SURAH AL-IMRAN (AYAH 41 to 50)

قَالَ رَبِّ اجْعَلْ لِي آيَةً ۖ قَالَ آيَتُكَ أَلَّا تُكَلِّمَ النَّاسَ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ إِلَّا رَمْزًا ۗ وَاذْكُرْ رَبَّكَ كَثِيرًا وَسَبِّحْ بِالْعَشِيِّ وَالْإِبْكَارِ {3:41}

[Q3:41] Qaala Rabbij 'al leee Aayatan qaala Aaayatuka allaa tukalliman naasa salaasata ayyaamin illa ramzaa; wazkur Rabbaka kaseeranw wa sabbih bil'ashiyyi wal ibkaar.

[Q3:41] He said: My Lord! Appoint a sign for me. Said He: Your sign is that you should not speak to men for three days except by signs; and remember your Lord much and glorify Him in the evening and the morning.

[Q3:41] Nabi Zakaria berkata lagi: Wahai Tuhanku! Jadikanlah bagiku satu tanda (yang menunjukkan isteriku mengandung). ALLAH (SwT) berfirman: Tandamu itu ialah engkau tidak akan dapat berkata-kata dengan orang ramai selama tiga hari (tiga malam) melainkan dengan isyarat sahaja dan ingatlah kepada Tuhanmu (dengan berzikir) banyak-banyak dan bertasbihlah memuji ALLAH (SwT) (dengan mengerjakan sembahyang), pada waktu malam dan pada waktu pagi. 

Owing to his curiosity to know as to when a son will be born in spite of their natural disability, Zakariyya had asked the Lord to appoint a sign for him. "You will not speak to men for three days" was the sign given to him.

§  "You will lose your power of speech, and remain silent until the day when these things happen to you." (Luke 1: 20)

The verb tukallima is in a tense which is used for the present and the future. It is wrong to translate la tukallima as "you should not speak." "You will not speak" is the true translation.

©  In reply to Zakariyya's request for a sign which could let him know that his wife was blessed with a child, the almighty Lord gave him the sign that he would not be able to talk to the people whilst being fully occupied with remembrance and praise and glorification of ALLAH (SWT), day and night. THE COMMAND WAS TO REMEMBER ALLAH (SWT) AND GLORIFY HIM ALL THE TIME.

SO IT WAS OBVIOUS that a prophet of ALLAH (SWT), while carrying out his Lord's command, would not find time to speak to the people at all, otherwise there was no restriction on uttering words from the mouth. Praise and glorification of ALLAH (SWT) takes man into the pure domain of spiritualism through which he overcomes physical disabilities and obstacles, and obtains grace and blessings of ALLAH (SWT). THE LAWS OF NATURE, KNOWN TO MAN, CAN BE CONTROLLED, MODIFIED OR ALTERED BY THE SPIRITUAL AND DIVINE AGENCY.

£  IT IS SAID THAT through the science of hypnosis the will of the living being can be controlled, then how can one deny the superior power of the spirit which can effect any change in any natural phenomenon?

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(3:41) Zechariah said: 'O my Lord! Appoint a sign for me.' *41 The angel said: 'The sign for you shall be that you shall not speak to men for three days except by gesture. Remember your Lord and extol His glory by night and by day.' *42

*41. Here the request is made for some specific sign to be given by means of which Zechariah would come to know in advance when the unusual incident of the birth of a child to a couple, where the male was old and the female both old and barren, would take place.
*42. The real purpose of this discourse is to disclose to the Christians the error of their belief in Jesus as God and as the son of God. The subject is introduced by mentioning the birth of John (peace be on him), anothermiraculous birth which had taken place only six months before the birth of the Messiah (peace be on him) and among his own relatives. God wants to make the Christians ask themselves why the miraculous birth of Jesus should make him God when the similarly miraculous birth of John did not make him so. 

SECTION 4

The glad tidings about the Birth of Jesus

Mary given the glad tidings of a son---The miraculous birth of Jesu and his speaking while still in infant in the cradle---His ministry.

وَإِذْ قَالَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ يَا مَرْيَمُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفَاكِ وَطَهَّرَكِ وَاصْطَفَاكِ عَلَىٰ نِسَاءِ الْعَالَمِينَ {3:42}

[Q3:42] Wa iz qaalatil malaaa'ikatu yaa Ya Maryamu innal laahas tafaaki wa tahharaki wastafaaki 'alaa nisaaa'il 'aalameen.

[Q3:42] And when the angels said: O Marium! Surely ALLAH (SWT) has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of of the world.

[Q3:42] Dan (ingatlah wahai Muhammad) ketika malaikat berkata: Wahai Mariam! Sesungguhnya ALLAH (SwT) telah memilihmu dan mensucikanmu dan telah memilihmu (beroleh kemuliaan) melebihi perempuan-perempuan seluruh alam (yang sezaman denganmu).

THE POSITION OF BIBI FATIMAH AS THE SUPERIOR-MOST WOMAN IN THE UNIVERSE HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED BY ALL THE MUSLIM SCHOLARS (please refer to Mishkat al Masabih bab al manaqib).

v  The *first istafaki (selection of Maryam) refers to her apostolical lineage (in the seed of Ibrahim) and her purification. The *second istafaki refers to the fact that she was chosen to become the mother of a prophet without a father, remaining a virgin therefore, up to her time AND till the advent of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad), she was the best of the women in the worlds.

The Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) has declared that Bibi Fatimah is the chief of the women in the universe; (BECAUSE)

1. Bibi Fatimah was the daughter of the superior most prophet of ALLAH (SWT), the seal of prophethood; and

2. The wife of an Imam who alone has the unique distinction of, "Ali's flesh is my flesh, Ali's blood in my blood, and I and he are from the same divine light" (saying of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad), and

3. The mother of eleven holy Imams and through her last son the divine will and justice shall prevail on the earth, and the son of Maryam, Isa, shall follow him. Through verse 33:33 of Al Ahzab, she, Ali and their sons have been thoroughly purified.

THEREFORE, (as the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) has declared) Maryam was chosen and her status remained so till his daughter Fatimah was born and thereafter Fatimah is the most blessed, thoroughly purified, and the choicest woman:

ä  THE BEST OF ALL THE WOMEN IN THE UNIVERSE FROM BEGINNING TO THE END, IN ALL AGES, AMONG WHOM ARE INCLUDED ASIYAH, MARYAM, AND KHADIJAH AL KUBRAH.

ON ACCOUNT OF THE CHARGES LEVELLED AGAINST MARYAM BY THE JEWS, her status has been made clear in this verse, but in view of her thorough purification in verse 33:33 of al Ahzab and the declaration of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad), whose spoken words are as absolute and true as the word of ALLAH (SWT) in the light of verses 53:2 and 3 of al Najm, no one could, and did not, question the character and the status of Bibi Fatimah; THEREFORE, there was no need to mention her, as no ambiguity or slander ever existed concerning her sublime character. The Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad)'s words are enough to establish her as the superior most woman among all the women in the universe for all times.

Ì  Muhammad Iqbal, known as the philosopher- poet of the east, accepted as a scholar of great depth and vision by all the Muslims, has given his opinion about Fatimah Zahra in the light of the historical facts mentioned in the books of Islamic history. He says:

Maryam, of one connection with Isa, is venerable; (but) for three relationships Fatimah is revered, respected and glorified; she is the light of the eyes (dearest darling daughter) of the "mercy unto the worlds", the leader of those who have gone by and of those who will come; she is the wife of he who wears the crown of Hal-Ata (Surah al Dahr), the chosen, the divine helper, the fearless overpowering strength of ALLAH (SWT); she is the mother of the axis of the circle of love and devotion, the leader-in-chief of the caravan of lovers and devotees (Hasan and Husayn).

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(3:42) Then came the time when the angels said: 'O Mary! Behold, Allah has chosen you, and made you pure, and exalted you above all the women in the world.

يَا مَرْيَمُ اقْنُتِي لِرَبِّكِ وَاسْجُدِي وَارْكَعِي مَعَ الرَّاكِعِينَ {3:43}

[Q3:43] Yaa Maryamuq nutee li Rabbiki wasjudee warka'ee ma'ar raaki'een.

[Q3:43] O Marium! Keep to obedience to your Lord and humble yourself, and bow down with those who bow.

[Q3:43] Wahai Mariam! Taatlah kepada Tuhanmu dan sujudlah serta rukuklah (mengerjakan sembahyang) bersama-sama orang-orang yang rukuk. 

MARYAM IS NEITHER A *GODDESS NOR A *MOTHER-GOD. She is a created being AND as such she has been asked to pray like all true and devout servants of ALLAH (SWT).

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(3:43) O Mary! Remain devout to your Lord, and prostrate yourself in worship, and bow with those who bow (before Him).'

ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ أَنْبَاءِ الْغَيْبِ نُوحِيهِ إِلَيْكَ ۚ وَمَا كُنْتَ لَدَيْهِمْ إِذْ يُلْقُونَ أَقْلَامَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ يَكْفُلُ مَرْيَمَ وَمَا كُنْتَ لَدَيْهِمْ إِذْ يَخْتَصِمُونَ{3:44}

[Q3:44]  Zaalika min ambaaa'il ghaibi nooheehi ilaik; wa maa kunta ladaihim iz yulqoona aqlaamahum ayyuhum yakfulu Maryama wa maa kunta ladaihim iz yakhtasimoon.
[Q3:44] This is of the announcements relating to the unseen which We reveal to you; and you were not with them when they cast their pens (to decide) which of them should have Marium in his charge, and you were not with them when they contended one with another.

[Q3:44] Peristiwa yang demikian ialah sebahagian dari berita-berita ghaib yang Kami wahyukan kepadamu (wahai Muhammad), sedang engkau tidak ada bersama-sama mereka ketika mereka mencampakkan qalam masing-masing (untuk mengundi) siapakah di antara mereka yang akan memelihara Mariam dan engkau juga (wahai Muhammad) tidak ada bersama-sama mereka ketika mereka berkelahi (tentang perkara menjaga dan memelihara Mariam).

Ghayb means unseen, mystic, spiritual, unknown, or unknowable through the corrupted extracts of the books in the hands of the Jews and the Christians. THE KNOWLEDGE OF ALL THINGS AND EVENTS THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHUMA SALI ALA MUHAMMAD WA ALA ALI MUHAMMAD) HAD WAS REVEALED TO HIM BY ALLAH (SWT) ALONE as has been said in al Najm: “Nor he speaks of (his own) desire; it is naught save a revelation revealed (to him).” There was no means of knowing the dispute among the priests of the sanctuary as to who should have Maryam in his charge (because the accurate records of these events have been obliterated altogether) except by revelation. The Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) knew about the casting of lots to select Zakariyya to take charge of Maryam, as if he was there when this event took place.

