496. The meaning of the phrase ‘some are aware of the number of cave people.

In verse (18:22) of the Quran Allah points out the difference of opinion among the people of those days regarding the number of people called the cave people.

Allah says there were three types of opinions among them expressed as:

1)Four, including their dog. 

2)Six including their dog. 

3)Eight, including their dog.

And says He alone is aware of their numbers and continues to say only a few others knew the number of persons in the group known as the people of the cave. Allah, having already declared the three different numbers expressed by the people of those days as wrong, says only a few knew about them, instead of saying no one knew their numbers giving rise to a question? May be during the period of Prophet Muhammad and people after him no one knew the numbers then, probably those at the days of cave people who established a house of worship over the dead bodies counted them being the reason for Allah saying so in the Quran. There might exist such a doubt in the minds of the people. 

Though people during Prophet Muhammad’s time and those after his period did not know the exact numbers, the chances of those who built a place of worship over their dead bodies knowing was better according to people who may raise questions regarding this. 

If the only declaration was, Allah alone knew the numbers then the awareness of the numbers by people who built a place of worship then comes into question. Allah has probably used the phrase ‘a few knew the numbers’ to avoid such a controversy. 

If only a few were aware of the exact number of the people in the cave, it would have spread to others as well.

Allah discloses in this way about the people who have lived and passed away having had knowledge of the numbers of these people in the cave. This can be taken as yet another evidence these are the words of God, where we find the greatest intelligence exhibited by Him saying the things known by the dead will be continued to be known to a very few.