Whats your understanding of Ayat 2:259

[Aijaz]

Salam,
Any thoughts or understanding of below Ayat? What had happened with the Donkey and food. How was he made aware of the
 process of anatomy?

2:259  أَوْ كَالَّذِي مَرَّ عَلَىٰ قَرْيَةٍ وَهِيَ خَاوِيَةٌ عَلَىٰ عُرُوشِهَا قَالَ أَنَّىٰ يُحْيِي هَٰذِهِ اللَّهُ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا ۖ فَأَمَاتَهُ اللَّهُ مِائَةَ عَامٍ ثُمَّ بَعَثَهُ ۖ قَالَ كَمْ لَبِثْتَ ۖ قَالَ لَبِثْتُ يَوْمًا أَوْ بَعْضَ يَوْمٍ ۖ قَالَ بَل لَّبِثْتَ مِائَةَ عَامٍ فَانظُرْ إِلَىٰ طَعَامِكَ وَشَرَابِكَ لَمْ يَتَسَنَّهْ ۖ وَانظُرْ إِلَىٰ حِمَارِكَ وَلِنَجْعَلَكَ آيَةً لِّلنَّاسِ ۖ وَانظُرْ إِلَى الْعِظَامِ كَيْفَ نُنشِزُهَا ثُمَّ نَكْسُوهَا لَحْمًا ۚ فَلَمَّا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ قَالَ أَعْلَمُ أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

Or like the one who passed by a hamlet, all in ruins to its roofs. He said. "Oh! how shall Allah bring it (ever) to life, after its death?" thus Allah caused him to die for a hundred years, then raised him up (again). He (Allah) said. "How long did you stay (thus)?" He said. (Perhaps) a day or part of a day." He said. "No, You have stayed a hundred years; but look at your food and your drink; they show no signs of decay; and look at your donkey. And that We may make of you a sign for the people, Look further at the bones, how We bring them together and clothe them with flesh." When this was shown clearly to him, he said. "I know that Allah has power over all things."

[Athman]

Dear Aijaz,

Salaam,

Kindly see the following response in a thread [3] below that I personally find summarily addressing your question. For a more detailed analysis and discussion of the same, refer to the accompanying threads [1] and [2].

“The reason the food and drink was left in tact was to contrast against the donkey bones so that the man could realise how long he had slept for. He initially thought he slept for a day or part of a day. By preserving his food and drink, it was another sign from God so as to clear any confusion that the man may have had and a further emphasis of His Power and Might.” [3]

Regards,
Athman.


REFERENCES:

[1]. four birds or four parts of the bird
http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=417

[2]. Resurrection explained by a parable
http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=257

[3]. Surah 2:259
http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=936.0