Ø  Imam Muhammad bin Ali al Baqir has related that Abd al Muttalib, the grandfather of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad), had nine sons, and he had vowed that if a (tenth) son was born he would sacrifice him in the name of ALLAH (SWT). Then Abdullah, the father of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad), was born, and to fulfil his vow he made preparations to sacrifice him in the name of ALLAH (SWT), BUT his friends and relatives requested him to ascertain if camels could be sacrificed in Abdullah's place, by casting lots, as was done to select Zakariyya to take charge of Maryam.

      In the first casting of lots (ten camels against the life of Abdullah) the name of Abdullah appeared. The casting of lots was repeated eight times by adding 10 more camels every time, and on all occasions it was Abdullah who was selected, but at the tenth time, with 100 camels, the casting of lots chose the sacrifice of 100 camels in place of Abdullah. Abd al Muttalib repeated the casting of lots with 100 camels thrice and received the same answer. Then he was satisfied that ALLAH (SWT) wanted to spare the life of Abdullah (the father of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad).

     The Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) used to say: "I am the sons of two sacrifices-Ismail and Abdullah."

The prophets of ALLAH (SWT) did not know [1] the unseen, [2] the unknown, or [3] the unknowable through ordinary means, UNLESS the knowledge of the ghayb (the knowledge of the past, right from the beginning of creation and the events of the future which would take place in this world and in the hereafter) was revealed to them as much as ALLAH (SWT)  wills; THEREFORE it is stated in this verse that ALLAH (SWT) informs the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) about the ghayb through revelation to know not only that which was unknowable through ordinary means BUT ALSO that which was knowable through regular media.

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(3:44) (O Muhammad!) We reveal to you this account from a realm which lies beyond the reach of your perception for you were not with them when they drew lots with their pens about who should be Mary's guardian, *43 and you were not with them when they disputed about it.

*43. They drew lots to decide who should be the guardian of Mary, whose mother had consecrated her to the service of God in the Temple. Since she was a girl, it was a delicate matter as to who from among the priests of the Temple would be the appropriate person to take care of her. 

إِذْ قَالَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ يَا مَرْيَمُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكِ بِكَلِمَةٍ مِنْهُ اسْمُهُ الْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ وَجِيهًا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ وَمِنَ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ {3:45}

[Q3:45] Iz qaalatil malaaa'ikatu yaa Maryamu innal laaha yubashshiruki bi Kalimatim minhus muhul Maseeh u 'Eesab nu Maryama wajeehan fid dunyaa wal Aakhirati wa minal muqarrabeen.

[Q3:45] When the angels said: O Marium, surely ALLAH (SWT) gives you good news with a Word from Him (of one) whose name is the 'Messiah, Isa son of Marium, worthy of regard in this world and the hereafter and of those who are made near (to ALLAH (SWT).

[Q3:45] (Ingatlah) ketika malaikat berkata: Wahai Mariam! Bahawasanya ALLAH (SwT) memberikan khabar yang menggembirakanmu, dengan (mengurniakan seorang anak yang engkau akan kandungkan semata-mata dengan) Kalimah daripada ALLAH (SwT), nama anak itu: Al-Masih, Isa Ibni Mariam, seorang yang terkemuka di dunia dan di akhirat dan dia juga dari orang-orang yang didampingkan (diberi kemuliaan di sisi ALLAH (SwT)).

For kalimah see commentary of verse 39 of this surah. Masih literally means the "anointed".

ALLAH (SWT) refers to Isa as the son of Maryam, BECAUSE [*] she gave birth to him without a male partner by [*] keeping her virginity intact.

The Ahmadi commentator interprets al masih as he who travels much, just because in his opinion Isa, after escaping crucifixion, came to Kashmir. Further, to deny the miraculous birth of Isa, he finds a father for him, totally ignoring the clear mention of "Isa son of Maryam" as mentioned in this verse and the miraculous birth of Adam and Hawwa without parents, since he wants to bring down the chosen prophets of ALLAH (SWT) to the ordinary level of the man whom he (the Ahmadi translator) proclaims as the Messiah. It seems that the deniers of miracles and supernatural powers, one day, will find a father for ALLAH (SWT) also, in order to reject the wajib al wujud

Minal muqarrabin (to be brought nearest to ALLAH (SWT) in the light of verses 56:10 to 14 of al Waqi-ah, are those who are [1] foremost in faith, [2] virtue and receiving rewards –

[*] they are numerous among the followers of the prophets prior to the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad), BUT

[*] a few among his followers.

ß  The few righteous among the followers of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) are only his awsiya, the Ahlul Bayt.

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(3:45) And when the angels said: 'O Mary! Allah gives you the glad tidings of a command from Him: his name shall be Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary. He shall be highly honoured in this world and in the Next, and shall be one of those near stationed to Allah.

وَيُكَلِّمُ النَّاسَ فِي الْمَهْدِ وَكَهْلًا وَمِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ {3:46}

[Q3:46] Wa yukallimun naasa filmahdi wa kahlanw wa minassaaliheen.
[Q3:46] And he shall speak to the people when in the cradle and when of old age, and (he shall be) one of the good ones.

[Q3:46] Dan dia akan berkata-kata kepada orang ramai semasa dia masih kecil dalam buaian, dan semasa dia dewasa dan dia adalah dari orang-orang yang soleh.

