{"id":4698,"date":"2021-05-29T14:30:04","date_gmt":"2021-05-29T13:30:04","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2021-05-29T14:30:50","modified_gmt":"2021-05-29T13:30:50","slug":"jesus-propagates-his-prophethood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shiastudies.com\/en\/4698\/jesus-propagates-his-prophethood\/","title":{"rendered":"Jesus propagates his Prophethood"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jesus propagates his Prophethood<\/strong><\/p>\n

Allah says, \u201cAnd Set out an example to the people of the town (Antakya). When the messengers (sent by \u2018Isa) reached the town (When we sent to them two messengers, they rejected both of them, then we strengthened them with a third and they said, surely we are messengers to you). Some say those two were Yuhannaa and Shamoun and that the third one was Yunus and according to some the first two were Sadiq and Sidq and the third one Saloon.
\nShaykh Tabarsi, Thalabi, and a group of commentators have narrated that \u2018Isa sent two messengers to the city of Antioch so they might guide the people there. On reaching there, they saw an old man grazing his sheep. He was habib Najjar (carpenter), the Mu\u2019min (faithful) of the family of Yasin. Both of them saluted (told Salaam to) him. When habib inquired as to who were they, they replied that they were sent by \u2018Isa, who advised people to worship only one Allah instead of idols. When habib further inquired whether they possessed ay sign of their being messengers (divine) they replied in the affirmative saying they could heal the ill and make the blind and the leprous healthy. habib asked them to heal his son who was ill for years. They asked habib to show them his son. habib took them to his house where as soon as the two divine messengers applied their hands to the body of the boy he arose hale and hearty by the Grace of Allah. This news went round the city resulting in many people\u2019s recovery from their ill health. The news also reached the king of that place who was called Shanaakhan and was one of the kings of Room (Byzantine) who used to worship idols. The king called for both the messengers of \u2018Isa and asked them as to who they were. They told him that they were sent by \u2018Isa.
\nHe inquired what miracles were they performing. They replied that they were healing the blind and the leprous by the Command of Allah. The king asked them as to why \u2018Isa had sent them. They replied that they were sent to tell the people not to worship the idols that could neither hear nor see and to convey the Commandment of the only one Allah who sees and also hears. He said, Perhaps your Allah is someone other than the idols. They replied, \u201cYes and it is He who has created you and also your gods.\u201d He said, \u201cWell, for the present you can go but I will ponder over what you have said.\u201d So they left the king and continued to preach to the people. Later they were arrested by the order of the king.
\n\u2018Ali ibn Ibrahim etc. has on reliable and authentic narrations, said that Imam Muhammad al-Baqir said that Allah sent two persons to the residents of Antioch. Those two messengers made haste in conveying things in which the people did not believe. So they behaved harshly with the messengers and imprisoned them in their idol-temple. Allah sent a third person as His messenger who after entering the town requested the residents to take him to their king. When they reached the gate of the royal palace the messenger said, I was worshipping in the forests and now intend to worship the Lord of your king. They conveyed this message to the king who ordered them to take him to their temple so that he may worship his Allah. Accordingly he was sent to the temple of the idols where he along with the earlier two, continued to worship only Allah.
\nIn short, when this third messenger met with the earlier two messengers he told them that it was strange that they acted harshly in their effort to make the idol worshipers leave the religion and embrace a new one and inquired as to why they not took a lenient approach. Then he told the two not to make it known to the people that they knew him. Then he went to the court of the king. The king told him that he had heard that he had worshipped his god and therefore he was his brother-in-faith and so it was his duty to assist him and hence he may tell him (the king) whatever he needed. He said, \u2018O king! I do not need anything but I have seen two persons imprisoned in your temple. Who are they? The king retorted that they had come to him with an intention to turn him away from his religion and to falsify his religion they invited him to worship the heavenly god.\u201d The third Messenger said, \u2018O king! It is better on our part to have a regular and systematic dialogue with them. If it is proved that truth is with them then we may follow them and if it is established that the truth is with us then they should enter our religion and become eligible for all the relief and concessions available to us.
\nThe king agreed to this proposal and called the two from the temple. When they arrived in the court the third messenger asked them as to why they had come there? They replied \u201cSo that we may invite the king to the religion of worship of that Lord who has created the earth and the heavens and who, in the womb of a mother creates whatever (male or female) He wills and gives it the shape of his liking. He created the trees and made fruits. It is only He who sends rain from the sky.\u201d
\nThe third messenger then asked them,\u201d Is your god able to heal a blind man and make him see? They replied, \u201cWe will pray to Him and if He wills He will heal the blind.\u201d Then the third messenger requested the king to call for a blind person who has never been able to see anything in his life. Accordingly a man who was blind since his birth was brought. The two messengers were then told to pray to their Lord to heal the blind man in order to see if they were true in their claim. The two arose, prayed two Rakat of prayer and prayed to Allah and lo and behold, the blind man opened his eyes and saw the sky. Then the third messenger requested the king to call another ailing person.
\nSo another ill man was brought there. Then the third messenger himself made a Sajdah (prostration) before Allah and prayed for enabling the second blind man to see. He too was healed. Then he (the third messenger) said to the king, \u201cIf they have proved before us an argument we too have proved one before them. Now call a person who being handicapped is unable to walk.\u201d On the arrival of such a handicapped person the third messenger asked the two to pray for his recovery. They again offered Salat and prayed to Allah who made the immobile man healthy and able to walk.
\nThereafter the third messenger requested the king to call for one more handicapped person who too was cured through his prayer to Allah. After this he told the king that like the two proofs given by the two we also have produced similar two. Now only one thing remains. If they fulfill it I will enter their religion. O king, I have heard that you had a son who has died. If they are able to bring him back to life, I will embrace their faith. The king retorted, \u201cIn that case I also will follow their religion.\u201d So the two (earlier men) were told that only one thing had remained for settling the matter that the king had a son who was dead and buried. If you bring him back to life we will enter your faith. Hearing this those two messengers of Allah fell down in prostration before Allah, made long prayers and then raising their heads said to the king, \u201cO king, send some persons to the grave of your son. They will find him alive and out of his grave, by the will of Allah.\u201d People rushed to the grave of the prince where they saw that the dead prince had come out of his grave and was shaking off the dust from his head.
