Women — Verse 158

The Crimes of the Jews The sins mentioned here are among the many sins that the Jews committed, which caused them to be cursed and removed far away from right guidance. The Jews broke the promises and vows that Allah took from them, and also rejected Allah's Ayat, meaning His signs and proofs, and the miracles that they witnessed at the hands of their Prophets. Allah said, وَقَتْلِهِمُ الاٌّنْبِيَآءَ بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ (and their killing the Prophets unjustly,) because their many crimes and offenses against the Prophets of Allah, for they killed many Prophets, may Allah's peace be upon them Their saying: قُلُوبُنَا غُلْفٌ ("Our hearts are Ghulf,") meaning, wrapped with covering, according to Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr, `Ikrimah, As-Suddi and Qatadah. This is similar to the what the idolators said, وَقَالُواْ قُلُوبُنَا فِى أَكِنَّةٍ مِمَّا تَدْعُونَا إِلَيْهِ (And they say: "Our hearts are under coverings (screened) from that to which you invite us.") Allah said, بَلْ طَبَعَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهَا بِكُفْرِهِمْ (nay, Allah has set a seal upon their hearts because of their disbelief,) It is as if they had given an excuse that their hearts do not understand what the Prophet says since their hearts are wrapped with coverings, so they claim. Allah said that their hearts are sealed because of their disbelief, as we mentioned before in the explanation of Surat Al-Baqarah. Allah then said, فَلاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً (so they believe not but a little.) for their hearts became accustomed to Kufr, transgression and weak faith. The Evil Accusation the Jews Uttered Against Maryam and Their Claim that They Killed `Isa Allah said, وَبِكُفْرِهِمْ وَقَوْلِهِمْ عَلَى مَرْيَمَ بُهْتَـناً عَظِيماً (And because of their (Jews) disbelief and uttering against Maryam a grave false charge.) `Ali bin Abi Talhah said that Ibn `Abbas stated that the Jews accused Maryam of fornication.This is also the saying of As-Suddi, Juwaybir, Muhammad bin Ishaq and several others. This meaning is also apparent in the Ayah, as the Jews accused Maryam and her son of grave accusations: They accused her of fornication and claimed that `Isa was an illegitimate son. Some of them even claimed that she was menstruating while fornicating. May Allah's continued curse be upon them until the Day of Resurrection. The Jews also said, إِنَّا قَتَلْنَا الْمَسِيحَ عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ("We killed Al-Masih, `Isa, son of Maryam, the Messenger of Allah,") meaning, we killed the person who claimed to be the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. The Jews only uttered these words in jest and mockery, just as the polytheists said, يأَيُّهَا الَّذِى نُزِّلَ عَلَيْهِ الذِّكْرُ إِنَّكَ لَمَجْنُونٌ (O you to whom the Dhikr (the Qur'an) has been sent down! Verily, you are a mad man!) When Allah sent `Isa with proofs and guidance, the Jews, may Allah's curses, anger, torment and punishment be upon them, envied him because of his prophethood and obvious miracles; curing the blind and leprous and bringing the dead back to life, by Allah's leave. He also used to make the shape of a bird from clay and blow in it, and it became a bird by Allah's leave and flew. `Isa performed other miracles that Allah honored him with, yet the Jews defied and bellied him and tried their best to harm him. Allah's Prophet `Isa could not live in any one city for long and he had to travel often with his mother, peace be upon them. Even so, the Jews were not satisfied, and they went to the king of Damascus at that time, a Greek polytheist who worshipped the stars. They told him that there was a man in Bayt Al-Maqdis misguiding and dividing the people in Jerusalem and stirring unrest among the king's subjects. The king became angry and wrote to his deputy in Jerusalem to arrest the rebel leader, stop him from causing unrest, crucify him and make him wear a crown of thorns. When the king's deputy in Jerusalem received these orders, he went with some Jews to the house that `Isa was residing in, and he was then with twelve, thirteen or seventeen of his companions. That day was a Friday, in the evening. They surrounded `Isa in the house, and when he felt that they would soon enter the house or that he would sooner or later have to leave it, he said to his companions, "Who volunteers to be made to look like me, for which he will be my companion in Paradise" A young man volunteered, but `Isa thought that he was too young. He asked the question a second and third time, each time the young man volunteering, prompting `Isa to say, "Well then, you will be that man." Allah made the young man look exactly like `Isa, while a hole opened in the roof of the house, and `Isa was made to sleep and ascended to heaven while asleep. Allah said, إِذْ قَالَ اللَّهُ يعِيسَى إِنِّي مُتَوَفِّيكَ وَرَافِعُكَ إِلَىَّ (And (remember) when Allah said: "O `Isa! I will take you and raise you to Myself.") When `Isa ascended, those who were in the house came out. When those surrounding the house saw the man who looked like `Isa, they thought that he was `Isa. So they took him at night, crucified him and placed a crown of thorns on his head. The Jews then boasted that they killed `Isa and some Christians accepted their false claim, due to their ignorance and lack of reason. As for those who were in the house with `Isa, they witnessed his ascension to heaven, while the rest thought that the Jews killed `Isa by crucifixion. They even said that Maryam sat under the corpse of the crucified man and cried, and they say that the dead man spoke to her. All this was a test from Allah for His servants out of His wisdom. Allah explained this matter in the Glorious Qur'an which He sent to His honorable Messenger, whom He supported with miracles and clear, unequivocal evidence. Allah is the Most Truthful, and He is the Lord of the worlds Who knows the secrets, what the hearts conceal, the hidden matters in heaven and earth, what has occurred, what will occur, and what would occur if it was decreed. He said, وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ وَمَا صَلَبُوهُ وَلَـكِن شُبِّهَ لَهُمْ (but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but it appeared as that to them,) referring to the person whom the Jews thought was `Isa. This is why Allah said afterwards, وَإِنَّ الَّذِينَ اخْتَلَفُواْ فِيهِ لَفِى شَكٍّ مِّنْهُ مَا لَهُمْ بِهِ مِنْ عِلْمٍ إِلاَّ اتِّبَاعَ الظَّنِّ (and those who differ therein are full of doubts. They have no (certain) knowledge, they follow nothing but conjecture.) referring to the Jews who claimed to kill `Isa and the ignorant Christians who believed them. Indeed they are all in confusion, misguidance and bewilderment. This is why Allah said, وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ يَقِيناً (For surely; they killed him not.) meaning they are not sure that `Isa was the one whom they killed. Rather, they are in doubt and confusion over this matter. بَل رَّفَعَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَزِيزاً (But Allah raised him up unto Himself. And Allah is Ever All-Powerful,) meaning, He is the Almighty, and He is never weak, nor will those who seek refuge in Him ever be subjected to disgrace, حَكِيماً (All-Wise.) in all that He decides and ordains for His creatures. Indeed, Allah's is the clearest wisdom, unequivocal proof and the most glorious authority. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Ibn `Abbas said, "Just before Allah raised `Isa to the heavens, `Isa went to his companions, who were twelve inside the house. When he arrived, his hair was dripping water and he said, `There are those among you who will disbelieve in me twelve times after he had believed in me.' He then asked, `Who volunteers that his image appear as mine, and be killed in my place. He will be with me (in Paradise)' One of the youngest ones among them volunteered and `Isa asked him to sit down. `Isa again asked for a volunteer, and the young man kept volunteering and `Isa asking him to sit down. Then the young man volunteered again and `Isa said, `You will be that man,' and the resemblance of `Isa was cast over that man while `Isa ascended to heaven from a hole in the house. When the Jews came looking for `Isa, they found that young man and crucified him. Some of `Isa's followers disbelieved in him twelve times after they had believed in him. They then divided into three groups. One group, Al-Ya`qubiyyah (Jacobites), said, `Allah remained with us as long as He willed and then ascended to heaven.' Another group, An-Nasturiyyah (Nestorians), said, `The son of Allah was with us as long as he willed and Allah took him to heaven.' Another group, Muslims, said, `The servant and Messenger of Allah ﷺ remained with us as long as Allah willed, and Allah then took him to Him.' The two disbelieving groups cooperated against the Muslim group and they killed them. Ever since that happened, Islam was then veiled until Allah sent Muhammad ﷺ." This statement has an authentic chain of narration leading to Ibn `Abbas, and An-Nasa'i narrated it through Abu Kurayb who reported it from Abu Mu`awiyah. Many among the Salaf stated that `Isa asked if someone would volunteer for his appearance to be cast over him, and that he will be killed instead of `Isa, for which he would be his companion in Paradise. All Christians Will Believe in `Isa Before He Dies Allah said, وَإِن مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَـبِ إِلاَّ لَيُؤْمِنَنَّ بِهِ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَـمَةِ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَهِيداً (And there is none of the People of the Scripture, but must believe in him, before his death. And on the Day of Resurrection, he will be a witness against them.) Ibn Jarir recorded that Ibn `Abbas commented, وَإِن مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَـبِ إِلاَّ لَيُؤْمِنَنَّ بِهِ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ (And there is none of the People of the Scripture, but must believe in him, before his death.) before the death of `Isa, son of Maryam, peace be upon him. Al-`Awfi reported similar from Ibn `Abbas. Abu Malik