This verse makes it clear THAT ISA SHALL SPEAK TO PEOPLE FROM THE CRADLE in the same style and manner, containing the same substance and content, which he will convey to them in his mature age.

If it is wrongly presumed that as a child in the cradle he will speak to people like an ordinary child, not conveying the message of ALLAH (SWT), the information ALLAH (SWT) gives to Maryam becomes unnecessary, because there is no sense in recording this fact, if it means nothing more than the "ordinary experience of every child who is not dumb".

"And in maturity" confirms that what he will speak to people in maturity, which undoubtedly was the revealed message of ALLAH (SWT) to be conveyed to mankind as a messenger of ALLAH (SWT), he will speak and make known even as a child in the cradle. IT IS A MIRACLE.

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(3:46) And he shall speak to men in the cradle and also later when he grows to maturity and shall indeed be among the righteous.'

قَالَتْ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِي وَلَدٌ وَلَمْ يَمْسَسْنِي بَشَرٌ ۖ قَالَ كَذَٰلِكِ اللَّهُ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَاءُ ۚ إِذَا قَضَىٰ أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ كُنْ فَيَكُونُ{3:47}

[Q3:47] Qaalat Rabbi annaa yakoonu ee waladunw wa lam yamsasnee basharun qaala kazaalikil laahu yakhluqu maa yashaaa'; izaa qadaaa amran fa innamaa yaqoolu lahoo kun fayakoon.

[Q3:47] She said: My Lord! When shall there be a son (born) to me, and man has not touched me? He said: Even so, ALLAH (SWT) creates what He pleases; when He has decreed a matter, He only says to it, Be, and it is.

[Q3:47] Mariam berkata: Wahai Tuhanku! Bagaimanakah aku akan beroleh seorang anak, padahal aku tidak pernah disentuh oleh seorang lelaki pun? ALLAH (SwT) berfirman; Demikianlah keadaannya, ALLAH (SwT) menjadikan apa yang dikehendakiNya; apabila Ia berkehendak melaksanakan sesuatu perkara, maka Dia hanyalah berfirman kepadanya: Jadilah engkau, lalu menjadilah ia. 

Anna means "how", used by Maryam to express her surprise or curiosity as Zakariyya did in verse 40 of this surah. There is no room for translating anna as "when" in both the events. 

Lam yamsasni basharun (when no man has touched me) clearly shows that the news of the forthcoming birth of Isa was given to Maryam in her state of virginity, which was going to take place without the agency of a male partner, suspending the natural process necessary for a woman to conceive a child.

1.        By stating that Maryam was not a virgin he belies verses 42, 45, 46 and 47 of this surah and verses 19:17 to 22 of Maryam wherein it is clearly mentioned that Isa was a gift from ALLAH (SWT) given to Maryam when she, surprised, asks the angel: "How can there be a son (born) to me when no man has touched me?" In between the lines the Ahmadi commentator has tried to tell the Muslims that the reporting of the Qur’an is incredible, therefore, false, and Maryam's statement (lam yamsasni basharun) is a lie, which has not been exposed in the Qur’an because ALLAH (SWT) does not know what she had been doing secretly.

2.        The reasons for this mischief-making has been given in the commentary of the preceding verses 45 and 46.

ONE OF THE REASONS for revealing these verses was to counter and squash doubts and misgivings that people may have and express so as not to believe in the possibility of the birth of a child (Isa) to a virgin female (Maryam) without a male partner, OTHERWISE IF Isa was to be born in the ordinary course of nature, there should have been no necessity to mention these events at all.

THE RELIGION OF ALLAH (SWT), ISLAM, emphatically states that Maryam, the mother of Isa, was a virgin. She did not have any kind of sexual relation with any man before or after the birth of Isa and remained a virgin in the strict sense of the word till she departed from this world, as has been mentioned in verse 66:12 of al Tahrim

±  THAT MARYAM, THE DAUGHTER OF IMRAN, GUARDED HER CHASTITY, AND ALLAH (SWT) BREATHED INTO HER HIS SPIRIT (ISA), AND SHE WAS AN OBEDIENT SERVANT OF ALLAH (SWT), AND SHE TESTIFIED THE TRUTH OF THE WORDS OF HER LORD-SHE NEITHER LIED NOR KEPT ANYTHING HIDDEN, BECAUSE, AS ALLAH (SWT) SAYS, SHE WAS TRUTHFUL.

Kadhalikallahu yakhlaqu ma yasha (even so ALLAH (SWT) creates whatsoever He wills) refers to the process of creation in which the principal active factor is His will or command -Ali ibne Abi Talib has said that kun (be) is not a sound or voice which the ear receives and hears, but ALLAH (SWT)'s word is His work which takes effect at once whenever He wills.

IN THIS SENSE EVERY CREATURE IS THE RESULT OF HIS CREATIVE WORD OR THE MANIFESTATION OF THE IMPERATIVE WORD KUN (BE); THEREFORE, EVERY CREATURE IS THE WORD OF ALLAH (SWT). The obvious inequality in the creatures is due to the variance in presentation of His notion and attributes by each creature.

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(3:47) She said: 'O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has ever touched me?' The angel answered: Thus shall it be. *44Allah creates whatever He wills. When He decides something, He merely says: "Be" and it is.