\nThey took him to the king who recognized him and asked, \u201cO my son, how are you?\u201d He replied, \u201cI was dead, but then I saw two persons prostrating before my Allah and praying to Him for my life. Allah accepted their prayer and made me alive.\u201d The king asked him, \u201cO my son, if you see those persons can you recognize them?\u201d He said, \u201cYes.\u201d So the king went along with the prince to a jungle and made him stand there. Then a number of people paraded before the prince. After hundreds had passed before his eyes the prince one of the two messengers was brought before him and he at once spoke, \u201cYes, this aged gentleman is one of the two.\u201d Then many more were made to pass before the other messenger came before him and the prince again recognized him instantly and said that he was the other person. Seeing this the third messenger said, \u201cI put faith in your Allah as I am convinced that the message brought by you is the Truth.\u201d The king also became a believer and so did all of his people who became Muslims.
\nIbn Babawayh and al-Qutb al-Rawandi have narrated from Imam as-Sadiq that when \u2018Isa desired to dispatch his companions he gathered them before him and advised them to pay attention to the weak and not to clash with the kings and the oppressors. He directed two of them to Antioch who reached there on the day of \u2018Id (annual celebration). The two saw that the people there had opened their temples (idol houses) and were busy worshipping the idols. When they rebuked them harshly they chained them and threw them in jail. When Shamoun came to know about it he came to Antioch, reached the jail after some efforts and reminded the two messengers that they were advised not to clash with hotheaded and oppressive people. Then he departed from them and continued to meet with the poor people and have little talks with the poor who used to keep such dialogues secret from all except their own who were somewhat strong. After some time this matter came to the knowledge of the king who inquired since when has this man had entered the city. The people told him that he had arrived there since the last two months. The king ordered him to be brought before him.
\nHe was brought to the king who talked with him and became so friendly with him that he asked him to remain in the court all the time before him. One night the king saw a fearful dream and described it to Shamoun. Shamoun gave its interpretation that pleased the king. Thereafter he saw one more distressing dream. Shamoun again gave its interpretation that made the king even happier. Thus he continued to live besides the king and the longer he did so the more respectable he became in his eyes. When he was satisfied that his words completely impressed the king he one day inquired about the two persons jailed by him who according to what he had heard, had found defects in the king\u2019s religion. The king confirmed the matter. Shamoun desired that they be brought before him. When they were brought Shamoun asked them, \u201cWho is the god whom you worship?\u201d They said, \u201cHe is the Lord of the worlds.\u201d He asked whether their Allah heard what they said and answered what they prayed. They replied, \u201cOf course our Lord hears whatever we say and accepts our prayers.\u201d Shamoun told them that he wanted to test them and the two agreed.
\nShamoun inquired of them as to whether their Allah cold heal a leper if they prayed for his healing? They said, \u201cYes.\u201d Shamoun called for a leper and asked the two messengers to pray to their Allah for his recovery. The two passed their hands over the ailing man\u2019s body and he became healthy instantly. Shamoun said he too could do the same. Another leper was brought there who too recovered when Shamoun scanned his body with his hand. Thereafter Shamoun told the two that only one thing remained unresolved and if they solved that he would also put faith in their Allah. They said what it was. Shamoun asked them if they could make a dead person alive. They replied, \u201cYes (by the order of Allah a dead man can also become alive).\u201d Then Shamoun inquired of the king whether he knew any expired person with whom he had any relation? The ruler replied in the affirmative and said his son had died. Shamoun said, Well, let us all go to your dead son\u2019s grave and check the reality of these two gentlemen\u2019s claim, (that possibly they might lose respect). So all of them reached the grave of the dead prince. The two raised their hands in supplication before only one Allah and Shamoun too began to recite a prayer (Dua) silently. Within no time the grave cracked open and the prince came out alive. When the king inquired about his condition he said that he was dead; that of late he experienced some fear and restlessness but \u201cthen I saw that three gentlemen were praying to Allah so that I might become alive and that they were these three gentlemen.\u2019 While saying this the prince pointed to Shamoun and the two earlier messengers. Shamoun told the two that he was putting faith in their Allah. The king said that he too believed. His ministers too believed. Then following them the entire habitation of Antioch became Muslims (believer in Truth).
\nAccording to an authentic and reliable source it is narrated from Imam as-Sadiq that when Injeel (Bible) was revealed to him and he wished to conclude the argument (hujjah) before the people he sent one of his companions to the king of Room (Byzantine) with a miracle through which he could cure lepers, make the blind see, heal the ill whom doctors had declared incurable. When he reached there and worked these miracles his fame spread far and wide. When the king came to know about it he was brought before the king and asked whether he was able to cure the blind and the leper he replied in the affirmative. The king called a man who was born blind. His eyes had dried up and he had never seen anything. \u2018Isa\u2019s companion was asked to cure him.
\nHe prepared two little balls of clay, put them in the place of his eyeballs and prayed to Allah for his eyesight. He began to see at once. Seeing this the king seated him near him, befriended him and told him to stay there and not to go anywhere else. He gave him much respect and honor. Then \u2018Isa sent another messenger and taught him the prayer for making the dead alive. When he reached Rome he told the people there that he was better than the physician of their king. Hearing this, the king became very angry and ordered that he should be executed. The first messenger told the king not to make haste in executing him but to call him and examine his claim. If his claim proved false he might be killed, so that the argument might be concluded in his case.
