the Lectures of Nokounam, May His Secret Be Sanctified (Session 1142)
Surah Al-Ma'idah, like a shining gem among the chapters of the Holy Quran, with a structured and lawful composition and profound message, elucidates matters of Divine Unity (Tawd), Prophethood, and the confrontation of the Prophets with the challenges of their nations. The concluding verses of this Surah, particularly verses 111 to 121, focusing on Jesus (peace be upon him), the disciples, and the Divine discourse, present lessons of wisdom, submission, and Divine mercy. This treatise endeavours, with a clear and dignified language, to convey the meanings and messages of these verses to seekers of truth and lovers of Divine knowledge. This work, by linking Quranic concepts with scholarly analyses, opens a path towards a deeper understanding of Divine lawfulness and the infinite wisdom of God.
In its concluding verses, Surah Al-Ma'idah unveils the apparent faith of the disciples and the challenges confronting Jesus (peace be upon him). These verses, by describing the request for a table spread from heaven, allude to the weakness of faith in some of the disciples, who sought material signs to consolidate their belief.
And [remember] when I inspired the disciples, Believe in Me and in My Messenger. They said, We have believed; so bear witness that indeed we are Muslims.
This verse speaks of the Divine inspiration to the disciples, inviting them to faith in God and His Messenger. The disciples response reflects an outward show of submission, yet their subsequent request for the descent of a table spread exposes hidden doubts within their hearts. This request serves as a mirror reflecting their fragile faith and shows that the faith of some disciples was still entangled with the need for material signs.
The disciples then asked Jesus (peace be upon him) whether their Lord could send down upon them a table spread from heaven to reassure their hearts and strengthen their faith:
When the disciples said, O Jesus, son of Mary, can your Lord send down to us a table spread from heaven? He said, Fear Allah, if you should be believers.
This request indicates a form of doubt in Divine power, which Jesus (peace be upon him) seeks to rectify by calling for God-consciousness (taqw). The disciples clarify their objective as partaking of the table spread, gaining tranquillity of heart, and witnessing the truthfulness of the Prophet:
They said, We wish to eat from it and let our hearts be reassured, and know that you have told us the truth and be among its witnesses.
Although seemingly reasonable, this desire fundamentally reveals a dependence on material signs. Jesus (peace be upon him), with wisdom and patience, prays for the descent of the table spread:
Jesus, son of Mary, said, O Allah, our Lord, send down to us a table spread from heaven to be for us a festival for the first and the last of us and a sign from You. And provide for us, and You are the best of providers.
This supplication is not from Jesus doubt but in response to the disciples request and to guide them towards the truth. God replies with a conditional promise:
Allah said, Indeed, I will send it down to you, but whoever disbelieves afterward among youI will surely punish him with a punishment by which I have not punished anyone among the worlds.
The Divine promise, coupled with the warning against disbelief following the receipt of the table spread, exemplifies Divine mercy. The non-descent of the table spread, unconfirmed by historical records, reflects God's wisdom in averting a severe trial for the disciples.
This section of Surah Al-Ma'idah, by elucidating the apparent faith of the disciples and the request for the table spread, addresses the missionary challenges faced by Jesus (peace be upon him). These verses, like a mirror, reveal the weak faith of some followers and disclose Divine wisdom in guiding the servants. God's mercy, by withholding the table spread, averted a harsh test and imparted the lessons of submission and trust.
The Quran, in verses 116 and 117, recounts a dialogue between God and Jesus (peace be upon him) that addresses the refutation of the divinity attributed to Jesus and Mary (peace be upon her). This discourse can be understood as a wise theatrical presentation designed to guide the nation and dispel doubts.
And [beware] when Allah said, O Jesus, son of Mary, did you say to the people, Take me and my mother as deities besides Allah? He said, Exalted are You! It was not for me to say that to which I have no right. If I had said it, You would have known it. You know what is within myself, and I do not know what is within Yourself. Indeed, it is You who is Knower of the unseen.
I said not to them except what You commanded meto worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. And I was a witness over them as long as I was among them; but when You took me up, You were the Observer over them, and You are, over all things, Witness.
This dialogue, metaphorically termed a theatrical contest, is not a real dispute but a display designed to manifest truth and refute the doctrine of the Trinity. This analogy represents a performance wherein two actors simulate an apparent dialogue to guide spectators. Jesus (peace be upon him), with compelling arguments including the exaltation of God, denial of falsehood, Divine knowledge, and Gods omniscience, rejects the allegation of divinity.
To illustrate this dialogue, an analogy from folk culture is utilised. In the Shush arena and Ghar Gate, staged quarrels among certain individuals were designed for deception and pickpocketing. This analogy demonstrates that the Divine dialogue with Jesus (peace be upon him) was not a real accusation but a means to guide the community and dispel doubts.
This analogy acts like a lamp dispelling the darkness of doubts and revealing the truth of Divine Unity. The disciples and the followers of Jesus (peace be upon him), witnessing this dialogue, comprehend the truth of monotheism and the status of Jesus as a Divine Messenger
