18.21 . And in like manner We disclosed them ( to the people of the city ) that they might know that the promise of Allah is true , and that , as for the Hour , there is no doubt concerning it . When ( the people of the city ) disputed of their case among themselves , they said : Build over them a building ; their Lord knoweth best concerning them . Those who won their point said : We verity shall build a place of worship over them .

18.22 . ( Some ) will say : They were three , their dog the fourth , and ( some ) say : Five , their dog the sixth , guessing at random ; and ( some ) say : Seven , and their dog the eighth . Say ( O Muhammad ) : My Lord is best aware of their number . None knoweth them save a few . So contend not concerning them except with an outward contending , and ask not any of them to pronounce concerning them .

18.23 . And say not of anything : Lo! I shall do that tomorrow ,

18.24 . Except if Allah will . And remember thy Lord when thou forgettest , and say : It may be that my Lord guideth me unto a nearer way of truth than this .

18.25 . And ( it is said ) they tarried in their Cave three hundred years and add nine .

18.26 . Say : Allah is best aware how long they tarried . His is the Invisible of the heavens and the earth . How clear of sight is He and keen of hearing! They have no protecting friend beside Him , and He maketh none to share in His government .

18.27 . And recite that which hath been revealed unto thee of the scripture of thy Lord . There is none who can change His words , and thou wilt find no refuge beside Him .

18.28 . Restrain thyself along with those who cry unto their Lord at morn and evening , seeking His countenance ; and let not thine eyes overlook them , desiring the pomp of the life of the world ; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance , who followeth his own lust and whose case hath been abandoned .

18.29 . Say : ( It is ) the truth from the Lord of you ( all ) . Then whosoever will , let him believe , and whosoever will , let him disbelieve . Lo! We have prepared for disbelievers Fire . Its tent encloseth them . If they ask for showers , they will be showered with water like to molten lead which burneth the faces . Calamitous the drink and ill the resting place!

18.30 . Lo! as for those who believe and do good works , Lo! We suffer not the reward of one whose work is goodly to be lost .

18.31 . As for such , theirs will be Gardens of Eden , wherein rivers flow beneath them ; therein they will be given armlets of gold and will wear green robes of finest silk and gold embroidery , reclining upon thrones therein . Blest the reward , and fair the resting place!

18.32 . Coin for them a similitude : Two men , unto one of whom We had assigned two gardens of grapes , and We had surrounded both with date palms and had put between them tillage .

18.33 . Each of the gardens gave its fruit and withheld naught thereof . And We caused a river to gush forth therein .

18.34 . And he had fruit . And he said unto his comrade , when he spake with him : I am more than thee in wealth , and stronger in respect of men .

18.35 . And he went into his garden , while he ( thus ) wronged himself . He said : I think not that all this will ever perish .

18.36 . I think not that the Hour will ever come , and if indeed I am brought back unto my Lord I surely shall find better than this as a resort .

18.37 . And his comrade , while he disputed with him , ex claimed : Disbelievest thou in Him Who created thee of dust , then of a drop ( of seed ) , and then fashioned thee a man?

18.38 . But He is Allah , my Lord , and I ascribe unto my Lord no partner .

18.39 . If only , when thou enteredst thy garden , thou hadst said : That which Allah wilteth ( will come to pass ) ! There is no strength save in Allah! Though thou seest me as less than thee in wealth and children .

18.40 . Yet it may be that my Lord will give me better than thy garden , and will send on it a bolt from heaven , and some morning it will be a smooth hillside ,