[18].Surah Al-Kahf [The Cave]: Ayat 22

 

Ayat 22. (Some) say they were three, the dog being the fourth among them; (others) say they were five, the dog being the sixth, guessing at the unseen; (yet others) say they were seven, the dog being the eighth. Say (O Muhammad  [SAWW](PBUH): "My Lord knows best their number; none knows them but a few." So debate not (about their number, etc.) except with the clear proof (which We have revealed to you). And consult not any of them (people of the Scripture, Jews and Christians) about (the affair of) the people of the Cave.

[Tafseer] The controversy in after ages raged about the number of the Sleepers: were they three or five or seven? People answered, not from knowledge, but from conjecture, one version, which has now become best known, makes the number of Sleepers seven. The point was immaterial: the real point was the spiritual lesson. The true significance of the story is known only to a few. Most men discuss futile' details, which are not in their knowledge. It is unprofitable to enter such immaterial controversies and many others that have been waged about Religion by shallow men from time immemorial. Yet, if there is a matter of clear knowledge from experience that matters, we must openly proclaim it, that the world may be brought to listen to Allah's Truth. Vulgar story-mongers as such know little of the true significance of stories and parables. We have a clear exposition in the Quran. What need is there to go into details of the number of men in the Cave, or of the time they remained there?

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) said, "Verily, Allah likes three things for you and disapproves three things for you. He likes that you should worship Him Alone, not to associate anything with Him (in worship) and to hold fast to the Rope of Allah and not to be divided among yourselves; and He disapproves for you irrelevant talk, persistent questioning and the squandering of the wealth.''  [Muslim Book 018, Chapter 03, Hadith # 4255].

Lesson : as mentioned above in Surah Al-Kahf Ayat 22. "So debate not (about their number, etc.) except with the clear proof" Beside stressing Tauhid, holding fast to the Rope of Allah and unity (which are greatly liked by Allah), this Hadith forbids unnecessary debate, hair-splitting and extravagance as all the three are disliked by Allah. Wealth has a great importance in man's life since it is the very source of sustenance and basis of his livelihood, its wastage is akin to cutting the branch of the tree on which one is sitting.