\nAnyway he was called in the presence of the ruler. He told the king that he could make the dead alive. Around that time the son of that king had died. So the king along with the second Rasul and all of his court men and ministers went to the grave of his son and ordered that he might be brought back to life. The messenger prayed to Allah and the first messenger said \u2018Amen\u2019 until the grave cracked open and the prince came out and sat in the lap of the king. The king asked his son as to who made him alive? He pointed toward the two divine messengers. Then both messengers said that they had come from \u2018Isa. As you were not listening to any of the earlier messengers of \u2018Isa but were executing them we were sent to convey his (\u2018Isa\u2019s) message to you in this way.\u201d
\nHearing this, the king declared his faith in \u2018Isa and his shari\u2018ah (religion). In short \u2018Isa \u2019s propagation and his message spread far and wide in this way until the time a group of Allah\u2019s enemies began to call him (\u2018Isa) Allah and Allah\u2019s son. The Jews called him a liar and wanted to kill him.
\nAccording to some traditions when \u2018Isa sent his two messengers to Antioch they could not find a way to approach the king for quite a long time. One day when the king came out for a royal round the two came in his path, pronounced Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest) loudly and began to explain Tawhid (Divine Unity). The king became angry and ordered their arrest and flogging of a hundred whips each. When \u2018Isa came to know about it he sent Shamoun-as-Safa the leader of his companions for helping the earlier two messengers. Reaching there the third (Shamoun) did not reveal that he was a messenger of \u2018Isa but cultivated contacts with the royal court men. Then he entered the king\u2019s court. The king liked his manners. So he befriended him. After some days Shamoun asked the king about the two persons he had imprisoned and inquired as to whether he had at all talked to them and had ever asked for any evidence in support of their words? The king said, No, I was very angry with them then. Then he called both of them from the jail. Shamoun asked the two who sent them there? They said the One who has created everything and who never associates anyone in His Godhood and Sovereignty.
\nShamoun asked them to describe His attributes briefly. They said, \u201cHe does what He wills and commands what He desires.\u201d Shamoun asked them what the proof of what they had said was. They inquired what was his desire and what did they want? Then the king called for a boy who did not have eyes and not even any blocks or holes in place of eyes. His forehead was plain. He asked them to make him see. Then the two messengers prayed as a result of which two holes appeared at the place of eyes. Then they made two clay balls and placed them in those holes in the forehead of that blind boy and he began to see. The king was astonished. Then Shamoun told the king that had he also made such a request to his Allah and had he responded similarly it would a matter of honor for both him and for his Allah. The king said he did not hide anything from him and that it was a fact that the Allah whom he worshipped neither could hear anything nor see anything, nor could he harm or benefit anyone. Shamoun told the two messengers that if their Allah could make a dead man alive he would put faith in Him.
\nThey said their Allah was able to do everything. The king said here is the dead body of a farmer\u2019s son and I have not allowed its burial for the last one week, make him alive before his father arrives. The corpse was then brought there. It had become swollen and decomposed. Then the two messengers prayed openly and the third (Shamoun) silently to Allah until the dead boy arose and said, \u2018I was dead for the last seven days and I was pushed into seven vales of Hellfire. I disown the religion that you are following. Put faith in the Godhood of the Lord of the Worlds Who is the Only One Allah. I saw that the gates of the heavens were opened for the entrance of these three men and I saw a handsome youth praying for these persons (pointing toward Shamoun and the two messengers) who were sent by \u2018Isa Messiah. They (three) propagated the Prophethood of \u2018Isa. The king and some groups became believers and the rest remained infidels. Some say the king and all the people of that city remained adamant on their unbelief and only one person, habib Najjar became a believer who was killed.
\nThe following verses also indicate that many became faithful and many suffered punishment. It is possible that what is said in the end part of the ayats is about some other villagers. Possibly the hadith indicates that those who remained alive after the Chastisement became believers as says the Almighty: \u201cThey said, You are nought but mortals like ourselves, nor has the Beneficent Allah revealed anything; you only lie. They said, Our Lord knows that we are most surely messengers to you. And nothing devolves on us but a clear deliverance (of the message). They said, Surely we augur evil from you; if you do not desist, we will certainly stone you, and there shall certainly afflict you a painful chastisement from us. They said, Your evil fortune is with you; what! if you are reminded! Nay, you are an extravagant people. And from the remote part of the city there came a man running; he said, O my people! Follow the messengers: Follow him who does not ask you for reward., and they are the followers of the right course.\u201d (36:15-21)
\nIt is described that the name of that man was habib Najjar and that the very first person to put faith in the Messengers when they entered the township was he. His house was situated on the outskirt of the town. When he heard that all the people of his community disbelieved in them and wanted to kill them he came down running to his people and advised them in these words. People caught hold of him and took him to the king. When the king asked had he followed the messengers habib replied: \u201cAnd what reason have I that I should not serve Him Who brought me into existence? And to Him you shall be brought back: What! Shall I take besides Him Gods whose intercession, if the Beneficent Allah should desire to afflict me with harm, shall not avail me aught, nor shall they be able to deliver me? In that case, I shall most surely be in clear error: Surely, I believe in your Lord, therefore hear me. It was said, Enter the Garden. He said, O would that my people had known.\u201d (36:22-26)
\nIt is narrated that when habib gave them this advice they (the disbelievers) belied him so much that he was killed (martyred) or he was stoned to death. Allah admitted him to Paradise and he began to enjoy the God-given subsistence. Some say he was lifted up in the heavens; that people could not kill him. According to some, he was beheaded and Allah made him alive and admitted him in Paradise.
\n\u201cOf that on account of which my Lord has forgiven me and made me of the honored ones! And We did not send down upon his people after him any hosts from heaven, nor do We ever send down. It was not but a single cry, and lo! They were still.\u201d (36:27-29) It is described that when the oppressors killed habib Najjar, Allah became angry with them. He sent Archangel Gabriel who placed his hands on the gates on both ends of the town and gave out such a frightening scream that souls of all the oppressors left their bodies at once en masse.
\nThalabi and all Shi\u2018ah and Sunni commentators and compilers of traditions have, by way of continuous narrations, mentioned that the Holy Prophet said, among all the communities there were three persons who had topped all in the matter of following and obeying the Truth and who never disbelieved in Only One Allah even for a second and they were: Hizqil the Believer belonging to the family of the Pharaoh, habib Najjar, the Believer from the family of Yasin and \u2018Ali bin Abu-Talib and he (the last one) is the most excellent among them.
