Ibn Abu Hatim related that Ibn `Abbas said that these people mentioned 
herein, were the residents of a village called Dawardan. `Ali bin `Asim said 
that they were from Dawardan, a village several miles away from Wasit (in Iraq).
In his Tafsir, Waki` bin Jarrah said that Ibn `Abbas commented,
 
(Did you (O Muhammad ) not think of those who went forth from their homes in 
thousands, fearing death) that they were four thousand persons who escaped the 
plague (that broke out in their land). They said, "We should go to a land that 
is free of death!'' When they reached a certain area, Allah said to them:
 
("Die.'') and they all died. Afterwards, one of the Prophets passed by them 
and supplicated to Allah to resurrect them and Allah brought them back to life. 
So, Allah stated:
 
(Did you (O Muhammad ) not think of those who went forth from their homes in 
the thousands, fearing death)
Furthermore, several scholars among the   Read More »