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#20 – Islamic Teachings about Isa (AS)
Dec 20 – 26, 2021
Jumaadal Ula 16 – 22, 1443v

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Islamic Teachings about Isa (AS)

What have Allah and His Messenger said about

Islamic Teachings about Isa (AS)

.إِذْ قَالَتِ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ يَـٰمَرْيَمُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكِ بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنْهُ ٱسْمُهُ ٱلْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ وَجِيهًا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَمِنَ ٱلْمُقَرَّبِينَ
.وَيُكَلِّمُ ٱلنَّاسَ فِى ٱلْمَهْدِ وَكَهْلًا وَمِنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ
.قَالَتْ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِى وَلَدٌ وَلَمْ يَمْسَسْنِى بَشَرٌ ۖ قَالَ كَذَٰلِكِ ٱللَّهُ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُ ۚ إِذَا قَضَىٰٓ أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ
[And mention] when the angels said, “O Mary, indeed Allah gives you good tidings of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary – distinguished in this world and the Hereafter and among those brought near [to Allah].
And he will speak to people in ˹his˺ infancy and adulthood and will be one of the righteous.”
She [Mary] said, “My Lord, how will I have a child when no man has touched me?” [The angel] said, “Such is Allah; He creates what He wills. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, ‘Be,’ and it is.

Surah Ali-Imran (3) – Verse 45-46
.وَٱذْكُرْ فِى ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ مَرْيَمَ إِذِ ٱنتَبَذَتْ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا مَكَانًا شَرْقِيًّا
.فَٱتَّخَذَتْ مِن دُونِهِمْ حِجَابًا فَأَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَيْهَا رُوحَنَا فَتَمَثَّلَ لَهَا بَشَرًا سَوِيًّا
.قَالَتْ إِنِّىٓ أَعُوذُ بِٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ مِنكَ إِن كُنتَ تَقِيًّا
.قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ رَسُولُ رَبِّكِ لِأَهَبَ لَكِ غُلَـٰمًا زَكِيًّا
.قَالَتْ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِى غُلَـٰمٌ وَلَمْ يَمْسَسْنِى بَشَرٌ وَلَمْ أَكُ بَغِيًّا
.قَالَ كَذَٰلِكِ قَالَ رَبُّكِ هُوَ عَلَىَّ هَيِّنٌ ۖ وَلِنَجْعَلَهُۥٓ ءَايَةً لِّلنَّاسِ وَرَحْمَةً مِّنَّا ۚ وَكَانَ أَمْرًا مَّقْضِيًّا
And mention, [O Muḥammad], in the Book [the story of] Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place toward the east. And she took, in seclusion from them, a screen. Then We sent to her Our Angel [i.e., Gabriel], and he represented himself to her as a well-proportioned man. She said, “Indeed, I seek refuge in the Most Merciful from you, [so leave me], if you should be fearing of Allah.” He said, “I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you [news of] a pure boy [i.e., son].” She said, “How can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?” He said, “Thus [it will be]; your Lord says, ‘It is easy for Me, and We will make him a sign to the people and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter [already] decreed.'”

Surah Maryam (19) – Ayah 16-21
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ كُلُّ بَنِي آدَمَ يَطْعُنُ الشَّيْطَانُ فِي جَنْبَيْهِ بِإِصْبَعِهِ حِينَ يُولَدُ، غَيْرَ عِيسَى بْنِ مَرْيَمَ، ذَهَبَ يَطْعُنُ فَطَعَنَ فِي الْحِجَابِ ‏”‏‏.‏
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “When any human being is born. Satan touches him at both sides of the body with his two fingers, except Jesus, the son of Mary, whom Satan tried to touch but failed, for he touched the placenta-cover instead.

Sahih al-Bukhari 3286
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي أَبُو سَلَمَةَ، أَنَّ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عَنْهُ ـ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ “‏ أَنَا أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِابْنِ مَرْيَمَ، وَالأَنْبِيَاءُ أَوْلاَدُ عَلاَّتٍ، لَيْسَ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَهُ نَبِيٌّ ‏”‏‏.‏
Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) saying, “I am the nearest of all the people to the son of Mary, and all the prophets are paternal brothers, and there has been no prophet between me and him (i.e. Jesus).

Sahih al-Bukhari 3442
Babyhood of Isa (AS)

One of the qualities of Sayyidna ‘Isa (AS) mentioned in this verse is that ‘he shall speak in the cradle’ which means that he will speak while still a child, although no child has the ability to do so. When soon after the birth of infant Jesus, as mentioned in another verse, people chided Sayyidah Maryam on the basis of a false accusation, this new-born infant, Sayyidna ‘Isa (AS) spoke up, saying: إني عبد الله (I am a servant of Allah).