\nIt has also been reported through several reliable sources that the Holy Prophet said, three persons did not disbelieve in Allah\u2019s revelation even for the tiniest fragment of a second and they were the Mu\u2019min of the family of Yasin, \u2018Ali bin Abu-Talib and Aasiya, wife of the Pharaoh.
\nIt is reported authentically that people asked Imam Muhammad al-Baqir can a Mu\u2019min (believer) ever suffer from ailments like falling away of hair or leprosy? He said, Suffering is only for the believer. Mu\u2019min of the family of Yasin was suffering from khoorah. According to another reliable narration the fingers of his hands had become dry (dead or lifeless). I can imagine as if he is pointing toward his people with such fingers and admonishing them: \u201cO My People, Follow the Messengers. When he went once more to advise his people, they killed him.
\nAt another place, the Almighty says: \u201cAnd when I revealed to the disciples saying, believe in Me and My apostle, they said, We believe and bear witness and we submit (ourselves).\u201d It is said that the Divine Revelation towards them was brought on the tongues of the Prophets whereby the people accepted the word of Allah. And it is reported through a trustworthy hadith that Imam Muhammad al-Baqir said, \u201cThe Almighty had given them Ilham (inspiration).\u201d
\nIt is recorded in reliable sources that hasan bin Afzal once asked Imam al-Ridha why the companions of \u2018Isa are called Hawaari He replied, \u201cIt is said that they were called Hawaari because they were clothes-washers (laundry-men). They used to clean the clothes of dirt and impurity and that the word (hawaari) is from the root \u2018Khubz e hawaar\u2019 which means \u2018white bread\u2019. But we Ahl al-Bayt say that they are called hawaari because they used to clean both themselves and others of sins and immoralities by their sermons and admonitions.\u201d It was asked why the followers of \u2018Isa are called \u2018Nasaaraa\u2019. He replied that their base and origin is in the city of Naasirah situated in Syria where Maryam and \u2018Isa resided after returning from Egypt.[134]
\nIt is recorded in a reliable tradition that Imam as-Sadiq said, \u201c\u2018Isa\u2019s Hawaaris were the Shi\u2018ahs of \u2018Isa and his (Imam\u2019s) Shi\u2018ahs were the Hawaris of Ahl al-Bayt. \u2018Isa\u2019s Hawaris did not obey \u2018Isa as our Hawaris obeyed and followed us.\u201d Therefore \u2018Isa asked: Who is my helper in the matter of Allah and His religion? The Hawaris said, \u201cWe are the assistants of Allah.\u201d But by Allah, they did not help (\u2018Isa) in the city of the Jews and they did not fight in support of \u2018Isa. But our Shi\u2018ahs by Allah, are our helpers and assistants. They have been fighting with our enemies ever since the departure of the Holy Prophet from this world. The enemies of Allah burn them in fire, harass them, drive them out of their cities and yet our friends do not refrain from their love for us. May Allah them give good reward on behalf of us.
\nIn another reliable tradition, it is mentioned that once upon a time \u2018Isa told his Hawaris: O my group of supporters! Fulfill a desire of mine. They inquired as to what it was. He (\u2018Isa) arose and washed their feet. The Hawaris exclaimed: O Spirit of Allah! It is befitting for us to wash your honor\u2019s feet. \u2018Isa replied, \u201cOne who knows is more worthy of serving other. I expressed this humility and humbleness so that you too may, after me, behave with lowliness with people as I did with you. Wisdom gets propagated through politeness and humility, not through pride and haughtiness. Grass and grains grow in soft and smooth earth, not on hard ground.\u201d
\nIt is mentioned in a reliable tradition replying to a question as to how were the companions of \u2018Isa able to walk on water whereas the companions of Muhammad did not have this power. Imam said the monetary affairs of the companions of \u2018Isa were being managed (directly) by Allah but this community (followers of Muhammad) has been made responsible for toiling to earn their subsistence.[135]
\nIt is recorded from reliable narrators that someone asked Imam as-Sadiq: Sometimes it so happens that I see a person who is very humble, who prays and worships a lot but does not have faith in your religion. Can his worship benefit him? Imam replied, \u201cSuch people are like that group of The Israelites wherein whoever passed forty nights in worship and then prayed would get whatever he prayed for. But once when one of them did so his prayer remained unanswered. So he came to \u2018Isa and complained about it, and requested him to pray for him. \u2018Isa made ablution offered two Rak\u2019ahs of prayers and prayed to Allah. Consequently, Allah revealed to him, \u2018That man had approached Him but from an incorrect way (path), which is other than, the one I had shown.\u2019 And that man was doubtful about (\u2018Isa\u2019s) Prophethood. \u2018So I will not hear his request even if he goes on praying until his neck is dislocated and his fingers have dropped.\u2019 Hearing this \u2018Isa looked toward that person and asked, \u2018Do you harbour any doubt about my Messengership?\u2019 He replied, \u2018Yes, O Spirit of Allah, it is so. Kindly pray to Allah for a change in my condition for the better.\u2019 \u2018Isa then prayed for him. Allah accepted his repentance and he too, like his family members, became a Mu\u2019min (Faithful).\u201d
\nIt is mentioned in an authentic hadith that according to Imam al-Ridha the Hawaris (companions or apostles) of \u2018Isa were twelve persons the best among them was Luke and that among the Nasaaraa three scholars knew the Injeel very well among whom Johanna was at the top ranking as he used to write (Injeel) and that another Johanna used to live in Africa and that Johanna lived in Zaqaar and they all possessed the description of the Prophet of the last era and of his Ahl al-Bayt and they had given the good tidings about the last Prophet to \u2018Isa and to The Israelites. (This indicates that they were more knowledgeable then even \u2018Isa which is difficult to believe and incomprehensible-Translator).
