ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Holy Quran Text. Translation & Commentary (the Example Commentary in Brief)(volume Three) Occasion of the Revelation (verse No. 9 - 12) Commentators have narrated; a group of the chief and officials of Mecca went to Medina, and paid a visit to the Jewish elders, rabbis, and learned men. They asked the Jews questions about Mohammad and his claim of being the Messenger of God or prophet.

They asked to know, if at all there could be something as a prophet or the Messenger of God. and if yes; What signs and symptom, the claimant should have? In answer to the Meccan, the Jews said:ِ ``You should ask Mohammad of three questions. If he did answer you correctly, know him to be the truthful Messenger of God, as he claims; but if he failed to answer, you must consider him as liar.'' The questions were as follows:ِ 1ِ Who were the youth of the ancient who departed from their people?

2ِ Who was the Man who went all round the world and who reached the East and the West of the earth? 3ِWhat is the truth about Man's spirit? The Meccan returned home and asked the prophet to answer them the above questions. The prophet said to the questioners that, he would give them the answer next day, while he had forgotten to add, ``IF [ 623 ] GOD SPEED'' For this mistake he was not inspired for a couple of weeks; and this made the prophet very anxious!

He waited for some 15 days, when at last he was forgiven and GABRIEL appeared again, and brought down the answers. The one concerning the spirit was inserted among the verses of the chapter of ASRA"ِS 17:84. The next two questions were answered in the chapter of CAVE=18 THE SEVEN SLEEPERS OF EPHESUS Now the wonderful story of the seven sleepers has been narrated, in which some knowledge of the Relativity of Time; and Resurrection Day, can be obtained.

Of course the story might be wonderful in our sight, but not in the sight of God; who is All-mighty, and Omnipotent:ِ ``Have you thought that the event of the of the Cave and Al-Raghim was something wonderful among our signs?'' Qura"n narrates the story of the seven sleepers in brief, through the above four verses; and then gives more detail about the incident, in the verses that follow.

Here the sleepers are called the of the Cave and also Al-Raghim, which might be the name of the mountain in which the cave was, or their written name which was inscribed on a monument.