It was also said: The People of the Book said, “This period—from the time they entered the cave until our present day—is three hundred and nine years.” Allah then refuted them and said: “Say, ‘Allah knows best how long they remained,’” meaning: after their souls were taken, until our present day, none knows it except Allah. 218/A

His saying, Exalted is He, “three hundred years”: Hamzah and al-Kisa’i recited “three hundred” without nunation, while the others recited it with nunation.

If it is asked: Why did He say, “three hundred years,” rather than “three hundred year”? (1)

It is said: The words, “And they remained in their cave three hundred,” were revealed, and they asked: “Days, months, or years?” Then the word “years” was revealed.

Al-Farra’ said: Among the Arabs are those who use “years” in the place of “year.”

It was also said that its meaning is: They remained in their cave for years—three hundred.

“And they added nine.” Al-Kalbi said: (2) The Christians of Najran said, “As for the three hundred, we know it; but as for the nine, we have no knowledge of it.” So it was revealed.

“Say, ‘Allah knows best how long they remained. To Him belongs the unseen of the heavens and the earth. How perfectly He sees and hears! They have no protector apart from Him, and He associates no one in His judgment.’” (26)

“Say, ‘Allah knows best how long they remained.’” It is narrated from Ali that he said: According to the People of the Book, they remained three hundred solar years, whereas Allah, Exalted is He, mentioned three hundred lunar years. The difference between solar and lunar reckoning in every one hundred years is three years; thus, over three hundred years it amounts to nine years. This is why He said: “And they added nine.”

“To Him belongs the unseen of the heavens and the earth.” The unseen is that which lies beyond perception, while nothing escapes Allah’s perception.

“How perfectly He sees and hears!” That is, how perfectly Allah sees every existent thing and hears every audible thing! Nothing escapes His hearing or His sight.

“They have no protector apart from Him”—that is, the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth have no protector apart from Allah, no helper. “And He associates no one in His judgment.” Ibn Amir and Yaqub recited: “And do not associate anyone,” addressing the Prophet and expressing a prohibition. The others recited it in the third person: Allah associates no one in His judgment. It was also said that “judgment” here means knowledge of the unseen—that is, He associates no one in His knowledge of the unseen.