The Table, The Table Spread — Verse 83

The Reason Behind Revealing these Ayat Sa`id bin Jubayr, As-Suddi and others said that these Ayat were revealed concerning a delegation that An-Najashi (King of Ethiopia) sent to the Prophet in order to hear his words and observe his qualities. When the delegation met with the Prophet and he recited the Qur'an to them, they embraced Islam, cried and were humbled. Then they returned to An-Najashi and told him what happened. `Ata' bin Abi Rabah commented, "They were Ethiopians who embraced Islam when the Muslims who migrated to Ethiopia resided among them." Qatadah said, "They were some followers of the religion of `Isa, son of Maryam, who when they saw Muslims and heard the Qur'an, they became Muslims without hesitation." Ibn Jarir said that these Ayat were revealed concerning some people who fit this description, whether they were from Ethiopia or otherwise. Allah said, لَتَجِدَنَّ أَشَدَّ النَّاسِ عَدَاوَةً لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ الْيَهُودَ وَالَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُواْ (Verily, you will find the strongest among men in enmity to the believers the Jews and those who commit Shirk,) This describes the Jews, since their disbelief is that of rebellion, defiance, opposing the truth, belittling other, people and degrading the scholars. This is why the Jews - may Allah's continued curses descend on them until the Day of Resurrection - killed many of their Prophets and tried to kill the Messenger of Allah ﷺ several times, as well as, performing magic spells against him and poisoning him. They also incited their likes among the polytheists against the Prophet . Allah's statement, وَلَتَجِدَنَّ أَقْرَبَهُمْ مَّوَدَّةً لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ الَّذِينَ قَالُواْ إِنَّا نَصَارَى (and you will find the nearest in love to the believers those who say: "We are Christians.") refers to those who call themselves Christians, who follow the religion of the Messiah and the teachings of his Injil. These people are generally more tolerant of Islam and its people, because of the mercy and kindness that their hearts acquired through part of the Messiah's religion. In another Ayah, Allah said; وَجَعَلْنَا فِى قُلُوبِ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُ رَأْفَةً وَرَحْمَةً وَرَهْبَانِيَّةً (And We ordained in the hearts of those who followed him, compassion, mercy, and monasticism...) 57:27. In their book is the saying; "He who strikes you on the right cheek, then turn the left cheek for him." And fighting was prohibited in their creed, and this is why Allah said, ذلِكَ بِأَنَّ مِنْهُمْ قِسِّيسِينَ وَرُهْبَاناً وَأَنَّهُمْ لاَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ (That is because among them are Qissisin (priests) and Ruhban (monks), and they are not proud.) This means that among them are Qissisin (priests). The word Ruhban refers to one dedicated to worship. Allah said, ذلِكَ بِأَنَّ مِنْهُمْ قِسِّيسِينَ وَرُهْبَاناً وَأَنَّهُمْ لاَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ (That is because among them are priests and monks, and they are not proud.) This describes them with knowledge, worship and humbleness, along with following the truth and fairness. وَإِذَا سَمِعُواْ مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَى الرَّسُولِ تَرَى أَعْيُنَهُمْ تَفِيضُ مِنَ الدَّمْعِ مِمَّا عَرَفُواْ مِنَ الْحَقِّ (And when they listen to what has been sent down to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of the truth they have recognized.) This refers to the good news that they have about the advent of Muhammad , يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّـهِدِينَ (They say: "Our Lord! We believe; so write us down among the witnesses.") who testify to the truth and believe in it. وَمَا لَنَا لاَ نُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَمَا جَآءَنَا مِنَ الْحَقِّ وَنَطْمَعُ أَن يُدْخِلَنَا رَبُّنَا مَعَ الْقَوْمِ الصَّـلِحِينَ ("And why should we not believe in Allah and in that which has come to us of the truth And We wish that our Lord will admit us (in Paradise) along with the righteous people.") Such sect of Christians are those mentioned in Allah's statement, وَإِنَّ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَـبِ لَمَن يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُمْ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِمْ خَـشِعِينَ للَّهِ (And there are, certainly, among the People of the Scripture, those who believe in Allah and in that which has been revealed to you, and in that which has been revealed to them, humbling themselves before Allah.)3:199 and, الَّذِينَ ءَاتَيْنَـهُمُ الْكِتَـبَ مِن قَبْلِهِ هُم بِهِ يُؤْمِنُونَ - وَإِذَا يُتْلَى عَلَيْهِمْ قَالُواْ ءَامَنَّا بِهِ إِنَّهُ الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّنَآ إنَّا كُنَّا مِن قَبْلِهِ مُسْلِمِينَ (Those to whom We gave the Scripture before it, they believe in it (the Qur'an). And when it is recited to them, they say, "We believe in it. Verily, it is the truth from our Lord. Indeed even before it we were Muslims")28:52-53, until, لاَ نَبْتَغِى الْجَـهِلِينَ ("We seek not the ignorant.")28:55 This is why Allah said here, فَأَثَابَهُمُ اللَّهُ بِمَا قَالُواْ (So because of what they said, Allah awarded them...) rewarding them for embracing the faith and recognizing and believing in the truth, جَنَّـتٌ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا الاٌّنْهَـرُ خَـلِدِينَ فِيهَا (Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise), they will abide therein forever.) and they will never be removed from it, for they will dwell and remain in it forever and ever, وَذَلِكَ جَزَآءُ الْمُحْسِنِينَ (Such is the reward of good-doers) who follow the truth and obey it wherever, whenever and with whomever they find it. Allah then describes the condition of the miserable. وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ وَكَذَّبُواْ بِآيَـتِنَآ (But those who disbelieved and belied Our Ayat,) defied and opposed them, أُوْلَـئِكَ أَصْحَـبُ الْجَحِيمِ (they shall be the dwellers of the (Hell) Fire.) For they are the people of the Fire who will enter and reside in it (eternally).

This verse was revealed when the Negus’s delegation from Abyssinia came to him s when the Prophet s recited sūrat Yā Sīn they cried and submitted to Islam saying ‘How similar this is to what used to be revealed to Jesus!’ God exalted be He says And when they hear what has been revealed to the Messenger of the Qur’ān you see their eyes overflow with tears because of what they recognise of the truth. They say ‘Our Lord we believe we accept the truth of your Prophet and your Book so inscribe us among the witnesses those who affirm their acceptance of the truth.