*44. Thus it was affirmed that a child would be born to Mary despite the fact that no man had touched her. The angel's answer mentioned here, 'Thus shall it be', was exactly the same as the response given to Zechariah. Both the following sentences and the preceding section support the view that the angel had conveyed to Mary the glad tidings that a son would be born to her without normal sexual contact, and it was thus that Jesus was born. For, if Mary's child was to be born to her in the usual manner in which children are born to women, and if the birth of Jesus did take place in the normal way, the entire narrative from verse 35 of this surah to verse 63 would have to be declared absurd.
Indeed, one would be forced to treat as meaningless all those statements about the birth of Jesus which are found scattered elsewhere in the Qur'an. The Christians had begun to regard Jesus as God and the son of God because of this fatherless birth. The Jews, in turn, cast aspersions on Mary's chastity on the grounds that she had given birth to a child despite being unmarried. If the fatherless birth of Jesus was itself false, it would have been sufficient to tell the Christians that they were indulging in sheer mis-statement, that Mary had indeed been married, that she had a legitimate husband, and that it was as a result of that wedlock that Jesus was born. If this fact could have been stated plainly, there would have been no need for long preparatory statements and complicated propositions, and no need to call Jesus the son of Mary instead of naming his father. For far from resolving the issue such statements add to the confusion. Those who believe the Qur'an to be the word or command from God and yet try to prove that the birth of Jesus took place in the normal manner, as a result of union between his father and mother, end up by proving only that God is less capable of clear expression than they are! 

وَيُعَلِّمُهُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَالتَّوْرَاةَ وَالْإِنْجِيلَ {3:48}

[Q3:48] Wa yu'allimuhul Kitaaba wal Hikmata wat Tawraata wal Injeel.
[Q3:48] And He will teach him the Book and the wisdom and the Taurat and the Injeel.

[Q3:48] Dan ALLAH (SwT) akan mengajarnya ilmu menulis dan hukum-hukum aturan agama dan juga kandungan kitab-kitab Taurat dan Injil.

"ALLAH (SWT) taught ISA the book and wisdom, and the Tawrat and the Injil" brings up the question as to when Isa received the education promised in this verse.

µ  In the light of verse 46 of this surah, HE WAS SENT INTO THIS WORLD WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE BOOK AND WISDOM, THE TAWRAT AND THE INJIL.

All the Muslims know and acknowledge that the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad), the seal of prophethood, is the superior-most prophet of ALLAH (SWT), the chief of all the prophets, whose advent has been continuously promised by ALLAH (SWT) long before the birth of Isa -see Deuteronomy 18: 5, 15, 18 and 19 text of which has been mentioned in the commentary of al Baqarah 2:253, wherein is also mentioned that which Isa said about the advent of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) (the comforter, the spirit of truth) John: 14: 16, 17; 15: 26; 16: 7 to 13.

v  IS THERE ANY SENSE IN SAYING THAT THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHUMA SALI ALA MUHAMMAD WA ALA ALI MUHAMMAD) WAS AN ILLITERATE who acquired whatever learning he had from ordinary mortals, WHEN ISA CAME INTO THIS WORLD ENDOWED WITH DIVINE KNOWLEDGE? Please refer to the commentary of al Baqarah 2:78.

v  ALL MUSLIMS SHOULD FEEL ASHAMED TO BELIEVE IN THE LIE THAT THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHUMA SALI ALA MUHAMMAD WA ALA ALI MUHAMMAD) TOOK FRIGHT AT THE SIGHT OF ANGEL JIBRAIL ON THE MOUNTAIN OF HIRA; HE RETURNED HOME SCARED STIFF; HIS WIFE, KHADIJA AL KUBRA, CONSOLED HIM AND TOOK HIM TO WARQA BIN NAWFIL, A CHRISTIAN, WHO INFORMED HIM THAT PROPHETHOOD HAD BEEN BESTOWED ON HIM, BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A DEVIL THAT HE SAW ON THE MOUNTAIN OF HIRA BUT AN ANGEL. May ALLAH (SWT) forgive them for believing in such nonsense which the devil must have invented to lead the so-called Muslims astray. Please refer to verses 55:1 to 4 of al Rahman wherein it is said that ALLAH (SWT), the beneficent, Himself taught the Qur’an to the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad), described as the MAN, the divinely perfected ideal man, to be followed by every man who desires to be a real human being.

**The Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) has said:

“I was a prophet when Adam was yet amidst water and clay.”

The birth of Isa was a miracle. [1.] He lived a godly life, [2.] exposed the hypocrisy and corruption of the Jews, AND [3.] gave the glad tidings of the advent of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad). Please also refer to verses 19:27 to 34 of Maryam which confirm that which has been stated in verses 46 and 48 of this surah.

¥  Isa, a muta-allim (student), was taught the book and wisdom, the Tawrat and the Injil and sent to the children of Israil as a prophet, WHEREAS THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHUMA SALI ALA MUHAMMAD WA ALA ALI MUHAMMAD), ENDOWED WITH THE DIVINE WISDOM, AND KNOWLEDGE OF ALL CREATION, WITH THE QUR’AN, WAS SENT AS THE LAST PROPHET TO ALL THOSE WHO ARE BORN TO WOMEN (UMMI), all the human beings including the Jews, the Christians and those who do not follow any heavenly scripture, to rehearse to them the divine signs, to purify them and to teach them.

