The Holy Quran, akin to an inexhaustible ocean, encompasses profound meanings and multiple layers of epistemological depth. Surah Al-Ma'idah, with verses addressing the discourse between the Apostles and Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) and their request for a heavenly table spread, constitutes one of these treasure troves of wisdom. It vividly displays the gradations of faith, human doubts, and the subtlety of the Prophets speech. This treatise, through an in-depth examination of verses 111 and 112 of Surah Al-Ma'idah, elucidates the status of the Apostles, the distinctions in their faith compared to the divinely guided Imams, and the hardships of the Prophetic mission. Presented in an eloquent and dignified style, it renders these concepts accessible to an audience deeply interested in Quranic knowledge. This work strives, while preserving all details of the lectures and offered analyses, to shed light on the complexities of human faith and the grandeur of the Divine mission.
The Infallible Imams (peace be upon them), like shining stars in the firmament of guidance, possess perfect completeness and a direct connection to the unseen realm. These venerable individuals reside at a sublime level of faith, characterised by absolute certainty and entirely free from doubt or suspicion. They engage in supernatural acts and remain immune to any scepticism or demands for material proofs. These attributes distinguish the exalted station of the Imams (peace be upon them) from other companions of the Prophets.
The Apostles, companions of Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him), in contrast to the Infallible Imams (peace be upon them), occupied a lower echelon of faith. Their belief was intermittently accompanied by hesitation and reliance upon material signs. This group, identified in the Holy Quran as the followers of Jesus (peace be upon him), suffered from superficiality and a dependence on tangible evidence. Comparing the Apostles with the Imams (peace be upon them) is incorrect and misleading due to the disparities in levels of perfection and certainty.
وَإِذْ أَوْحَيْتُ إِلَى الْحَوَارِيِّينَ أَنْ آمِنُوا بِي وَبِرَسُولِي قَالُوا آمَنَّا وَاشْهَدْ بِأَنَّنَا مُسْلِمُونَ
"And when I inspired the Apostles, Believe in Me and in My Messenger, they said, We have believed; bear witness that we are Muslims."
This verse depicts the moment when the Apostles, responding to Divine revelation, profess their faith and beseech God to bear witness to their submission. This claim ostensibly indicates steadfast faith; however, subsequent verses reveal the latent weaknesses within their belief. The request for Gods testimony serves as a mirror reflecting their superficial claim of faith but does not conceal their inner doubts.
إِذْ قَالَ الْحَوَارِيُّونَ يَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ هَلْ يَسْتَطِيعُ رَبُّكَ أَنْ يُنَزِّلَ عَلَيْنَا مَائِدَةً مِنَ السَّمَاءِ ۖ قَالَ اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُؤْمِنِينَ
"And when the Apostles said, O Jesus, Son of Mary, can your Lord send down upon us a table spread from heaven? He said, Fear God, if you are indeed believers."
In this verse, the Apostles direct a questioning filled with doubt to Jesus (peace be upon him), asking if his Lord can send down a table spread from the heavens. The use of the expression "رَبُّكَ" (your Lord) instead of "رَبُّنَا" (our Lord) acts as a key unveiling the spiritual distance between the Apostles and God. This question not only exposes their scepticism regarding Divine power but also signifies their dependence on Jesus (peace be upon him) as an intermediary between themselves and God.
Jesus (peace be upon him), responding to this inquiry, invites the Apostles to piety and, by emphasising the conditional phrase "if you are believers", summons them to re-examine their faith. This reply, like a gentle breeze, endeavours to disperse the dust of doubt from the Apostles hearts and steer them toward a deeper faith.
Despite Jesus (peace be upon him) prohibition, the Apostles persist in their request, saying, "We desire to eat thereof and that our hearts may be assured and that we may know that you have spoken the truth to us and that we may be among its witnesses." This request, akin to a river springing from material needs, demonstrates the Apostles attachment to tangible signs and bodily motives.
The Apostles sought the Table Spread not merely as a fulfilment of physical need but also as a festival for themselves and future generations: "It shall be a festival for us, for the first and the last of us." This desire, resembling a wish for a lasting sign, aimed to manifest Divine power, but was rooted in their deficient faith that relied on material evidences rather than spiritual elevation.
اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا أَنْزِلْ عَلَيْنَا مَائِدَةً مِنَ السَّمَاءِ تَكُونَ لَنَا عِيدًا لِأَوَّلِنَا وَآخِرِنَا وَآيَةً مِنْكَ وَارْزُقْنَا وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الرَّازِقِينَ
"O Allah, our Lord, send down to us a table spread from heaven that it may be a festival for us, for the first and the last of us, and a sign from You; and provide for us, for You are the best of providers."
In response to the Apostles insistence, Jesus (peace be upon him), with a tone both gentle and respectful, supplicates. This prayer, like a flower blossoming in the garden of Divine submission, signifies Jesus (peace be upon him) humility and complete faith. The phrase "best of providers" underscores Divine providence and affirms that God alone is the true Provider.
The phrase "best of providers" in Jesus (peace be upon him) prayer signifies the supreme Provider, yet in reality, God alone is the sole true Provider. Heavenly sustenance, like rain descending from the sky, distinguishes itself from earthly provision by virtue of its Divine origin and effortless bestowal. This distinction highlights the significance of Divine signs and their relation to Gods limitless power.
The Apostles request for a Table Spread from heaven sought a sign to tangibly demonstrate Divine power. Although seemingly a manifestation of faith, it was fundamentally rooted in doubt and a need for material evidence.
Due to the Apostles weak faith, Jesus (peace be upon him) bore a heavy burden. Comparing the difficulties experienced by the Prophets, such as Jesus (peace be upon him), Moses (peace be upon him), Joseph (peace be upon him), and the Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings be upon him), reveals the severity of the Divine missions trials. The Quran states in Surah Al-Hijr, verse 52, quoting the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "No prophet was ever afflicted as I have been." This verse indicates the intensity of the Prophets (peace and blessings be upon him) sufferings, yet judging the comparative hardships of the Prophets is a complex matter, reliant on the unseen and left to Gods judgement.
The Apostles faith, dependent on material signs, ranks lower than the faith of the Prophets and the divinely guided saints. The Prophets, like lofty summits of faith, were praisers and worshippers, independent of material concerns. Conversely, the Apostles request for the Table Spread revealed a faith intertwined with bodily needs and perceptible signs.
The Holy Quran, in Surah An-Nur, verses 11 to 20, defends Aisha (may God be pleased with her) and rejects the accusations made against her. These verses, like a light dispelling the darkness of doubts, affirm Aishas chastity. As the wife of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), she held a distinguished status and, at the moment of death, laid her head upon the Prophets grave, demonstrating her love and devotion to the Messenger of God. The allegations against her stemmed from sectarian prejudices and are far removed from reality.
Sectarian prejudices among religious groups, akin to dust upon the mirror of truth, impede a proper understanding of history and religious figures. These biases have occasionally led to the distortion of history and the discrediting of eminent personalities such as Aisha. The Holy Quran, emphasising "Islam is peace", invites all to return to the essence of religion and avoid sectarian disputes.
