There always has been a rejection of AL Qur'an by polytheists and non Muslims on the ground that stories in Al Qur'an has borrowed stories from the people of the past or as mentioned in the earlier Divine scriptures. Thus they label it as a replication of past events or Al Qur'an at best being a book of history. While raising such objections against Qur'an, they fail to understand the Divine philosophy of retelling the past to those are present and the one's who will be in the future.
It is said in Qur'an (12:111):
"Certainly in their stories is a lesson for people of understanding. This [Qur'an] is not a tale invented, but a confirmation of what was before it, and a detailed explanation of all things, and guidance and mercy for a people who believe."
It is for this reason, Al Qur’an often retells stories of previous prophets and communities — sometimes with repetition, variation, or emphasis on different details. This isn't redundancy. Rather, it serves a powerful and intentional purpose, especially for people of all times, including today.
Let us examine the WHY of retelling of stories of the people of the past:
Why Are Stories Retold in the Qur’an?
- To introduce to the Polytheists of Makkah the Evolution of the Divine Religions
- The pagans of Makkah have had no interaction with a messenger before. Thus presenting them a Divine Scripture could not be done in a vacuum.
- Beside there were some Christians and Jews in Makkah and Medina who raised the similar observations about stories from the past for some of these were already mentioned in Torah and Injeel (present day Bible).
- Thus these stories were retold to reconnect Qur'an to the past and establish a continuity of the Divine message that was already there in the form of Torah and Injeel or in the history books.
- To Teach Through Repetition and Reflection
- Human beings learn best through repetition, especially when lessons are deep or emotionally charged.
- “And We certainly have diversified in this Qur'an for the people from every example…” (Qur’an 17:89)
- Each retelling highlights a different angle — spiritual, moral, historical, or emotional.
- To Show Consistency of Divine Message
- The core message of all prophets — monotheism, justice, accountability — is consistent.
- “Indeed, this is in the former scriptures — the scriptures of Abraham and Moses.” (Qur’an 87:18–19)
- By retelling stories of Nuh (Noah), Musa (Moses), Ibrahim (Abraham), Yusuf (Joseph) and others, the Qur’an re-emphasizes:
- Oneness of God
- Oneness of Divine message
- One moral system across history
- To Support and Console the Prophet ﷺ
- Stories were revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ during times of trial — especially rejection and persecution in Makkah.
- “And all We relate to you of the news of the messengers is so that We may make your heart firm thereby…” (Qur’an 11:120)
- The stories gave him strength by showing:
- He was not alone
- All prophets were rejected by their people before being vindicated
- To Provide Timeless Lessons for Humanity: Every story contains universal themes that are eternally relevant:
- Adam & Iblis: Origins of human free will, arrogance vs obedience, repentance
- Nuh (Noah): Patience with rejection, persistence in Da‘wah, trusting Allah
- Ibrahim (Abraham): Tawheed (pure monotheism), sacrifice, submission
- Musa (Moses): Speaking truth to power, liberation from oppression, leadership under pressure
- Yusuf (Joseph): Patience, resisting temptation, family dynamics, divine planning
- Lut (Lot): Warnings against social and moral corruption and homosexuality
- Musa vs Pharaoh: Tyranny vs humility, false power vs divine truth
- To Warn, Encourage, and Educate Us
- These stories are not history for entertainment, but "ʿibrah" (lessons) as Allah says:
- "Indeed, in their stories there is a lesson (ʿibrah) for people of understanding..."
- (Qur’an 12:111)
- Stories show the consequences of arrogance, injustice, corruption — and the rewards of faith, patience, and obedience.
Do These Stories Matter Today
The stories of the bygone people, their rise and fall are retold time and again so that people of the future take heed from these and do not commit the same follies as were done by the people of the past and became the reason of their destruction and extinction. However, man, always being stubborn and arrogant, never learns. Herein under is the correlation between our present with the stories so retold:
- Injustice, Racism, Tyranny: Story of Pharaoh and Musa – resist oppression with truth and faith
- Youth dealing with temptation: Story of Yusuf – resisting sin and choosing dignity over desire
- Moral corruption in society: People of Lut – warning against normalized immorality
- Loneliness, abandonment, or trauma: Stories of Yusuf, Maryam – trusting Allah in isolation
- Interfaith dialogue: Stories of Ibrahim, Musa, ‘Isa – common ground among Abrahamic faiths
- Social collapse due to arrogance and denial: Stories of ‘Ād, Thamud, and past nations – rise and fall of civilizations
Conclusion:
The Qur’an retells stories for deeper reflection “So relate the stories that they may reflect.” (Qur’an 7:176) to:
- Teach moral and spiritual truths
- Inspire reflection and action
- Connect the past to the present
- Show the universality of the human struggle
- Demonstrate that divine justice is always at work
Let us learn from the past, the arrogance of people of the earlier times who vehemently rejected the Divine Da'wah, tortured the prophets, messengers and the righteous to prevail their way of life, culture and traditions continuing down from their ancestors. Today, we stand at the crossroads as always for people of earlier Divine Scriptures are not ready to accept Al Qur'an as a Divine Scripture and Islam as a religion of God.
Not only this, the WHY of the ultimate fate of the people who were Divinely cursed has not been ever correlated with the ills of the societies we are facing today. People are being tortured, killed and subdued by those who want to dominate and rule with no rival in sight. Today, Injustice, Racism, Tyranny is at peak and it seems we have never opened our history books and Divine Scriptures to draw lessons for us by knowing how earlier people were subjected to Divine wrath and perished, leaving behind their once mighty palaces and structure in ruins forever.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
You may also refer to our Reference Pages and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from authentic references and also ChatGPT. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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