The Prophet 'Isa ibn Maryam (3/4)

Warning his people about a bad punishment

'Isa was afraid for the disciples because of their request for a table from heaven. He warned them about incurring an evil punishment. He forbade them to put Allah to the test. He is too High and Majestic for that.

Insistence and earnest request

But the disciples repeated their request. They explained that they did not intend to test Allah, rather they wanted to put their hearts at ease. They intended it to be a reminder to future generations and a story to be told and reported for years to come. It would be a proof of the truth of the religion and of the situation of the first believers and truthful disciples.

The Qur'an relates the story

The Qur'an recounts this story thus:

“When the disciples said: ‘O ‘Isa son of Maryam, is it possible for your Lord to send down on us a Table from out of heaven?' He said: 'Fear Allah, if you are believers.’ They said: ‘We want to eat from it and for our hearts to be at rest, and that we may know that you have spoken the truth to us’ and that we may be among the witnesses to that.’ ‘Isa the son of Maryam said: ‘O Allah, our Lord, send down on us a Table from out of heaven to be a festival for us, for the first of us and the last of us’ and a sign from You. Provide for us. You are the best of providers.' Allah said: ‘I will send it down on you. Whoever of you disbelieves afterwards, I will punish him with such a punishment that I will not punish any other being.’” (Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5: 112-115)

The Jews try to get rid of the Prophet 'Isa

The patience of the Jews ran out as their enmity and obstinacy increased. They wanted to be rid of 'Isa. They took his case to the Roman governor, saying: 'He is an anarchist, a revolutionary who has renounced our religion. He seduces our young men so they are led astray by him. He divides us, calls our dreams foolish and worries us.'

The style of avengers and politicians

The Jews said of 'Isa: 'He is a danger to the state. He does not submit to the government or obey the law. He does not respect the great nor revere the ancient. He is a revolutionary. If his evil is not contained, things will reach a crisis. Do not ignore a spark, no matter how trifling.'

Deceit and cunning

The Jews' words were full of deceit and cunning. They knew that mention of 'Isa's activities would not influence the governors nor provoke them, as their policy was not to meddle in the religious affairs of the Jews. That is why the Jews accused 'Isa of being involved in politics.

A problem

It was difficult for the Roman, idol-worshipping governors to decide on the truth of the matter and to recognize the motives of the Jews, and the reason for their enmity towards the Messiah. They were distracted from this question by administrative matters. But the Jews were very insistent and kept coming back to them. The Roman governors wanted to be finished with this case which had become the talk of the town.

The Prophet 'Isa in court

It was a Friday afternoon, before the night of the Sabbath. The Jews did not do anything on the Sabbath. It was a day of rest. They were very eager for the governors' judgement against 'Isa to be given before the sun set on Friday. Then they could go to sleep with peace of mind. They would be able to relax in the morning, with nothing to annoy them.

The judge was bored with the case. He had no interest in it nor did it contain any benefit for the Romans. The Jews gathered to hear the sentence. Time was short, the sun was nearly setting. The judge gave judgement against 'Isa, that he should be put to death by crucifixion.

The law at that time

The law at that time demanded that the condemned man be made to carry the cross on which he was to be crucified. The place of execution was a long way off. A crowd gathered, pushing against each other. The soldiers had no interest in the case. The Israelites all looked alike to them; they could not distinguish one from the other. It was evening and the shadows had lengthened. Some of the Jews and zealous fools among the young men were making fun of the Messiah. They were pushing him, cursing him, insulting him, keen to injure and humiliate him.

'Isa endures the injury

The Messiah was weary; exhausted by the effort and the length of time he had to stand in the court and the injuries he had to endure. The cross he carried was heavy. He could only go slowly.

Divine management

Then the soldier in charge of the procession commanded a young Israelite, who was the most zealous, the most foolish, the one most eager to injure and attack the Messiah, to carry the cross. The soldier wanted the whole business speedily resolved, to be free of the burdensome responsibility.

But it was a likeness of him

When the procession reached the place of execution, the gallows guard came forward to take charge of the condemned man from the city guard. They saw the young man carrying the cross. In the confusion, with the young men pushing and shouting, they seized hold of the man carrying the cross, thinking that he was the one condemned to be crucified. He was yelling and shouting, declaring that he was innocent and had nothing to do with the sentence. He had been made to carry the cross by force. The Roman soldiers paid no attention to him. They did not understand his dialect.

Carrying out the sentence

Every criminal claims that he is innocent of his crime. Every criminal shouts and cries out. The guards seized the young Israelite and carried out the sentence. The Jews were standing at a distance. Night was falling and everything was in darkness. They all thought that the crucified man was the Messiah.

 ‘Isa was raised to heaven

As for the Prophet 'Isa, the son of Maryam, Allah the Exalted saved him from the plots of the Jews and raised him up to Himself, honoured him and purified him of those who had rejected.

The Qur'an recounts the story

These are Allah's words about the Jews:

“For their disbelief and uttering great slander against Maryam and their saving. "We killed the Messiah 'Isa son of Meryem, the Messenger of Allah.” But they did not kill him nor crucify him, but only a likeness of that was shown to them. Those who disagreed about him are in doubt about him. They have no knowledge about him, only following conjectures. They did not truly kill him. Allah raised him to Himself. Allah is Mighty, the Wise.’” (Surah An-Nisa', 4: 156-158)

He is in the heavens as Allah the Exalted, Who has the power to do anything He wills, willed him to be. His birth was a marvel, as were his life and everything about him. From first to last, he was a marvel, a miracle to confirm absolute Divine Power.

(Continued)