Question and answer details | |
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| 2012/12/10 | |
| Assalam alaikum... I would like to know about the LAST SUPPER OF JESUS (peace be upon him) which is mentioned in the bible and which the Christians celebrate as THE MAUNDY THURSDAY... Is it simply a story or a diversion like the crucifixion of Jesus (peace be upon him)? | |
| AAI Editorial Staff | |
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Answer
This answer was kindly provided by Brother Maan Khalife, a member of Ask About Islam Editorial Staff. Salam sister, Thank you for your question and for contacting Ask About Islam. The last supper is well detailed in Christianity; according to Islam, we have a similar incident that is mentioned in the Quran, specifically in a chapter called “Al-Maidah”, translated as “the feast” or “the table spread”, and it means “a table spread with food”. At the end of this chapter, Allah mentioned the following: {When the disciples said: O Jesus, son of Mary! Is your Lord able to send down for us a table spread with food from heaven? He said: Observe your duty to Allah, if you are true believers. (They said:) We wish to eat thereof, that we may satisfy our hearts and know that you have spoken truth to us, and that thereof we may be witnesses. Jesus, son of Mary, said: O Allah, our Lord! Send down for us a table spread with food from heaven, that it may be a feast for us, for the first of us and for the last of us, and a sign from You. Give us sustenance, for You are the Best of Sustainers. Allah said: Lo! I send it down for you. And whoso disbelieves of you afterward, him surely will I punish with a punishment wherewith I have not punished any of (My) creatures. And when Allah said: O Jesus, son of Mary! Did you say unto mankind: Take me and my mother for two gods beside Allah? He said: Be glorified! It was not mine to utter that to which I had no right. If I used to say it, then you would have known it. You know what is in my mind, and I know not what is in Your Mind. Lo! You, only You, are the Knower of Things Hidden? I spoke unto them only that which You commended me, (saying): Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. I was a witness of them while I dwelt among them, and when You took me You were the Watcher over them.} (Al-Maidah, Chapter 5, Verses 112-117) To understand the full context, verses before and after have to be also taken into consideration starting from verse 110 until verse 120. In verse 110, Allah starts with the great miracles that He favored Jesus (peace be upon him) with. Many people expect miracles to believe; however, a true believer is able to see the truth without experiencing any miracles. Note the Prophet Muhammad’s companions did not ask him for any miracles; it was only the disbelievers of Quraish who asked for miracles and when the Prophet (peace be upon him) showed them miracles that Allah favored him with, they still did not believe. So here Jesus’s disciples saw great miracles from Allah, such as raising the dead, yet they dared asking for another miracle; therefore, the response of Jesus (peace be upon him) “Ittaqullah”, meaning “fear Allah” and translated in the above verses as “Observe your duty to Allah”. Unfortunately the translation does not convey the proper appreciative meaning. This is an expression of blame, where Jesus is blaming his disciples for requesting such a miracle; therefore, the following statement “If you are true believers”. Jesus (peace be upon him) feared the consequences of this trial upon his disciples and asked them to depend on Allah for their provision. When the disciples insisted, Jesus (peace be upon him) supplicated to Allah to bring forth the miracle. However, Allah warned them that whosoever disbelieves, shall receive the most severe punishment. So disbelieving after experiencing divine miracles is one of the worst sins since knowing by seeing is different than knowing by hearsay. The following verses are not only a warning but also imply that some of the disciples must have claimed the divinity of Jesus and his mother (peace be upon them); therefore deviating from monotheism. Micheal Hart in his book "The 100, a Ranking of the Most Influencial People in History", states that: "Jesus did not preach any of Paul’s sayings, and Paul is considered responsible for Jesus’ Divinity." Allah is blaming those who invented a lie against Him and His messenger, making a rival, wife and son for our creator. Allah is far above what they attribute to Him; therefore verse 118: “If you punish them, lo! They are your slaves and if you forgive them, You are the All-Mighty, All-Wise” Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to repeat that verse (5:118) over and over, while weeping during his night prayers, wishing that Allah guides his people and does not punish them. Allah will eventually question and judge everyone; those who worshiped Allah alone and did not associate anyone with Him shall receive a great recompense; Gardens under which rivers flow. Indeed, it is a great triumph. So the story is not a diversion like the crucifixion, but the true purpose of such a feast is not clearly mentioned in Christianity even though there are more details. The Quran gives a concise story, explaining that it was a trial of faith for Jesus’ disciples; whoever passes shall receive Paradise otherwise a great torment. I hope this helps answer your question. Salam and please keep in touch. Useful Links: |
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