259- OR LIKE HIM WHO PASSED BY A TOWN WHEN IT WAS ALL RUINS.  HE SAID: “HOW WOULD ALLAH REVIVE THIS AFTER ITS DEATH?”  ALLAH PUT HIM TO DEATH FOR A HUNDRED YEARS THEN REVIVED HIM.  HE SAID: “HOW LONG WERE YOU (DEAD)?” HE SAID: “A DAY OR PART OF A DAY”.  HE (ALLAH) SAID: “BUT YOU WERE DEAD FOR A HUNDRED YEARS.  LOOK AT YOUR FOOD AND DRINK, THEY DID NOT SHOW SIGNS OF TIME AND LOOK AT YOUR DONKEY, AND WE SHALL MAKE YOU A SIGN FOR MANKIND, AND LOOK AT THE BONES (OF THE DONKEY) AND HOW WE PUT THEM TOGETHER THEN COVER THEM WITH FLESH”.  WHEN IT WAS ALL SHOWN CLEARLY TO HIM HE SAID: “I KNOW THAT ALLAH IS ABLE TO DO ALL THINGS”

Another incident narrated to us.  It is reported that it was after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Persian king Bakhanteser.  This man was one of Allah’s prophets.  He questioned “HOW WOULD ALLAH REVIVE THIS AFTER ITS DEATH?” 

It is not for a man of faith to doubt Allah’s ability.  Reviving a town or city is something any one can do with money and resource.  Allah the Highest did show him what He can do.

First of all, Allah the Highest put him to death for a hundred years.  Enough time for the city to be rebuilt and filled up with people.  Then Allah the Highest brought him back to life.  The man just felt that he slept for a day or less.  He was travelling and was tired and he slept.  Then Allah the Highest showed him his miracles.

First; the man remained just the same; to was revived to the same state he was in, did not age or deteriorate over a 100 years, as if time stopped for him.

Second; his food and drink did not show sign of time.  Food and drink ferment, rote and become dry over time, but none of this happened to his food and drink, and they remained fresh as they were.

Third; his donkey which died, rotted and only his bones were left.  Allah the Highest showed the man the donkey come back to life.  The bones assembled together, and then were covered with flesh before his very eyes. 

It is then that his soul and heart submitted to Allah the Highest.

Allah the Highest may show the believers signs which strengthen their faith and comfort their hearts.  This happened with Ibrahim peace upon him.

260- AND AS IBRAHIM SAID: “MY LORD, SHOW ME HOW DO YOU REVIVE THE DEAD”.  HE (ALLAH) SAID: “DID YOU NOT BELIEVE?” HE (IBRAHIM) SAID: “YES, BUT ONLY TO COMFORT MY HEART”.  HE SAID: “TAKE FOUR BIRDS, TAME THEM TO YOURSELF, THEN PUT A PIECE OF EACH OF THEM ON A MOUNTAIN, AND THEN CALL THEM AND THEY WILL COME TO YOU HURRYING, AND KNOW THAT ALLAH IS EXALTED IN POWER AND MOST WISE”.

Ibrahim peace upon him wanted to see how the dead are revived, as we are promised to be revived on the Day of Resurrection. 

It is clear that this was not an expression of doubt or lack of faith by Ibrahim peace upon him, but rather that he wanted to comfort his heart.  It is been said that seeing is believing, and that he who knows is not like he who saw.

Allah the Highest comforted the heart of His prophet and messenger Ibrahim peace upon him, and gave him a demonstration.  He told him to take four birds and tame them to him, so that they become domesticated and go to him when called.  Then to kill the 4 birds and scatter their body on various mountains, and then call them, and they will go to him.  It is worth noting that:

1-    Allah the Highest did not show Ibrahim peace upon him the birds being revived as the other prophet was shown the donkey being revived, perhaps because Ibrahim’s faith did not require him to see all that.

2-    Ibrahim peace upon him was not put through a test of making him die and being revived either.

3-    Ibrahim peace upon him just wanted to see to comfort his heart.

The End of the Ayah is “AND KNOW THAT ALLAH IS EXALTED IN POWER AND MOST WISE”

The Exalted is He whose word and decision are final and can not be challenged and no one can change them.  Yet this power and ability has to be tempered with Wisdom.  Such is the case with Allah the Highest.

In human beings when such power is not tempered with wisdom, we see abuses.  Allah the Highest is above this.