And when they hear what has been sent down to the Messenger, thou seest their eyes over- flow with tears because of the truth they recognize. They say, “Our Lord, we have faith, so write us down among the witnesses.” This verse alludes to the fact that faith is to be heard, seen, recognized, spoken, and done. They hear is evidence that it is to be heard. Thou seest their eyes overflow with tears is evidence that it is to be seen. Because of the truth they recognize is evidence that it is to be recognized. They say is evidence that it is to be spoken. Then, at the end of the verse, He says “That is the recompense of the beautiful-doers” [5:85]. Beautiful-doers is evidence that its deeds are to be done. He began with hearing because first there is hearing. The servant hears the truth, it makes him happy, he accepts it, he comes into work, and he acts upon it. The Lord of the Worlds is pleased with the group in whom all these traits are found. It has been said that three things are the marks of recognition, and that this group has all three to perfection: weeping, supplication, and approval-weeping for disloyalty, supplication for be- stowal, and approval of the decree. Anyone who claims to have recognition and does not have these traits is not truthful in his claim, is not counted among the recognizers, and has no standing among the chevaliers and the religious. The Pir of the Tariqah said, “Recognition is two: the recognition of the common people and the recognition of the elect. The recognition of the common people is by hearsay, and the recogni- tion of the elect is by face-to-face vision. The recognition of the common people comes from the source of munificence, but the recognition of the elect comes from what they find.” Concerning the recognition of the common people He says, “When they hear what has been sent down to the Messenger.” Concerning the recognition of the elect He says, “He will show you His signs, and you will recognize them” [27:93]. When they hear is praise of the folk of the Shariah, and He shall show you His signs is a felici- tation for the folk of the Haqiqah. When someone speaks of the Shariah and turns his back in any respect, he becomes a heretic. When someone speaks of the Haqiqah and looks at himself in any respect, he becomes an associater.

And when they hear what has been sent down to the Messenger, thou seest their eyes over- flow with tears because of the truth they recognize. They say, “Our Lord, we have faith, so write us down among the witnesses.” This verse alludes to the fact that faith is to be heard, seen, recognized, spoken, and done. They hear is evidence that it is to be heard. Thou seest their eyes overflow with tears is evidence that it is to be seen. Because of the truth they recognize is evidence that it is to be recognized. They say is evidence that it is to be spoken. Then, at the end of the verse, He says “That is the recompense of the beautiful-doers” [5:85]. Beautiful-doers is evidence that its deeds are to be done. He began with hearing because first there is hearing. The servant hears the truth, it makes him happy, he accepts it, he comes into work, and he acts upon it. The Lord of the Worlds is pleased with the group in whom all these traits are found. It has been said that three things are the marks of recognition, and that this group has all three to perfection: weeping, supplication, and approval-weeping for disloyalty, supplication for be- stowal, and approval of the decree. Anyone who claims to have recognition and does not have these traits is not truthful in his claim, is not counted among the recognizers, and has no standing among the chevaliers and the religious. The Pir of the Tariqah said, “Recognition is two: the recognition of the common people and the recognition of the elect. The recognition of the common people is by hearsay, and the recogni- tion of the elect is by face-to-face vision. The recognition of the common people comes from the source of munificence, but the recognition of the elect comes from what they find.” Concerning the recognition of the common people He says, “When they hear what has been sent down to the Messenger.” Concerning the recognition of the elect He says, “He will show you His signs, and you will recognize them” [27:93]. When they hear is praise of the folk of the Shariah, and He shall show you His signs is a felici- tation for the folk of the Haqiqah. When someone speaks of the Shariah and turns his back in any respect, he becomes a heretic. When someone speaks of the Haqiqah and looks at himself in any respect, he becomes an associater.

And when they hear what has been sent down to the Messenger, thou seest their eyes over- flow with tears because of the truth they recognize. They say, “Our Lord, we have faith, so write us down among the witnesses.” This verse alludes to the fact that faith is to be heard, seen, recognized, spoken, and done. They hear is evidence that it is to be heard. Thou seest their eyes overflow with tears is evidence that it is to be seen. Because of the truth they recognize is evidence that it is to be recognized. They say is evidence that it is to be spoken. Then, at the end of the verse, He says “That is the recompense of the beautiful-doers” [5:85]. Beautiful-doers is evidence that its deeds are to be done. He began with hearing because first there is hearing. The servant hears the truth, it makes him happy, he accepts it, he comes into work, and he acts upon it. The Lord of the Worlds is pleased with the group in whom all these traits are found. It has been said that three things are the marks of recognition, and that this group has all three to perfection: weeping, supplication, and approval-weeping for disloyalty, supplication for be- stowal, and approval of the decree. Anyone who claims to have recognition and does not have these traits is not truthful in his claim, is not counted among the recognizers, and has no standing among the chevaliers and the religious. The Pir of the Tariqah said, “Recognition is two: the recognition of the common people and the recognition of the elect. The recognition of the common people is by hearsay, and the recogni- tion of the elect is by face-to-face vision. The recognition of the common people comes from the source of munificence, but the recognition of the elect comes from what they find.” Concerning the recognition of the common people He says, “When they hear what has been sent down to the Messenger.” Concerning the recognition of the elect He says, “He will show you His signs, and you will recognize them” [27:93]. When they hear is praise of the folk of the Shariah, and He shall show you His signs is a felici- tation for the folk of the Haqiqah. When someone speaks of the Shariah and turns his back in any respect, he becomes a heretic. When someone speaks of the Haqiqah and looks at himself in any respect, he becomes an associater.

And when they hear what has been sent down to the Messenger, thou seest their eyes over- flow with tears because of the truth they recognize. They say, “Our Lord, we have faith, so write us down among the witnesses.” This verse alludes to the fact that faith is to be heard, seen, recognized, spoken, and done. They hear is evidence that it is to be heard. Thou seest their eyes overflow with tears is evidence that it is to be seen. Because of the truth they recognize is evidence that it is to be recognized. They say is evidence that it is to be spoken. Then, at the end of the verse, He says “That is the recompense of the beautiful-doers” [5:85]. Beautiful-doers is evidence that its deeds are to be done. He began with hearing because first there is hearing. The servant hears the truth, it makes him happy, he accepts it, he comes into work, and he acts upon it. The Lord of the Worlds is pleased with the group in whom all these traits are found. It has been said that three things are the marks of recognition, and that this group has all three to perfection: weeping, supplication, and approval-weeping for disloyalty, supplication for be- stowal, and approval of the decree. Anyone who claims to have recognition and does not have these traits is not truthful in his claim, is not counted among the recognizers, and has no standing among the chevaliers and the religious. The Pir of the Tariqah said, “Recognition is two: the recognition of the common people and the recognition of the elect. The recognition of the common people is by hearsay, and the recogni- tion of the elect is by face-to-face vision. The recognition of the common people comes from the source of munificence, but the recognition of the elect comes from what they find.” Concerning the recognition of the common people He says, “When they hear what has been sent down to the Messenger.” Concerning the recognition of the elect He says, “He will show you His signs, and you will recognize them” [27:93]. When they hear is praise of the folk of the Shariah, and He shall show you His signs is a felici- tation for the folk of the Haqiqah. When someone speaks of the Shariah and turns his back in any respect, he becomes a heretic. When someone speaks of the Haqiqah and looks at himself in any respect, he becomes an associater.