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(3:48) And He will teach him the Book, the Wisdom, the Torah, the Gospel,

وَرَسُولًا إِلَىٰ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ أَنِّي قَدْ جِئْتُكُمْ بِآيَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ ۖ أَنِّي أَخْلُقُ لَكُمْ مِنَ الطِّينِ كَهَيْئَةِ الطَّيْرِ فَأَنْفُخُ فِيهِ فَيَكُونُ طَيْرًا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ۖ وَأُبْرِئُ الْأَكْمَهَ وَالْأَبْرَصَ وَأُحْيِي الْمَوْتَىٰ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ۖ وَأُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِمَا تَأْكُلُونَ وَمَا تَدَّخِرُونَ فِي بُيُوتِكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَةً لَكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُؤْمِنِينَ {3:49}

[Q3:49] Wa Rasoolan ilaa Baneee Israaa'eela annee qad ji'tukum bi Aayatim mir Rabbikum annee akhluqu lakum minatteeni kahai 'atittairi fa anfukhu feehi fayakoonu tairam bi iznil laahi wa ubri'ul akmaha wal abrasa wa uhyil mawtaa bi iznil laahi wa unabbi'ukum bimaa taakuloona wa maa taddakhiroona fee buyootikum; inna fee zaalika la Aayatal lakum in kuntum mu'mineen.
[Q3:49] And (make him) a messenger to the children of Israel: That I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, that I determine for you out of dust like the form of a bird, then I breathe into it and it becomes a bird with ALLAH (SWT)'s permission and I heal the blind and the leprous, and bring the dead to life with ALLAH (SWT)'s permission and I inform you of what you should eat and what you should store in your houses; most surely there is a sign in this for you, if you are believers.

[Q3:49] Dan (akan melantiknya) menjadi seorang Rasul kepada Bani Israil, (dengan menegaskan kepada mereka): Sesungguhnya aku telah datang kepada kamu, dengan membawa satu tanda (mukjizat) dari Tuhan kamu, iaitu aku boleh membuat untuk kamu dari tanah liat seperti bentuk burung, kemudian aku tiup padanya lalu menjadilah ia seekor burung (yang hidup) dengan izin ALLAH (SwT) dan juga aku boleh menyembuhkan orang yang buta dan orang yang sopak dan aku boleh menghidupkan kembali orang-orang yang mati dengan izin ALLAH (SwT) dan juga aku boleh memberitahu kepada kamu tentang apa yang kamu makan dan apa yang kamu simpan di rumah kamu. Sesungguhnya perkara-perkara yang demikian itu mengandungi satu tanda (mukjizat) bagi kamu (yang membuktikan kebenaran bahawa aku seorang Rasul yang diutus oleh ALLAH (SwT) kepada kamu), jika kamu orang-orang yang (mahu) beriman.

Isa was sent as "a messenger to the children of Bani Israil". Please refer to Matthew 15: 22 to 26 wherein it is also stated that Isa had declared: "I was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israil, and to them alone".

Ø  As per Matthew 10: 5 and 6, Isa commanded his twelve disciples:

"Do not take the road to gentile lands, and do not enter a Samaritan town; but go to the lost sheep of the house of Israil (to proclaim the message)".

Ø  Modern Christian scholars have to acknowledge the advice of Isa, and his earliest disciples, not to treat his message as universal.

"The earlier group of disciples, it is true, did not appreciate the universality of the teaching of Jesus, nor did Jesus seek converts outside Israil". (Encyclopaedia Britannica 29 volumes 11th edition-London)

A MIRACLE (a credential of prophethood) IS AN EXTRAORDINARY OCCURRENCE WHICH CANNOT BE PRODUCED BY ANY NATURAL AGENCY BUT ONLY BY THE DIRECT WILL OF ALLAH (SWT). It may be either above natural law or contrary to it or else independent of it. Once the existence of a "wajib ul wujud" (ALLAH (SWT) is proved as a fact (see commentary of al Baqarah 2:255) there is no a priori impediment in believing that He can perform whatever He wills in any manner that He deems fit and necessary.

The possibility of miracles can never be questioned by a theist, BECAUSE a miracle is only an exercise of free-will on the part of the creator and author of the creation with all its laws-a fulfilment of His purpose in a way that appears novel to the onlookers (who can never know that which He knows and controls). It does sometimes happen that the public mind is led to the acceptance of the divine truths not by any rational arguments or moral and spiritual evidence but only by the miraculous manifestations of the divine power at the hands of His approved and appointed representatives to generate conviction in men of average intelligence.

So Isa, by ALLAH (SWT)'s permission,

1. Formed of clay, a thing like a bird and breathed in to it (and ALLAH (SWT) made the thing alive),

2. Cured blindness and leprosy,

3. Put life into the dead AND

4. Told the people their most secret affairs.

Matthew 8: 3, 9: 18, 19, 23 to 25, 27 to 30; and Mark 8: 22 to 25; and Luke 7 :12 to 15; Luke 17: 12 to 14; and John 9: 1 to 7, 11:11 to 44 refer to the miracles mentioned in this verse.

As has been said in the commentary of verse 3 of this surah, the four gospels of the New Testament are not the Injil revealed to Isa BUT A COLLECTION OF TRADITIONS pertaining to Isa, referring to his activities in Galilee, Jerusalem and other habitations of the Jews; THEREFORE, it is not free from the bias, pride and prejudice of the writers of the four gospels. The Jews and the Christians were always in a state of hostility. Blasphemies have been invented and false reporting made by both of them to glorify their heroes and discredit other's leaders. So whatever is mentioned in their books of traditions cannot be true, and that which has been omitted cannot be rejected as false. For example,

1. The turning of water into wine for a marriage party by Isa, mentioned as the first miracle of Isa, is, by all standards, a fabricated story; or

2. The way in which Isa is reported to have rebuked his mother: "Woman! What have I to do with you" How can a prophet of ALLAH (SWT) say such words to his mother whom ALLAH (SWT) had chosen and purified?

