and most of these reports offer no benefit in matters of religion. This is why the scholars among the People of the Book frequently disagree over such matters, and disagreements consequently arise among Quran commentators. They discuss, for example, the names of the Companions of the Cave, the colour of their dog, their number, the kind of wood Moses’ staff was made from, the names of the birds Allah brought back to life for Abraham, the particular part of the cow with which the slain man was struck, and the kind of tree from which Allah spoke to Moses. These and other matters Allah has left unspecified in the Quran bring those bound by religious obligations no benefit, either in their worldly affairs or in their religion, through knowing their precise details. Nevertheless, relating their differing views on these matters is permissible, as the Most High says:

“They will say, ‘They were three, their dog being the fourth.’ Others will say, ‘They were five, their dog being the sixth’—guessing at the unseen. Others will say, ‘They were seven, their dog being the eighth.’ Say, ‘My Lord knows best their number. Only a few know them.’ So do not dispute about them beyond what is plainly known, and do not consult any of those people about them.”

This noble verse contains guidance on proper conduct in this matter and teaches how such questions should be approached. The Most High reports three views they held, discredits the first two, and remains silent about the third, thereby indicating its correctness. Had it been false, He would have refuted it just as He refuted the other two. He then indicates that knowing their number serves no useful purpose. In such cases, one should say:

“Say, ‘My Lord knows best their number.’”

For only a few people know this: those to whom Allah has made it known. Hence He says:

“So do not dispute about them beyond what is plainly known.”

That is, do not weary yourself over what serves no useful purpose, and do not ask them about it, for they