And when they hear what has been sent down to the Messenger, thou seest their eyes over- flow with tears because of the truth they recognize. They say, �Our Lord, we have faith, so write us down among the witnesses.�This verse alludes to the fact that faith is to be heard, seen, recognized, spoken, and done. They hear is evidence that it is to be heard. Thou seest their eyes overflow with tears is evidence that it is to be seen. Because of the truth they recognize is evidence that it is to be recognized. They say is evidence that it is to be spoken. Then, at the end of the verse, He says �That is the recompense of the beautiful-doers� [5:85]. Beautiful-doers is evidence that its deeds are to be done.He began with hearing because first there is hearing. The servant hears the truth, it makes him happy, he accepts it, he comes into work, and he acts upon it. The Lord of the Worlds is pleased with the group in whom all these traits are found.It has been said that three things are the marks of recognition, and that this group has all three to perfection: weeping, supplication, and approval-weeping for disloyalty, supplication for be- stowal, and approval of the decree. Anyone who claims to have recognition and does not have these traits is not truthful in his claim, is not counted among the recognizers, and has no standing among the chevaliers and the religious.The Pir of the Tariqah said, �Recognition is two: the recognition of the common people and the recognition of the elect. The recognition of the common people is by hearsay, and the recogni- tion of the elect is by face-to-face vision. The recognition of the common people comes from the source of munificence, but the recognition of the elect comes from what they find.�Concerning the recognition of the common people He says, �When they hear what has been sent down to the Messenger.� Concerning the recognition of the elect He says, �He will show you His signs, and you will recognize them� [27:93].When they hear is praise of the folk of the Shariah, and He shall show you His signs is a felici- tation for the folk of the Haqiqah. When someone speaks of the Shariah and turns his back in any respect, he becomes a heretic. When someone speaks of the Haqiqah and looks at himself in any respect, he becomes an associater.

ومما يدل على قرب مودتهم للمسلمين أن فريقًا منهم (وهم وفد الحبشة لما سمعوا القرآن) فاضت أعينهم من الدمع فأيقنوا أنه حقٌّ منزل من عند الله تعالى، وصدَّقوا بالله واتبعوا رسوله، وتضرعوا إلى الله أن يكرمهم بشرف الشهادة مع أمَّة محمد عليه السلام على الأمم يوم القيامة.

فقال" وإذا سمعوا ما أنزل إلى الرسول ترى أعينهم تفيض من الدمع مما عرفوا من الحق" أي مما عندهم من البشارة ببعثة محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم يقولون" ربنا آمنا فاكتبا مع الشاهدين" أي مع من يشهد بصحة هذا ويؤمن به وقد روى النسائي عن عمرو بن علي الفلاس عن عمر بن علي بن مقدم عن هشام بن عروة عن أبيه عن عبد الله بن الزبير قال نزلت هذه الآية في النجاشي وفي أصحابه" وإذا سمعوا ما أنزل إلى الرسول ترى أعينهم تفيض من الدمع مما عرفوا من الحق يقولون ربنا آمنا فاكتبنا مع الشاهدين" وروى ابن أبي حاتم وابن مردويه والحاكم في مستدركه عن طريق سماك عن عكرمة عن ابن عباس في قوله" فاكتبنا مع الشاهدين " أي مع محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم وأمته هم الشاهدون يشهدون لنبيهم أنه قد بلغ وللرسل أنهم قد بلغوا ثم قال الحكم صحيح الإسناد ولم يخرجاه وقال الطبراني حدثنا أبو شبيل عبد الله بن عبد الرحمن بن واقد حدثنا أبي حدثنا العباس بن الفضل عن عبد الجبار بن نافع الضبي عن قتادة وجعفر بن إياس عن سعيد بن جبير عن ابن عباس في قول الله تعالى "وإذا سمعوا ما أنزل إلى الرسول ترى أعينهم تفيض من الدمع" قال إنهم كانوا كرابين يعنى فلاحين قدموا مع جعفر بن أبي طالب من الحبشة فلما قرأ رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عليهم القرآن آمنوا وفاضت أعينهم فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "لعلكم إذا رجعتم إلى أرضكم انتقلتم إلى دينكم" فقالوا: لن ننتقل عن ديننا فأنزل الله ذلك من قولهم" ومالنا لا نؤمن بالله وما جاءنا من الحق ونطمع أن يدخلنا ربنا مع القوم الصالحين".

ثم حكى - سبحانه - ما كان منهم عند سماعهم لما أنزل الله - تعالى - على رسوله من هدايات فقال : ( وَإِذَا سَمِعُواْ مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَى الرسول ترى أَعْيُنَهُمْ تَفِيضُ مِنَ الدمع مِمَّا عَرَفُواْ مِنَ الحق ) والمراد بالرسول : محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم وبما أنزل إليه : القرآن الكريم .والجملة الكريمة معطوفة على قوله؛ ( وَأَنَّهُمْ لاَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ ) والضمير في قوله ( سَمِعُواْ ) يعود على الذين قالوا إنا نصارى بعد أن عرفوا الحق وآمنوا به .أي ، أن من صفات هؤلاء الذين قالوا إنا نصارى زيادة على ما تقدم ، أنهم إذا سمعوا ما أنزل على رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من قرآن تأثرت قلوبهم . وخشعت نفوسهم وسالت الدموع من أعينهم بغزرة وكثرة من أجل ما عرفوه من الحق الذي بينه لهم القرآن الكريم بعد أن كانوا غافلين عنه .وفي التعبير عنهم بقوله : ( ترى ) الدالة على الرؤية البصرية والتي هي أقوى أسباب العلم الحسي ، مبالغة في مدحهم ، حيث يراهم الرائي وهم على تلك الصورة من رقة القلب وشدة التأثر عند سماع الحق .فلقد كانوا يحسون أنهم في ظلام وضلال فلما سمعوا الحق أشرقت له نفوسهم ودخلوا في نوره وهدايته وأعينهم تتدفق بالدموع من شدة تأثرهم به وحبهم له .وقوله ( تَفِيضُ ) من الفيض وهو انصباب عن امتلاء : يقال فاض الإِناء إذا امتلأ حين سال من جوانبه .وقد أجاد صاحب الكشاف في تصوير هذا المعنى فقال : فإن قلت : ما معنى قوله : ( تَفِيضُ مِنَ الدمع ) قلت : معناه تمتلئ من الدمع حتى تفيض ، لأن الفيض أن يمتلئ الإِناء أو غيره حتى يطلع ما فيه من جوانبه . فوضع الفيض الذي هو من الامتلاء موضع الامتلاء وهو من إقامة المسببب مقام السبب ، أو قصدت المبالغة في وصفهم بالبكاء فجعلت أعينهم كأنها تفيض بأنفسها . أي : تسيل من الدمع من أجل البكاء من قولك : دمعت عينه دمعا .فإن قلت : أي فرق بين من ومن في قوله : ( مِمَّا عَرَفُواْ مِنَ الحق ) ؟ قلت : الأولى لابتداء الغاية على أن فيض الدمع ابتدأ ونشأ من معرفة الحق وكان من أجله وبسببه ، والثانية لتبيين الموصول الذي هو ما عرفوا وتحتمل معنى التبعيض على أنهم عرفوا بعض الحق ، فأبكاهم وبلغ منهم فكيف إذا عرفوه كله وقرأوا القرآن وأحاطوا بالسنة؟ثم حكى - سبحانه - ما قالوه بعد سماعهم للحق فقال : ( يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَآ آمَنَّا فاكتبنا مَعَ الشاهدين ) .أي : يقولون بعد أن سمعوا الحق : يا ربنا إننا آمنا بما سمعنا إيمانا صادقا فاكتبنا مع أمة محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم التي آمنت به وشهدت بصدق رسولك محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم وبصدق كل رسول أرسلته إلى الناس ليخرجهم من الظلمات إلى النور .