commented; إِلاَّ لَيُؤْمِنَنَّ بِهِ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ (but must believe in him, before his death.) "This occurs after `Isa returns and before he dies, as then, all of the People of the Scriptures will believe in him." The Hadiths Regarding the Descent of `Isa Just Before the Day of Judgement, and his Mission In the chapter about the Prophets in his Sahih, under, "The Descent of `Isa, Son of Maryam," Al-Bukhari recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, «وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ، لَيُوشِكَنَّ أَنْ يَنْزِلَ فِيكُمُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ حَكَمًا عَدْلًا، فَيَكْسِرَ الصَّلِيبَ، وَيَقْتُلَ الْخِنْزِيرَ، وَيَضَعَ الْجِزْيَةَ، وَيَفِيضَ المَالُ حَتَّى لَا يَقْبَلَهُ أَحَدٌ، حَتَّى تَكُونَ السَّجْدَةُ خَيْرًا لَهُمْ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا وَمَا فِيهَا» (By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the son of Maryam (`Isa) will shortly descend among you as a just ruler, and will break the cross, kill the pig and abolish the Jizyah. Then there will be an abundance of wealth and nobody will accept charitable gifts any more. At that time, one prostration will be better for them than this life and all that is in it.) Abu Hurayrah then said, "Read if you will, وَإِن مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَـبِ إِلاَّ لَيُؤْمِنَنَّ بِهِ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَـمَةِ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَهِيداً (And there is none of the People of the Scripture, but must believe in him, before his death. And on the Day of Resurrection, he will be a witness against them.)" Muslim recorded this Hadith. So, Allah's statement, قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ (before his death) refers to the death of `Isa, son of Maryam. Another Hadith by Abu Hurayrah Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, «لَيُهِلَّنَّ عِيسَى بِفَجِّ الرَّوْحَاءِ بِالْحَجِّ أَوِ الْعُمْرَةِ، أَوْ لَيَثْنِيَنَّهُمَا جَمِيعًا» (`Isa will say Ihlal from the mountain highway of Ar-Rawha' for Hajj, `Umrah or both.) Muslim also recorded it. Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Prophet said, «يَنْزِلُ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ فَيَقْتُلُ الْخِنْزِيرَ، وَيَمْحُو الصَّلِيبَ، وَتُجْمَعُ لَهُ الصَّلَاةُ، وَيُعْطَى الْمَالُ حَتَّى لَا يُقْبَلَ، وَيَضَعُ الْخَرَاجَ، وَيَنْزِلُ الرَّوْحَاءَ فَيَحُجُّ مِنْهَا أَوْ يَعْتَمِرُ أَوْ يَجْمَعُهُمَا» (`Isa, son of Maryam, will descend and will kill the pig, break the cross, lead the prayer in congregation and give away wealth until it is no longer accepted by anyone. He will also abolish the Jizyah and go to Ar-Rawha' from where he will go to perform Hajj, `Umrah or both.) Abu Hurayrah then recited, وَإِن مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَـبِ إِلاَّ لَيُؤْمِنَنَّ بِهِ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ (And there is none of the People of the Scripture, but must believe in him, before his death.) Hanzalah said, "Abu Hurayrah added, `Will believe in `Isa before `Isa dies,' but I do not know if this was a part of the Prophet's Hadith or if it was something that Abu Hurayrah said on his own. " Ibn Abi Hatim also recorded this Hadith. Another Hadith Al-Bukhari recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, «كَيْفَ بِكُمْ إِذَا نَزَلَ فِيكُمُ الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ وَإِمَامُكُمْ مِنْكُم» (How will you be when Al-Masih, son of Maryam (`Isa) descends among you while your Imam is from among yourselves) Imam Ahmad and Muslim also recorded this Hadith. Another Hadith Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Prophet said, «الْأَنْبِيَاءُ إِخْوَةٌ لِعَلَّاتٍ، أُمَّهَاتُهُمْ شَتَّى، وَدِينُهُمْ وَاحِدٌ، وَإِنِّي أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِعِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ، لِأَنَّهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ نَبِيٌّ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَهُ، وَإِنَّهُ نَازِلٌ فَإِذَا رَأَيْتُمُوهُ فَاعْرِفُوهُ: رَجُلٌ مَرْبُوعٌ إِلَى الْحُمْرَةِ وَالْبَيَاضِ، عَلَيْهِ ثَوْبَانِ مُمَصَّرَانِ، كَأَنَّ رَأْسَهُ يَقْطُرُ، وَإِنْ لَمْ يُصِبْهُ بَلَلٌ، فَيَدُقُّ الصَّلِيبَ، وَيَقْتُلُ الْخِنْزِيرَ، وَيَضَعُ الْجِزْيَةَ، وَيَدْعُو النَّاسَ إِلَى الْإِسْلَامِ، وَيُهْلِكُ اللهُ فِي زَمَانِهِ الْمِلَلَ كُلَّهَا إِلَّا الْإِسْلَامَ، وَيُهْلِكُ اللهُ فِي زَمَانِهِ الْمَسِيحَ الدَّجَّالَ،ثُمَّ تَقَعُ الْأَمَنَةُ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ حَتَّى تَرْتَعَ الْأُسُودُ مَعَ الْإِبِلِ، وَالنِّمَارُ مَعَ الْبَقَرِ، وَالذِّئَابُ مَعَ الْغَنَمِ، وَيَلْعَبُ الصِّبْيَانُ بِالحَيَّاتِ لَا تَضُرُّهُمْ، فَيَمْكُثُ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً ثُمَّ يُتَوَفَّى، وَيُصَلِّي عَلَيْهِ الْمُسْلِمُون» (The Prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one. I, more than any of mankind, have more right to `Isa, son of Maryam, for there was no Prophet between him and I. He will descend, and if you see him, know him. He is a well-built man, (the color of his skin) between red and white. He will descend while wearing two long, light yellow garments. His head appears to be dripping water, even though no moisture touched it. He will break the cross, kill the pig, and banish the Jizyah and will call the people to Islam. During his time, Allah will destroy all religions except Islam and Allah will destroy Al-Masih Ad-Dajjal (the False Messiah). Safety will then fill the earth, so much so that the lions will mingle with camels, tigers with cattle and wolves with sheep. Children will play with snakes, and they will not harm them. `Isa will remain for forty years and then will die, and Muslims will offer the funeral prayer for him.) Abu Dawud also recorded it. Another Hadith n his Sahih, Muslim recorded that Abu Hurayrah related to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that he said, «لَا تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى يَنْزِلَ الرُّومُ بِالْأَعْمَاقِ أَوَ بِدَابِقَ، فَيَخْرُجُ إِلَيْهِمُ جَيْشٌ مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ مِنْ خِيَارِ أَهْلِ الْأَرْضِ يَوْمَئِذٍ، فَإِذَا تَصَافُّوا، قَالَتِ الرُّومُ: خَلُّوا بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ الَّذِينَ سَبَوْا مِنَّا نُقَاتِلْهُمْ، فَيَقُولُ الْمُسْلِمُونَ: لَا وَاللهِ، لَا نُخَلِّي بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَ إِخْوَانِنَا، فَيُقَاتِلُونَهُمْ، (فَيَنْهَزِمُ) ثُلُثٌ لَا يَتُوبُ اللهُ عَلَيْهِمْ أَبَدًا، وَيُقْتَلُ ثُلُثُهُ أَفْضَلُ الشُّهَدَاءِ عِنْدَ اللهِ، وَيَفْتَتحُ الثَّلُثُ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ أَبَدًا، فَيَفْتَتِحُونَ قُسْطُنْطِينِيَّةَ، فَبَيْنَمَا هُمْ يَقْسِمُونَ الْغَنَائِمَ قَدْ عَلَّقُوا سُيُوفَهُمْ بِالزَّيْتُونِ، إِذْ صَاحَ فِيهِمُ الشَّيْطَانُ: إِنَّ الْمَسِيحَ قَدْ خَلَفَكُمْ فِي أَهْلِيكُمْ، فَيَخْرُجُونَ، وَذَلِكَ بَاطِلٌ، فَإِذَا جَاءُوا الشَّامَ خَرَجَ، فَبَيْنَمَا هُمْ يُعِدُّونَ لِلْقِتَالِ يُسَوُّونَ الصُّفُوفَ، إِذْ أُقِيَمتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَيَنْزِلُ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ، فَأَمَّهُمْ، فَإِذَا رَآهُ عَدُوُّ اللهِ، ذَابَ كَمَا يَذُوبُ الْمِلْحُ فِي الْمَاءِ، فَلَوْ تَرَكَهُ لَانْذَابَ حَتَّى يَهْلِكَ، وَلكِنْ يَقْتُلُهُ اللهُ بِيَدِهِ، فَيُرِيهِمْ دَمَهُ فِي حَرْبَتِه» (The (Last) Hour will not start until the Romans occupy Al-A`maq or Dabiq. An army, comprised of the best of the people of the earth then, will come from Al-Madinah and challenge them. When they camp face to face, the Romans will say, `Let us fight those who captured some of us.' The Muslims will say, `Nay! By Allah, we will never let you get to our brothers.' They will fight them. A third of the (Muslim) army will flee in defeat, and those are the ones whom Allah will never forgive. Another third will be killed, and those are the best martyrs before Allah. The last third will be victorious, and this third will never be stricken with Fitnah, and they will capture Constantinople (Istanbul). While they are dividing war booty, after hanging their swords on olive trees, Shaytan will shout among them, saying, `Al-Masih (Ad-Dajjal) has cornered your people'. They will leave to meet Ad-Dajjal in Ash-Sham. This will be a false warning, and when they reach Ash-Sham, Ad-Dajjal will then appear. When the Muslims are arranging their lines for battle and the prayer is called for, `Isa, son of Maryam, will descend and lead them in prayer. When the enemy of Allah (the False Messiah) sees him, he will dissolve just as salt dissolves in water, and if any of him were left, he would continue dissolving until he died. Allah will kill him with the hand of `Isa and will show the Muslims his blood on his spear.) Muslim recorded that `Abdullah bin `Amr said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, «لَتُقَاتِلُنَّ الْيَهُودَ فَلَتَقْتُلُنَّهُمْ، حَتَى يَقُولَ الْحَجَرُ: يَامُسْلِمُ هَذَا يَهُودِيٌّ فَتَعَال فَاقْتُلْه» (You will fight the Jews and will kill them, until the stone will say, `O Muslim! There is a Jew here, so come and kill him.') Muslim recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, «لَا تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى يُقَاتِلَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ الْيَهُودَ، فَيَقْتُلُهُمُ الْمُسْلِمُونَ حَتَّى يَخْتَبِىءَ الْيَهُودِيُّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ الْحَجَرِ وَالشَّجَرِ، فَيَقُولُ الْحَجَرُ وَالشَّجَرُ: يَامُسْلِمُ يَاعَبْدَاللهِ هَذَا يَهُودِيٌّ خَلْفِي فَتَعَالَ فَاقْتُلْهُ إِلَّا الْغَرْقَدَ فَإِنَّهُ مِنْ شَجَرِ الْيَهُود» (The Hour will not start, until after the Muslims fight the Jews and the Muslims kill them. The Jew will hide behind a stone or tree, and the tree will say, `O Muslim! O servant of Allah! This is a Jew behind me, come and kill him.' Except Al-Gharqad, for it is a tree of the Jews.) Muslim bin Al-Hajjaj recorded in his Sahih that An-Nawwas bin Sam`an said, "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ, mentioned Ad-Dajjal one day and kept belittling him (because being blind, yet claiming to be Allah) and speaking in grave terms about him until we thought that he was hiding in gardens of date-trees (in Al-Madinah). When we went by the Messenger, he sensed this anxiety in us and said, «مَا شَأْنُكُمْ؟» (What