The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 2) — Page 389
PT. 7 AL-MĀ'IDAH CH. 5 113. When the disciples said, 'ONJE) Jesus, son of Mary, is thy Lord هَلْ يَسْتَطِيعُ رَبُّكَ أَنْ يُنَزِّلَ عَلَيْنَا مَا بِدَةً able to send down to us a table مِنَ السَّمَاءِ قَالَ اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مؤْمِنِينَ spread with food from heaven?' he said, 'Fear Allah, if you are believers. '740 قَالُوا نُرِيدُ اَنْ نَّأْكُلَ مِنْهَا وَتَطْبِنَ They said, “We desire that. 114 we may eat of it, and that our قُلُوبُنَا وَنَعْلَمَ اَنْ قَدْ صَدَقْتَنَاوَنَكُونَ hearts be at rest and that we ojjkzijlÍJENË may know that thou hast spoken truth to us, and that we may be witnesses thereto. '741 115. Said Jesus, son of Mary, 'O Allah, our Lord, send down to 740. Commentary: The words, send down to us a table spread with food from heaven, show that it was not a single meal that the disciples of Jesus asked for, but a permanent provision of sustenance which might be had without any trouble or hardship. The words "from heaven" denote a thing that 1S obtained without trouble and is sure and lasting. 741. Commentary: The disciples of Jesus have, in this verse, mentioned four objects which the fulfilment of the prayer of Jesus about the food asked for was meant to serve: (1) that they might eat thereof and their hunger might be satisfied; (2) that their minds might be at rest. This also shows that they desired a permanent provision of sustenance because a single meal could not put 829 عَلَيْهَا مِنَ الشُّهِدِينَ قَالَ عِيسَى ابْر their minds at rest or relieve them of anxiety about their livelihood in the future so that they might be able to preach the message of God free from all care and devote themselves fully to the service of religion; (3) that the prophecy of Jesus contained in 3:50 might be fulfilled; and (4) that they might become witnesses to the fulfilment of his prayer and of the truth of their religion, and people might know that God helps and favours those who are devoted to the service of His religion. The history of the early Christian Church shows that God did actually make extraordinary provision for the sustenance of those who devoted their lives to the preaching of the message of Jesus. Nay, even now Christians, though they have drifted far away from the truth, are enjoying an extra good table spread with food.