\nIn another hadith It is narrated through Imam as-Sadiq that Musa once said something to his people who could not obey it so they revolted in Egypt. They fought them and killed them. (Likewise) \u2018Isa said a thing to his community which they could not tolerate (comprehend) and so they rose against him and fought with him in Tikreet (Iraq) and all were killed as mentioned by the Almighty: \u201cSo a party of the children of Israel believed and another party disbelieved. Then we aided those who believed against their enemy, and then became uppermost.\u201d (61:14)
\nIt is recorded in another tradition that one day \u2018Isa went to a village for some work along with three of his companions. They found three gold bricks in their path. \u2018Isa said, \u201cThese bricks will kill people,\u201d and went past them. After going, some steps further one of his companions asked for his permission to go back for some work. He allowed him. He went. Likewise, the other two also went away taking his permission. They gathered those gold bricks. Two of them asked the third one to go to the bazaar and fetch something to eat, telling him that they would await him at that place.
\nThe third one went to the market and mixed poison with the food, imagining that the others would die after eating it and he might become the owner of the gold bricks. On the other hand, the two joined in conspiracy against the third one and planned to kill him and then divide the gold only between them. Finally when the man returned the two together killed him and then ate the food with ease, only to die soon thereafter. When \u2018Isa returned from his work he saw all three lying dead near the gold bricks. He brought them back to life saying \u2018Get up with the permission of Allah.\u2019 He then asked them whether he had not told them in advance that those bricks would kill many!
\nIt is mentioned in some books that once \u2018Isa was busy admonishing people along with some of his the Disciples touring the land. He was passing from one place to another so that he may guide those who were worthy and deliver them from their state of misguidance.
\nWhen they arrived near a city they saw a treasure that tempted the Disciples who requested \u2018Isa to permit them to preserve it so that it might not be lost in the forest. \u2018Isa told them that that treasure would not give them anything except sorrow and trouble. \u201cIn fact I am traveling to find a treasure which will not cause any trouble or sorrow. So remain here until I come back.\u201d They told \u2018Isa that the city folk are very bad; they kill whosoever goes there. \u2018Isa said, they kill only those who look at their wealth and property with passion but I care the least for their belongings.\u201d Anyway, \u2018Isa entered that town and began to observe everything thoughtfully.
\nSuddenly he saw a dilapidated old house that was the smallest and most unattractive. He said to himself: treasure is always in the wilderness. If there can be anybody worthy of guidance he ought to be in this poor house. He knocked at the door that was opened by an old woman. She inquired as to who he was. \u2018Isa replied that he was a traveler newly arrived in her town and that he intended to stay overnight in her house as it was dark. She said it was the order of their king not to allow any outsider into our home but since the appearance of your face is so gentle, I cannot dare to ignore a guest like you. \u201cBismillah\u201d (Most Welcome-come in). And lo!
\nOn the one hand, the shining sun set in the west and on the other the moonlike messenger shone in the dark house of the poor old lady, turning it into a garden of paradise. The owner of this dilapidated house was a hardworking woodcutter who had died leaving behind this old widow and his orphan son. The son was also working painstakingly to make both ends meet with a little income. At night, that boy returned home. The mother told him that an honorable guest had arrived in their home and that whatever he brought ought to be spent in feeding him. The boy submitted some dried bread (loaves), which he had brought before the guest. \u2018Isa ate it and then began talking and with his Prophetic intelligence learned about the good and modest manners etc. of the boy but he also noticed a sign of great grief lurking in his heart. The more he tried to find out the cause of the hidden sorrow the more that boy tried to conceal it.
\nAt last, the boy went to his mother and informed her that the guest is insisting very much to know my inner trouble and promises to remove it as far as possible. Should I reveal my uneasiness to him? The mother told her son that the shining and radiant face of the honorable guest tells me that he is worthy of telling everything to him and he looks like he is able to remove everybody\u2019s troubles. So do not keep anything hidden from him and also do not ignore his apparent qualification. So the boy returned to \u2018Isa and told him that his father was a woodcutter; that when he expired his mother asked him to follow his late father\u2019s occupation. \u201cOur king has an extremely beautiful and intelligent daughter whose hand in marriage has been asked for by many kings but she has not accepted anybody\u2019s offer. The princess resides in a very big and spacious palace. Once when I was passing by that palace, my eyesight fell on that princess and ever since I admire her ceaselessly. I have not informed anyone except my mother about this inner uneasiness of my heart. It was this grief which you detected though I never wanted to reveal it to anybody.\u201d
\n\u2018Isa asked the boy whether he should obtain that girl for him. The boy replied that it was an impossible task and that it was really astonishing that a great man like him should make a mockery of him despite seeing his poverty! \u2018Isa said, I have never made a joke. Mockery is a deed of the ignorant. Had I been unable to fulfill this task I would have never spoken like this. If you desire, I can make that girl come to you the next night. The boy went to his mother and narrated the conversation to her. She replied, \u201cI have no doubt that that great man will do whatever he says so do not leave his side.\u201d In short, \u2018Isa engaged himself in long prayers and the boy passed the night turning in his bed.
\nNext morning \u2018Isa called the boy and asked him to go to the gate of the royal palace and when the courtiers arrived to tell them that you had come to ask from the king the hand of his daughter. Then at once report to me what takes place. Accordingly the boy stood at the gate of the royal court and acted as directed by \u2018Isa. The courtiers were very surprised and when they reached the court they narrated the event as if it was a joke. The king also laughed a lot and called that boy into his court. When he saw the boy he at once noticed that though his clothes were worn and torn the radiance on his face indicated his inner nobility and purity of heart. Moreover, during his talk with the boy the king did not observe anything to indicate his foolishness or madness. This astonished the king very much and he, with an intention of taking his test, asked the boy that if he was prepared to pay the dowry for his daughter if he would give her to him in marriage and that for the dowry he should bring a big tray full of precious pebbles of ruby and that each pebble should weigh not less than a hundred misqal. The boy asked the king to give him some time.