is the matter with you) We said, `O Messenger of Allah! Earlier, you mentioned Ad-Dajjal and while belittling him you spoke gravely about him until we thought that he was hiding in gardens of date-trees (of Al-Madinah).' He said, «غَيْرُ الدَّجَّالِ أَخْوَفُنِي عَلَيكُمْ، إِنْ يخْرُجْ وَأَنَا فِيكُمْ فَأَنَا حَجِيجُهُ دُونَكُمْ، وَإِنْ يَخْرُجْ وَلَسْتُ فِيكُمْ فَامْرُؤٌ حَجِيجُ نَفْسِهِ، واللهُ خَلِيفَتِي عَلى كُلِّ مُسْلمٍ. إِنَّهُ شَابٌّ قَطَطٌ، عَينُهُ طافِيةٌ كَأَنِّي أُشَبِّهُهُ بِعَبْدِالعُزَّى بْنِ قَطَنٍ، مَنْ أَدْرَكَهُ مِنْكُمْ فَلْيَقْرَأ عَلَيْهِ فَوَاتِحَ سُورَةِ الْكَهْفِ، إِنَّه خَارِجٌ مِنْ خَلَّةٍ بَيْنَ الشَّامِ والعِرَاقِ، فَعَاثَ يَمِينًا وَعَاثَ شِمَالًا، يَاعِبَادَ اللهِ فَاثْبُتوا» (I fear other than Ad-Dajjal for you! If he appears while I am still among you, I will be his adversary on your behalf. If he appears while I am not among you, each one will depend on himself and Allah will be the Helper of every Muslim after me. He is young, with very curly hair and his eye is smashed. I thought that he looked like `Abdul-`Uzza bin Qatan. Whoever lives long and meets Ad-Dajjal, then let him recite the beginnings of Surat Al-Kahf. He will appear on a pass between Ash-Sham (Syria) and Al-`Iraq. He will wreak havoc to the right and left. O Servants of Allah! Hold fast.) We said, `O Messenger of Allah! How long will he stay on earth' He said, «أَرْبَعُونَ يَوْمًا، يَومٌ كَسَنَةٍ، وَيَوْمٌ كَشَهْرٍ، وَيَوْمٌ كَجُمُعَةٍ، وَسَائِرُ أَيَّامِهِ كَأَيَّامِكُم» (Forty days: One day as long as a year, one day as long as a month and one day as long as a week. The rest of his days will be as long as one of your ordinary days.) We said, `O Messenger of Allah! As for the day that is like a year, will the prayers of one day suffice for it' He said, «لَا، اقْدُرُوا لَهُ قَدْرَه» (No. Count for its due measure.) We said, `O Messenger of Allah, how will his speed be on earth' He said, «كَالْغَيْثِ اسْتَدْبَرَتْهُ الرِّيحُ فَيَأْتِي عَلى قَوْمٍ فَيَدْعُوهُمْ فَيُؤْمِنُون بِهِ، وَيَسْتَجِيبُونَ لَهُ، فَيَأْمُرُ السَّمَاءَ فَتُمْطِرُ، وَالأَرْضَ فَتُنْبِتُ، فَتَرُوحُ عَلَيْهِمْ سَارِحَتُهُمْ أَطْوَلَ مَا كَانَتْ ذُرًى، وَأَسْبَغَهُ ضُرُوعًا، وَأَمَدَّهُ خَوَاصِرَ، ثُمَّ يَأْتِي الْقَوْمَ فَيَدْعُوهُمْ فَيَرُدُّونَ عَلَيْهِ قَوْلَهُ، فَيَنْصَرِفُ عَنْهُمْ فَيُصْبِحُونَ مُمْحِلِينَ لَيْسَ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ شَيْءٌ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ وَيَمُرُّ بِالْخَرِبَةِ فَيَقُولُ لَهَا: أَخْرِجِي كُنُوزَكِ، فَتَتْبَعُهُ كُنُوزُهَا كَيعَاسِيبِ النَّحْلِ، ثُمَّ يَدْعُو رَجُلًا مُمْتَلِئًا شَبَابًا فَيَضْرِبُهُ بِالسَّيْفِ، فَيَقْطَعُهُ جِزْلَتَيْنِ رَمْيَةَ الْغَرَضِ، ثُمَّ يَدْعُوهُ، فَيُقْبِلُ وَيَتَهَلَّلُ وَجْهُهُ وَيَضْحَكُ، فَبَيْنَما هُوَ كَذَلِكَ إِذْ بَعَثَ اللهُ الْمَسِيَح ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ، فَيَنْزِلُ عِنْدَ المَنَارَةِ البَيْضَاءِ شَرْقِيَّ دِمَشْقَ بَيْنَ مَهْرُودَتَيْنِ، وَاضِعًا كَفَّيْهِ عَلَى أَجْنِحَةِ مَلَكَيْنِ، إِذَا طَأْطَأَ رَأْسَهُ قَطَرَ،وَإذَا رَفَعَهُ تَحَدَّرَ مِنْهُ جُمَانٌ كَاللُّؤْلُؤِ، وَلَا يَحِلُّ لِكَافِرٍ يَجِدُ رِيحَ نَفَسِهِ إِلَّا مَاتَ، وَنَفَسُهُ يَنْتَهِي حَيْثُ يَنْتَهِي طَرَفُهُ، فَيَطْلُبُهُ حَتَّى يُدْرِكَهُ بِبَابِ لُدَ، فَيَقْتُلُهُ، ثُمَّ يَأْتِي عِيسَى عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ قَوْمًا قَدْ عَصَمَهُمُ اللهُ مِنْهُ، فَيَمْسَحُ عَنْ وُجُوهِهِمْ، وَيُحَدِّثُهُمْ بدَرَجَاتِهِمْ فِي الْجَنَّةِ، فَبَيْنَمَا هُوَ كَذَلِكَ إِذْ أَوْحَى اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِلَى عِيسَى: إِنِّي قَدْ أَخْرَجْتُ عِبَادًا لِي لَا يَدَانِ لِأَحَدٍ بِقِتَالِهِمْ، فَحَرِّزْ عِبَادِي إِلَى الطُّورِ، ويَبْعَثُ اللهُ يَأْجُوجَ وَمَأْجُوجَ وَهُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ حَدَبٍ يَنْسِلُونَ، فَيَمُرُّ أَوَّلُهُمْ عَلَى بُحَيْرَةِ طَبَرِيَّةَ فَيَشْرَبُونَ مَا فِيهَا، وَيَمُرُّ آخِرُهُمْ فَيقُولُونَ: لَقَدْ كَانَ بِهذِهِ مَرَّةً مَاءٌ، ويُحْصَرُ نَبِيُّ اللهِ عِيسَى وَأَصْحَابُهُ، حَتَّى يَكُونَ رَأْسُ الثَّورِ لِأَحَدِهِمْ خَيْرٌ مِنْ مِائَةِ دِينَارٍ لِأَحَدِكُمُ الْيَوْمَ، فَيَرْغَبُ نَبِيُّ اللهِ عِيسَى وَأَصْحَابُهُ، فَيُرسِلُ اللهُ عَلَيْهِمُ النَّغَفَ فِي رِقَابِهِمْ، فَيُصْبِحُونَ فَرْسَى كَمَوْتِ نَفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ، ثُمَّ يَهْبِطُ نَبِيُّ اللهِ عِيسَى وَأَصْحَابُهُ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ، فَلَا يَجِدُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَوْضِعَ شِبْرٍ إِلَّا مَلَأَهُ زَهَمُهُمْ ونَتْنُهُمْ، فَيَرْغَبُ نَبِيُّ اللهِ عِيسَى وَأَصْحَابُهُ إِلَى اللهِ، فَيُرْسِلُ اللهُ، طَيْرًا كَأَعْنَاقِ الْبُخْتِ، فَتَحْمِلُهُمْ فَتَطْرَحُهُمْ حَيْثَ شَاءَ اللهُ، ثُمَّ يُرْسِلُ اللهُ مَطَرًا لَا يَكُنُّ مِنْهُ بَيْتُ مَدَرٍ، وَلَا وَبَرٍ، فَيَغْسِلُ الْأَرْضَ حَتَّى يَتْرُكَهَا كَالزَّلَفَةِ، ثُمَّ يُقَالُ لِلْأَرْضِ: أَخْرِجِي ثَمَرَكِ وَرُدِّي بَرَكَتَكِ، فَيَوْمَئِذٍ تَأْكُلُ الْعِصَابَةُ مِنَ الرُّمَّانَةِ، وَيَسْتَظِلُّونَ بِقِحْفِهَا، وَيُبَارِكُ اللهُ فِي الرِّسْلِ حَتَّى إِنَّ اللِّقْحَةَ مِنَ الْإِبِلِ لَتَكْفِي الفِئَامَ، (مِنَ النَّاسِ وَاللُّقْمَةَ مِنَ الْفَمِ لَتَكْفِي الْفَخِذَ مِنَ النَّاسِ)، فَبَيْنَما هُمْ كَذَلِكَ إِذْ بَعَثَ اللهُ رِيحًا طَيِّبَةً، فَتَأْخُذُهُمْ تَحْتَ آبَاطِهِمْ، فَتَقْبِضُ رُوحَ كُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ وَكُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ، وَيَبْقَى شِرَارُ النَّاسِ يَتَهَارَجُونَ فِيهَا تَهَارُجَ الْحُمُرِ،فَعَلَيْهِمْ تَقُومُ السَّاعَة» (Like the storm when driven by the wind. He will come to a people and will call them (to his worship), and they will believe in him and accept his call. He will order the sky and it will rain, the land and it will grow (vegetation). Their cattle will return to them with their hair the longest, their udders the fullest (with milk) and their stomachs the fattest. He will come to a different people and will call them (to his worship), and they will reject his call. He will then leave them. They will wake up in the morning destitute, missing all of their possessions. He will pass by a deserted land and will say to it, `Bring out your treasures', and its treasures will follow him just like swarms of bees. He will summon a man full of youth and will strike him with the sword once and will cut him into two pieces (and will separate between them like) the distance (between the hunter and) the game. He will call the dead man and he will come, and his face will radiant with pleasure and laughter. Afterwards (while all this is happening with Ad-Dajjal), Allah will send Al-Masih (`Isa), son of Maryam down. He will descend close to the white minaret to the east of Damascus. He will be wearing garments lightly colored with saffron and his hands will be placed on the wings of two angels. Whenever he lowers his head droplets fall. Whenever he raises his head, precious stones that look like pearls fall. No disbeliever can survive `Isa's breath, which reaches the distance of his sight. He will pursue Ad-Dajjal and will follow him to the doors of (the Palestinian city of) Ludd where he will kill him. A group of people who, by Allah's help, resisted and survived Ad-Dajjal, will pass by `Isa and he will anoint their faces and inform them about their grades in Paradise. Shortly afterwards, while this is happening with `Isa, Allah will reveal to him, `I raised a people of My creation that no one can fight. Therefore, gather My servants to At-Tur (the mountain of Musa in Sinai).' Then, Allah will raise Gog and Magog and they will swiftly swarm from every mound. Their front forces will reach Lake Tabariah (Sea of Galilee) and will drink all its water. The last of their forces will say as they pass by the lake, `This lake once had water!' Meanwhile, `Isa, Allah's Prophet, will be cornered along with his companions until the head of a bull will be more precious to them than a hundred Dinars to you today. `Isa, Allah's Prophet, and his companions will invoke Allah for help and Allah will send An-Naghaf (a worm) into the necks of Gog and Magog! The morning will come, and they will all be dead as if it was the death of one soul. Afterwards, `Isa, the Prophet of Allah, will come down with his companions to the low grounds (from Mount At-Tur). They will find that no space of a hand-span on the earth was free of their fat and rot (rotten corpses). `Isa, the Prophet of Allah, and his companions will seek Allah in supplication. Allah will send birds as large as the necks of camels. They will carry them (the corpses of Gog and Magog) and will throw them wherever Allah wills. Afterwards, Allah will send rain that no house made of mud or animal hair will be saved from, and it will cleanse the earth until it is as clean as a mirror. The earth will be commanded (by Allah), `Produce your fruits and regain your blessing.' Then, the group will eat from a pomegranate and will take shelter under the shade of its skin. Milk will be blessed, so much so that the milk-producing camel will yield large amounts that suffice for a large group of people. Meanwhile, Allah will send a pure wind that will overcome Muslims from under their arms and will take the soul of every believer and Muslim. Only the evildoers among people will remain. They will indulge in shameless public sex like that of donkeys. On them, the Hour will begin.) Imam Ahmad and the collectors of the Sunan also recorded this Hadith. We will mention this Hadith again using the chain of narration collected by Ahmad explaining Allah's statement in Surat Al-Anbiya' (chapter 21), حَتَّى إِذَا فُتِحَتْ يَأْجُوجُ وَمَأْجُوجُ (Until, when Ya`juj and Ma`juj (Gog and Magog people) are let loose (from their barrier).) In our time, in the year seven hundred and forty-one, a white minaret was built in the Umayyad Masjid (in Damascus) made of stone, in place of the minaret that was destroyed by a fire which the Christians were suspected to have started. May Allah's continued curses descend on the Christians until the Day of Resurrection. There is a strong feeling that this minaret is the one that `Isa will descend on, according to this Hadith. Another Hadith Muslim recorded in his Sahih that Ya`qub bin `Asim bin `Urwah bin Mas`ud Ath-Thaqafi said, "I heard `Abdullah bin `Amr saying to a man who asked him, `What is this Hadith that you are narrating You claim that the Hour will start on such and such date.' He said, `Subhan Allah (glory be to Allah),' or he said, `There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah.' I almost decided to never narrate anything to anyone. I only said, "Soon, you will witness tremendous incidents, the House (the Ka`bah) will be destroyed by fire, and such and such things will occur." He then said, `The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, «يَخْرُجُ الدَّجَّالُ فِي أُمَّتِي فَيَمْكُثُ أَرْبَعِينَ، لَا أَدْرِي أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْمًا أَوْ أَرْبَعِينَ شَهْرًا أَوْ أَرْبَعِينَ عَامًا، فَيَبْعَثُ اللهُ تَعَالى عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ كَأَنَّهُ عُرْوَةُ بْنُ مَسْعُودٍ، فَيَطْلُبُهُ فَيُهْلِكُهُ، ثُمَّ يَمْكُثُ النَّاسُ سَبْعَ سِنِينَ لَيْسَ بَيْنَ اثْنَيْنِ عَدَاوَةٌ، ثُمَّ يُرْسِلُ اللهُ ريحًا بَارِدَةً مِنْ قِبَلِ الشَّامِ، فَلَا يَبْقَى عَلَى وَجْهِ الْأَرْضِ أَحَدٌ فِي قَلْبِهِ مِثْقَالُ ذَرَّةٍ مِنْ خَيْرٍ أَوْ إِيمَانٍ إِلَّا قَبَضَتْهُ، حَتَّى لَوْ أَنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ دَخَلَ فِي كَبِدِ جَبَلٍ لَدَخَلَتْه عَلَيْهِ حَتَّى تَقْبِضَه» قال: سمعتها من رسول اللهصلى الله عليه وسلّم «فَيَبْقَى شِرَارُ النَّاسِ فِي خِفَّةِ الطَّيْرِ وَأَحْلَامِ السِّبَاعِ، لَا يَعْرِفُونَ مَعْرُوفًا، وَلَا يُنْكِرُون مُنْكرًا، فَيَتمَثَّلُ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ فَيَقُولُ: أَلَا تَسْتَجِيبُونَ؟ فَيَقُولُونَ: فَمَا تَأْمُرُنَا؟ فَيَأْمُرُهُمْ بِعِبَادَةِ الْأَوْثَانِ، وَهُمْ فِي ذلِكَ دَارٌّ رِزْقُهُمْ، حَسَنٌ عَيْشُهُمْ، ثُمَّ يُنْفَخُ فِي الصُّورِ فَلَا يَسْمَعُهُ أَحَدٌ إِلَّا أَصْغَى لِيتًا وَرَفَعَ لِيتًا،قَالَ: وَأَوَّلُ مَنْ يَسْمَعُهُ رَجُلٌ يَلُوطُ حَوْضَ إِبِلِهِ، قَالَ: فَيَصْعَقُ وَيَصْعَقُ النَّاسُ، ثُمَّ يُرْسِلُ اللهُ أَوْ قَالَ: يُنْزِلُ اللهُ مَطَرًا كَأَنَّهُ الطَّلُّ أَوْ قَالَ الظِّلُّ نُعْمَانُ الشَّاكُّ فَتَنْبُتُ مِنْهُ أَجْسَادُ النَّاسِ، ثُمَّ يُنَفَخُ فِيهِ أُخْرَى فَإِذَا هُمْ قِيَامٌ يَنْظُرُونَ. ثُمَّ يُقَالُ: أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ: هَلُمُّوا إِلى رَبِّكُم» (Ad-Dajjal will appear in my nation and will remain for forty. (The narrator doubts whether it is forty days, months, or years).Then, Allah will send down `Isa, son of Maryam, looking just like `Urwah bin Mas`ud and he will seek Ad-Dajjal and will kill him. People will remain for seven years with no enmity between any two. Allah will send a cool wind from As-Sham that will leave no man on the face of the earth who has even the weight of an atom of good or faith, but will capture (his soul). Even if one of you takes refuge in the middle of a mountain, it will find him and capture (his soul). Afterwards, only the most evil people will remain. They will be as light as birds, with the comprehension of beasts. They will not know or enjoin righteousness or forbid or know evil. Shaytan will appear to them and will say to them, `Would you follow me.' They will say, `What do you command us' He will command them to worship the idols. Meanwhile, their provision will come to them in abundance and their life will be good. Then the Trumpet will be blown and every person who hears it, will lower one side of his head and raise the other side (trying to hear that distant sound). The first man who will hear the Trumpet is someone who is preparing the water pool for his camels, and he and the people will swoon away. Allah will send down heavy rain and the bodies of people will grow with it. The Trumpet will be blown in again and the people will be resurrected and looking all about, staring. It will be said to them, `O people! Come to your Lord,' وَقِفُوهُمْ إِنَّهُمْ مَّسْئُولُونَ (But stop them, verily, they are to be questioned.) «ثم يقال: أخرجوا بعث النار، فيقال: من كم؟ فيقال: من كل ألف تسعمائة وتسعة وتسعين، قال: فذلك يوم» (It will then be said, `Bring forth the share of the Fire.' It will be asked, `How many' It will be said, `From every one thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine.' That Day is when,) يَجْعَلُ الْوِلْدَنَ شِيباً (the children will turn grey-headed,) and, يَوْمَ يُكْشَفُ عَن سَاقٍ (The Day when the Shin shall be laid bare).)" The Description of `Isa, upon him be Peace As mentioned earlier, `Abdur-Rahman bin Adam narrated that Abu Hurayrah said that the Prophet said, «فَإِذَا رَأَيْتُمُوهُ فَاعْرِفُوهُ: رَجُلٌ مَرْبُوعٌ إِلَى الْحُمْرَةٍ وَالْبَيَاضِ، عَلَيْهِ ثَوْبَانِ مُمَصَّرَانِ، كَأَنَّ رَأْسَهُ يَقْطُرُ وَإِنْ لَمْ يُصِبْهُ بَلَل» (If you see `Isa, know him. He is a well-built man, (the color of his skin) between red and white. He will descend while wearing light yellow garments. His head looks like it is dripping water, even though no moisture touched it.) In the Hadith that An-Nawwas bin Sam`an narrated, «فَيَنْزِلُ عِنْدَ الْمَنَارَةِ الْبَيْضَاءِ شَرْقِيَّ دِمَشْقَ بَيْنَ مَهْرُودَتَيْنِ وَاضِعًا كَفَّيْهِ عَلَى أَجْنِحَةِ مَلَكَيْنِ، إِذَا طَأْطَأَ رَأْسَهُ قَطَرَ، وَإِذَا رَفَعهُ تَحَدَّرَ مِنْهُ مِثْلُ جُمَانِ اللُّؤْلُؤ، لَا يَحِلُّ لِكَافِرٍ يَجِدُ رِيحَ نَفَسِهِ إِلَّا مَاتَ، وَنَفَسُهُ يَنْتَهِي حَيْثُ يَنْتَهِي طَرَفُه» (He will descend close to the white minaret to the east of Damascus. He will be wearing two garments lightly colored with saffron, having his hands on the wings of two angels. Whenever he lowers his head, drops will fall off of it. Whenever he raises his head, precious jewels like pearls will fall off of it. No disbeliever can survive `Isa's breath, and his breath reaches the distance of his sight.) Al-Bukhari and Muslim recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, «لَيْلَةَ أُسْرِيَ بِي لَقِيتُ مُوسَى» (I met Musa on the night of my Ascension to heaven.) The Prophet then described him saying, as I think, «مُضْطَرِبٌ، رَجِلُ الرَّأْسِ كَأَنَّهُ مِنْ رِجَالِ شَنُوءَة» (He was a tall person with hair as if he was one of the men from the tribe of Shanu'ah. ) The Prophet further said, «وَلقِيتُ عِيسَى» فنعته النبيصلى الله عليه وسلّم فقال: «رَبْعَةٌ أَحْمَرُ كَأَنَّهُ خَرَجَ مِنْ دِيمَاس» يعني الحمام، «وَرَأَيْتُ إبْرَاهِيمَ وَأَنا أَشْبَهُ وَلَدِهِ بِه» (`I met `Isa.' The Prophet described him saying, `He was of moderate height and was red-faced as if he had just come out of a bathroom. I saw Ibrahim whom I resembled more than any of his children did.') Al-Bukhari recorded that Mujahid said that Ibn `Umar said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, «رَأَيْتُ مُوسَى وَعِيسَى وَإِبْرَاهِيمَ، فَأَمَّا عِيسَى فَأَحْمَرُ جَعْدٌ عَرِيضُ الصَّدْرِ، وَأَمَّا مُوسَى فَآدَمُ جَسِيمٌ سَبْطٌ، كَأَنَّهُ مِنْ رِجَالِ الزُّط» (I saw Musa, `Isa and Ibrahim. `Isa was of red complexion and had curly hair and a broad chest. Musa was of brown complexion and had straight hair and a tall stature, as if he was from the people of Az-Zutt.) Al-Bukhari and Muslim recorded that Ibrahim said that `Abdullah bin `Umar said, "The Prophet once mentioned the False Messiah (Al-Masih Ad-Dajjal) to people, saying, «إنَّ اللهَ لَيْسَ بِأَعْوَرَ، أَلَا إِنَّ الْمَسِيحَ الدَّجَّالَ أَعْوَرُ الْعَيْنِ الْيُمْنَى، كَأَنَّ عَيْنَهُ عِنَبَةٌ طَافِيَة» (Allah is not blind in His Eye. Al-Masih Ad-Dajjal is blind in his right eye. His eye is like a protruding grape.)" Muslim recorded that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, «وَأرَانِي اللهُ عِنْدَ الْكَعْبَةِ فِي الْمَنَامِ، فَإِذَا رَجُلٌ آدَمُ كَأَحْسَنِ مَا تَرَى مِنْ أُدْمِ الرِّجَالِ، تَضْرِبُ لِمَّتُهُ بَيْن مَنْكِبَيْهِ، رَجِلُ الشَّعْرِ، يَقْطُرُ رَأْسُهُ مَاءً،وَاضِعًا يَدَيْهِ عَلى مَنْكِبَيْ رَجُلَيْنِ، وَهُوَ يَطُوفُ بِالْبَيْتِ، فَقُلْتُ: مَنْ هَذَا؟ فَقَالُوا: هُوَ الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ، ثُمَّ رَأَيْتُ وَرَاءَهُ رَجُلًا جَعْدًا قَطِطًا، أَعْوَرَ الْعَيْنِ الْيُمْنَى، كَأَشْبَهِ مَنْ رَأَيْتُ بِابْنِ قَطَنٍ، وَاضِعًا يَدَيْهِ عَلى مَنْكِبَي رَجُلٍ، يَطُوفُ بِالْبَيْتِ، فَقُلْتُ: مَنْ هَذَا؟ قَالُوا: الْمَسِيحُ الدَّجَّال» (In a dream, I was at the Ka`bah and Allah made me see a light - colored man, a color that is as beautiful as a light - colored man could be, with combed hair that reached his shoulders. His hair was dripping water, and he was leaning on the shoulders of two men while circling the Ka`bah. I asked, `Who is this man' I was told, `This is the Al-Masih, son of Maryam.' Behind him, I saw a man with very curly hair who was blind in his right eye. He looked exactly as Ibn Qatan, and he was leaning on the shoulder of a man while circling the House. I asked, `Who is this man' I was told, `He is Al-Masih Ad-Dajjal.') Al-Bukhari recorded that Salim said that his father said, "No, By Allah! The Prophet did not say that `Isa was of red complexion but said, «بَيْنَمَا أَنَا نَائِمٌ أَطُوفُ بِالْكَعْبَةِ، فَإِذَا رَجُلٌ آدَمُ سَبْطُ الشَّعْرِ، يَتَهَادَى بَيْنَ رَجُلَيْنِ، يَنْطُفُ رَأْسُهُ مَاءً أَوْ يُهَرَاقُ رَأْسُهُ مَاءً فَقُلْتُ: مَنْ هَذَا؟ فَقَالُوا: ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ، فَذَهَبْتُ أَلْتَفِتُ، فَإِذَا رَجُلٌ أَحْمَرُ جَسِيمٌ، جَعْدُ الرَّاْسِ، أَعْوَرُ عَيْنِهِ الْيُمْنَى، كَأَنَّ عَيْنَهُ عِنَبَةٌ طَافِيَةٌ، قُلْتُ: مَنْ هَذَا؟ قَالُو: الدَّجَّالُ، وَأَقْرَبُ النَّاسِ بِهِ شَبَهًا ابْنُ قَطَن» (While I was asleep circumambulating the Ka`bah (in my dream), I suddenly saw a man of brown complexion and ample hair walking between two men with water dripping from his head. I asked, `Who is this' The people said, `He is the son of Maryam.' Then I looked behind and I saw a red-complexioned, fat, curly-haired man, blind in the right eye, which looked like a bulging out grape. I asked, `Who is this' They replied, `He is Ad-Dajjal.' The person he most resembled is Ibn Qatan.)" Az-Zuhri commented that Ibn Qatan was a man from the tribe of Khuza`ah who died during the time of Jahiliyyah. This is the wording of Al-Bukhari. Allah's statement, وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَـمَةِ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَهِيداً (And on the Day of Resurrection, he (`Isa) will be a witness against them) Qatadah said, "He will bear witness before them that he has delivered the Message from Allah and that he is but a servant of His." In a similar statement in the end of Surat Al-Ma'idah, وَإِذْ قَالَ اللَّهُ يعِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ أَءَنتَ قُلتَ لِلنَّاسِ (And (remember) when Allah will say (on the Day of Resurrection): "O `Isa, son of Maryam! Did you say unto men...") until, العَزِيزُ الحَكِيمُ (Almighty, the All-Wise.)

