References :Vulture asked the clay, "O my brother, I wonder about the story when Allah mentioned the story of those who escaped death in their land, while they were numbering in the thousands. Do you know the story?" Clay said, "Yes I do. Do you want me to tell it?" Vulture said happily, "Of course, I'd like to!" The clay said, "Ok, just sit and listen the story!"
"Now let us return to mention of the Israelites and the chiefs who were over their affairs after Joshua bin Nun. There is no difference of opinion among scholars of the history of past generations and of the affairs of foregone peoples from our community and others that Caleb bin Jephunneh was the one in charge of the affairs of the Israelites after Joshua bin Nun. Caleb was Maryam's husband, sister of Moses. When Allah took Caleb bin Jephunneh, after Joshua's death, He appointed as a successor among the Israelites Ezekiel bin Buzi, who was the son of an old woman. Ezekiel bin Buzi is the one who is called "Ibn al-`Ajuz" (the son of the old woman). Ezekiel bin Buzi was named Ibn al-`Ajuz because his mother asked Allah for a son even though she had grown old and barren. Then Allah gave him to her. For that reason he was called "son of the old woman."
In a city called Dawardan, a town one parasang East of al-Wasit (site of a monastery named for Ezekiel), in central Iraq, a plague occurred. Its common people fled and settled in one region; most of those who remained in the city perished, while the others escaped and not many of them died. When the plague was lifted, they returned to the city in safety. Those who had remained said, "These friends of ours were more resolute than we. If we had done what they did, we would have remained alive. Verily, if the plague occurs a second time, we will go out with them." A plague recurred the next year, and they fled, being thirty thousand odd, settling in that place that was an extensive valley. In the valley, one angel called to them from the bottom and another from the top, "Die!" And they died, so that all of them perished and their bodies decayed.
Long afterwards, Ezekiel passed by them. When he saw them, he stopped and began to think about them. He twisted his mouth and fingers, and Allah inspired him, "O Ezekiel! Do you want Me to show you how I shall revive them? " Ezekiel replied, "Yes," his only thought being that he would be astonished at Allah's power over them, so he said "Yes." He was told, "Call out!" So he called out, "O you bones! Verily Allah commands you to join together!" The bones began to fly one to another until they were bodies of bones. Then Allah inspired him, "Call out 'O you bones! Verily Allah commands you to be covered with flesh!"' And they became covered with flesh and blood, and the clothes in which they died covered their bodies again. Then it was said to him "Call out!" and he called out, "O you bodies! Verily Allah commands you to arise!" So they arose.
He looked at them, and the sinews took the bones, then the flesh, the skin, and the hair, until creatures were completed, who had no souls in them. Then he prayed for life for them, and something from heaven covered him, distressing him until he fainted from it. He then recovered, and the people were sitting. These people said, after being revived, "Glory be to You, our Rabb! We praise You! There is no deity but You." for Allah had revived them. Then they returned to their people alive, knowing that they had been dead, with the color of death on their faces. They wore not a garment that did not become dirty like a shroud. Then they died at their appointed times that had been decreed for them.
Some say that their number was 30,000. But it was also reported that their number was 8,000. There are also those who say that their number was 9,000, and there are also those who say, that their number 40,000. Allah knows best.
Furthermore, several scholars among the Salaf said that these people were the residents of a city during the time of the Children of Israel. The weather in their land did not suit them and an epidemic broke out. They fled their land fearing death and took refuge in the wilderness. They later arrived at a fertile valley and they filled what is between its two sides. Then Allah sent two angels to them, one from the lower side and the other from the upper side of the valley. The angels screamed once and all the people died instantly, just as the death of one man. They were later moved to a different place, where walls and graves were built around them. They all perished, and their bodies rotted and disintegrated.
