Ketab-E-Qayyem

Ketab-E-Qayyem

A Comparative Analysis of the Story of Prophet Moses and the Righteous Servant in Surah Al-Kahf with Folk Tales

Document Type : Research Paper

Author
Abolfazl Horri
Department of English Department, Faculty of Languages and Literature, Arak University, Arak, Iran.
10.30512/kq.2025.21792.3911
Abstract
This article adopts an analytical and critical approach and utilizes a library research method to explore the relationship between the story of Prophet Moses and the Righteous Servant in Surah Al-Kahf with folk tale archetypes as well as Islamic and non-Islamic interpretive traditions. The article introduces folk tales and critically reviews the opinions of some scholars, demonstrating that, contrary to their claims, the story of Moses and the Righteous Servant has a Quranic origin. While the Quranic narrative may share thematic similarities with some sources, it differs significantly in terms of narrative structure and expression. The present study highlights that previous researchers have overlooked the fact that this story, in addition to its unique features, is organically and coherently connected to the overall context of Surah Al-Kahf, which focuses on themes such as the afterlife, resurrection, divine reward and punishment, accountability, warning, glad tidings, and consolation to the Prophet for enduring hardships. Although some themes of this story may appear in other sources and folk tales, the way the Quran presents it within the broader context of Surah Al-Kahf is original and distinctive, a feature not found in other sources.
Keywords
Comparative Analysis
Surah Al-Kahf
Moses
Righteous servant
Folk tale

Subjects

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  • Receive Date 22 September 2024
  • Revise Date 24 February 2025
  • Accept Date 09 March 2025