18:22 sa yaquuluuna thalaathatur raabi'Uhum kalbuhum* wa yaquuluuna khamsatun saadisuhum kalbuhum rajmam bil gayb* wa yaquuluuna sab'Atuw wa thaaminuhum kalbuhum* qur rab-biy a'Ålamu bi 'Id-datihim maa ya'Ålamuhum il-laa qaliyl* falaa tumaari fiyhim il-laa miraa-an Zaahiraw wa laa tastafti fiyhim minhum aHadaa

Click here to play the verse

Ahmed Raza Khan: Mohammed Aqib Qadri:
So the people will now say, "They are three, their dog is the fourth"; and some will say, "They are five, their dog is the sixth" - just blind guesses; and some will say, "They are seven, and their dog is the eighth"; proclaim (O dear Prophet Mohammed - peace and blessings be upon him), "My Lord well knows their number - no one knows them except a few"; therefore do not debate concerning them except what has occurred, and do not ask any of the People of the Book(s) anything concerning 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.

Pickthal:
(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.