We strengthened their hearts when they stood up and said: 'Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. We will call on no other god except Him; (for if we did), we would have spoken outrageously (in disbelief), (14)

These, our nation have taken to themselves gods, other than Allah. Why do they not bring some clear authority regarding them! Who does greater evil than he who forges a lie against Allah? ' (15)

When you depart from them and from what they worship, other than Allah, seek refuge in the Cave. Allah will extend His Mercy to you and will furnish you with a gentle issue of your affair. (16)

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)