The Legend of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus in Syriac and Arab sources – a comparative study

The Legend of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus, a narrative deeply rooted in both Syriac and Arab traditions, reveals significant interfaith borrowing, particularly from Christianity to Islam. This comparative study highlights how the legend, known as Aḥē Dmīḥē or Ṭalyē d-Efesōs in Syriac and Ahl al-Kahf or Aṣḥāb al-Kahf in Arabic, reflects the influence of monotheistic religious ideas prevalent in the Arabian Peninsula during the early evolution of Islam. The research demonstrates that Mohammed's exposure to Jewish and Christian communities—comprising approximately 1% and 10% of the peninsula's population, respectively—facilitated the integration of these traditions into Islamic thought, notably within the Quran. By analyzing Syriac and Arab sources, the study provides insight into the cultural and religious exchanges that shaped the region's spiritual landscape.

Grysa, B. (2010). The Legend of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus in Syriac and Arab sources – a comparative study. Orientalia Christiana Cracoviensia, 2, 45–59. https://doi.org/10.15633/ochc.1011