Exegesis of Verses 115–119 of Surat al-Ma'idah
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Fatwa No. ( 2290 ):
Q: I would appreciate it if you could explain verses 115 to 119 of Surat al-Ma'idah. Was this question directed to our master 'Isa (peace be upon him) from Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) during his lifetime, and he answered it immediately? Or is this question deferred to the Day of Resurrection? I would appreciate it if you could explain these noble verses and reply to me in writing.
A: First: The exegetes have differed regarding the time at which this question is directed to 'Isa (peace be upon him): Ibn Jarir and those who agreed with him among the exegetes held that it is in this world, and that it occurred when he was raised to the sky. They argued for this with two points: The first is that the speech is in the past tense. And the second is His saying: and [Al-Ma'idah 5:118] . The second opinion is that this is what Allah addresses His servant and messenger 'Isa ibn Maryam with, saying to him on the Day of Resurrection in the presence of those who took him and his mother as gods besides Allah: [Al-Ma'idah 5:116] , and this is the opinion held by Ibn Kathir and those who agreed with him among the exegetes. Based on both interpretations, the meaning of His saying (Glorified and Exalted is He) about 'Isa: [Al-Ma'idah 5:117] the verse,
If the opinion is that this question occurred in this world, the meaning is: "When You took me," meaning by raising me to the sky. And if the second opinion is held, the meaning is: "When You caused me to die" by death. Second: As for the exegesis of the verses, it has been mentioned by Ibn Jarir, Ibn Kathir, and others among the exegetes, so you may refer to that. And success is from Allah. May Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: I would appreciate it if you could explain verses 115 to 119 of Surat al-Ma'idah. Was this question directed to our master 'Isa (peace be upon him) from Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) during his lifetime, and he answered it immediately? Or is this question deferred to the Day of Resurrection? I would appreciate it if you could explain these noble verses and reply to me in writing.
A: First: The exegetes have differed regarding the time at which this question is directed to 'Isa (peace be upon him): Ibn Jarir and those who agreed with him among the exegetes held that it is in this world, and that it occurred when he was raised to the sky. They argued for this with two points: The first is that the speech is in the past tense. And the second is His saying:
You punish them
تُعَذِّبْهُمْbut if You forgive them
وَإِنْ تَغْفِرْ لَهُمْO Jesus, Son of Mary, did you say to the people, 'Take me and my mother as deities besides Allah?'
يَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ أَأَنْتَ قُلْتَ لِلنَّاسِ اتَّخِذُونِي وَأُمِّيَ إِلَهَيْنِ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِbut when You took me up, You were the Observer over them
فَلَمَّا تَوَفَّيْتَنِي كُنْتَ أَنْتَ الرَّقِيبَ عَلَيْهِمْIf the opinion is that this question occurred in this world, the meaning is: "When You took me," meaning by raising me to the sky. And if the second opinion is held, the meaning is: "When You caused me to die" by death. Second: As for the exegesis of the verses, it has been mentioned by Ibn Jarir, Ibn Kathir, and others among the exegetes, so you may refer to that. And success is from Allah. May Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.