Guidance from the Holy Quran – Non-Ahmadi arguments refuted about Jesus’ (as) revival from dead
The idiomatic style of the Holy Qur`ān describes those who refuse to accept the Divine message [(Quran 27:81), (Quran 35:23), (Quran 8:25)] as ‘dead’ and depicts the believers as ‘alive’ (Quran 36:71) even if they are killed in the way of Allāh (Quran 2:155). Unfortunately, non-Ahmadi Muslim scholars interpret these verses as literally and against the firm verses of the Holy Qur`ān.
While interpreting these verses, the earlier Muslim commentators neglect the inviolable Divine law that, dead are never sent back to this world and that those, who pass away from this world, pass away forever, [(Quran 21:96), (Quran 23:100-101), (Quran 36:32), (Quran 39:43)].
DIED FOR HUNDRED YEARS
They contend that, according to the verse (Quran 2:260) of the Holy Qur`ān, Allāh caused a Prophet to die for a hundred years and then raised him again.
The real fact of this story is that in 586 BC Prophet Ezekiel passed by the ruins of Jerusalem, destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. Saddened over this situation, he asked God when this city shall be revived again. God showed him in a dream that after 100 years, Jerusalem shall be rebuilt. This vision is also mentioned in the Bible (Ezekiel-37). The Holy Qur`ān sometimes mentions scenes seen in a vision as if they had actually happened, without stating that they were witnessed in a vision or dream e.g., (Quran 12:5).
Causing him to die and then raising him was not the answer to his question. He asked about the revival of the city and it was showed to him in the vision that Jerusalem shall be rebuilt in 100 years. This vision came to fulfillment. Pointing towards his food, which was still fresh, and donkey, which was still alive, shows that he did not remain dead for 100 years.
SLAUGHTERED BIRDS RAISED
Unfortunately, the verse (Quran 2:261) is also literally interpreted, as if Prophet Ibrahīm(as) asked about revival of physical dead. It is stated that Prophet Ibrahīm(as) actually slaughtered and minced the birds and then God raised those birds to life again to show him how God revives the dead.
What actually happened is that Prophet Ibrahīm(as) asked God how these spiritually dead people shall be raised to life. God asked him to take four birds and attach them to himself. He was then told to put each of them on a hill and call them. They shall come to him in haste. In this way God taught him to have an intimate relationship with people, and then invite them towards God. Then people shall respond to his call. The Arabic word “Fasurhunna used in this verse is followed by the preposition- ilaika”, which gives it the meaning ‘to attach’ not ‘to slaughter’. No one slaughters meat ‘towards’ him.
PEOPLE OF THE CAVE
Likewise, the story of the people of cave is also presented as another strange phenomenon of revival of dead and many fantastic legends have been woven around them. However, the verse (Quran 18:10) declares the Dwellers of the Cave to be no novel or out of the ordinary thing but as only one of the so many Signs of God. There was nothing about them which might be considered a departure from the ordinary laws of nature.
It is a well-known historical fact that for 300 years early Christians had to suffer untold persecutions at the hands of the idolatrous Roman Emperors for their belief in the Oneness of God. It continued intermittently till the reign of the Emperor Constantine who converted to Christianity and made it the religion of the State.
To save them from this most cruel and inhuman persecution the helpless Christians had to seek refuge in catacombs found around Rome, Alexandria and some other places. They had their dogs sit at the entrance of the caves as guards and caution them whenever they feel any danger. This throws light over the love of Christian nations for dogs.