القول في تأويل قوله : وَإِذَا سَمِعُوا مَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَى الرَّسُولِ تَرَى أَعْيُنَهُمْ تَفِيضُ مِنَ الدَّمْعِ مِمَّا عَرَفُوا مِنَ الْحَقِّ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّاهِدِينَ (83)قال أبو جعفر: يقول تعالى ذكره: وإذا سمع هؤلاء الذين قالوا: إِنَّا نَصَارَى = الذين وصفت لك، يا محمد، صفتهم أنك تجدهم أقرب الناس مودة للذين آمنوا= (1) ما أنـزل إليك من الكتاب يُتْلى=" ترى أعينهم تفيض من الدمع ".* * *و " فيض العين من الدمع "، امتلاؤها منه، ثم سيلانه منها، كفيض النهر من الماء، وفيض الإناء، وذلك سيلانه عن شدة امتلائه، ومنه قول الأعشى:ففَـاضَتْ دُمُـوعِي, فَظَـلَّ الشُّـئُونُ:إمَّــا وَكِيفًــا, وَإِمَّــا انْحِــدَارَا (2)وقوله: " مما عرفوا من الحق "، يقول: فيض دموعهم، لمعرفتهم بأنّ الذي يتلى عليهم من كتاب الله الذي أنـزله إلى رسول الله حقٌّ، كما:-12325 - حدثنا هناد بن السري قال، حدثنا يونس بن بكير قال، حدثنا أسباط بن نصر الهمداني، عن إسماعيل بن عبد الرحمن السديّ قال: بعث النجاشي إلى النبيّ صلى الله عليه وسلم اثنى عشر رجلا يسألونه ويأتونه بخبره، فقرأ عليهم رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم القرآن، فبكوا. وكان منهم سبعة رهبانٍ وخمسة قسيسين (3) = أو: خمسة رهبان، وسبعة قسيسين (4) = فأنـزل الله فيهم: " وإذا سمعوا ما أنـزل إلى الرسول ترى أعينهم تفيض من الدمع "، إلى آخر الآية.12326 - حدثنا عمرو بن علي قال، حدثنا عمر بن علي بن مقدّم قال، سمعت هشام بن عروة يحدث، عن أبيه، عن عبد الله بن الزبير قال: نـزلت في النجاشي وأصحابه: " وإذا سمعوا ما أنـزل إلى الرسول ترى أعينهم تفيض من الدمع ". (5)12327 - حدثنا هناد قال، حدثنا عبدة بن سليمان، عن هشام بن عروة، عن أبيه في قوله: " ترى أعينهم تفيض من الدمع مما عرفوا من الحق "، قال: ذلك في النجاشي.12328 - حدثنا هناد وابن وكيع قالا حدثنا أبو معاوية، عن هشام بن عروة، عن أبيه قال: كانوا يُرَوْن أن هذه الآية أنـزلت في النجاشي: " وإذا سمعوا ما أنـزل إلى الرسول ترى أعينهم تفيض من الدمع ".12329 - حدثنا هناد قال، حدثنا يونس بن بكير قال، قال ابن إسحاق: سألت الزهري عن الآيات: ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّ مِنْهُمْ قِسِّيسِينَ وَرُهْبَانًا وَأَنَّهُمْ لا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ * وَإِذَا سَمِعُوا مَا أُنْـزِلَ إِلَى الرَّسُولِ تَرَى أَعْيُنَهُمْ تَفِيضُ مِنَ الدَّمْعِ الآية، وقوله: وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلامًا [سورة الفرقان: 63]. قال: ما زلت أسمع علماءنا يقولون: نـزلت في النجاشي وأصحابه. (6)* * *وأما قوله: " يقولون "، فإنه لو كان بلفظ اسم، كان نصبًا على الحال، لأن معنى الكلام: وإذا سمعوا ما أنـزل إلى الرسول ترى أعينهم تفيض من الدمع مما عرفوا من الحق، قائلين: " ربنا آمنا ".* * *ويعني بقوله تعالى ذكره: " يقولون ربنا آمنا "، أنهم يقولون: يا ربنا، صدَّقنا لما سمعنا ما أنـزلته إلى نبيك محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم من كتابك، وأقررنا به أنه من عندك، وأنه الحق لا شك فيه.* * *وأما قوله: " فاكتبنا مع الشاهدين "، فإنه روي عن ابن عباس وغيره في تأويله، ما:-12330 - حدثنا به هناد قال، حدثنا وكيع= وحدثنا ابن وكيع قال، حدثنا أبي وابن نمير= جميعًا، عن إسرائيل، عن سماك، عن عكرمة، عن ابن عباس في قوله: " اكتبنا معالشاهدين "، قال: أمة محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم.12331 - حدثنا القاسم قال، حدثنا الحسين قال، حدثني حجاج، عن ابن جريج: " فاكتبنا مع الشاهدين "، مع أمّة محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم.12332 - حدثني المثنى قال، حدثنا عبد الله بن صالح قال، حدثني معاوية، عن علي بن أبي طلحة، عن ابن عباس: " فاكتبنا مع الشاهدين "، يعنون بـ" الشاهدين "، محمدًا صلى الله عليه وسلم وأمَّته.12333 - حدثني الحارث قال، حدثنا عبد العزيز قال، حدثنا إسرائيل، عن سماك، عن عكرمة، عن ابن عباس في قوله: " فاكتبنا مع الشاهدين "، قال: محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم وأمته، إنهم شهدوا أنه قد بلَّغ، وشهدوا أن الرسل قد بلغت.12334 - حدثنا الربيع قال، حدثنا أسد بن موسى قال، حدثنا يحيى بن زكريا قال، حدثني إسرائيل، عن سماك، عن عكرمة، عن ابن عباس، مثل حديث الحارث بن عبد العزيز= غير أنه قال: وشهدوا للرسل أنهم قد بلَّغوا. (7)* * *قال أبو جعفر: فكأنّ متأوِّل هذا التأويل، قصد بتأويله هذا إلى معنى قول الله تعالى ذكره: وَكَذَلِكَ جَعَلْنَاكُمْ أُمَّةً وَسَطًا لِتَكُونُوا شُهَدَاءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَيَكُونَ الرَّسُولُ عَلَيْكُمْ شَهِيدًا [سورة البقرة: 143]. فذهب ابن عباس إلى أن " الشاهدين "، هم " الشهداء " في قوله: لِتَكُونُوا شُهَدَاءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ ، وهم أمة محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم. (8)* * *وإذا كان التأويل ذلك، كان معنى الكلام: " يقولون ربنا آمنا فاكتبنا مع الشاهدين "، الذين يشهدون لأنبيائك يوم القيامة، أنهم قد بلغوا أممهم رسالاتك.* * *ولو قال قائل: معنى ذلك: " فاكتبنا مع الشاهدين "، الذين يشهدون أن ما أنـزلته إلى رسولك من الكتب حق= كان صوابًا. لأن ذلك خاتمة قوله: " وإذا سمعوا ما أنـزل إلى الرسول ترى أعينهم تفيض من الدمع مما عرفوا من الحق يقولون ربنا آمنا فاكتبنا مع الشاهدين "، وذلك صفة من الله تعالى ذكره لهم بإيمانهم لما سمعوا من كتاب الله، فتكون مسألتهم أيضا اللهَ أن يجعلهم ممن صحَّت عنده &; 10-511 &; شهادتهم بذلك، ويُلْحقهم في الثوابِ والجزاء منازلَهُم.ومعنى " الكتاب " في هذا الموضع: الجَعْل. (9)* * *يقول: فاجعلنا مع الشاهدين، وأثبتنا معهم في عِدَادهم.---------------------الهوامش :(1) سياق الكلام: "إذا سمع هؤلاء... ما أنزل إليك من الكتاب يتلى" ، وما بين الفعل ومفعوله فصل طويل.(2) ديوانه: 35. من قصيدته في قيس بن معد يكرب الكندي ، وقبل البيت ، وهو أولها:أَأَزْمَعْــتَ مِــنْ آلِ لَيْـلَى ابْتِكَـارَاوَشَـطَّتْ عَـلَى ذِي هَـوًى أن تُـزَارَاوَبَــانَتْ بِهَــا غَرَبَــاتُ النَّــوَىوَبُــدِّلْتُ شَــوْقًا بِهَــا وَادِّكَــارَافَفَـــاضَتْ دْمُـــوعِي............ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .كَمَــا أَسْــلَمَ السِّـلْكُ مِـنْ نَظْمِـهِلآلِـــئَ مُنْحَـــدِرَاتٍ صِغَـــارَاوكان البيت في المخطوطة والمطبوعة: "ففاضت دموعي فطل الشئون داما حدارًا" ، وهو خطأ محض."والشئون" جمع"شأن" ، وهو مجرى الدمع إلى العين ، وهي عروقها. ورواية الديوان: "كفيض الغروب" ، و"الغروب" جمع"غرب" (بفتح فسكون) ، وهو الدلو الكبير الذي يستقى به على السانية. وقوله: "فظل" بالظاء المعجمة ، لا بالطاء. وقد أفسد وأخطأ من جعله بالطاء المهملة ، وشرحه على ذلك. وهو غث جدًا. و"الوكيف": أن يسيل الدمع قليلا قليلا ، إنما يقطر قطرًا."وكف الدمع يكف وكفًا ووكيفًا". وأما "انحدار الدمع" ، فهو سيلانه متتابعا ، كما ينصب الماء من حدور.(3) في المطبوعة: "وخمسة قسيسون" ، وأثبت ما في المخطوطة ، وهو صواب محض.(4) في المخطوطة: "أو سبعة" دون ذكر"قسيسين" ، ولكنها زيادة لا غنى عنها. وصوابها أيضا"وسبعة" بالواو.(5) الأثر: 12326-"عمر بن علي بن مقدم" ، هو: "عمر بن علي بن عطاء بن مقدم المقدمي". ثقة ، ولكنه كان يدلس. قال ابن سعد: "كان ثقة ، وكان يدلس تدليسًا شديدا ، يقول: سمعت ، وحدثنا ، ثم يسكت فيقول: هشام بن عروة ، والأعمش. وقال: كان رجلا صالحًا ، ولم يكونوا ينقمون عليه غير التدليس ، وأما غير ذلك فلا ، ولم أكن أقبل منه حتى يقول حدثنا". مترجم في التهذيب.(6) الأثر: 12329- سيرة ابن هشام 2: 33 ، ولكن ليس فيه ذكر آية سورة الفرقان التي ذكرها أبو جعفر في هذه الرواية عن ابن إسحق. ثم إن أبا جعفر لم يذكر هذا الخبر في تفسير الآية من سورة الفرقان 19: 21 ، 22 (بولاق) ، ولا أشار إلى أنها نزلت في أحد ، لا النساشي وأصحابه ولا غيرهم.(7) الآثار: 12330- 12334- رواه الحاكم في المستدرك 2: 313 ، من طريق يحيى بن آدم عن إسرائيل ، بمثله ، ثم قال: "هذا حديث صحيح الإسناد ولم يخرجاه" ووافقه الذهبي. وخرجه الهيثمي في مجمع الزوائد 7: 18 ، وقال: "رواه الطبراني عن شيخه عبد الله بن أبي مريم ، وهو ضعيف" ، ولكن هذه أسانيد صحاح ، رواها الطبري وغيره.(8) انظر ما سلف من تفسير آية سورة البقرة 3: 141- 155.(9) انظر تفسير"الكتاب" فيما سلف من فهارس اللغة ، (كتب).

