Seven Sleepers of Ephesus in the Quran: Difference between revisions

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.