Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran
Some will say, “They were three, their
dog was the fourth,” while others will say, “They were five, their
dog was the sixth,” ˹only˺ guessing blindly. And others will say, “They were seven and their
dog was the eighth.” Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “My Lord knows best their ˹exact˺ number. Only a few people know as well.” So do not argue about them except with sure knowledge,
1 nor consult any of those ˹who debate˺ about them.