Nay God raised him up to Him. God is ever Mighty in His kingdom Wise in His actions.

[From where He says] Nay, God raised him [Jesus] up to Him, to where He says, but will assuredly believe in him: the raising of Jesus, peace be upon him, is the conjunction of his spirit to the upper world upon separation from the lower world; his being in the fourth heaven is an allusion to the fact that the source of the effusion of his spirit is the spirituality of the solar sphere which is the equivalent of the heart of this world and to which was his [Jesus'] return. This spirituality is a light that puts the said sphere into motion by virtue of its being the lover and the irradiation of its rays on his soul, which carries out the moving of that [sphere]. Since his return was to his original resting place and he did not arrive at true perfection, it is necessary that he will come back down at the end of time by attaching himself to another body. Thereupon everyone will know him and the People of the Scripture will believe in him, that is, the folk of knowledge, the knowers of the origins and the final return every single one of them before Jesus [finally] dies by being annihilated in God. When they believe in him that will be the Day of Resurrection, that is, the day in which they will emerge from their corporeal veils and their rise from their state of forgetfulness and the life of ease in which they are now.

[From where He says] Nay, God raised him [Jesus] up to Him, to where He says, but will assuredly believe in him: the raising of Jesus, peace be upon him, is the conjunction of his spirit to the upper world upon separation from the lower world; his being in the fourth heaven is an allusion to the fact that the source of the effusion of his spirit is the spirituality of the solar sphere which is the equivalent of the heart of this world and to which was his [Jesus'] return. This spirituality is a light that puts the said sphere into motion by virtue of its being the lover and the irradiation of its rays on his soul, which carries out the moving of that [sphere]. Since his return was to his original resting place and he did not arrive at true perfection, it is necessary that he will come back down at the end of time by attaching himself to another body. Thereupon everyone will know him and the People of the Scripture will believe in him, that is, the folk of knowledge, the knowers of the origins and the final return every single one of them before Jesus [finally] dies by being annihilated in God. When they believe in him that will be the Day of Resurrection, that is, the day in which they will emerge from their corporeal veils and their rise from their state of forgetfulness and the life of ease in which they are now.

And for their saying �We slew the Messiah Jesus son of Mary the Messenger of God.� And yet they did not slay him nor did they crucify him but he was given the resemblance. And those who disagree concerning him are surely in doubt regarding him. They do not have any knowledge of him only the pursuit of conjecture; and they did not slay him for certain. Nay God raised him up to Him. God is ever Mighty Wise. It is said that God caused the one who slandered [Jesus] to resemble him and he was killed and crucified in his place. There is a saying that one who digs a grave for his brother falls into it. It is [also] said that Jesus ���� ������ said �Whoever agrees to have my resem- blance cast upon him so that he is killed in place of me will have the garden� and one of his companions agreed. It is said that because [this companion] patiently bore the injury talaf he was not deprived of the recompense khalaf from God. God most high said �Indeed We do not leave the reward of those of good deeds to go to waste� [18:30]. It is said that because this man who was a companion of Jesus ���� ������ was without any imperfection in his lower self nafs he became [Jesus's] friend in spirit rūḥ. When Jesus ���� ������ was raised up to the place of intimacy maḥall al-zulfa the spirit of this one who ransomed [Jesus] with his lower self was raised up to the place of nearness maḥall al-qurba.

And for their saying �We slew the Messiah Jesus son of Mary the Messenger of God.� And yet they did not slay him nor did they crucify him but he was given the resemblance. And those who disagree concerning him are surely in doubt regarding him. They do not have any knowledge of him only the pursuit of conjecture; and they did not slay him for certain. Nay God raised him up to Him. God is ever Mighty Wise. It is said that God caused the one who slandered [Jesus] to resemble him and he was killed and crucified in his place. There is a saying that one who digs a grave for his brother falls into it. It is [also] said that Jesus ���� ������ said �Whoever agrees to have my resem- blance cast upon him so that he is killed in place of me will have the garden� and one of his companions agreed. It is said that because [this companion] patiently bore the injury talaf he was not deprived of the recompense khalaf from God. God most high said �Indeed We do not leave the reward of those of good deeds to go to waste� [18:30]. It is said that because this man who was a companion of Jesus ���� ������ was without any imperfection in his lower self nafs he became [Jesus's] friend in spirit rūḥ. When Jesus ���� ������ was raised up to the place of intimacy maḥall al-zulfa the spirit of this one who ransomed [Jesus] with his lower self was raised up to the place of nearness maḥall al-qurba.

بل رفع الله عيسى إليه ببدنه وروحه حيًّا، وطهَّره من الذين كفروا. وكان الله عزيزًا في ملكه، حكيمًا في تدبيره وقضائه.