THE OLD AND THE NEW TESTAMENTS ARE A MIXTURE OF TRUTH AND FALSEHOOD.

THE QUR’AN, THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHUMA SALI ALA MUHAMMAD WA ALA ALI MUHAMMAD) AND HIS HOLY AHLUL BAYT HAVE CORRECTLY PRESENTED ISA AS THE HOLY SPIRIT OF ALLAH (SWT) AND AS AN INFALLIBLE PROPHET OF ALLAH (SWT). (See notes "The Tawrat" and "The Injil" at the end of al Ma-idah).

In the days of Isa the people to whom he was particularly sent (the Jews) could not be effectively convinced with the help of arguments based on reason BECAUSE of their ready inclination to believe in anything which confounded their raw and undeveloped intelligence. FOR EXAMPLE, magic and witchcraft excited their imagination. More often than not, they responded to suggestions made through either of them, THEREFORE, the purpose of the miraculous manifestation of the divine powers at his hands was to make them believe in him and in that which he preached, as the prophet of ALLAH (SWT).

Ø  THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHUMA SALI ALA MUHAMMAD WA ALA ALI MUHAMMAD), IN THEORY AND PRACTICE, WAS ENDOWED WITH THE EXTRAORDINARY POWER TO PERFORM ALL OR ANY OF THE MIRACLES MANIFESTED BY ALL THE PROPHETS, FROM ADAM TO ISA.

The Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) did not have to resort to miracles on account of the following reasons:

(1)     His matchless and ideal character before announcing his ministry - His life in Makka convinced the people, among whom he was sent, that he was trustworthy and truthful; therefore, they used to address him as al-amin and al-sadiq.

(2)     His noble lineage - He was a direct descendant of prophet Ibrahim.

(3)     He had an everlasting miracle with him - the Qur’an.

And if you are in doubt as to that which We have revealed to Our servant (Muhammad), then produce a surah like it; and call on your witnesses besides ALLAH (SWT), if you are truthful.

But if you do not do it and you will never do it, then, safeguard yourselves with full awareness of divine laws from the fire whose fuel is men and stones-prepared for the unbelievers. (Al Baqarah 2:23 and 24)

(4)     The Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad), the last messenger of ALLAH (SWT)  was commissioned to convey the final divine message and to invite the people to worship one ALLAH (SWT), at a time when the human mind was on the threshold of the era of finding out truth through reason and contemplation. The human mind was ready to listen to rational arguments and reflect, think and judge. Awesome and wondrous manifestations, to bring home to people the truth, were a thing of the past.

SO THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHUMA SALI ALA MUHAMMAD WA ALA ALI MUHAMMAD), IN SPITE OF HAVING ALL THE POWERS TO MANIFEST MIRACLES, CALLED MANKIND UNTO THE WAY OF THE LORD WITH ***WISDOM AND ***FAIR EXHORTATION (WORDS OF GOOD ADVICE), AND ***REASONED WITH THE PEOPLE IN THE BEST WAY, AS HAS BEEN ASKED BY THE LORD in verse 16:125 of al Nahl.

As stated in al Baqarah 2:118 (Please refer to its commentary) NOT ONLY the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad), BUT ALSO the divinely chosen Imams had performed miracles, WHENEVER they deemed it necessary AND THOUGHT that it would serve a useful purpose, BUT refused to put them to use as an answer to the challenge of any antagonistic individual or group, who even after witnessing the same would not accept the truth.

***IT IS LOGICAL TO CONCLUDE

v  (after rejecting the concocted insinuation of motivated reporters of the traditions, that the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) was illiterate, an unimaginable defamation of a prophet of ALLAH (SWT), BUT held as true by the majority of his followers, except shias) that when Isa, a follower of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad), sent only to the children of Bani Israil, was taught the book and the wisdom by ALLAH (SWT) Himself, THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHUMA SALI ALA MUHAMMAD WA ALA ALI MUHAMMAD), WHO CAME TO GUIDE AND WARN THE WHOLE MANKIND, IN ALL AGES, MUST HAVE BEEN AND, IN FACT, WAS [1] THOROUGHLY PURIFIED FROM THE DIRT OF IGNORANCE, AND WAS [2] ENDOWED WITH DIVINE WISDOM, AND KNEW NOT ONLY TO [3] READ AND WRITE BUT [4] HAD TOTAL AND COMPLETE KNOWLEDGE OF THE BOOK OF CREATION, THE BOOK OF LEGISLATION AND [5] ALL THE HOLY SCRIPTURES REVEALED TO OTHER PROPHETS BEFORE HIM.

v  THE HOLY QUR’AN, in verses 55:1 to 4 of al Rahman, says that the rahman Himself not only taught the rahmatun lil alamin **the entire process of creation BUT ALSO blessed him with **the faculties of appropriating knowledge and giving expression to that which he was taught, with complete and perfect control.

