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wa-lākinnā ʾanshaʾnā qurūnan fa-taṭāwala ʿalayhimu l-ʿumuru wa-mā kunta thāwiyan fī ʾahli madyana tatlū ʿalayhim ʾāyātinā wa-lākinnā kunnā mursilīna
But We brought forth other generations and time took its toll on them. You did not dwell among the people of Midian reciting to them Our signs, but it is We who are the senders [of the apostles].
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah Al-Qasas - Verse 45
45. “But We raised up generations and a long time passed upon them, and you were not dwelling among the people of Madyan, reciting unto them Our signs, but We were sending messengers.”
The Qur’anic word /awiyan/ is derived from /awi/ which means ‘resident’, and also the term /mawi/ derived from the same root, means ‘abode’. So, through this holy verse, Allah says:
A long time passed and the effects of the prophets as well as their guidance went away from their hearts and thoughts. That was why We brought both you and your Qur’an forth and stated the story life of the old generations in it in order to enlighten mankind. The verse continues saying:
O Prophet! You were not among the people of Madyan to be acquainted with their signs and the news of their lives so that you can reiterate them for the people of Mecca. But We sent you and gave you these exact news related to thousands years ago in order that you guide them. The above holy verse continues saying:
Of course, the time between the advent of Moses (as) and the advent of the Prophet of Islam (S) lasted about two thousand years.