Surah Az Zukhruf Notes (57-66)

Source: Ibn Kathir

The Contempt of the Quraysh for the son of Maryam, and His true Status with Allah

(57) And when the son of Maryam (Mary) is quoted as an example [i.e. 'Iesa (Jesus) is worshiped like their idols), behold! Your people cry aloud (laugh out at the example).

Allah tells us how the Quraysh persisted in their disbelief and stubborn arguments:

(And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud threat.) Several others narrated that Ibn `Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, Mujahid, `Ikrimah, As-Suddi and Ad-Dahhak said, "They laughed, i.e., they were astounded by that.'' Qatadah said, "They were repelled by that and they laughed.'' Ibrahim An-Nakha`i said, "They turned away.'' 

(And when the son of Maryam is quoted as an example, behold, your people cry aloud threat.) meaning, they take this argument as a basis for rejecting your message.

(58) And say: "Are our aliha (gods) better or is he ['Iesa (Jesus)]?" They quoted not the above example except for argument. Nay! But they are a quarrelsome people.

(59) He ['Iesa (Jesus)] was not more than a slave. We granted Our Favour to him, and We made him an example to the Children of Israel (i.e. his creation without a father).

(He was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel. And if it were Our will, We would have made angels to replace you on the earth. And he (`Isa) shall be a known sign for the Hour. ) meaning, the miracles and signs that happened at his hands, such as raising the dead and healing the sick, are sufficient as signs of the approach of the Hour.

(He (`Isa) was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him,) means, `Isa, peace be upon him; he was no more than one of the servants of Allah whom Allah blessed with prophethood and messenger-ship.

(and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.) means, `a sign, proof and evidence of Our power to do whatever We will.'

(60) And if it were Our Will, We would have [destroyed you (mankind) all, and] made angels to replace you on the earth.

(And if it were Our will, We would have made angels to replace you on the earth.) As-Suddi said, "They would have taken your place on (the earth). '' Ibn `Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, and Qatadah said, "They would have succeeded one another just as you succeed one another.'' This view is implied by the former veiw. Mujahid said, "They would have populated the earth instead of you.''

(61) And he ['Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)] shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour  [i.e. 'Isa's (Jesus) descent on the earth]. Therefore have no doubt concerning it. And follow Me (Allah) (i.e. be obedient to Allah and do what He orders you to do, O mankind)! This is the Straight Path (of Islamic Monotheism, leading to Allah and to His Paradise). 

(And he (`Isa) shall be a known sign for (the coming of) the Hour.) The correct view concerning this phrase is that it refers to his descent before the Day of Resurrection, as Allah says:

(And there is none of the People of the Scripture but must believe in him before his death) (4:159). -- meaning before the death of `Isa, peace be upon him --

And on the Day of Resurrection, he will be a witness against them )4:159

(And he shall be a sign for (the coming of) the Hour.) means, sign and "One of the signs of the Hour will be the appearance of `Isa son of Maryam before the Day of Resurrection. '' Something similar was also narrated from Abu Hurayrah, Ibn `Abbas, `Abu Al-`Aliyah, Abu Malik, `Ikrimah, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and others. Many Mutawatir Hadiths report that the Messenger of Allah said that `Isa will descend before the Day of Resurrection as a just ruler and fair judge.

(Therefore have no doubt concerning it.) means, do not doubt that it will surely come to pass.

(And follow Me.) means, `in what I tell you about it.'

(62) And let not Shaitan (Satan) hinder you (from the right religion, i.e. Islamic Monotheism), Verily, he (Satan) to you is a plain enemy.

(This is the straight path. And let not Shaytan hinder you.) means, from following the truth.

(Verily, he (Satan) to you is a plain enemy. ) 

(63) And when 'Iesa (Jesus) came with (Our) clear Proofs, he said: "I have come to you with Al-Hikmah (Prophethood), and in order to make clear to you some of the (points) in which you differ, therefore fear Allah and obey me,

And when `Isa came with (Our) clear proofs, he said: "I have come to you with Al-Hikmah...''), meaning prophethood:

(and in order to make clear to you some of the (points) in which you differ.) Ibn Jarir said, "This means religious matters, not worldly matters.'' What he said is good.

(Therefore have Taqwa of Allah) means, `with regard to what I command you to do.'

(and obey me.) means, `in what I bring to you.'

(64) "Verily, Allah! He is my Lord (God) and your Lord (God). So worship Him (Alone). This is the (only) Straight Path (i.e. Allah's religion of true Islamic Monotheism)."

(Verily, Allah! He is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him. This is the straight path.) means, `you and I are enslaved to Him, in need of Him and we commonly share in the worship of Him Alone, associating none with Him.'

(This is the straight path) means, `what I have brought to you is the straight path, which is the worship of the Lord, may He exalted, Alone.'

(65) But the sects from among themselves differed. So woe to those who do wrong (by ascribing things to 'Iesa (Jesus) that are not true) from the torment of a painful Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)!

(But the sects from among themselves differed. ) means, they differed and became parties and factions, some who stated that he (`Isa) was the servant and Messenger of Allah -- which is true - while others claimed that he was the son of Allah or that he himself was Allah -- glorified be Allah far above what they say. Allah says:

(So woe to those who do wrong from the torment of a painful Day)!

(66) Do they only wait for the Hour that it shall come upon them suddenly, while they perceive not?

Allah says, `do these idolaters who disbelieve in the Messengers wait'

(only for the Hour that it shall come upon them suddenly while they perceive not) means, for it is real and will inevitably come to pass, and these negligent people are unprepared for it. When it comes, it will catch them unawares, and on that Day they will feel the utmost regret when regret will not benefit them in the slightest and will not afford them any protection.