( وإذا سمعوا ما أنزل إلى الرسول ) محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم ، ( ترى أعينهم تفيض ) تسيل ، ( من الدمع مما عرفوا من الحق ) قال ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما في رواية عطاء : يريد النجاشي وأصحابه قرأ عليهم جعفر بالحبشة كهيعص ، فما زالوا يبكون حتى فرغ جعفر من القراءة . ( يقولون ربنا آمنا فاكتبنا مع الشاهدين ) يعني أمة محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم ، دليله قوله تعالى : " لتكونوا شهداء على الناس " ( البقرة 143 ) .

ضمائر الجمع من قوله { وإذا سَمعوا } إلى قوله { فأثابهم الله } [ المائدة : 83 85 ] تابعة لضمير { وأنّهم لا يستكبرون } .وقرينة صرف الضمائر المتشابهة إلى مَعَادَين هي سياق الكلام . ومثله وارد في الضمائر كقوله تعالى : { وعَمَرُوها أكْثَرَ ممَّا عَمَرُوها } [ الروم : 9 ] . فضمير الرفع في { عمروها } الأول عائد إلى غير ضمير الرفع في عمروها الثاني . وكقول عبّاس بن مرداس :عُدْنَا ولولاَ نَحْنُ أحْدَقَ جَمْعُهم ... بالمسلمين وأحرزُوا مَا جَمَّعوايريد بضمير ( أحرزوا ) جماعة المشركين ، وبضمير ( جمَّعوا ) جماعة المسلمين .ويعضّد هذا ما ذكره الطبري والواحدي وكثير من المفسّرين عن ابن عبّاس ومجاهد وغيرهما : أنّ المعنيّ في هذه الآية ثمانية من نصارى الشام كانوا في بلاد الحبشة وأتوا المدينة مع اثنين وستّين راهِباً من الحبشة مصاحبين للمسلمين الذين رجعوا من هجرتهم بالحبشة وسمعوا القرآن وأسلموا .وهم : بَحِيرا الراهب ، وإدريس ، وأشرف ، وأبرهة ، وثمامة ، وقثم ، ودريد ، وأيمن ، أي مِمَّن يحسنون العربية ليتمكّنوا من فهم القرآن عند سماعه . وهذا الوفد ورد إلى المدينة مع الذين عادوا من مهاجرة الحبشة ، سنة سبع فكانت الإشارة إليهم في هذه الآية تذكيراً بفضلهم . وهي من آخر ما نزل ولم يعرف قوم معيّنون من النصارى أسلموا في زمن الرسول . ولَعلّ اللّهَ أعلَم رسوله بفريق من النصارى آمنوا بمحمد في قلوبهم ولم يتمكّنوا من لقائه ولا من إظهار إيمانهم ولم يبلغهم من الشريعة إلاّ شيء قليل تمسّكوا به ولم يعلموا اشتراط إظهار الإيمان المسمّى بالإسلام ، وهؤلاء يشبه حالهم حالَ من لم تبلغه الدعوة ، لأنّ بلوغ الدعوة متفاوت المراتب . ولعلّ هؤلاء كان منهم من هو بأرض الحبشة أو باليمن . ولا شكّ أنّ النجاشي ( أصْحَمة ) منهم . وقد كان بهذه الحالة أخبر عنه بذلك النّبيء . والمقصود أنّ الأمّة التي فيها أمثال هؤلاء تكون قريبة من مودّة المسلمين .والرسول هو محمّد كما هو غالب عليه في إطلاقه في القرآن . وما أنزل إليه هو القرآن . والخطاب في قوله تَرى أعينهم } للنبيء صلى الله عليه وسلم إن كان قد رأى منهم مَن هذه صفته ، أو هو خطاب لكلّ من يصحّ أن يَرى . فهو خطاب لغير معيّن ليعمّ كلّ من يخاطب .وقوله : { تفيض من الدمع } معناه يفيضُ منها الدمع لأنّ حقيقة الفيض أن يسند إلى المائع المتجاوز حَاوِيه فيسيل خارجاً عنه . يقال : فاض الماء ، إذا تجاوز ظرفه . وفاض الدمع إذا تجاوز ما يغرورق بالعين . وقد يسند الفَيْض إلى الظرف على طريقة المجاز العقلي ، فيقال : فاض الوادي ، أي فاض ماؤُه ، كما يقال : جَرَى الوادي ، أي جرى ماؤه . وفي الحديث : « ورَجُل ذكر الله خَالياً فَفَاضَتْ عيناه » وقد يقرنون هذا الإسناد بتمييز يكون قرينة للإسنادِ المجازي فيقولون : فاضت عينه دمعاً ، بتحويل الإسناد المسمّى تمييزَ النسبة ، أي قرينة النسبة المجازية . فأمّا ما في هذه الآية فإجراؤه على قول نحاة البصرة يمنع أن يكون ( مِنْ ) الداخلة على الدمع هي البَيانية التي يجرّ بها اسم التمييز ، لأنّ ذلك عندهم ممتنع في تمييز النسبة ، فتكون الآية منسوجة على منوال القلب للمبالغة ، قُلِب قولُ الناس المتعارف : فاضَ الدمع من عيننِ فلان ، فقيل : { أعينَهم تفيض من الدمع } ، فحرف ( مِن ) حرف ابتداء . وإذا أجري على قول نحاة الكوفة كانت ( مِن ) بيانية جارّة لاسم التمييز . وتعريف الدمع تعريف الجنس ، مثل : طبتَ النَّفْسَ .و ( مِنْ ) في قوله { مِمَّا عرفوا } تعليلية ، أي سببُ فيضها ما عرفوا عند سماع القرآن من أنّه الحقّ الموعود به . ف { مِن } قائمة مقام المفعول لأجله كما في قوله :{ تولّوا وأعينهم تفيض من الدمع حَزَنا } [ التوبة : 92 ] ، أي ففاضت أعينهم من انفعال البهجة بأن حضروا مشهد تصديق عيسى فيما بَشّر به ، وأن حضروا الرسول الموعود به ففازوا بالفضيلتين . و ( مِن ) في قوله { من الحقّ } بيانية . أي ممّا عرفوا ، وهو الحقّ الخاصّ . أو تبعيضية ، أي ممّا عرفوه وهو النبي الموعود به الذي خبره من جملة الحقّ الذي جاء به عيسى والنبيئون من قبله .وجملة { يقولون } حال ، أي تفيض أعينهم في حال قولهم هذا . وهذا القول يجوز أن يكون علناً ، ويجوز أن يكون في خويّصتهم .والمراد بالشاهدين الذين شهدوا بعثة الرسل وصدّقوهم . وهذه فضيلة عظيمة لم تحصُل إلاّ في أزمان ابتداء دعوة الرسل ولا تحصل بعد هذه المرّة . وتلك الفضيلة أنّها المبادرة بتصديق الرسُل عند بعثتهم حين يكذبِهم الناس بادىءَ الأمر . كما قال ورقة : يا ليتني أكون جَذعاً إذْ يُخرجك قومك . أي تكذيباً منهم . أو أرادوا فاكتبنا مع الشاهدين الذين أنبأهم عيسى عليه السلام ببعثة الرسول الذي يجيء بعده ، فيكونوا شهادة على مجيئه وشهادة بصدق عيسى . ففي إنجيل متّى عدد24 من قول عيسى «ويقومُ أنبياء كذَبَة كثيرون ويُضِلّون كثيرين ولكن الذي يصبِر إلى المنتهى فهذا يخلص ويفوز ببشارة الملكوت هذه شهادةً لجميع الأمم» . وفي إنجيل يُوحَنَّا عدد15 من قول عيسى «ومتى جاء المُعَزّى روحُ الحقّ الذي من عند الأببِ ينبثقُ فهو يشهدُ لي وتشهدون أنتم أيضاً لأنّكم معي من الابتداء» . وإنّ لِكلمة { الحقّ } وكلمة { الشاهِدين } في هذه الآية موقعاً لا تغني فيه غيرهما لأنّهما تشيران إلى ما في بشارة عيسى عليه السلام .

