseen; the third is not. But knowing their number is not needed by everyone for the purpose of the story.
Reflect
Focus on the core lesson rather than useless details.
This short note is based on Elmalılı Hamdi Yazır’s Turkish commentary and has not yet been reviewed by a scholar.
Elmalılı’s commentary
An English translation of Elmalılı’s full commentary is coming soon. Read the original Turkish ›