Uzair, also known as Ezra in some English sources, is one of the figures mentioned in the Quran. His story is associated with a remarkable account concerning Allah’s power to restore life and demonstrate the reality of resurrection.
Scholars have differed over whether Uzair was a prophet. There is no definitive text establishing his prophethood, although many scholars considered him to have been among the prophets of the Children of Israel.
Was Uzair a Prophet or a Righteous Man?
Scholars differed concerning Uzair’s prophethood, and it has not been established through definitive evidence that he was a prophet.
A narration from Abu Hurayrah reports that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“I do not know whether Tubba was cursed or not, and I do not know whether Uzair was a prophet or not.”
The narration was authenticated by a number of scholars.
Scholarly commentary on the narration explains that the Prophet ﷺ had not received definitive knowledge establishing Uzair’s prophethood, and there is no subsequent unequivocal evidence confirming it.
Therefore, it is safer not to assert his prophethood as an established fact. Instead, he may be described as a righteous man from the Children of Israel, while noting that many scholars regarded him as one of the prophets.
Is It Permissible to Say “Uzair, Peace Be Upon Him”?
There is no objection to saying “Uzair, peace be upon him,” given that he was a righteous man, his story is mentioned in the Quran and some scholars counted him among the prophets.
Using this expression does not necessarily mean making a definitive theological claim that he was a prophet. It can also be used as an expression of peace and respect toward a righteous person.
The Story of Uzair in the Quran
Uzair’s story is commonly connected with the following verse from Surah Al-Baqarah:
“Or [consider] the example of the one who passed by a township which had fallen into ruin. He said, ‘How will Allah bring this to life after its death?’ So Allah caused him to die for a hundred years and then raised him.”
[Quran 2:259]
The verse itself does not explicitly name the man. However, the identification of this man as Uzair became the well-known view among many classical commentators.
Was the Man Who Died for One Hundred Years Uzair?
Many classical Quranic commentators identified the man in Surah Al-Baqarah as Uzair.
This view was transmitted from a number of early authorities, including Ibn Abbas, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, Al-Suddi and Sulayman ibn Buraydah. Ibn Kathir described this identification as the well-known view.
However, because the Quranic verse itself does not explicitly mention Uzair by name, the identification should be presented as the well-known interpretation among commentators, rather than as an explicit Quranic statement.
What Happened When Uzair Was Brought Back to Life?
According to the classical interpretation, Uzair passed by a ruined town, commonly identified as Jerusalem after its destruction and the killing of its inhabitants.
He reflected on the extent of its destruction after it had once been prosperous and asked:
“How will Allah bring this to life after its death?”
Allah then caused him to die for one hundred years and subsequently brought him back to life.
After he was restored, Allah asked him how long he had remained there. He replied:
“I remained a day or part of a day.”
He was then told that he had remained for one hundred years.
What Was the Miracle of Uzair?
Allah showed him signs demonstrating His power to restore life.
He was instructed to look at his food and drink, which had remained unchanged despite the passage of one hundred years.
He was then instructed to look at his donkey and witness how Allah would restore its bones and then cover them with flesh.
Classical commentaries describe this as a visible demonstration of the restoration of the animal before Uzair’s eyes.
After witnessing these signs, he said:
“I know that Allah is over all things powerful.”
The event served as a clear demonstration of Allah’s power over resurrection and the restoration of life.
What Is the Lesson of the Story of Uzair?
The story of Uzair reinforces a fundamental Islamic belief: Allah has absolute power to bring the dead back to life and resurrect creation after death.
Human beings may find something difficult to imagine because of what they observe in the physical world, but nothing is beyond Allah’s power.
The Quran describes the event as a sign for people, demonstrating that resurrection is not beyond the power of the Creator.
Uzair’s Mention in the Quran
Uzair is explicitly mentioned by name in Surah At-Tawbah:
“And the Jews say, ‘Uzair is the son of Allah.’”
[Quran 9:30]
His name is also connected by many commentators to the story of the man who was caused to die for one hundred years in Surah Al-Baqarah, although that verse does not name him explicitly.
Thus, the Quran contains an explicit mention of Uzair by name, alongside another story that classical commentators commonly associated with him.
Conclusion
Uzair was a righteous man from the Children of Israel. His prophethood has not been established by definitive evidence, although many scholars considered him one of the prophets of the Children of Israel.
The well-known interpretation in classical Quranic commentary identifies Uzair as the man who passed by a ruined town, was caused to die for one hundred years and was then brought back to life, witnessing a remarkable demonstration of Allah’s power.
As for his prophethood, it is important to distinguish between the well-known scholarly view and what has been established through definitive evidence.
Was Uzair a prophet?
His prophethood has not been established by definitive evidence, although many scholars considered him one of the prophets of the Children of Israel.
Is it permissible to say “Uzair, peace be upon him”?
Yes. There is no objection to using this expression for Uzair, given his status as a righteous man and the fact that some scholars considered him a prophet.
Was Uzair the man who died for one hundred years?
Many classical commentators identified the man mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah as Uzair, although the verse itself does not explicitly name him.
Where is the story of Uzair mentioned in the Quran?
Uzair is explicitly named in Surah At-Tawbah. The story of the man who died for one hundred years appears in Surah Al-Baqarah and is commonly identified by commentators as Uzair.
What is the main lesson of Uzair’s story?
The story demonstrates Allah’s absolute power to restore life and resurrect the dead, providing a clear sign of the reality of resurrection.