{ إذا سَمِعُوا مَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَى الرَّسُولِ } محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم، أثر ذلك في قلوبهم وخشعوا له، وفاضت أعينهم بسبب ما سمعوا من الحق الذي تيقنوه، فلذلك آمنوا وأقروا به فقالوا: { رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّاهِدِينَ } وهم أمة محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم، يشهدون لله بالتوحيد، ولرسله بالرسالة وصحة ما جاءوا به، ويشهدون على الأمم السابقة بالتصديق والتكذيب. وهم عدول، شهادتهم مقبولة، كما قال تعالى: { وَكَذَلِكَ جَعَلْنَاكُمْ أُمَّةً وَسَطًا لِتَكُونُوا شُهَدَاءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَيَكُونَ الرَّسُولُ عَلَيْكُمْ شَهِيدًا }

قوله تعالى : وإذا سمعوا ما أنزل إلى الرسول ترى أعينهم تفيض من الدمع مما عرفوا من الحق يقولون ربنا آمنا فاكتبنا مع الشاهدين .قوله تعالى : وإذا سمعوا ما أنزل إلى الرسول ترى أعينهم تفيض من الدمع أي : بالدمع وهو في موضع الحال ; وكذا يقولون ، وقال امرؤ القيس :ففاضت دموع العين مني صبابة على النحر حتى بل دمعي محمليوخبر مستفيض إذا كثر وانتشر كفيض الماء عن الكثرة ، وهذه أحوال العلماء يبكون ولا يصعقون ، ويسألون ولا يصيحون ، ويتحازنون ولا يتموتون ; كما قال تعالى : الله نزل أحسن الحديث كتابا متشابها مثاني تقشعر منه جلود الذين يخشون ربهم ثم تلين جلودهم وقلوبهم إلى ذكر الله وقال : إنما المؤمنون الذين إذا ذكر الله وجلت قلوبهم . وفي الأنفال يأتي بيان هذا المعنى إن شاء الله تعالى ، وبين الله سبحانه في هذه الآيات أن أشد الكفار تمردا وعتوا وعداوة للمسلمين اليهود ، ويضاهيهم المشركون ، وبين أن أقربهم مودة النصارى ، والله أعلم .قوله تعالى : فاكتبنا مع الشاهدين أي : مع أمة محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم الذين يشهدون بالحق من قوله عز وجل : وكذلك جعلناكم أمة وسطا لتكونوا شهداء على الناس عن ابن عباس [ ص: 193 ] وابن جريج . وقال الحسن : الذين يشهدون بالإيمان ، وقال أبو علي : الذين يشهدون بتصديق نبيك وكتابك . ومعنى فاكتبنا اجعلنا ، فيكون بمنزلة ما قد كتب ودون .

In this verse paradise is declared the reward for certain ‘words’ uttered by people (fa athabahumu’llah bima qalu). But what were these ‘words’ which made the speakers of them entitled to eternal paradise? What they said represented and gave expression to their entire being. It was the sound of the outflow of their personality. They heard God’s message in such a way that they found the whole truth enshrined in it. It penetrated their hearts and minds. It caused in them a revolution which changed the entire focus of their wishes and aspirations—to the extent that all barriers of prejudice and interests broke down. They identified themselves with Truth in such a way that they lost their separate identity. They became its witness and to become a witness meant truth embedding itself within them. The Quran was not a mere book for them but a living sign of the Lord of the Universe. This Divine experience, although expressed in words, was not just a matter of words: it was a turmoil, an earthquake which affected their entire existence. So much so that tears flowed from their eyes. Words spoken about reality do not merely make a statement: they are the highest form in which to give meaningful shape to a man’s actions and feelings, and, in the entire known universe, only man has the capacity to comprehend the refinement and significance of words and to use them to the best effect. ‘Words’ are the best of man’s being. ‘Word’ is eloquent action. Therefore, when a man proves and expresses his servitude to God at the level of ‘words’, he establishes a certain entitlement to paradise. The strongest reasons for non-acceptance of Truth by a man are his ego and pride. Those who have pride hidden in their hearts show the strongest reaction against the call for Truth, refusing to accept it at any cost and going so far as to become its most dangerous antagonists. On the other hand, those who are not filled with pride, while they may be flawed by any other evil, they cannot oppose the Truth to this extent.