\nThen he came to \u2018Isa and narrated everything to him. \u2018Isa exclaimed that it was no problem. Then he called for a tray and sent the boy in the ruins and began to pray to Allah. Consequently all the lumps of clay lying there turned into valuable rubies. Then he told the boy to fill up the tray and carry it to the king. When the boy went back to the court of the king and removed the cover cloth from the tray the eyes of all were dazzled and all were spellbound. With a view to try him some more, the king said one tray was not enough and that he wanted ten trays full of various kinds of precious stones (jewels).
\nReturning to \u2018Isa the boy conveyed this to him. He called for ten trays and got them filled with jewelry which none had seen before in the world. The boy took them to the king where all were again extremely surprised. Then the king took the boy aside in isolation and told him that he certainly did not possess such power himself nor could he ever have courage enough to ask for the hand of the princess and asked him to reveal who was behind all this miraculous happenings. When the boy told the facts to the king he said that the man behind all that could be none other than \u2018Isa bin Maryam. He then asked the boy to bring \u2018Isa with him so that he himself might give the hand of his daughter in his (the boy\u2019s) hand.
\nFinally \u2018Isa went to the royal palace and performed the marriage of the princess with that boy. The boy was clothed in fine dress with full decorations and the king himself took him into his palace and entrusted his daughter (the princess) to him. Next morning when the king called the boy and talked with him he found him full of wisdom. Since the king had no other issue except the girl he made that boy his heir-apparent. According to royal commandment, all the emirs accepted obedience to the boy and then the king seated him on his royal throne.
\nNext night the king fell ill and passed away from this world. The boy took the reins of the government in his hands and obtained control of all the treasures and wealth of the late king. During all this time \u2018Isa had stayed in the house of that old lady. At the time of sunset on the fourth day \u2018Isa went to that boy to bid him goodbye. The boy alighted from the throne and clung to \u2018Isa and said, O my wise and learned guide! Your right on this poor and weak person is so much that even its thousandth part cannot be compensated by way of thanksgiving even if he would remain in your service until eternity. But, he said, a doubt has arisen in my heart due to which I remain worrying throughout the night and cannot take benefit of the luxury \u201cprovided by you so generously and if you will not solve my confusion I will not be able to take any benefit from your gifts,\u201d
\n\u2018Isa inquired as to what thought was harassing him. He said \u201cthe problem is that I am unable to understand when you have such a great ability to lift me up from the vales of poverty and place me on top of the mountain of worldly wealth how is it that you yourself are content with worn and torn clothes and are toiling without any servant or any transport facility or assistance?\u201d \u2018Isa asked the boy that when his desire had already been fulfilled why he should bother about his (\u2018Isa\u2019s) condition. The boy submitted, \u201cO my virtuous and pious guardian! I will not gain anything from your gifts if you will not remove this confusion from my mind and I will get no benefit from anything.\u201d
\nIsa then told him, \u201cO my son, The pleasures of this temporary and transient world can be of any value only in the eyes of a person who is unaware of the permanent delight of the everlasting life in the Hereafter (after death). The very person who until a few days ago enjoyed sitting on this throne and who took pride in having worldly power is now lying beneath the earth underground and no hearts entertain his thoughts any more. This is enough to realize that the wealth which ends in dishonor and a delight that turns into pain is useless. The pleasure of the friends of Truth is in attaining nearness to Allah and realizing His Might and Grace. The earth and transient enjoyments are nothing compared to the never-ending sweetness of the Hereafter.
\nHearing these words of the \u2018Isa the boy once again clung to his feet and said that he fully understood what he said and you have so kindly opened the knot that was troubling my mind. But then another knot which is more complicated has come up now before me.\u201d \u2018Isa asked what it was. The boy said that the greater confusion was that he could not comprehend as to how he (\u2018Isa) could go away from whom he loved and would not do to him what his (the latter\u2019s) welfare demanded. When your honor arrived at our house abruptly and spread the shade of your bliss on us it is unfair that you should prove stingy in bestowing on us the bounty, which is main, and permanent and that you would deprive me of the eternal kingdom by gifting me the worldly empire.
\nThen \u2018Isa replied, \u201cI have taken a test of your mind and heart in this way and I wanted to know whether or not you are worthy of the really high ranks and whether or not you were able to give up the transient joys in order to attain the eternal ones. Now if you leave this royal grandeur you will earn a greater heavenly reward and prove to be a completion of argument for those in whose case the false worldly treasures are blocking the attainment of the perfect bliss.\u201d
\nAs soon as the boy heard these words he threw away his silken robes and decorations and giving up his superficial empire, began to tread the path leading to eternal success. \u2018Isa brought him to his the Disciples and told them that the treasure which was in my mind was this orphaned jewel whom I had lifted, within three days, from wood-cutting to world-ruling and yet he kicked off all that and is prepared to follow me. On the other hand it is you, who, despite years of company with me, became mad after the sorrowful treasure and left me. It is said that the dead boy whom \u2018Isa made alive was this very son of a poor old lady. He became one of the great religious leaders and many got guidance through him.
\nIt is recorded in reliable sources that the holy Prophet said, \u2018My brother \u2018Isa arrived in a city where a man and his wife were quarrelling and shouting aloud. \u2018Isa asked them the reason where upon the man replied that this, my wife, is very virtuous and pious. Yet I do not like her and want to be separated from her. \u2018Isa again asked but why? Then man said that her face is faint and not attractive at all even though she is not aged. \u2018Isa advised that woman not to eat making her belly full of food as in an overloaded stomach its content boils up and makes one\u2019s face listless. When the lady followed \u2018Isa \u2019s advice she became beautiful enough to attract her husband.
\nTherefore \u2018Isa went to another town where people complained to him that the fruits growing on their trees were getting rotten. \u2018Isa guided them that while sowing seeds they should put water first. As they were filling the earth before watering it, it rotted their fruits. When the people acted as directed by \u2018Isa their fruits were saved from the rot.