"بل رفعه الله إليه وكان الله عزيزا" أي منيع الجناب لا يرام جنابه ولا يضام من لاذ ببابه "حكيما" أي في جميع ما يقدره ويقضيه من الأمور التي يخلقها وله الحكمة البالغة والحجة الدامغة والسلطان العظيم والأمر القديم قال ابن أبي حاتم: حدثنا أحمد بن سنان حدثنا أبو معاوية عن الأعمش عن المنهال بن عمرو عن سعيد بن جبير عن ابن عباس قال: لما أراد الله أن يرفع عيسى إلى السماء خرج على أصحابه وفي البيت اثنا عشر رجلا من الحواريين يعني فخرج عليهم من عين في البيت ورأسه يقطر ماء فقال: إن منكم من يكفر بي اثني عشر مرة بعد أن آمن بي قال: ثم قال أيكم يلقى عليه شبهي فيقتل مكاني ويكون معي في درجتي فقام شاب من أحدثهم سنا فقال له: اجلس. ثم أعاد عليهم فقام ذلك الشاب فقال: اجلس. ثم أعاد عليهم فقام الشاب فقال: أنا فقال: هو أنت ذاك فألقى عليه شبه عيسى ورفع عيسى من روزنه في البيت إلى السماء قال: وجاء الطلب من اليهود فأخذوا الشبه فقتلوه ثم صلبوه فكفر به بعضهم اثنتي عشرة مرة بعد أن آمن به وافترقوا ثلاث فرق فقالت فرقة كان الله فينا ما شاء ثم صعد إلى السماء وهؤلاء اليعقوبية وقالت فرقة: كان فينا ابن الله ما شاء ثم رفعه الله إليه وهؤلاء النسطورية وقالت فرقة: كان فينا عبدالله ورسوله ما شاء الله ثم رفعه الله إليه وهؤلاء المسلمون فتظاهرت الكافرتان على المسلمة فقتلوها فلم يزل الإسلام طامسا حتى بعث الله محمدا صلى الله عليه وسلم وهذا إسناد صحيح إلى ابن عباس ورواه النسائي عن أبي كريب عن أبي معاوية بنحوه وكذا ذكره غير واحد من السلف أنه قال لهم أيكم يلقى عليه شبهي فيقتل مكاني وهو رفيقي في الجنة. وقال ابن جرير: حدثنا ابن حميد. حدثنا يعقوب القمي عن هارون بن عنترة عن وهب بن منبه قال: أتى عيسى ومعه سبعة عشر من الحواريين في بيت فأحاطوا بهم فلما دخلوا عليه صورهم الله عز وجل كلهم على صورة عيسى فقالوا لهم: سحرتمونا ليبرزن لنا عيسى أو لنقتلنكم جميعا فقال عيسى لأصحابه من يشري نفسـه منكم اليوم بالجنة؟ فقال رجل منهم أنا فخرج إليهم وقال أنا عيسى وقد صوره الله على صورة عيسى فأخذوه فقتلوه وصلبوه فمن ثم شبه لهم فظنوا أنهم قد قتلوا عيسى وظنت النصارى مثل ذلك أنه عيسى ; ورفع الله عيسى من يومه ذلك وهذا سياق غريب جدا. قال ابن جرير: وقد روي عن وهب نحو هذا القول وهو ما حدثني المثنى حدثنا إسماعيل عن عبدالكريم حدثني عبد الصمد بن معقل أنه سمع وهبا يقول: إن عيسى ابن مريم لما أعلمه الله أنه خارج من الدنيا جزع من الموت وشق عليه فدعا الحواريين وصنع لهم طعاما فقال: أحضروني الليلة فإن لي إليكم حاجة فلما اجتمعوا إليه من الليل عشاهم وقام يخدمهم فلما فرغوا من الطعام أخذ يغسل أيديهم ويوضئهم بيده ويمسح أيديهم بثيابه فتعاظموا ذلك وتكارهوه فقال ألا من رد علي الليلة شيئا مما أصنع فليس مني ولا أنا منه فأقروه حتى إذا فرغ من ذلك قال: أما ما صنعت بكم الليلة مما خدمتكم على الطعام وغسلت أيديكم بيدي فليكن لكم بي أسوة فإنكم ترون أنى خيركم فلا يتعاظم بعضكم على بعض وليبذل بعضكم نفسه لبعض كما بذلت نفسي لكم وأما حاجتي الليلة التي استعنتكـم عليها فتدعون الله لي وتجتهدون في الدعاء أن يؤخر أجلي فلما نصبوا أنفسهم للدعاء وأرادوا أن يجتهدوا أخذهم النوم حتى لم يستطيعوا دعاء فجعل يوقظهم ويقول سبحان الله أما تصبرون لي ليلة واحدة تعينونني فيها فقالوا: والله ما ندري ما لنا لقد كنا نسمر فنكثر السمر وما نطيق الليلة سمرا وما نريد دعاء إلا حيل بيننا وبينه فقال يذهب الراعي وتفرق الغنم وجعل يأتي بكلام نحو هذا ينعي به نفسه. ثم قال: الحق ليكفرن بي أحدكم قبل أن يصيح الديك ثلات مرات وليبيعني أحدكم بدراهم يسيرة وليأكلن ثمني. فخرجوا وتفرقوا وكانت اليهود تطلبه وأخذوا شمعون أحد الحواريين وقالوا: هذا من أصحابه فجحد وقال: ما أنا بصاحبه فتركوه. ثم أخذه آخرون فجحد كذلك ثم سمع صوت ديك فبكى وأحزنه فلما أصبح أتى أحد الحواريين إلى اليهود فقال: ما تجعلون لي إن دللتكم على المسيح ؟ فجعلوا له ثلاثين درهما فأخذها ودلهم عليه وكان شبه عليهم قبل ذلك فأخذوه فاستوثقوا منه وربطوه بالحبل وجعلوا يقودونه ويقولون له أنت كنت تحي الموتى وتنهر الشيطان وتبرئ المجنون أفلا تنجي نفسك من هذا الحبل ؟ ويبصقون عليه ويلقون عليه الشوك حتى أتوا به الخشبة التي أرادوا أن يصلبوه عليها فرفعه الله إليه وصلبوا ما شبه لهم فمكث سبعا ثم إن أمه والمرأة التي كان يداويها عيسى عليه السلام فأبرأها الله من الجنون جاءتا تبكيان حيث المصلوب فجاءهما عيسى فقال: ما تبكيان؟ فقالتا عليك فقال:إنى قد رفعني الله إليه ولم يصبني إلا خيرا وإن هذا شبه لهم فأمري الحواريين يلقوني إلى مكان كذا وكذا فلقوه إلى ذلك المكان أحد عشر وفقدوا الذي كان باعه ودل عليه اليهود فسأل عنه أصحابه فقال: إنه ندم على ما صنع فاختنق وقتل نفسه فقال: لو تاب لتاب الله عليه. ثم سألهم عن غلام تبعهم يقال له يحيى فقال هو معكم فانطلقوا فإنه سيصبح كل إنسان يحدث بلغة قومه فلينذرهم وليدعهم. سياق غريب جدا. ثم قال ابن جرير: حدثنا ابن حميد حدثنا سلمة عن ابن إسحاق قال: كان اسم ملك بني إسرائيل الذي بعث إلى عيسى ليقتله رجلا منهم يقال له داود فلما أجمعوا لذلك منه لم يفظع عبد من عباد الله بالموت فيما ذكر لي فظعه ولم يجزع منه جزعه ولم يدع الله في صرفه عنه دعاءه حتى إنه ليقول فيما يزعمون اللهم إن كنت صارفا هذه الكأس عن أحد من خلقك فاصرفها عني وحتى إن جلده من كرب ذلك ليتفصد دما فدخل المدخل الذي أجمعوا أن يدخلوا عليه فيه ليقتلوه هو وأصحابه وهم ثلاثة عشر بعيسى عليه السلام فلما أيقن أنهم داخلون عليه قال لأصحابه من الحواريين وكانوا اثني عشر رجلا فرطوس ويعقوبس ويلاونخس أخو يعقوب وانداريس وفيلبس وابن يلما ومنتا وطوماس ويعقوب بن حلقايا ونداوسيس وقتابيا وليودس ركريايوطا قال ابن حميد: قال سلمة قال ابن إسحاق وكان فيهما ذكر لي رجل اسمه سرجس وكانوا ثلاثة عشر رجلا سوى عيسى عليه السلام جحدته النصارى وذلك أنه هو الذي شبه لليهود مكان عيسى قال فلا أدري هو من هؤلاء الإثنى عشر أو كان ثالث عشر فجحدوه حين أقروا لليهود بصلب عيسى وكفروا بما جاء به محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم من الخبر عنه فإن كانوا ثلاثة عشر فإنهم دخلوا المدخل حين دخلوا وهم بعيسى أربعة عشر وإن كانوا اثني عشر فإنهم دخلوا المدخل وهم ثلاثة عشر. قال ابن إسحاق: وحدثني رجل كان نصرانيا فأسلم أن عيسى حين جاءه من الله إنى رافعك إلي قال: يا معشر الحواريين أيكم يحب أن يكون رفيقي في الجنة حتى يشبه للقوم في صورتي فيقتلوه في مكاني فقال سرجس: أنا يا روح الله. قال: فاجلس في مجلسي فجلس فيه ورفع عيسى فدخلوا عليه فأخذوه فصلبوه فكان هو الذي صلبوه وشبه لهم به وكانت عدتهم حين دخلوا مع عيسى معلومة قد رأوهم فأحصوا عدتهم فلما دخلوا ليأخذوه وجدوا عيسى وأصحابه فيما يرون وفقدوا رجلا من العدة فهو الذي اختلفوا فيه وكانوا لا يعرفون عيسى حتى جعلوا ليودس ركريايوطا ثلاثين درهما على أن يدلهم عليه ويعرفهم إياه فقال لهم إذا دخلتم عليه فإنى سأقبله وهو الذي أقبل فخذوه فلما دخلوا وقد رفع عيسى ورأى سرجس في صورة عيسى فلم يشك أنه هو فأكب عليه فقبله فأخذوه فصلبوه. ثم أن ليودس ركريايوطا ندم على ما صنع فاختنق بحبل حتى قتل نفسه وهو ملعون في النصارى وقد كان أحد المعدودين من أصحابه وبعض النصارى يزعم أنه ليودس ركريايوطا هو الذي شبه لهم فصلبوه وهو يقول إنى لست بصاحبكم أنا الذي دللتكم عليه والله أعلم أي ذلك كان. وقال ابن جرير عن مجاهد: صلبوا رجلا شبه بعيسى ورفع الله عز وجل عيسى إلى السماء حيا واختار ابن جرير أن شبه عيسى ألقى على جميع أصحابه.

