Author: Abu Ayesha
Resurrection After Death (part 11)
Reviving the Dead in This World: Evidence for Its Possibility in the Hereafter
Throughout history, no one has ever presented a scientific proof denying the Resurrection. What opponents of the Hereafter repeatedly claim is merely this: How is it possible for a human being whose body has decayed, dispersed, and turned into dust to be brought back to life again? Is this not impossible?
The response of both reason and the Holy Qur’an is that this is undoubtedly possible. This is because it is conceivable at the level of rational thought, and moreover, we constantly witness examples of the revival of the dead before our very eyes’ day and night—examples which, if we reflect carefully, are clearly understandable.
Although the arguments presented here are derived from the Holy Qur’an, the Qur’an itself calls upon human intellect and reflection. It asks: When you observe the manifestations of His actions every day and night and in every season of the year, is there still any room left for deeming any act of His improbable or impossible?
The revival and death of trees through spring and autumn is another clear example of life and death. In Surah Fatir, Allah says: اللَّهُ الَّذِي يُرْسِلُ الرِّيَاحَ فَتُثِيرُ سَحَابًا فَسُقْنَاهُ إِلَىٰ بَلَدٍ مَيِّتٍ فَأَحْيَيْنَا بِهِ الْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ النُّشُورُ [1] Translation: “It is Allah (SWT) who sends the winds, raising clouds, then We drive them to a dead land and revive the earth after its death. Thus, will be the Resurrection.”
Elsewhere He says: وَأَحْيَيْنَا بِهِ بَلْدَةً مَيْتًا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ الْخُرُوجُ [2] Translation: “And by it We revived a dead land; likewise, will be the emergence [from the graves].”
Thus, examples of revival within creation and the universe shine before our eyes every day and night, every year and every season, making the concept of resurrection simple and comprehensible. These examples require neither complex reasoning nor deep speculation, nor do they contain ambiguity or complication. What is required is that we read these signs properly and remove the veils of ignorance and prejudice from our intellects, so that we may recognize the truth of this reality and acknowledge the absolute power of Allah the Exalted.
Other Examples Demonstrating the Possibility of Resurrection
To establish that reviving the dead is not impossible, the Noble Qur’an presents numerous examples, emphasizing in each case that just as Allah was able to revive the dead in this world, He is likewise able to do so in the Hereafter.
It should be noted that the Holy Qur’an does not rely solely on verses that require intellectual contemplation to prove resurrection on the Day of Judgment. Rather, it also presents evidence that require no abstract reasoning at all—namely, the direct observation of the revival of the dead in this worldly life. This serves as a decisive proof for those who witness such events, and once this matter is established with certainty, it becomes a strong argument even for those who did not personally observe such revivals.[3]
Among these examples is the narration reported by Abu Malek: Ubayy ibn Khalaf brought a decayed bone to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), crushed it in front of him, and said: “O Muhammad! Will Allah revive this after it has decayed and turned to dust?” The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) replied: “Yes, Allah will revive it, then He will cause you to die, then bring you back to life, and then He will admit you into the Hellfire.” [4]
The narrator says that thereafter the concluding verses of Surah Ya-Sin were revealed, in which Allah the Exalted says: قُلْ يُحْيِيهَا الَّذِي أَنْشَأَهَا أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ خَلْقٍ عَلِيمٌ [5] Translation: “Say: He who created it the first time will give it life again, and He is Knowing of every creation.”
The Qur’an contains numerous examples in which Allah revived the dead under specific circumstances and for extended periods in full view of people. This stands as the strongest evidence for resurrection after death. One such example is the story of Prophet Uzayr (RA) who passed by a ruined town and, out of amazement—not denial—asked how Allah would revive it. The Qur’an narrates his story as follows: أَوْ كَالَّذِي مَرَّ عَلَىٰ قَرْيَةٍ وَهِيَ خَاوِيَةٌ عَلَىٰ عُرُوشِهَا قَالَ أَنَّىٰ يُحْيِي هَٰذِهِ اللَّهُ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا فَأَمَاتَهُ اللَّهُ مِائَةَ عَامٍ ثُمَّ بَعَثَهُ… [6] Translation: “Or [consider] the one who passed by a town that had fallen into ruin. He said: ‘How will Allah bring this to life after its death?’ So, Allah caused him to die for a hundred years, then revived him. He said: ‘How long have you remained?’ He said: ‘a day or part of a day.’ He said: ‘Rather, you have remained a hundred years. Look at your food and drink—they have not spoiled; and look at your donkey. And We made you a sign for the people. And look at the bones—how We assemble them and then clothe them with flesh.’ When it became clear to him, he said: ‘I know that Allah is over all things competent.’”
Although there is scholarly disagreement regarding the identity of this individual—some identifying him as a prophet and others as a righteous servant—the majority of the early scholar’s state that he was a righteous servant from the Children of Israel named Uzayr. After Nebuchadnezzar destroyed parts of Jerusalem, Uzayr passed by the ruins and amazed at the magnitude of Allah’s power, wondered how Allah would revive such devastation—without any intention of denial or doubt.[7]
Continues…
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References:
[1]. Surah Fatir, verse 9.
[2]. Surah Qaf, verse 11.
[3]. Al-Rifa‘i, Safiyyah, Ithbat al-Ma‘ad wa Bayan Haqiqatih, Al-Maqal Journal (Electronic), Issue 23, April 2020, p. 6.
[4]. Al-Harith ibn Muhammad al-Baghdadi, Bughyat al-Bahith ‘an Zawa’id Musnad al-Harith, ed. Husayn Ahmad Bakri, vol. 2, p. 727, Markaz Khidmat al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah, Madinah.
[5]. Surah Ya-Sin, verse 79.
[6]. Surah al-Baqarah, verse 259.
[7]. Al-Sufi, Mahir Ahmad, Mawsu‘at al-Ba‘th wa al-Nushur, introduction by a group of scholars, 1431 AH / 2010 CE, p. 35.