\nLeaving that township \u2018Isa entered another habitation to find that the eyes of its residents were grey and their faces pale. When people inquired about its reason \u2018Isa replied that it was because they did not wash the meat before cooking. There always remains some impurity in the meat of any animal, which is cleaned only after it is washed. When the people followed the way shown by \u2018Isa their ailment disappeared.
\n\u2018Isa reached another place. There he met with many people whose teeth had fallen and faces were swollen. Inquiries were made from \u2018Isa who replied that they were sleeping with their teeth pressed hard, which hindered the breathing process and also weakened the roots of the teeth. When people left that habit of sleeping with pressed teeth their troubles too disappeared.
\nIt is narrated through Imam as-Sadiq that once \u2018Isa entered a city full of dead people whose bones were scattered on the roads and in their homes. Seeing this \u2018Isa exclaimed that they had fallen prey to Divine Chastisement because had they died natural deaths they would have buried one another. His companions asked the reason for the Divine wrath.
\nAllah Almighty revealed to \u2018Isa: O spirit of Allah! You ask these dead men. They will give a reply. When \u2018Isa addressed them one of them arose and said, \u201cYes, here we are, O, Spirit of Allah.\u201d \u2018Isa asked them who were they and what had happened to them.
\n\u201cSince morning up to the evening they were safe but then suddenly at night they found themselves in Hawiyah (the lowermost part of Hell).\u201d
\n\u2018Isa inquired what was Hawiyah. \u201cIt is made up of rivers of fire with mountains of fire therein.\u201d \u2018Isa asked them the cause, which resulted in this punishment to them. He said it was due to their love for the material world and the worship of Taghut meaning obedience of wrongdoers who were against truth. \u2018Isa asked to what extent was their love of the world. They said, it was like the love of a mother for her child such that when the child looked at her she became happy and when the child turned its face from her it made her unhappy and sorrowful.
\n\u2018Isa asked up to what extend had they obeyed Taghut (false deities)? They replied they did every wrong thing they were ordered to do. Then \u2018Isa asked the spokesman as to why he alone, among all others, arose to talk with him? He said it was because all others had reins of fire in their mouths and some extremely merciless and harsh angels were overseeing them. Then he added that though he resided among them he was not like them. When the Divine Chastisement caught them I was also overtaken by it but am hanging by my hair on the brink of Hell and I am afraid of falling in it any moment. \u2018Isa said sleeping in ruins and living on bread of barley is a great good, which safeguards one\u2019s religion.
\nAccording to another tradition \u2018Isa, while traveling with some of his companions, saw the corpses of a dead man and a rotten dog. The Disciples said how much foul smell emanates from the dog. \u2018Isa said how shining and beautiful its teeth are, thereby conveying that they should not see the defects even if many but pay attention to what was good therein.
\nAccording to a narration, once it was raining heavily with thunder and lightning. \u2018Isa was looking for shelter. As he observed a tent at a distance he went there. Seeing only a woman in it he returned and turned towards a mountain. A tiger was sleeping in its cave. He put his hand on the tiger and exclaimed, \u201cO Almighty! You have provided a shelter for everything but I am shelterless.\u201d Allah informed him through revelation that his shelter was where His Mercy remained and told him that: By My Might and Honor! On the Day of Resurrection I will marry you with a hundred huris whom I have made with my own hands of power and will give a feast, as your marriage reception to a population of four thousand years each day that would be equal to the life of the entire world. I will make the announcer proclaim: Where are those who had discarded the world. Those who had ignored the world for worshipping Allah will attend \u2018Isa bin Maryam\u2019s feast.
\nIt is mentioned in another narration that the world was presented to \u2018Isa in the form of a fearful old ugly woman who had no teeth but had decorated herself very much. \u2018Isa asked her how many husbands she had. She said she could not count. Thereupon \u2018Isa asked her whether all of them had died or was she divorced by them? She replied, \u2018No, I killed all of them.\u2019 \u2018Isa exclaimed: \u2018Woe unto your remaining husbands who do not ignore you even though they see that you are killing them every day!\u201d
\nIt is recorded in another narration that once \u2018Isa saw an old man toiling hard with a spade in hand. He was preparing the ground for tilling. \u2018Isa prayed to Allah for the removal of longing from the heart of that old man. Allah accepted \u2018Isa \u2019s prayer and that old man put down his spade and went to sleep. Then \u2018Isa prayed for re-entry of longing in that man\u2019s heart. Consequently he got up instantly took his tool in hand and began working. \u2018Isa then asked him as to why he had put down his tool and then again began to work? He replied \u201cin the meantime it had occurred to my mind that I had become so old that it was not certain when I would die and hence it was not necessary to go on toiling. I went to sleep and took rest. But then again a thought came to my mind that sustenance is required until I die so I got up to restart my work.\u201d
\nIt is mentioned in a reliable tradition that the holy Prophet said that once the Disciples asked \u2018Isa, \u201cO Spirit of Allah! Whose company should we keep?\u201d He replied be with those persons whose appearance may make you remember Allah, and by talking with whom your knowledge may increase and whose character may make you think about the Hereafter.
\nAccording to an authentic narration Imam as-Sadiq is reported to have said that once \u2018Isa passed by a group of people who were weeping. On making inquiry he was informed that they were weeping so that Allah might pardon their sins. \u2018Isa said they should not stop weeping until Allah pardoned them
\nIn another reliable tradition the same Imam is reported to have said that the holy Prophet had said, Once upon a time \u2018Isa passed by a grave that was being chastised. The next year when he passed by the same grave it was not being punished. \u2018Isa prayed to know the reason. Divine revelation enlightened him that the dead man had a son who had just become a youth. He repaired a path for Muslims and made it easy for people to pass through it. Moreover he maintained an orphan. So Allah pardoned him.
