Tafsir at-Tabari |
Tafsir of Surah Ma`idah (5) Verse 114 |
Author: Ibn Jarir at-Tabari |
Source: Tafsir at-Tabari |
Article ID : TFS030002 [37535] |
« Previous | Page 2 of 2
|
(At-Tabari concludes:) According to our view it is correct to
say the following: Allaah (actually) sent down the table to those who asked Jesus
to request it from his Lord. We maintain this in view of the information
concerning this which we have related from the Messenger of Allaah, his Companions,
and after them the exegetes, since these do not occupy any special position in
the interpretation mentioned above. Furthermore, Allaah breaks no promise, and
there will not be any contradiction in what he announces. Allaah proclaims in his
Book that he will fulfil the request of his prophet Jesus, when he says:
Verily I do send it down on you. It is impossible that Allaah would say
'verily I do send it down on you', and then not send it down. This verse deals
with a proclamation of Allaah; thus nothing that contradicts it can ensure from
him. Were it possible for Allaah to say 'verily I do send it down on you', and then
not send it down, then he could also say: 'Whoever among you hereafter
disbelieves, verily I will chastise him with a chastisement wherewith I chastise
no other being', and someone thereafter could disbelieve without being punished
by Allaah. In this case neither the promise nor the threat of Allaah would become true
and valid; however, such things cannot be ascribed to Allaah.
Concerning what was on the table, some say correctly that there
was food on it. It could have been fish and bread, or it could have been fruit
from paradise. It is to no advantage if one knows what it was; neither is it any
harm if one does not know, so long as the conclusions drawn from the verse
correspond with the external wording of the revelation.
Allaah said: (At-Tabari says that) here Allaah gives to the
people an answer to their demand which is addressed to his prophet Jesus, that
he ask their Lord to send down to them a table. Allaah says: Verily I do send it
down on you, you disciples, and you are to eat from it.
Whoever among you hereafter disbelieves: that is, whoever
among you, after I have sent down the table to you and you have eaten from it,
denies that I have sent Jesus as a messenger, and whoever does not acknowledge
the Prophethood of my prophet Jesus, and whoever refuses obedience to me in my
commands and prohibitions.
Page 2 of 2