How many were the People of the Cave?

The Companions of the Cave were seven, and their eighth was their dog, as indicated by verse 22 of Surat Al-Kahf: "They will say, 'Three, their fourth being their dog'; and [others] will say, 'Five, their sixth being their dog' — conjecturing about the unseen; and [still others] will say, 'Seven, and their eighth being their dog.' Say, [O Muhammad], 'My Lord is most knowing of their number. None knows them except a few.' So do not argue about them except with an obvious argumentation, and do not inquire about them among [the people of the Scripture] from anyone." Ibn Kathir clarified that Allah remained silent regarding the last statement, which indicates its correctness.