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 changed. And look at your donkey, that We may make you a sign for mankind. Look at the bones, how We raise them up and then clothe them with flesh.’ When it became clear to him, he said, ‘I know that Allah has power over all things.’”

He thus recounts this story, in which a man and his donkey died, while his food and drink remained with him, and a hundred years passed. Then the dead man and his donkey were brought back to life, while his food and drink had remained unchanged and unspoiled. This occurred in the realm of generation and decay, where food and drink ordinarily cannot remain unchanged for even a fraction of that time. This demonstrates, with the strongest evidence, His power to bring human beings and animals back to life and to preserve food and drink for the people of Paradise in the abode of everlasting life.

He then mentions Abraham’s words:

“My Lord, show me how You give life to the dead.” He said, “Do you not believe?” He said, “Yes, but so that my heart may be reassured.” He said, “Then take four birds and draw them to you. Then place a portion of them on each mountain, and call them: they will come hastening to you. And know that Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.”

He commanded him to mix the four birds together as an analogy for the intermingling of the four humours. Then He brought the birds back to life, separated each from the others, and made them come hastening in response