Surah Al-Maaida (5) — Ayah 72

(Ayah 72)➊ {لَقَدْ كَفَرَ الَّذِيْنَ قَالُوْۤا اِنَّ اللّٰهَ هُوَ الْمَسِيْحُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ:} For the explanation of this verse, see verse (17) of this surah. After the Jews, now begins the mention of the misguidances of the Christians and the warning of punishment to them. (Kabir) By these people is meant that sect of Christians who said that Allah Almighty is indeed the Messiah, son of Mary. Allah has declared those who say Allah and the Messiah (peace be upon him) are one to be disbelievers in the most emphatic words {’’ لَقَدْ ‘‘} (surely, certainly). Among those who call themselves Muslims, there are also many who say that there is no difference between "Ahad" and "Ahmad," both are one, Allah Almighty came in human form, and then many hold the belief about their elders that by worshipping, they became annihilated in Allah and became one, and some say about them that Allah Almighty descended into them. The first belief is called "Ittihad" (union) and the second "Hulul" (indwelling). If those who say the Messiah is exactly Allah Almighty, i.e., those who say the Messiah (peace be upon him) and Allah Almighty are one, are disbelievers, then why are these so-called Muslims not disbelievers? It is clear that the belief of Hulul and Ittihad is clear disbelief, which some heretical people have declared as "gnosis" under the guise of Sufism.

➋ {وَ قَالَ الْمَسِيْحُ يٰبَنِيْۤ اِسْرَآءِيْلَ اعْبُدُوا اللّٰهَ:} Whereas the Messiah (peace be upon him) always called himself a servant of Allah; when he was born, after coming into the world, even in his childhood, these words came from his tongue: «اِنِّيْ عَبْدُ اللّٰهِ» [ مریم : ۳۰ ] "Indeed, I am the servant of Allah." And he also said to the people at that time: «وَ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ رَبِّيْ وَ رَبُّكُمْ فَاعْبُدُوْهُ» [ مریم : ۳۶ ] "Indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him alone." Even in adulthood, he said the same: «اِنَّ اللّٰهَ هُوَ رَبِّيْ وَ رَبُّكُمْ فَاعْبُدُوْهُ » [ الزخرف : ۶۴ ] "Indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him." Also, this saying of the Messiah (peace be upon him) is still present today in the Gospel of John, chapter (7): "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent as a messenger." (Al-Manar)

➌ {اِنَّهٗ مَنْ يُّشْرِكْ بِاللّٰهِ …… :} That is, Paradise is forbidden and Hell is obligatory for those who hold any belief or practice of union, indwelling, or any form of shirk. In {’’ مِنْ اَنْصَارٍ ‘‘} the plural of {’’ اَنْصَارٍ ‘‘} is used because the polytheists have assumed about many beings that they will save us from Hell.

72. 1 This same subject has already been mentioned in verse 17. Here, in the context of mentioning the misguidances of the People of the Book, it is mentioned again. In this, there is an expression of disbelief regarding that sect among them who believe that Masih (Jesus) is identical to Allah.

72. 2 Thus, Isa (Jesus) — that is, Masih ibn Maryam — in the state of infancy, first expressed his servitude with his own tongue: "انی عبد اللہ اٰتنی الکتاب وجعلنی نبیا" (I am the servant of Allah and His messenger; He has also granted me the Book). Masih (Jesus) did not say, "I am Allah" or "I am the son of Allah." He only said, "I am the servant of Allah." And even in adulthood, he gave the same call: "ان اللہ ربی وربکم فاعبدوہ ھذا صراط مستقیم" (Indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him; this is the straight path). These are the same words he spoke while in his mother's lap (see Surah Maryam, verse 36). And when, near the Day of Judgment, he will descend from the heavens — as has been reported in Sahih ahadith and upon which there is consensus among Ahl al-Sunnah — even then, in accordance with the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ, he will call people only to the oneness of Allah and obedience to Him, not to his own worship.

72. 3 Masih (Jesus) expressed his servitude and messengership by Allah's command and will even when he was in his mother's lap, that is, in the state of infancy. Then, in adulthood, he made this declaration. Along with this, he also explained the abhorrence and evil of shirk (associating partners with Allah): that Paradise is forbidden for the polytheist, and he will have no helper who can rescue him from Hell, as the polytheists assume.

Indeed, those who say, "The Messiah, son of Mary, is Allah," have certainly disbelieved [119]. While the Messiah himself said, "O Children of Israel! Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord." Whoever associates partners with Allah, Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and his abode will be the Fire. And the wrongdoers will have no helpers.

[119]
The Divinity of the Messiah and the Teachings of Sayyiduna Isa:

There are various beliefs among the different sects of Christians regarding Isa (علیہ السلام). Some consider him a part of the doctrine of Trinity or one among three gods. Some regard him as the son of Allah, and some consider him to be Allah Himself, saying that Allah incarnated in the body of Isa (علیہ السلام) and that he was a manifestation of Allah Himself. The common factor among all three views is the belief in the divinity of the Messiah. That is, all sects consider him, in one way or another, to be divine. Allah Almighty has answered this by stating that Isa (علیہ السلام) himself used to say: Worship only Allah, Who is my Lord and your Lord, the Lord of all. That is, he himself acknowledged that he worships Allah and is His servant. Now, whoever is a servant of someone cannot be his partner, and whoever is a partner cannot be his servant. Therefore, take heed and refrain from making him a partner of Allah. Because whoever associates anyone with Allah will have to burn in Hell forever. Then, neither Isa (علیہ السلام) will be able to save them there, nor will anyone else be able to help them in any way.