ALTHOUGH the ultimate agent for giving shape or character to a thing, in the domains of creation and legislation, is the will of ALLAH (SWT), YET His approved intermediaries are also allowed to take action. THEREFORE it was neither blasphemy nor transgressing the limits when Isa said: "I will create a bird, out of clay, for you", or "I will heal the blind and the leper", or "I will raise the dead", BECAUSE HE DID ALL THAT HE SAID BY ALLAH (SWT)'S PERMISSION. On the other hand, it is a blasphemy to belie the person on whom ALLAH (SWT) has bestowed such powers, or to whom He has delegated His authority to act on His behalf.

Ä  According to verse 16:69 of al Nahl there is healing for mankind in that which comes out from the abdomen of the bee (honey). SO, THERE IS NO WONDER, if the soil of Karbala, the resting place of His devotee, Imam Husayn, is used to cure and heal many a disease (known askhaki shifa). What has been given to whom by Him can be found out by referring to authentic sources?

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(3:49) and he will be a Messenger to the Children of Israel.' (And when he came to them he said): 'I have come to you with a sign from your Lord. I will make for you from clay the likeness of a bird and then I will breathe into it and by the leave of Allah it will become a bird. I will also heal the blind and the leper, and by the leave of Allah bring the dead to life. I will also inform you of what things you eat and what you treasure up in your houses. Surely this is a sign for you if you are true believ-ers. *45

*45. It is hinted here that these signs are sufficient proof that Jesus was designated by God, the Creator and Sovereign of the universe, provided people are prepared to accept the truth instead of obstinately clinging to their prejudiced views. This is further proof that Jesus had been entrusted with a mission by God. Had he not been designated by God but by an imposter he would surely have attempted to found an independent religion, exploiting his miracles to lead people away from their original faith. However, Jesus believed in, and confirmed, the validity of the teachings of the original religion which had been preached at God's behest by the earlier Prophets. 

وَمُصَدِّقًا لِمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيَّ مِنَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَلِأُحِلَّ لَكُمْ بَعْضَ الَّذِي حُرِّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ ۚ وَجِئْتُكُمْ بِآيَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ{3:50}

[Q3:50] Wa musaddiqal limaa baina yadaiya minat Tawraati wa liuhilla lakum ba'dal lazee hurrima 'alaikum; wa ji'tukum bi Aayatim mir Rabbikum fattaqul laaha wa atee'oon

[Q3:50] And a verifier of that which is before me of the Taurat and that I may allow you part of that which has been forbidden to you, and I have come to you with a sign from your Lord therefore be careful of (your duty to) ALLAH (SWT) and obey me.

[Q3:50] Dan juga (aku datang kepada kamu ialah untuk) mengesahkan kebenaran Kitab Taurat yang diturunkan dahulu daripadaku dan untuk menghalalkan bagi kamu sebahagian (dari perkara-perkara) yang telah diharamkan kepada kamu dan juga aku datang kepada kamu dengan membawa satu mukjizat dari Tuhan kamu. Oleh itu bertakwalah kamu kepada ALLAH (SwT) dan taatlah kepadaku. 

ISA HAD NO NEW MESSAGE. [1] He confirmed that which had been conveyed by Musa. [2] He preached the unity of ALLAH (SWT), not trinity. See James 2: 19; John 20: 17; Timothy (1) 2: 5; Jude 25.

r  According to verse 50 of this Surah, Isa had the authority to repeal or amend the laws of Musa, THEREFORE, **he cancelled some of the laws of Tawrat, BUT, in the New Testament, a saying of Isa is reported that: mountains may move but not a word from the Tawrat will be removed.

THE QUR’AN PRESENTS ISA AS A LAW-GIVER PROPHET. He asks people to obey him and follow his orders in addition to the testament that they already had. HE ALSO ASKS them to adhere to the right path which implies that adherence is not following a particular legislation BUT STRICT compliance with all the laws issued by ALLAH (SWT).

Ì  WHOEVER obeys the laws laid down by the succeeding prophets, IN FACT, carries out the orders of the preceding prophets, BUT IF one only gives allegiance to the previous prophets AND REJECTS the orders of those prophets who came after, IN REALITY, renounces all the prophets?

THIS APPLIES ALSO TO THE COMMANDMENTS OF ALLAH (SWT). IF ONE obeys Him throughout his life BUT revolts in the last moments of his life, he will be cursed, as Iblis (Shaytan) was condemned for ever. ON THE OTHER HAND, if one surrenders to Him in obedience and sincerely in the dying hours of his life, his past sins may be forgiven.

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(3:50) And I have come to confirm the truth of whatever there still remains of the Torah, *46 and to make lawful to you some of the things which had been forbidden to you. *47 have come to you with a sign from your Lord; so have fear of Allah and obey me.

*46. The fact that Jesus preached the same religion as that expounded earlier by Moses and the other Prophets is also borne out by the statements of the existing Gospels: According to Matthew, in his Sermon on the Mount the Messiah categorically declared: 'Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them' (Matthew 5: 17). And when a Jewish lawyer enquired: 'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?', Jesus replied: 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. And a second is like it, you shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments depends the law and the prophets' (ibid., 22: 37-40). He also instructed his disciples: The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, so practise and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practise' (ibid., 23: 2-3).
*47. What Jesus wanted to impress upon them was that he would abolish the prohibitive innovations which had infiltrated the original Divine Law (Shari'ah}. These were the results of the superstitions of their ignorant commoners, the legal hair-splitting of their lawyers, the extremism of their world-renouncing pietists, and the ascendancy and predominance of non-Muslim peoples over them. In determining what is lawful and unlawful, Jesus would be guided by the injunctions of God and not by the inventions of human beings.