وقوله : ( وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ يَقِيناً بَل رَّفَعَهُ الله إِلَيْهِ وَكَانَ الله عَزِيزاً حَكِيماً ) تأكيد لنجاة عيسى مما يزعمونه من قتلهم له ، وبيان لما أكرمه الله به من رعاية وتشريف .واليقين : هو العلم الجازم الذى لا يحمتل الشك والضمير فى قوله ( وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ ) لعيسى .وقوله ( يَقِيناً ) ذكر النحاة فى إعرابه وجوها من أشهرها : أنه نعت لمصدر محذوف مأخوذ من لفظ قتلوه : أى : ما قتلوه قتلا يقينا ، أى متيقنين معه من أن المقتول عيسى عليه السلام - وهذا فيه ترشيح للاختلاف والشك الذى اعتراهم .أو هو حال مؤكدة لنفى القتل . أى انتفى قتلهم إياه إنتفاء يقينا . فاليقين منصب على النفى . أى : أن : نفى كونه قد قتل أمر متيقن مؤكد مجزوم به ، وليس ظنا كظنكم أو وهما كوهمكم يا معشر أهل الكتاب .وقد أشار صاحب الكشاف إلى ذلك بقوله : قوله : ( وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ يَقِيناً ) أى : وما قتلوه قتلا يقينا . أو ما قتلوه متيقنين كما ادعوا ذلك فى قولهم ( إِنَّا قَتَلْنَا المسيح ) أو يجعل ( يَقِيناً ) تأكيدا لقوله : ( وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ ) كقولك : ما قتلوه حقا . أى حق انتفاء قتله حقا .والمعنى : أن اليهود قد زعموا أنهم قتلوا عيسى - عليه السلام - وزعمهم هذا أبعد ما يكون عن الحق والصواب ، لأن الحق المتيقن فى هذه المسألة أنهم لم يقتلوه ، فقد نجاه الله من مكرهم ، ورفع عيسى إليه ، وكان الله ( عَزِيزاً ) . أى منيع الجناب ، لا يلجأ إليه أحد إلا أعزه وحماه . ( حَكِيماً ) فى جميع ما يقدره ويقضيه من الأمور .هذا ، وجمهور العلماء على أن الله - تعالى - رفع عيسى إليه بجسده وروحه لا بروحه فقط قال بعض العلماء : والجمهور على أن عيسى رفع حيا من غير موت ولا غفوة بجسده وروحه إلى السماء . والخصوصية له - عليه السلام - هى فى رفعه بجسده وبقائه فيها إلى الأمر المقدر له .وفى بعضهم الرفع فى قوله - تعالى - ( بَل رَّفَعَهُ الله إِلَيْهِ ) بأنه رفع بالروح فقط .وقد بسطنا القول فى هذه المسألة عند تفسيرنا لسورة آل عمران فى قوله تعالى - : ( إِذْ قَالَ الله ياعيسى إِنِّي مُتَوَفِّيكَ وَرَافِعُكَ إِلَيَّ ) و ( إِن ) هنا نافية بمعنى ما النافية ، والمخبر عنه محذوف قامت صفته مقامه .أى : وما أحد من أهل الكتاب . وحذف أحد لأنه ملحوظ فى كل نفى يدخله الاستثناء . نحو : ما قام إلا زيد . أى ما قام أحد إلا زيد .وللمفسرين فى تفسير هذه الآية اتجاهان :الأول : أن الضمير فى قوله ( قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ ) يعود إلى عيسى - عليه السلام - وعليه يكون المعنى : وما من أحد من أهل الكتاب إلا ليؤمن بعيسى - عند نزوله فى آخر الزمان - حق الإِيمان ، ( قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ ) أى : قيل موت عيسى ، ( وَيَوْمَ القيامة يَكُونُ ) عيسى - عليه السلام - ( عَلَيْهِمْ ) أى : على أهل الكتاب ( شَهِيداً ) فيشهد عليهم بأنه قد أمرهم بعباده الله وحده ، وأنه قد نهاهم عن الإِشراك معه آلهة أخرى .وقد انتصر لهذا الاتجاه كثير من المفسرين وعلى رأسهم شيخهم ابن جرير . فقد قال - بعد سرد الأقوال فى الآية - : وأولى الأقوال بالصحة والصواب قول من قال . تأويل ذلك : وإن من أهل الكتاب إلا ليؤمنن بعيسى قبل موت عيسى .وقد علق ابن كثير على ما رجحه ابن جرير بقوله : ولا شك أن الذى قاله ابن جرير هو الصحيح . لأن المقصود من سياق الآيات ، بطلان ما زعمته اليهود من قتل عيسى وصلبه ، وبطلان تسليم من سلم لهم من النصارى الجهالة ذلك . فقد أخبر الله - تعالى أن الأمر لم يكن كذلك ، وإنما شبه لهم فقتلوا الشبه وهم لا يتبينون ذلك . ثم إن الله - تعالى - رفع إليه عيسى ، وإنه باق حى ، وإنه سينزل قبل يوم القيامة .ثم عقد ابن كثير فصلا عنونه بقوله : ذكر الأحاديث الواردة فى نزول عيسى بن مريم إلى الأرض من السماء فى آخر الزمان قبل يوم القيامة وأنه يدعو إلى عبادة الله وحده لا شريك به .ثم ساق ابن كثير جملة من الأحاديث فى هذا المعنى منها ما رواه الشيخان عن أبى هريرة قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : " والذى نفسى بيده ليوشكن أن ينزل فيكم ابن مريم حكما عدلا فيكسر الصلي ، ويقتل الخنزير ، ويضع الجزية ، ويفيض المال حتى لا يقبله أحد ، وحتى تكون السجدة خيرا له من الدنيا وما فيها " .

القول في تأويل قوله : بَلْ رَفَعَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا (158)قال أبو جعفر: أما قوله جل ثناؤه: " بل رفعه الله إليه "، فإنه يعني: بل رفع الله المسيح إليه. يقول: لم يقتلوه ولم يصلبوه، ولكن الله رفعه إليه فطهَّره من الذين كفروا.* * *وقد بيّنا كيف كان رفع الله إياه إليه فيما مضى، وذكرنا اختلاف المختلفين في ذلك، والصحيحَ من القول فيه بالأدلة الشاهدة على صحته، بما أغنى عن إعادته. (38)* * *وأما قوله: " وكان الله عزيزًا حكيمًا "، فإنه يعني: ولم يزل الله منتقمًا من أعدائه، (39) كانتقامه من الذين أخذتهم الصاعقة بظلمهم، وكلعنه الذين قصّ قصتهم بقوله: فَبِمَا نَقْضِهِمْ مِيثَاقَهُمْ وَكُفْرِهِمْ بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ =" حكيمًا "، يقول: ذا حكمة في تدبيره وتصريفه خلقَه في قضائه. (40) يقول: فاحذروا أيها السائلون محمدًا أن ينـزل عليكم كتابًا من السماء، من حلول عقوبتي بكم، كما حل بأوائلكم الذين فعلوا فعلكم، في تكذيبهم رسلي وافترائهم على أوليائي، وقد:-10793- حدثنا أبو كريب قال، حدثنا محمد بن إسحاق بن أبي سارة الرُّؤَاسيّ، عن الأعمش، عن المنهال، عن سعيد بن جبير، عن ابن عباس في قوله: " وكان الله عزيزًا حكيمًا "، قال: معنى ذلك: أنه كذلك. (41)--------------الهوامش :(38) انظر ما سلف 6 : 455 - 460.(39) انظر تفسير"عزيز" و"عزة" فيما سلف ص: 319 ، تعليق: 5 ، والمراجع هناك.(40) انظر تفسير"حكيم" فيما سلف من فهارس اللغة.(41) الأثر: 10793 -"محمد بن إسحاق بن أبي سارة الرؤاسي" ، لم أعرف له ترجمة ، ولا وجدت له ذكرًا فيما بين يدي من الكتب ، وأخشى أن يكون في اسمه تحريف أو تصحيف. وقول ابن عباس في تفسير الآية"معنى ذلك أنه كذلك" ، يريد أن الله كان ولم يزل عزيزًا حكيمًا.وعند هذا الموضع انتهى الجزء السابع من مخطوطتنا وفي آخرها ما نصه:"نَجَز الجزء السابع من كتاب البيان ، بحمد الله وعونه وحُسن توفيقه ، وصلى الله عَلَى سيدنا محمد وآله وصحبه وسلم.الحمد لله ربّ العالمينيتلوه في أول الثامن إن شاء الله تعالى ، القول في تأويل قوله:(وَإِنْ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ إِلا لَيُؤْمِنَنَّ بِهِ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ)وكان الفراغ منه في شهر ربيع الأول سنة خمس عشرة وسبعمائة.غفر الله لمؤلفه ولصاحبه ، ولكاتبه ، ولمن طالعَ فيه ودعا لهمبالمغفرة ورضى الله تعالى والجنة ، ولجميع المسلمين.آمين ، ياربّ العالمين".

( بل رفعه الله إليه ) وقيل قوله " يقينا " ترجع إلى ما بعده وقوله " وما قتلوه " كلام تام تقديره : بل رفعه الله إليه يقينا ، والهاء في " ما قتلوه " كناية عن عيسى عليه السلام ، وقال الفراء رحمه الله : معناه وما قتلوا الذي ظنوا أنه عيسى يقينا ، وروي عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما معناه : ما قتلوا ظنهم يقينا ، ( وكان الله عزيزا ) منيعا بالنقمة من اليهود ، ( حكيما ) حكم باللعنة والغضب عليهم ، فسلط عليهم ضيطوس بن اسبسيانوس الرومي فقتل منهم مقتلة عظيمة .

ولذلك كلّه أعقب بالإبطال بقوله : { بل رفعه الله إليه } أي فلم يظفروا به . والرفع : إبعاده عن هذا العالم إلى عالم السماوات ، و ( إلى ) إفادة الانتهاء المجازي بمعنى التشريف ، أي رفعه الله رفع قرب وزلفى .وقد تقدّم الكلام على معنى هذا الرفع ، وعلى الاختلاف في أنّ عيسى عليه السّلام بقي حيّاً أوْ أماته الله ، عند قوله تعالى : { إنّي متوفّيك ورافِعك إليّ } في سورة آل عمران ( 55 ) .والتذييل بقوله : وكان الله عزيزاً حكيماً } ظاهر الموقع لأنّه لمّا عزّ فقد حقّ لعزّه أن يُعِزّ أولياءَه ، ولمّا كان حكيماً فقد أتقن صُنع هذا الرفع فجعله فتنة للكافرين ، وتبصرة للمؤمنين ، وعقوبة ليهوذا الخائن .

