In like manner, He has told us—again and again—of the dead being brought back to life and of their rising from their graves, and the Most High has affirmed the resurrection of bodies through various forms of proof. Sometimes He narrates actual cases of resurrection, as in Sūrat al-Baqarah, where He says:
“Remember when you said, ‘O Moses, we will never believe you until we see God openly’; whereupon the thunderbolt struck you as you looked on … then We revived you after your death so that you might give thanks.” (al-Baqarah 2:55–56)
And He says:
“So We said, ‘Strike him with part of it.’ Thus does Allah bring the dead to life and show you His signs, that you may reason.” (al-Baqarah 2:73)
And He says:
“Have you not considered those who left their homes by the thousands, fearing death? Allah said to them, ‘Die!’ Then He brought them back to life.” (al-Baqarah 2:243)
And He says:
“Or [consider] the one who passed by a town that lay collapsed upon its roofs. He said, ‘How could Allah bring this back 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 answered, ‘A day, or part of a day.’ He said, ‘Rather, you have remained a hundred years.’” (al-Baqarah 2:259)
And He says:
“When Abraham said, ‘My Lord, show me how You give life to the dead.’ He said, ‘Do you not believe?’ He replied, ‘Indeed I do, but only that my heart may be reassured.’ He said, ‘Then take four birds…’” to the end of the verse. (al-Baqarah 2:260)
He likewise mentions Jesus bringing the dead to life, and He recounts the story of the Companions of the Cave, who slept for three hundred and nine years—sleep being the sibling of death. These make seven passages in all.
He also speaks of reviving a beast and of food and drink remaining fresh for a hundred years. Further, the Almighty demonstrates the possibility of resurrection by reminding us that He created animals in the first place, created vegetation as their counterpart, and created the heavens and the earth; and the One who is able to create the heavens and the earth is surely able to create their like anew. The first group of verses establishes that resurrection has actually occurred, while the second shows that it is perfectly possible.