The Story of Uzair: the Man Who Died for 100 Years

The Story of Uzair

In an ancient time, there lived a man named Uzair, a righteous and devout servant of Allah. Uzair was known for his piety and knowledge, a man who sought to guide others and reflect deeply upon Allah’s power and wisdom. His days were spent in worship, his heart overflowing with gratitude for the blessings bestowed upon him.

One day, while traveling through a desolate land, Uzair found himself surrounded by ruins. These were the remnants of a once-thriving city, its inhabitants long gone, their homes and marketplaces reduced to dust and rubble. He gazed at the scene, overwhelmed by the silence and stillness.

As he observed the ruins, a question formed in his mind: “How will Allah bring this city back to life after its destruction?”

His question was not one of doubt but of wonder—a reflection on the enormity of Allah’s power to resurrect what seemed lifeless.

In that moment, Allah decided to make Uzair a living example of His ability to resurrect the dead. Without warning, Uzair was caused to die. His body fell lifeless to the ground, his soul departing to a realm beyond human comprehension.

Years turned into decades, and Uzair’s lifeless body lay untouched by time. The sun rose and set over him, seasons changed, and the world moved forward. Around him, the ruins began to transform. Vegetation grew in the once-barren land, animals returned, and life began to take root where there had been only desolation.

Unbeknownst to the people of the world, Uzair remained in this state for a hundred years, his body preserved by Allah’s command.

After a hundred years, Allah willed Uzair’s return to life. His soul was restored to his body, and Uzair opened his eyes, feeling as though he had merely fallen asleep for a short while.

“How long have I been here?” Uzair asked aloud, his voice breaking the silence of the ruins.

A divine voice replied, “You have been here for a hundred years.”

Uzair was astonished. A hundred years? To him, it seemed impossible. He looked around, searching for evidence of the passage of time. Beside him lay his donkey, now reduced to bones, a clear sign of the years that had passed. Yet, to his amazement, his food and drink remained untouched, as fresh as the day he had brought them.

This was the first sign of Allah’s power—a demonstration that He could preserve or decay as He willed.

Allah then commanded Uzair to witness an even greater miracle. The scattered bones of his donkey began to move, assembling themselves into a skeletal frame. Sinews and muscles formed, followed by skin that wrapped around the frame. Finally, the donkey stood alive, braying as if it had never died.

Uzair watched in awe, his heart filling with reverence and submission. He now understood the true extent of Allah’s power—His ability to bring life to what is dead and to fulfill His promise of resurrection.

With his donkey alive and his provisions intact, Uzair journeyed back to his home. As he approached his village, he found it unfamiliar. The people were different, their faces unknown to him. He walked through the streets, searching for someone who might recognize him.

Finally, he came upon an elderly woman, blind and frail. Uzair introduced himself, but she shook her head in disbelief.

“Uzair has been gone for a hundred years,” she said. “He cannot be alive.”

Uzair insisted, and to prove his identity, he reminded her of details from their past, things only he could know. The woman was astonished. She called the villagers, and they gathered around Uzair, listening to his story of how Allah had caused him to die for a hundred years and then brought him back to life.

Uzair’s return was not just a testament to Allah’s power but also a means to restore the guidance that had been lost. The Torah, the holy scripture of the Israelites, had been forgotten over the years. Uzair, who had been blessed with profound knowledge of the Torah, was able to rewrite it from memory. This act further solidified his status as a man of wisdom and devotion, and the people came to revere him as a symbol of Allah’s mercy and power.

Lessons in faith

•  Uzair’s story became a cornerstone of faith for his people. Through him, Allah demonstrated that resurrection is not a distant promise but a reality entirely within His power. The preservation of Uzair’s food and drink, the resurrection of the donkey, and the revival of the ruined city were all signs meant to strengthen faith and inspire reflection.

• Uzair lived the remainder of his life as a testament to Allah’s greatness, sharing his story and guiding others in faith. His experience served as a reminder that nothing is beyond Allah’s ability, that life and death are in His hands, and that resurrection is a truth every soul will experience.

• His tale, mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:259), continues to inspire believers, reminding them to trust in Allah’s wisdom and to prepare for the Day of Judgment.

Lessons from the Story