(Some) say they were three, the dog being the fourth among them; (others) say they were five, the dog being the sixth,- doubtfully guessing at the unknown; (yet others) say they were seven, the dog being the eighth. Say thou: "My Lord knoweth best their number; It is but few that know their (real case)." Enter not, therefore, into controversies concerning them, except on a matter that is clear, nor consult any of them about (the affair of) the Sleepers.

(Some) say they were three, the dog being the fourth among them; (others) say they were five, the dog being the sixth,- doubtfully guessing at the unknown; (yet others) say they were seven, the dog being the eighth. Say thou: "My Lord knoweth best their number; It is but few that know their (real case)." Enter not, therefore, into controversies concerning them, except on a matter that is clear, nor consult any of them about (the affair of) the Sleepers.

(Some) say they were three, the dog being the fourth among them; (others) say they were five, the dog being the sixth,- doubtfully guessing at the unknown; (yet others) say they were seven, the dog being the eighth. Say thou: "My Lord knoweth best their number; It is but few that know their (real case)." Enter not, therefore, into controversies concerning them, except on a matter that is clear, nor consult any of them about (the affair of) the Sleepers.

If it had been Our will, We should have elevated him with Our signs; but he inclined to the earth, and followed his own vain desires. His similitude is that of a dog: if you attack him, he lolls out his tongue, or if you leave him alone, he (still) lolls out his tongue. That is the similitude of those who reject Our signs; So relate the story; perchance they may reflect.

They ask thee what is lawful to them (as food). Say: lawful unto you are (all) things good and pure: and what ye have taught your trained hunting animals (to catch) in the manner directed to you by Allah: eat what they catch for you, but pronounce the name of Allah over it: and fear Allah; for Allah is swift in taking account.

Thou wouldst have deemed them awake, whilst they were asleep, and We turned them on their right and on their left sides: their dog stretching forth his two fore-legs on the threshold: if thou hadst come up on to them, thou wouldst have certainly turned back from them in flight, and wouldst certainly have been filled with terror of them.

有人将说：“他们是三个，第四个是他们的狗。”有人将说：“他们是五个，第六个是他们的狗。”这是由于猜测幽玄。还有人将说：“他们是七个，第八个是他们的狗。”你说：“我的主是最知道他们的数目的，此外，只有少数人知道。关于他们的事情，只可作表面的辩论，关于他们的事情，不要请教任何人。”

有人将说：“他们是三个，第四个是他们的狗。”有人将说：“他们是五个，第六个是他们的狗。”这是由于猜测幽玄。还有人将说：“他们是七个，第八个是他们的狗。”你说：“我的主是最知道他们的数目的，此外，只有少数人知道。关于他们的事情，只可作表面的辩论，关于他们的事情，不要请教任何人。”

有人将说：“他们是三个，第四个是他们的狗。”有人将说：“他们是五个，第六个是他们的狗。”这是由于猜测幽玄。还有人将说：“他们是七个，第八个是他们的狗。”你说：“我的主是最知道他们的数目的，此外，只有少数人知道。关于他们的事情，只可作表面的辩论，关于他们的事情，不要请教任何人。”

假若我意欲，我一定要借那些迹象而提升他，但他依恋尘世，顺从私欲，所以他像狗一样，你喝斥它，它就伸出舌头来，你不喝斥它，它也伸出舌头来，这是否认我的迹象者的譬喻。你要讲述这个人的故事，以便他们省悟。

他们问你准许他们吃什么，你说：“准许你们吃－切佳美的食物，你们曾遵真主的教诲，而加以训练的鹰犬等所为你们捕获的动物，也是可以吃的；你们放纵鹰犬的时候，当诵真主之名，并当敬畏真主。真主确是清算神速的。”

你以为他们是觉醒的，其实他们是酣睡的，我使他们左右翻转，他们的狗伸著两条腿卧在洞口。如果你看见他们，你必吓得转脸而逃，满怀恐怖。