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| While there are many similarities and they are clearly describing the same events, there are also a few key differences between the two versions. | | While there are many similarities and they are clearly describing the same events, there are also a few key differences between the two versions. |
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| ===Vagueness of the Qur'an===
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| The author of the Qur'an seems to be unclear on a few details. He refuses to give an exact number of sleepers, instead giving a vague range of numbers and says that only Allah knows the right number. He is not specific on the time frame, offering a number of years but nothing definitive. He does not mention any names, fails to mention where these events took place, and does not state when this story happened. This evidence suggests that the author was only vaguely familiar with the story and may have heard it shortly before he recited it.
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| ===Story's Purpose and Polytheism=== | | ===Story's Purpose and Polytheism=== |
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| The Syrian narrative, in its content and structure, is successful in achieving its purpose. The youths awakening to find that their home town has been converted to Christianity is a compelling ending and the mere existence of the youths provides the affirmation of a bodily resurrection. However, in the Qur'anic narrative the youths awaken to the same 'polytheists' and are only questioned by each other concerning the length of their sleep. There is no argument made for why Allah could not have begotten a son, nor an answer provided for what benefits the youths were meant to gain from their long sleep. | | The Syrian narrative, in its content and structure, is successful in achieving its purpose. The youths awakening to find that their home town has been converted to Christianity is a compelling ending and the mere existence of the youths provides the affirmation of a bodily resurrection. However, in the Qur'anic narrative the youths awaken to the same 'polytheists' and are only questioned by each other concerning the length of their sleep. There is no argument made for why Allah could not have begotten a son, nor an answer provided for what benefits the youths were meant to gain from their long sleep. |
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| ==Historicity==
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| Since it is found within the Qur'an, some Islamic [[apologists]] have tried to defend the historicity of the story.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://quransmessage.com/travelogues/seven%20sleepers%20FM3.htm|title= The Sleepers of the Cave - The Quran, Historical Sources and Observations|publisher= The Quran and its Message|author= Joseph A Islam|date= January 25, 2013|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fquransmessage.com%2Ftravelogues%2Fseven%2520sleepers%2520FM3.htm&date=2013-12-04|deadurl=no}}</ref> However, there are significant reasons to doubt its historical authenticity. Not only is it scientifically impossible for the human body to live three hundred years but there is evidence that this story may have been invented as a political and theological polemic within the Syrian Christian Church. These facts, along with connections to many pre-existing legends about sleeping heroes, strongly suggest that this story of the Seven Sleepers should be placed in the category of myth and legend.
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| ===Science===
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| The longest-living person, whose dates of birth and death were verified to the modern standards of the Guinness Book of World Records and the Gerontology Research Group, was Jeanne Calment, a French woman who lived to the age of 122. The maximum recorded life span for humans has increased from just under 100 in the 18<sup>th</sup> century to 122 years in the 21<sup>st</sup> century; if we go back to the 7<sup>th</sup> century the maximum age was significantly less. Therefore, any account of humans living beyond a century should be viewed with immense skepticism. Dr. Mike Stroud, senior lecturer of Medicine and Nutrition at Southampton University in England, states that the "The average resting human body, doing absolutely nothing, produces about 100 watts of body heat, which could function a light bulb."<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17095605|title= Who, What, Why: How long can someone survive without food?|publisher= BBC News Magazine|author= Lauren Everitt, Chi Chi Izundu|date= February 20, 2012|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fmagazine-17095605&date=2013-12-04|deadurl=no}}</ref> Without this heat and energy, cells will begin to decay and organs will fail. In order to maintain this energy, humans require food and water; after two months with no food and water, the human body would cease to function.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=how-long-can-a-person-sur|title= How long can a person survive without food?|publisher= Scientific American|author= Dr. Alan D. Lieberson|date= November 8, 2004|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.scientificamerican.com%2Farticle.cfm%3Fid%3Dhow-long-can-a-person-sur&date=2013-12-04|deadurl=no}}</ref> Even in a hibernation-like sleep, a three hundred year lifespan would be impossible.
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| ===Sleeping Hero Legends=== | | ===Sleeping Hero Legends=== |