Qur’anic Parallels Timeline

3rd century BCE

Surah 18:93–98 – Dhul-Qarnayn Builds the Barrier

Extra-Qur’anic Source: Alexander Romance

1st century CE

Surah 7:11–27 – Iblis Refuses to Bow

Extra-Qur’anic Source: Life of Adam and Eve, Book of Enoch

1st–2nd century CE

Surah 6:75–78 – Abraham’s Search for God

Extra-Qur’anic Source: Apocalypse of Abraham

1st–2nd century CE

Surah 27:18–19 – Solomon Hears the Ant

Extra-Qur’anic Source: Talmud Bavli, Midrash

1st–2nd century CE

Surah 87:18–19 – Scrolls of Abraham

Extra-Qur’anic Source: Testament of Abraham

2nd century CE

Surah 3:49 – Jesus Creates Birds from Clay

Extra-Qur’anic Source: Infancy Gospel of Thomas

2nd century CE

Surah 5:110 – Jesus and the Clay Birds Again

Extra-Qur’anic Source: Infancy Gospel of Thomas

2nd century CE

Surah 85:4–8 – People of the Ditch

Extra-Qur’anic Source: Christian Martyr Stories (Najran)

2nd–3rd century CE

Surah 5:112–115 – Table from Heaven

Extra-Qur’anic Source: Syriac Christian Fasting Legends

3rd century CE

Surah 5:32 – Killing One Equals Killing All

Extra-Qur’anic Source: Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5

4th–5th century CE

Surah 34:12 – Solomon’s Wind and Demons

Extra-Qur’anic Source: Legends of the Jews

5th century CE

Surah 21:68–69 – Abraham in the Fire

Extra-Qur’anic Source: Midrash Rabbah Genesis

512 CE

Surah 18:9–26 – The Sleepers of the Cave

Extra-Qur’anic Source: Seven Sleepers of Ephesus (Syriac)

~600 CE

Surah 19:22–26 – Mary and the Palm Tree

Extra-Qur’anic Source: Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew

1st–3rd century CE

Surah 17:1 – Night Journey

Extra-Qur’anic Source: Hekhalot Literature

3rd–6th century CE

Surah 28:3–46 – Story of Moses

Extra-Qur’anic Source: Exodus Rabbah