Quranic Perception of History

Historians define history as a study of past events or a chronological account of past events. However, the Quranic concept of history is different from this. From this point of view historical events should be presented in such a way as may describe the creation plan of the creator. According to the former concept, history is a record of all the events of the past. Whereas the latter concept of history describes only the selective and representative components of history. This latter method is in conformity with the Quranic concept of history. However, we should remember that the representative events of history are not presented in traditional historical style, but these are mentioned in the Quran only as brief references to important events. The reader is expected to do the detailing of the brief allusions to different events described in the Quran by collecting the necessary historical elements that exist outside of the Quran. This will add to his understanding of those verses. We find one such example in the case of Adam. His descendants settled in Mesopotamia. They followed the teachings of Prophet Adam. But later when perversion set in among them, God sent to them Prophet Noah after about five thousand years in order to guide them to the right path. He invited people to the worship of one God alone, but very few