Without a Father

The glad tidings given by the angel (verse 46) regarding the birth of Sayyidna ‘Isa (AS) without a father surprised Sayyidah Maryam as she was a virgin. She wondered how would it happen. Would that be a Divine miracle or would she be asked to marry a man? The Divine answer eliminates the latter possibility. Not restricted by it, Allah creates what He wills’, that is, His will is all sufficient to bring something into existence. He needs no medium or cause. It is only His command “be” which makes things come into existence.
Seeing the Angel

A majority of scholars hold the view that روح (Spirit) refers to Sayyidna Jibra’il (AS) but some say that it refers to Sayyidna Isa (AS) himself. Allah Ta’ala had placed before Sayyidah Maryam (AS) the likeness of the son to be born to her. But the former version is more appropriate and is confirmed by the statement that follows. It is not given to a human being to see an angel in its real form, because he will be overwhelmed by fright at such an experience. This, indeed is, that happened to The Holy Prophet (SA) in the cave of Hira’ on his first encounter with Sayyidna Jibra’il (AS), and again later on. Sayyidna Jibra’il (AS) appeared before Sayyidah Maryam (AS) in the form of a man, so as not to frighten her. When Sayyidah Maryam (AS) saw a man near her she became apprehensive of his intentions and said (إني أعوذ با الرحمن منك) seek refuge of the Rahman (All-Merciful), against you.” (19:18) Some reports have it that when Sayyidna Jibra’il (AS) heard these words he retreated a little in reverence of Allah’s name.

Injunction in Respect of Desire For Death

If her desire for death was due to worldly problems then she may be excused on the ground that she was overpowered by the surrounding circumstances and had reached a state of mind usually called by the mystics as “Ghalabah-tul-Hal.” But if the desire for death was due to religious consideration, it was justifiable in its own right, because she feared that people would talk ill of her and she would not be able to endure it with patience. This could be tantamount to committing a sin of showing impatience and only death could save her from such a predicament.

[Maarif ul Quran Vol-2 (pg 71-73) & Vol 6 (pg 34-37), Maktabah Dar al Uloom, Translation by Prof. Muhammad Hasan Askari & Prof. Muhammad Shamim]

Spiritual Reminders

The Story of Isa (AS)
We are all familiar with the story of Maryam being given a child by Allah (SWT) – the miracle of the child of Isa (AS). Jibreel (AS) descended upon Maryam and informed her of her gift, but she was distraught, as she knew she would be unable to explain this sudden happening to her people. We learn from what Jibreel (AS) said, “You are not responsible for justifying this; in fact, tell them that you are fasting.” In Bani Isra’il, there was a fast where you would abstain from talking, just like how you would abstain from food and drink. So, she delivers the baby, and now it is time for her to go back to her people. As she is going back, some people spot her and say, “What is this? What a scandal! What have you done? You are from a good family, and we did not think you were capable of this.” Maryam did not say anything, and simply pointed to the child. They said, “How are we supposed to speak to a newborn child?” Now, the next miracle of Isa (AS) appeared. Allah (SWT) allowed him to talk as a newborn. Allah (SWT) quotes what Isa (AS) said at that time: “I am the slave of Allah. Allah has given me the book and has made me a prophet. I am a source of blessings, and I am blessed wherever I go. Allah (SWT) has given me instructions to pay salah, give zakat, and be dutiful to my mother; Allah (SWT) has not made me someone who is rude, cruel or wretched; Allah (SWT)’s peace and blessings are upon from me the day I was born, the day I will leave this world, and the day I will be resurrected.” (Quran 19 : 30-33). This is Isa (AS) introducing himself to mankind; the first thing that he says is “I am the slave of Allah” not “I am the son of Allah”.