Sequence of Verses Mentioned earlier was the friendliness of Jews with disbelievers. Mentioned now is their hostility towards Muslims in tandem with the disbelievers - which was the real cause of that friendship (the enemy of my enemy is my friend! ). And since the Qur'an upholds justice universally, it has not counted everyone even among Jews and Christians as being in the same lot. Whoever among them had some good quality, that was acknowledged openly - for example, the presence of a particular group among the Christians which did not have the kind of prejudice the Jews were known for, and the statement about the Christians who had responded heartily to the call of truth and for which they were considered worthy of the best of praise and reward. This particular group was that of the Christians of Ethiopia who did nothing which could cause problems for Muslims who had migrated to Ethiopia from their home in Makkah, before the Hijrah to Madinah. Any Christian, other than them, who is like them, shall also be legally counted as one of them. As for those who had accepted the truth, they are the King of Ethiopia, Najashi (Negus) and his courtiers who wept on hearing the Qur'an in their own country and embraced Islam. After that, a deputation of thirty men from there came to the Holy Prophet ﷺ who recited the Qur'an to them which they heard in tears and took their Shahadah as Muslims. This is the Cause or Back-ground of the revelation of this verse. Commentary Some Votaries of the Truth among the People of the Book Mentioned in these verses are those among the people of the Book who, had no feelings of malice or enmity for Muslims because of their godliness and tilt towards truth. But, people of such quality - like Sayyidna ` Abdullah ibn Salam - were very rare, rather almost nonexistent among the Jews. Speaking comparatively, there were more such people among the Christians. Specially so, during the blessed period of the Holy Prophet ﷺ ، there was a large number of such people in Ethiopia which included King Najashi and his civil servants. For this reason, when the Muslims of Makkah al-Mukarramah were fed up with being continually oppressed by the Quraysh, the Holy Prophet ﷺ advised them to migrate to Ethiopia saying that he had heard that the King of Ethiopia himself was no oppressor of people, nor did he allow anyone to oppress others, therefore, Muslims should go there for some time. Following this advice, the first group of eleven persons started their journey towards Ethiopia. Included in the group were Sayyidna ` Uthman ibn ` Affan and Sayyidah Ruqaiyyah, his respected wife and the daughter of the Holy Prophet ﷺ . After that, a large caravan of Muslims comprising of eighty two men in addition to women, led by Sayyidna Ja'far ibn Abi Talib ؓ reached Ethiopia. Received there nicely and gently by the King and his people, they started living there in peace. But, the wrath of the Quraysh of Makkah knew no bounds. They could not bear by the idea that Muslims persecuted by them could live in peace in some other country. This they did not wish to allow. They sent a deputation of their men, with gifts as customary, to the King of Ethiopia with the request that he should expel Muslims from his country. But, the King of Ethiopia decided to first investigate into the matter. He talked to Sayyidna Ja'far ibn Abi Talib and his companions about Islam and its Prophet. When he heard about the life of the Holy Prophet ﷺ and the teachings of Islam, he found these true to the prophecy of Sayyidna ` Isa (علیہ السلام) and Injil which contained the glad tidings of the coming of the Last of the Prophets, Sayyidna Muhammad al-Mustafa ﷺ a brief outline of his teachings, and his physical features as well as those of his Companions (for ready identification). Impressed with and convinced by what he found out, he returned the gifts brought by the Quraysh deputation telling them plainly that he could never order such people to leave his country. The Effect of Sayyidna Ja` far's Presentation on Najashi Sayyidna Ja'far ؓ had succeeded in presenting a brief but very comprehensive portrayal of Islam and its teachings in the court of Najashi, the King of Ethiopia. Then, there was their very stay (as Muslim role models) in Ethiopia which had generated not only in his heart but in the hearts of his officials and common people genuine feelings for Islam and its Prophet. Consequently, when the Holy Prophet ﷺ migrated to Madinah al-Tayyibah and the news that they were comfortable and at peace there reached Ethiopia the immigrating guests of the country decided to go to Madinah. Then, Najashi, the King of Ethiopia sent with them a deputation of leading scholars and missionaries from among his co-religionists to present his compliments before the Holy Prophet ﷺ . This group was comprised of seventy persons, out of which, there were sixty from Ethiopia itself, and eight from Syria. The Visit of Ethiopian Delegation Attired in the coarse robes of monks, this deputation presented itself before the Holy Prophet ﷺ . He recited Surah Yasin before them. As they heard it, tears kept flowing from their eyes. They all said how similar that was to what was revealed to Sayyidna 'Isa (علیہ السلام) . All of them embraced Islam. After their return to Ethiopia, King Najashi also embraced Islam. He sent his son as the leader of another deputation to the Holy Prophet ﷺ ، with a letter from him. Unfortunately, the boat carrying them was drowned in the sea. In short, the King of Ethiopia, its officials and citizens did not only treat Islam and Muslims gently, fairly and justly, but they themselves embraced Islam finally. According to the majority of commentators, the verses cited above were revealed about these blessed souls: وَلَتَجِدَنَّ أَقْرَ‌بَهُم مَّوَدَّةً لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ قَالُوا إِنَّا نَصَارَ‌ىٰ And you will certainly find that the closest of them in friend-ship with the believers are those who say, "We are Christians." And about the verses which follow, and in which their weeping in fear of Allah and their acceptance of the truth has been described, the majority of commentators also agree that - though these verses have been revealed about Najashi and the deputation sent by him - yet, its words are general. Therefore, its legal force covers and includes all such Christians who are devoted to truth and justice similar to the people of Ethiopia. That is, they were followers of the Injil before Is-lam, and after the coming of Islam, they became followers of Islam. Though, there were some people of this class even among Jews who adhered to the Torah since the period of Sayyidna Musa (علیہ السلام) ، but when came Islam, they entered the fold of Islam. However, the number of such people was so small that it cannot be considered significant in the context of communities and nations. As for the rest of the Jews, they were the foremost in their hostility towards Muslims. Therefore, their attitude was identified at the very beginning of the verse by saying: لَتَجِدَنَّ أَشَدَّ النَّاسِ عَدَاوَةً لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الْيَهُودَ You will certainly find that the most hostile people against the believers are the Jews ... Limits of Interpretation To recapitulate, it can be said that a particular group of the Christians has been praised in this verse, a group which was God-fearing and upright in matters of truth. It includes King Najashi, his officials and citizens - as well as other Christians who had these qualities, or would have in times to come. But, it does not mean - neither based on what the text says, nor could it possibly be - that the Christians have to be taken as friends of Muslims, no matter how astray they go and how aggressive in their anti Islam hostility they become, and yet Muslims will have to extend their hand of friendship towards them. This interpretation, as obvious, is false and is absolutely against facts. Therefore, Imam Abu Bakr Al-Jassas (رح) has said in his Ahkam al-Qur'an: that the thinking of some people who take the praise of Christians in this verse in an absolute sense and consider them better than the Jews, again in an absolute sense, is open ignorance - because a comparison of the religious beliefs of the two groups will show that the Christians are more pronounced in being Mushriks (as ascribers of partners in the divinity of Allah); and as for their dealings with Muslims are concerned, common modern-day Christians have not been any less than Jews in their anti-Islam activities. However, it is correct that there have been a good many God-fearing and truth-loving. people among them. That is why they had the Taufiq to accept Islam and be-come Muslims. It must be kept in mind that these verses were revealed to show this particular difference between the two groups. The Qur'an has itself pointed out to this fact at the end of this very verse (82) in the following words: ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ مِنْهُمْ قِسِّيسِينَ وَرُ‌هْبَانًا وَأَنَّهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُ‌ونَ "That is because among them there are priests and monks and because they are not arrogant (which could make them unwilling to listen and think)." Comparison makes it clear that this was not the condition of Jews. They were not God-fearing and truth-loving. Their scholars and rabbis were far removed from renouncing the material pleasures of mortal life for the sake of knowledge and religion, instead of which, they had harnessed their knowledge and learning as a source of accumulating material benefits. This lust for the mundane had gripped them to the extent that they did not care to make a distinction between the true and the false or the lawful and the unlawful. Those who side with Truth are the moving spirit of a community The statement given in the verse also tells us something crucial about the life of a community or nation (of true believers) - , that its `.Ulama' and Mashaikh are its real movers and makers, the very spirit of the system. Until such time that there are present in the society (genuine) ` Ulama' and Mashaikh, who would not follow their worldly desires (in matters of Din and public good of Believers) motivated by nothing but the fear of Allah and answerability before Him, then, the community or nation in which they are shall never be deprived of real good and real blessing.

(When they listen to that which hath been revealed unto the messenger) when they hear Ja'far Ibn Abi Talib's recitation of what has been revealed to the messenger, (thou seest their eyes overflow with tears because of their recognition of the Truth) their recognition of the traits and description of Muhammad (pbuh) in their Scripture. (They say: Our Lord) O our Lord, (we believe) in You, in Your Book and in Your Messenger Muhammad. (Inscribe us as among the witnesses) make us of the Community of Muhammad (pbuh) who believe.

And when they hear what has been revealed to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflow with tears because of the truth that they recognise�[Sahl] said:These were the priests and monks from whom people would seek blessings and anointment due to their knowledge of the religion. They came to the Prophet , and the Qurʾān was recited for them. They were deeply moved by it so that their eyes overflowed [with tears], and they were not haughty, due to God�s protecting them from pride. Subsequently, they entered His religion because of the knowledge of God which He had deposited within them.Then he said:The corruption of religion is in three things: when kings commit excess[es] and [follow] their lusts; when the scholars issue rulings based on concessions; and when the Qurʾān reciters worshipwithout knowledge. Truly, people need the learned (ʿulamāʾ) for their life in this world and the Hereafter. Indeed, it was related by Jābir b. ʿAbd Allāh from the Prophet that he said: �The people of Paradise need the learned just as much as the people need them in this world. They visit their Lord every Friday and it is said to them: �Desire anything you want�, after which they head for the scholars, who tell them, �Desire such and such a thing�, so they desire that thing.� His words: