وَكَذَٰلِكَ And similarly wakadhālika We made known aʿtharnā about them ʿalayhim that they might know liyaʿlamū that anna (the) Promise waʿda (of) Allah l-lahi (is) true ḥaqqun and that wa-anna (about) the Hour l-sāʿata (there is) no lā doubt rayba in it fīhā When idh they disputed yatanāzaʿūna among themselves baynahum about their affair amrahum and they said faqālū Construct ib'nū over them ʿalayhim a structure bun'yānan Their Lord rabbuhum knows best aʿlamu about them bihim Said qāla those who alladhīna prevailed ghalabū in ʿalā their matter amrihim Surely we will take lanattakhidhanna over them ʿalayhim a place of worship masjidan
And similarly, We caused them to be found that they [who found them] would know that the promise of Allāh is truth and that of the Hour there is no doubt. [That was] when they1 disputed among themselves about their affair and [then] said, "Construct over them a structure. Their Lord is most knowing about them." Said those who prevailed in the matter, "We will surely take [for ourselves] over them a masjid."2
سَيَقُولُونَ They say sayaqūlūna (they were) three thalāthatun the forth of them rābiʿuhum their dog kalbuhum and they say wayaqūlūna (they were) five khamsatun the sixth of them sādisuhum their dog kalbuhum guessing rajman about the unseen bil-ghaybi and they say wayaqūlūna (they were) seven sabʿatun and the eight of them wathāminuhum their dog kalbuhum Say qul My Lord rabbī knows best aʿlamu their number biʿiddatihim None mā knows them yaʿlamuhum except illā a few qalīlun So (do) not falā argue tumāri about them fīhim except illā (with) an argument mirāan obvious ẓāhiran and (do) not walā inquire tastafti about them fīhim among them min'hum (from) anyone aḥadan
They [i.e., people] will say there were three, the fourth of them being their dog; and they will say there were five, the sixth of them being their dog - guessing at the unseen; and they will say there were seven, and the eighth of them was their dog. Say, [O Muḥammad], "My Lord is most knowing of their number. None knows them except a few. So do not argue about them except with an obvious argument1 and do not inquire about them among [the speculators] from anyone."
وَلَا And (do) not walā say taqūlanna of anything lishāy'in Indeed, I innī will do fāʿilun that dhālika tomorrow ghadan
And never say of anything, "Indeed, I will do that tomorrow,"
إِلَّآ Except illā If an Allah wills yashāa Allah wills l-lahu And remember wa-udh'kur your Lord rabbaka when idhā you forget nasīta and say waqul Perhaps ʿasā [that] an will guide me yahdiyani my Lord rabbī to a nearer (way) li-aqraba than min this hādhā right way rashadan
Except [when adding], "If Allāh wills." And remember your Lord when you forget [it] and say, "Perhaps my Lord will guide me to what is nearer than this to right conduct."
وَلَبِثُوا۟ And they remained walabithū in fī their cave kahfihim (for) three thalātha hundred mi-atin years sinīna and add wa-iz'dādū nine tis'ʿan
And they remained in their cave for three hundred years and exceeded by nine.1
قُلِ Say quli Allah l-lahu knows best aʿlamu about what (period) bimā they remained labithū For Him lahu (is the) unseen ghaybu (of) the heavens l-samāwāti and the earth wal-arḍi How clearly He sees abṣir [of it] bihi And how clearly He hears wa-asmiʿ Not mā for them lahum besides Him min besides Him dūnihi any min protector waliyyin and not walā He shares yush'riku [in] fī His Commands ḥuk'mihi (with) anyone aḥadan
Say, "Allāh is most knowing of how long they remained. He has [knowledge of] the unseen [aspects] of the heavens and the earth. How Seeing is He and how Hearing! They have not besides Him any protector, and He shares not His legislation with anyone."
وَٱتْلُ And recite wa-ut'lu what mā has been revealed ūḥiya to you ilayka of min the Book kitābi (of) your Lord rabbika None lā can change mubaddila His Words likalimātihi and never walan you will find tajida besides Him min besides Him dūnihi a refuge mul'taḥadan
And recite, [O Muḥammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book of your Lord. There is no changer of His words, and never will you find in other than Him a refuge.