How could the last prophet question the messengers? - For Brother Joseph

[Reader Questions]

[Question for Brother Joseph]

Salaam

I'm reading surah Al -Zukhraf and verse 45 puzzles me. How could the last prophet question the messengers before him if they weren't alive. Does it mean they were still alive to be questioned.

It seems to me that way.

Shukran

[Joseph Islam]

Wa alaikum assalam

The inference is by referring to and examining the message they left through their earlier revelations and through those righteous folk that follow their messages. These righteous followers and learned individuals existed at the time of the prophet. The Prophet has been asked a number of times in the Quran to refer to them if he was to doubt. Please see verses 16:43 and 21:7-8 and the article below.

Regards,
Joseph


REFERENCE

[1] ASK THOSE THAT HAVE KNOWLEDGE
http://quransmessage.com/articles/ask%20one%20with%20knowledge%20FM3.htm