\nOne day \u2018Isa told Yahya that if people malign you of an evil which you possess, you might consider it and ask him to seek forgiveness and pray for forgiveness. But if he accuses you of an evil which do not possess then it is goodness in your favor which you have earned without toiling.<\/p>\n

Descent of Maidah
\nAllah Almighty says, \u201cWhen the disciples said, O \u2018Isa son of Maryam! Will your Lord consent to send down to us food from heaven?\u201d (5:112)
\nIt is said that this questioning of them was prior to the perfection of their faith. Or they did not know the Might of Allah or they intended to learn whether Allah considered it fitting to do so or they wanted to ascertain whether Allah answers his call if he (\u2018Isa) prays to Him?
\nIt is recorded in reliable sources that according to Imam as-Sadiq the Ahl al-Bayt pronounced the word \u201cRabbaka\u201d (and not \u2018Rabbuka\u2019) which meant: \u201cCan you put such demand before your Lord?\u201d
\n\u2018Isa said, \u201cIf you believe in Allah and in His Prophet, fear Allah and do not raise questions, which might produce undesirable replies.\u201d
\n\u201cThey said, We desire that we should eat of it and that our heart should be at rest, and that we may know that you have indeed spoken the truth to us and that we may be of witnesses to it. \u2018Isa, son of Maryam said, O Allah, Our Lord! Send down to us food from heaven which should be to us an ever recurring happiness to the first of us, and a sign from thee, and grant us means of subsistence for Thou art the best of the Providers.\u201d
\nAccording to the narration the Divine Tray of food came down on Sunday therefore the Christians celebrated that day.
\n\u201cAllah said, Surely I will send it down to you, but whoever shall disbelieve afterwards from among you, surely I will chastise him with a chastisement with which I will not chastise anyone among the nations.\u201d
\nIt is mentioned in a reliable tradition according to Imam as-Sadiq that when Allah Almighty descended the tray of food (Maidah), \u2018Isa commanded the Disciples that nobody should eat from it unless he permitted them to do so. But one of them ate from it and somebody informed \u2018Isa about it. When \u2018Isa asked him he denied having eaten it but all the Disciples testified that he had done so. \u2018Isa asserted that when your Mu\u2019min brother denied having done a thing which you have seen with your own eyes, you should refute your eyes and testify to what the faithful person says.
\nIt is recorded that the tray which was sent from heaven was lowered by a golden chain and it contained eatables of nine colors and nine breads and nine fishes plus nine breads according to another narration. It is said on the authority of Imam al-Ridha that those who did not become believers when the tray was sent by Allah, they became pigs. According to another tradition they became pigs and monkeys.
\nAccording to a reliable saying of Imam Musa al-Ka\u00a8im those who were turned into pigs were a group of washer men who had denied the descent of Maidah. It is mentioned in the tafsir (commentary) of Imam Al-Hasan al-\u2019Askari that the Maidah sent by Almighty Allah on \u2018Isa contained only a few loafs but there was so much barakah (God-given abundance) in it that four thousand seven hundred persons could take satisfactory food from it for several months. It is also mentioned in the same tafsir that the holy Prophet said, When the people of \u2018Isa became ungrateful after demanding the Divine Maidah, Allah turned them into seven sorts of animals like pigs, monkeys, bears, cats and some sea and desert creatures.
\n\u2018Ali ibn Ibrahim narrated that when the Divine Maidah was coming down The Israelites used to gather round the tray and eat to their satiation. Finally the rich and proud people of The Israelites began to say that they would not allow the poor and down trodden people to take food from the Maidah. So Allah fetched the Maidah up and turned those people into pigs.
\nShaykh Tabarsi has recorded that people have differed about the details of Maidah and its contents. \u2018Ammar Yasir has said the holy Prophet had said that there was bread and meat in it, because people had demanded from \u2018Isa that they wanted food which might not finish and they could go on eating. Allah Almighty informed them that the blessing would remain with them so long as they did not show dishonesty and did no hoarding, and that if they did so they would be chastised. But they proved dishonest on the very day.
\nIbn \u2018Abbas has narrated that \u2018Isa told The Israelites: Fast for thirty days and then Allah will fulfill whatever you demand. They fasted for thirty days and then told \u2018Isa, \u201cIf we work for anyone they give us food to eat. We fasted for thirty days and suffered hunger. Now pray to Allah so that He may send a tray full of food from heavens.\u201d Soon the angels brought Maidah for them with seven loaves and seven fishes in it. All ate from it. Imam Muhammad al-Baqir has also said so. Another narration says that there was all kind of food except meat. Yet another narration says the Maidah contained everything except loaf and meat. One narration says meat and fish was not there. Another narration says it contained only fish having the taste of everything. According to one narration it contained heavenly fruits. Yet another tradition says Manna and Salwa was dropping every morning and evening from the sky.
\nIt is mentioned by Salman Farsi that \u2018Isa never found faults with people, never shouted at anyone, never laughed loudly, never removed anybody away from him, never blocked his nose against a foul smell emanating from anyone\u2019s body, never engaged in any game or play nor engaged in any meaningless work. When the Hawaaris (his close companions) demanded a heavenly tray of food (Maidah) from him he was wearing a thick woolen wear. He wept and prayed whereupon a red trey came down from the heavens which was visible to all over there. It reached them quickly. \u2018Isa then arose, made Wudhu\u2019 (ablution) prayed a lengthy prayers and removing the cloth covering the divine tray uttered Bismillahi Khairur Raazeqeen (In the Name of Allah Who is the best Provider of Sustenance).
\nPeople saw that the tray contained fried fish without scab (scrub), full of fat. There was salt near its head and vinegar near its tail. Around it were all kinds of vegetables except garlic. Also there were five breads, with olive oil on one, honey on the second, Ghee (refined butter) on the third, cheese on the fourth and kebab (roast) on the fifth. Shamoun asked, \u201cO Roohullah (Spirit of Allah)! Is this a worldly food or a heavenly one?\u201d \u2018Isa replied, \u201cNeither. Allah has just created it by His Might. Eat it, as you have demanded it from Allah so that he may help you and shower more blessings on you with His grace.\u201d<\/p>\n

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