تفسير الايات 152 حتى 159 :ـ هذا السؤال الصادر من أهل الكتاب للرسول محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم على وجه العناد والاقتراح، وجعلهم هذا السؤال يتوقف عليه تصديقهم أو تكذيبهم. وهو أنهم سألوه أن ينزل عليهم القرآن جملة واحدة كما نزلت التوراة والإنجيل، وهذا غاية الظلم منهم والجهل، فإن الرسول بشر عبد مدبر، ليس في يده من الأمر شيء، بل الأمر كله لله، وهو الذي يرسل وينزل ما يشاء على عباده كما قال تعالى عن الرسول، لما ذكر الآيات التي فيها اقتراح المشركين على محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم، { قُلْ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّي هَلْ كُنتُ إِلَّا بَشَرًا رَّسُولًا } وكذلك جعلهم الفارق بين الحق والباطل مجرد إنزال الكتاب جملة أو مفرقا، مجرد دعوى لا دليل عليها ولا مناسبة، بل ولا شبهة، فمن أين يوجد في نبوة أحد من الأنبياء أن الرسول الذي يأتيكم بكتاب نزل مفرقا فلا تؤمنوا به ولا تصدقوه؟ بل نزول هذا القرآن مفرقا بحسب الأحوال مما يدل على عظمته واعتناء الله بمن أنزل عليه، كما قال تعالى: { وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَوْلَا نُزِّلَ عَلَيْهِ الْقُرْآنُ جُمْلَةً وَاحِدَةً كَذَلِكَ لِنُثَبِّتَ بِهِ فُؤَادَكَ وَرَتَّلْنَاهُ تَرْتِيلًا وَلَا يَأْتُونَكَ بِمَثَلٍ إِلَّا جِئْنَاكَ بِالْحَقِّ وَأَحْسَنَ تَفْسِيرًا } فلما ذكر اعتراضهم الفاسد أخبر أنه ليس بغريب من أمرهم، بل سبق لهم من المقدمات القبيحة ما هو أعظم مما سلكوه مع الرسول الذي يزعمون أنهم آمنوا به. من سؤالهم له رؤية الله عيانا، واتخاذهم العجل إلهًا يعبدونه، من بعد ما رأوا من الآيات بأبصارهم ما لم يره غيرهم. ومن امتناعهم من قبول أحكام كتابهم وهو التوراة، حتى رفع الطور من فوق رءوسهم وهددوا أنهم إن لم يؤمنوا أسقط عليهم، فقبلوا ذلك على وجه الإغماض والإيمان الشبيه بالإيمان الضروري. ومن امتناعهم من دخول أبواب القرية التي أمروا بدخولها سجدا مستغفرين، فخالفوا القول والفعل. ومن اعتداء من اعتدى منهم في السبت فعاقبهم الله تلك العقوبة الشنيعة. وبأخذ الميثاق الغليظ عليهم فنبذوه وراء ظهورهم وكفروا بآيات الله وقتلوا رسله بغير حق. ومن قولهم: إنهم قتلوا المسيح عيسى وصلبوه، والحال أنهم ما قتلوه وما صلبوه بل شُبِّه لهم غيره، فقتلوا غيره وصلبوه. وادعائهم أن قلوبهم غلف لا تفقه ما تقول لهم ولا تفهمه، وبصدهم الناس عن سبيل الله، فصدوهم عن الحق، ودعوهم إلى ما هم عليه من الضلال والغي. وبأخذهم السحت والربا مع نهي الله لهم عنه والتشديد فيه. فالذين فعلوا هذه الأفاعيل لا يستنكر عليهم أن يسألوا الرسول محمدا أن ينزل عليهم كتابا من السماء، وهذه الطريقة من أحسن الطرق لمحاجة الخصم المبطل، وهو أنه إذا صدر منه من الاعتراض الباطل ما جعله شبهة له ولغيره في رد الحق أن يبين من حاله الخبيثة وأفعاله الشنيعة ما هو من أقبح ما صدر منه، ليعلم كل أحد أن هذا الاعتراض من ذلك الوادي الخسيس، وأن له مقدمات يُجعل هذا معها. وكذلك كل اعتراض يعترضون به على نبوة محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم يمكن أن يقابل بمثله أو ما هو أقوى منه في نبوة من يدعون إيمانهم به ليكتفى بذلك شرهم وينقمع باطلهم، وكل حجة سلكوها في تقريرهم لنبوة من آمنوا به فإنها ونظيرها وما هو أقوى منها، دالة ومقررة لنبوة محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم. ولما كان المراد من تعديد ما عدد الله من قبائحهم هذه المقابلة لم يبسطها في هذا الموضع، بل أشار إليها، وأحال على مواضعها وقد بسطها في غير هذا الموضع في المحل اللائق ببسطها. وقوله: { وَإِن مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ إِلَّا لَيُؤْمِنَنَّ بِهِ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ } يحتمل أن الضمير هنا في قوله: { قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ } يعود إلى أهل الكتاب، فيكون على هذا كل كتابي يحضره الموت ويعاين الأمر حقيقة، فإنه يؤمن بعيسى عليه السلام ولكنه إيمان لا ينفع، إيمان اضطرار، فيكون مضمون هذا التهديد لهم والوعيد، وأن لا يستمروا على هذه الحال التي سيندمون عليها قبل مماتهم، فكيف يكون حالهم يوم حشرهم وقيامهم؟" ويحتمل أن الضمير في قوله: { قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ } راجع إلى عيسى عليه السلام، فيكون المعنى: وما من أحد من أهل الكتاب إلا ليؤمنن بالمسيح عليه السلام قبل موت المسيح، وذلك يكون عند اقتراب الساعة وظهور علاماتها الكبار. فإنه تكاثرت الأحاديث الصحيحة في نزوله عليه السلام في آخر هذه الأمة. يقتل الدجال، ويضع الجزية، ويؤمن به أهل الكتاب مع المؤمنين. ويوم القيامة يكون عيسى عليهم شهيدا، يشهد عليهم بأعمالهم، وهل هي موافقة لشرع الله أم لا؟ وحينئذ لا يشهد إلا ببطلان كل ما هم عليه، مما هو مخالف لشريعة القرآن وَلِمَا دعاهم إليه محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم، علمنا بذلك، لِعِلْمِنَا بكمال عدالة المسيح عليه السلام وصدقه، وأنه لا يشهد إلا بالحق، إلا أن ما جاء به محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم هو الحق وما عداه فهو ضلال وباطل."

بل رفعه الله إليه ابتداء كلام مستأنف ؛ أي إلى السماء ، والله تعالى متعال عن المكان ؛ وقد تقدم كيفية رفعه في " آل عمران " . وكان الله عزيزا أي قويا بالنقمة من اليهود فسلط عليهم بطرس بن أستيسانوس الرومي فقتل منهم مقتلة عظيمة . حكيما حكم عليهم باللعنة والغضب .

Those who suffer from false convictions are emboldened to commit all kinds of crimes. They have no qualms about breaking the divine covenant to which they are bound by their belief in God. Despite clear arguments from God they are not willing to mend their ways. One who calls upon them to accept the truth exposes their ungodly ways, so they do not hesitate to perpetrate any kind of aggression against him. They will go even to the extent of false calumny against the dayee in order to dishonour him. The Jews went so far as to try to kill the Prophet Jesus and then boasted, ‘We have put to death the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary.’ However, whatever plots these people may hatch against the dayee, they can never succeed. God’s power and his immutable system of nature is always there to support His envoys. Despite all plots and all opposition, they receive every kind of divine succour until they have completed the divine mission. Those who opt for an antagonistic attitude to the call of the truth have their very capacity to accept the truth taken away by God, until one day they are brought as criminals before the divine court by the angels.

Commentary In the verse يَا عِيسَىٰ إِنِّي مُتَوَفِّيكَ وَرَ‌افِعُكَ (Isa, I am to take you in full and lift you towards Me... 3:55) appearing in Surah 'Al-` Imran, Almighty Allah had made five promises in connection with foiling the Jewish plans against Sayyidna ` Isa (علیہ السلام) and protecting him from their hostile intentions. A detailed explanation of these has been given earlier on that occasion in Surah 'Al-` Imran. One of the promises made there was that the Jews will not be allowed to have their way with their intention to kill Sayyidna ` Isa (علیہ السلام) . Instead of that, Allah will lift him towards Him. In the present verses (157-158) of Surah al-Nis-a', it has been made explicit that they did not kill nor crucify Sayyidna ` Isa (علیہ السلام) ، rather, what actually happened was that they were deluded by resemblance. How were the Jews 'deluded by resemblance?' While explaining the words of the Qur'an: وَلَـٰكِن شُبِّهَ لَهُمْ (but they were deluded by resemblance), master exegete, Dahhak says: It so transpired that, following the intention of Jews to kill Sayyidna ` Isa (علیہ السلام) his disciples assembled at a given place. Sayyidna ` Isa (علیہ السلام) joined them there. It was Iblis who gave the address of Sayyidna ` Isa (علیہ السلام) to the execution squad standing ready for the mission. Four thousand men surrounded the suspected house. Sayyidna ` Isa (علیہ السلام) said to his disciples : 'Is one of you willing to go out and be killed and then be in Paradise with me?' One of them offered to do so. Sayyidna ` Isa (علیہ السلام) gave him his shirt and head-cover. Then, cast on him was the resemblance of Jesus and as soon as he came out, the Jews, believing him to be Jesus, caught him and crucified him, and Sayyidna ` Isa was lifted. (Qurtubi) According to some reports, the Jews had sent a person known to Arabs as Teetlanoos to kill Sayyidna ` Isa (علیہ السلام) . He did not find Sayyidna ` Isa (علیہ السلام) in the house for he was already lifted by Allah towards Himself. So, when this person came out of the house, he had been made to resemble the looks of Sayyidna ` Isa . The Jews took him to be Sayyidna ` Isa (علیہ السلام) . Thus, they took away their own man and killed him. (Mazhari) There is room for whichever of the situations came to pass - the Holy Qur'an has not determined any particular situation. Therefore, Allah alone knows what really happened. However, this sentence of the Holy Qur'an seen with other exegetical reports does yield the common factor that the Jews and Christians were subjected to compelling delusion. The event as it took shape remained hidden from them, though they did advance all sorts of claims based on their conjectures which only landed them into mutual differences. This is what the Holy Qur'an points out to in the following words: وَإِنَّ الَّذِينَ اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ لَفِي شَكٍّ مِّنْهُ ۚ مَا لَهُم بِهِ مِنْ عِلْمٍ إِلَّا اتِّبَاعَ الظَّنِّ ۚ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ يَقِينًا ﴿157﴾ And those who disputed in this matter are certainly in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it, but they follow whims. It means that they do not have certitude based on any true knowledge. The diverse claims put forward by those who have differed in the case of Masih (علیہ السلام) are simply based on doubt and conjecture. The truth of the matter is that they certainly did not kill Masih (علیہ السلام) rather Allah lifted him towards Himself. According to some other reports, when some of them woke up to what had happened, they said, We seem to have killed our own man, for the man we have put to death resembles Masih in face only but not in the rest of the body. Now, if this man we have killed is Masih (علیہ السلام) where, then, is our man? And if this is our man where, then, is Masih (علیہ السلام) ?' Verse 158, part of which was referred to immediately earlier, ends at: وَكَانَ اللَّـهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا : (And Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise) carrying a significant message. It means that the planning of Jews to kill Sayyidna ` Isa (علیہ السلام) was insignificant as matched against the Power of Allah who has taken it upon Himself to protect Sayyidna ` Isa (علیہ السلام) . Might and mastery are His domain. If materialists in their single-track isolation, remain incapable of understanding the reality of the 'lifting off of Sayyidna ` Isa (علیہ السلام) ، that is their own limitation. As for Allah, He is All-Wise - everything He does is based on wisdom and fitness to whatever end is desired.

(But Allah took him up unto Himself) in heaven. (Allah was ever Mighty) in His vengeance against His enemies, (Wise) by granting triumph to his friends: He saved His Prophet and destroyed their man.