Once while `Umar ibn al-Khattab was praying, there were two Jews behind him. When `Umar wanted to prostrate himself, he left a space, whereupon one of the Jews said to his companion, "Is it he? " He continued: When Umar turned away from his prayer, he said, "Tell me about what one of you said to his companion 'Is it he? "' They said, "We find mentioned in our book a horn of iron", that gives what was given to Ezekiel, who revived the dead with Allah's permission." `Umar said, "We do not find Ezekiel in our Book, and no one revived the dead by Allah's permission except 'Esa ibn Maryam." The two of them said, "Do you not find in the Book of Allah and messengers we have not mentioned to you'? " `Umar said, "Of course." They said, "As for the revival of the dead, we will relate to you that a plague afflicted the Israelites. A group left and, when they were at the beginning of a mile, Allah made them dead, and the people built a wall over them. When their bones had decayed, Allah sent Ezekiel, and he stood over them. He said whatever Allah desired, and He revived them for him. Allah revealed regarding that event,
"Have you not considered those who left their homes in many thousands, fearing death? Allah said to them, "Die"; then He restored them to life. And Allah is full of bounty to the people, but most of the people do not show gratitude." - [QS.2:243]Bringing these people back to life is a clear proof that physical resurrection shall occur on the Day of Resurrection. He shows to the mankind His great signs, sound proofs and clear evidences, but they do not thank Allah for what He has given them with in their worldly life and religious affairs.There is an authentic Hadith that Umar bin Al-Khattab once went to Ash-Sham (Syria). When he reached the area of Sargh, he was met by the commanders of the army, Abu Ubaydah bin Jarrah and his companions. They told him that the plague had broken out in Ash-Sham. The Hadith then mentioned that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said,
"If you hear of an outbreak of plague in a land, do not enter it; but if the plague breaks out in a place while you are in it, do not leave that place." - [Sahih al-Bukhari]There is another report related by Abdullah bin Abbas, radhiyallahu 'anhu, that Ezekiel said to the Children of Israel, "Be prepared to fight against such and such an enemy and do your duty towards the elevation of Allah's word, they ran away out of fear for their lives and thought that they were escaping from Jihad and were safe. They went to settle in a far off valley. This action of their caused Allah's displeasure and His wrath caused death to overcome them. They all died. One week later, Ezekiel happened to pass that way and he was very sorry at their condition and he prayed to Allah to save them all from death, so that their lives can become a warning and a lesson to themselves and to others besides them. The prayer was accepted and they all became risen from the dead as a warning for others." Allah said,
"And fight in the cause of Allah and know that Allah is Hearing and Knowing." - [QS.2:244]Therea are two opinions about this event. The first opinion, the majority of scholars, and this is the stronges one, argue that the event was really happened. The second opinion, Ibn Juraij argues that the story was a metaphor. The event is an example that explains, being alert to something, useless in the presence of Allah's predestination! Just as caution does not alter destiny, abandoning Jihad will neither bring the appointed term closer nor delay it. Rather, destiny and the appointed provisions are fixed and shall never be changed or altered, neither by addition nor deletion. Similarly, Allah said,
"Those who said about their brothers while sitting [at home], "If they had obeyed us, they would not have been killed." Say, "Then prevent death from yourselves, if you should be truthful." - [QS.3:168]Abu Sulayman, Khalid bin Al-Walld, the commander of the Muslim armies, the veteran among Muslim soldiers, the protector of Islam and the Sword of Allah that was raised above His enemies, said while dying, “ I have participated in soand-so number of battles. There is not a part of my body, but suffered a shot (of an arrow), a stab (of a spear) or a strike (of a sword). Yet, here I am, die on my bed just as the camel dies! May the eyes of the cowards never taste sleep.” He, radhiyallahu 'anhu, was sorry and in pain because he did not die as martyr in battle. He was sad that he had to die on his bed!
The length of Ezekiel's sojourn among the Israelites has not been mentioned. When Allah took Ezekiel, it is reported, misdeeds multiplied among the Children of Israel. They abandoned the covenant with Allah that had been made with them in the Torah and worshiped idols called "Baal."
Then the clay said, "O my brothers and sisters, when a person's mind has accepted the fact that good and bad, life and death, are all subject to Allah's predestination, he should not believe for one moment that he would somehow be able to frustrate any of Allah's decree. And if at one place Allah’s decree is in operation he will be able to free of it at another place. This is not so.
In Islam’s sight, the view of predestination's philosophy should be that a person should build up this Yaqeen that my duty is to carry out the orders of Allah. As for the fear that in carrying out His order, there is fear of losing one's life or of destruction to one’s family, that does not lie in my hands. If Allah had predestined such destruction. He will create the means and ways of letting that happen. Once this 'Yaqeen' comes into a person, it makes him a brave and courageous person, keeping away from cowardice. His eyes are only then set upon remaining steadfast.
It a person is endowed with a right-minded nature, then for his guidance on the right path it will be enough that his attention should once only be drawn towards thought and the use of the mind. His human nature will of itself direct towards following the straight path, seeking the intended objective. However if a person's nature there is any crookedness. Then even if time and again a call is made to such a person with the idea of straightening the crookedness, then after every call made to him his competence and preparedness sink back and the opposite takes place in that he falls deeper into negligence and disobedience.
Islam declared that bravery to be a good characteristic and has declared cowardice as one of the lowest characteristics. In one Hadith where the Prophet (ﷺ) enumerated the bad characteristics, he is reported to have said,
"Being a Muslim it is possible that person may be guilty of slips and faults, but together with Islam cowardice cannot be found in the same person."It should however be remembered that to show great strength at the time of being tested is not bravery. Bravery means to remain stead fast on truth and to stand against evil without any fear. And Allah knows best."
"Have you not seen those who were told, "Restrain your hands [from fighting] and establish prayer and give zakah"? But then when fighting was ordained for them, at once a party of them feared men as they fear Allah or with [even] greater fear. They said, "Our Lord, why have You decreed upon us fighting? If only You had postponed [it for] us for a short time." Say, The enjoyment of this world is little, and the Hereafter is better for he who fears Allah . And injustice will not be done to you, [even] as much as a thread [inside a date seed]."
Wherever you may be, death will overtake you, even if you should be within towers of lofty construction. But if good comes to them, they say, "This is from Allah "; and if evil befalls them, they say, "This is from you." Say, "All [things] are from Allah ." So what is [the matter] with those people that they can hardly understand any statement?" - [QS.4:77-78]
- The History of al-Tabari, The Children of Israel, Volume III, Translated by William M. Brinner, SUNY Press.
- Maulana Hifzur Rahman Soeharwy, Qasasul Ambiyaa, Idara Impex
- Syaikh Safiurrahman Al-Mubarakpuri, Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Abridged) Volume I, Darussalam
