You might have seen the rising sun incline towards the right of their Cave, and, as it set go past them on the left, while they stayed within an open space in the Cave. That was one of the signs of Allah. He whom Allah guides is rightly guided; but he whom He leads astray you shall not find for him a guardian to guide him. (17)

You might have thought them awake, though they were sleeping. We turned them about to the right and to the left, while their dog stretched its paws at the entrance. Had you seen them you would surely have become filled with terror and turned your back on them in flight. (18)

As such We revived them so that they might question one another. 'How long have you stayed here? ' asked one of them. 'We have been here a day, or part of it, ' they replied. They said: 'Your Lord knows best how long we have stayed here. Let one of you go to the city with this silver (coin) and let him search for one who has the purest food and bring provision from it. Let him be courteous, but let no one sense it is you. (19)

For, if they appear in front of you, they will stone you to death or restore you to their religion. Then you will never prosper. ' (20)

And so We made them (the unbelievers) stumble upon them, so that they might know that the promise of Allah is true and that there is no doubt about the Hour. They argued among themselves over their affair, then (the unbelievers) said: 'Build a building over them (their remains). Their Lord knows best who they were. 'But those who prevailed over the matter said; 'We will build around them a Mosque. ' (21)

Some will say: 'They were three; their dog was the fourth. ' Others, guessing at the Unseen, will say: 'They were five and their dog was the sixth. ' And yet others: 'Seven; their dog was the eighth. ' Say: 'My Lord knows best their number. Except for a few none know their number. ' Therefore, do not dispute with them except in outward disputation, and do not ask any of them concerning them. (22)

Do not say of anything: 'I will do it tomorrow, ' (23)

unless (you add) 'if Allah wills. ' And remember your Lord when you forget and say: 'It may be that my Lord will guide me to something nearer to rectitude than this. ' (24)

And they stayed in the Cave three hundred years and to that they added nine more. (25)

Say: 'None but Allah knows how long they stayed. To Him belong the Unseen in the heavens and the earth. How well He sees, and how well He hears! They have no other guardian, other than Him, and He allows no one (to share) His rule. ' (26)