As he grew up and many miracles appeared through him, Allah (SWT) gave him the instruction to invite people towards him. That same people who had been lost all this time and constantly going astray, who would constantly oppose their prophets and rebelling against them, refusing what the basic commandments of Allah (SWT) were. Isa (AS) then comes with these miracles to direct people towards the power of Allah (SWT) as a sign of proof that he was, in fact, the prophet of Allah (SWT). Now, with all of these miracles, he tells them, “Allah has sent me to you, and he has given me the knowledge of whatever books have been revealed; he has taught me the knowledge of the Torah and has given me the Gospel (Injil)”. He told them, “I am here to affirm the teachings of the Torah and Allah (SWT) has instructed me to legalize some things that were unlawful for you.” When he came out with this, the Bani Isra’il, who were not following the teachings of their prophets anyways, rejected his message because he wanted to change their teachings. Some people started following him from amongst Bani Isra’il. Before this, the group of Bani Isra’il was one religion, but after this, Bani Isra’il becomes divided in two; those who have seen his miracles and who believe in him, and those who didn’t. Additionally, there were those who acted like they were close to him in order to plot against him. What did they do? They went to tell the rulers of the land, “This man is leading us astray and will cause turmoil in your entire kingdom. You must get rid of him. We will help you.” Isa (AS), in the meantime, sees the opposition from the Jews and gets his disciples together, asking them, “Who is going to help me? Who will be my helpers to convey the message of Allah (SWT)?” his disciples said, “We will be your helpers. O Allah, write down our testimony.” But inside, they were plotting to get rid of Isa (AS). They made plans with the king to attack him where he was staying and have him arrested and executed. Allah (SWT) said, “They made their plan, and we made ours. Allah is the best of planners.” (Quran 3 : 54). Their plan was to trap Isa (AS) and Allah (SWT)’s plan was to save him.
When they came and surrounded the house that he was in, Allah (SWT) lifted him to the heavens, and one of those people who were involved in the plot was given the appearance of Isa (AS). Now, he resembled Isa (AS), so when the king’s soldiers rushed in to arrest and apprehend Isa (AS), they apprehended the man who looked like Isa (AS), so they took him, tied him and beat him, putting a crown of thorns on his head, and ultimately after dragging him for miles and torturing him, they crucified him. Crucification was a very torturous thing because they would nail stakes through the bones of your arms and nail your shins to the crosspiece of the wood – then, they would do something even more cruel: they would shatter the person’s knees with hammers so that they would not be able to keep their own weight up. Now, they are left completely hanging just by those nails which have been hammered through their bones. In this way, the person would bleed to death. This is what happened, but from the light of the Qur’an we learn that it did not happen to Isa (AS), and neither did they kill Isa (AS), nor did they crucify him. It was made to look like that. Allah (SWT) would later then send him back down to Sham. The prophet (SAW) tells us that he will descend in Damascus being carried by angels on the minaret, and he will descend from a ladder at the time of salah, and he will be brought forward to lead, but he will not lead. The person who Allah (SWT) has chosen to be the leader of the Ummah at that time, the person who is referred to as the Mahdi, will lead the salah. Isa (AS) will come back into this world as a follower of Muhammad (SAW). All of that will happen in that area, and from there, the armies will join around Isa (AS) and the Mahdi, and Isa (AS) will explain at that time that his mission is only to take care of the Dajjal, and that the rest of the Ummah will take care of whatever else must be done. The Qur’an says, “All the people of the book at that time (the Christians specifically) will all believe in him for as he truly was.” Not as the son of Allah (SWT), but as a prophet of him, and that he will come down as a follower of Muhammad (SAW), and based on that, they will all accept Islam.

This, historically, marks the greatest events that happened in the land of Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa before the prophet (SAW)’s time. As you know, some 600 years or so passed before the prophet (SAW) was sent between the prophet (SAW) and Isa (AS). A lot of things happened in that land, but this was the single most significant event that happened until the time of the prophet (SAW) in that time. After the next 6 and a half centuries, when the prophet (SAW) was granted prophethood, he once again revived the importance of Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa and Bayt Al-Maqdis, and this was done by no other way itself but Allah (SWT) taking the prophet (SAW) there to visit. He did not just bring him there, but he also called all the prophets (SAW) to assemble there.

[Adapted from a talk delivered by Mufti Aasim Rashid – The Story of Isa (AS)]

YOUR WEEKLY DOSE OF

Sirah

The Appearance of Isa (AS)
Narrated Ibn `Abbas:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “I saw Moses, Jesus and Abraham (on the night of my Ascension to the heavens). Jesus was of red complexion, curly hair and a broad chest. Moses was of brown complexion, straight hair and tall stature as if he was from the people of Az-Zutt.”

[Sahih al-Bukhari 3438]

Read Next Blog: Strengthening Islamic Roots in One’s Family

Sunnah Acts

Testifying to The Truth
‘Ubada b. as-Samit reported God’s messenger as saying,
“If anyone testifies that there is no god but God alone, who has no partner, that Muhammad is His servant and messenger, that Jesus is God’s servant and messenger, the son of His handmaid, His word which he cast into Mary and a spirit from Him, and that paradise and hell are real, God will cause him to enter paradise no matter what he has done.”

[Bukhari and Muslim]

Adhkar/Dua

Dua of Isa (AS) for Sustenance
وَٱرْزُقْنَا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلرَّٰزِقِينَ
“[O Allah!] Provide for us, and You are the best of providers.”

Surah Al-Ma’idah (5) – Ayah 114
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