Tafsir of Az-Zukhruf 43:61

(And indeed, it is knowledge of the Hour)—meaning Jesus, peace be upon him. That is, his descent is a sign among its signs, or his emergence without a father, or his raising of the dead, is proof of the validity of the Resurrection, which is the most significant of the matters occurring at the Hour that the disbelievers deny. In any case, "knowledge of the Hour" is a metaphorical expression for that by which the Hour is known, and it is expressed as such for the sake of hyperbole.

Ubayy read it as li-dhikrin (a mention/reminder), and this is likewise a metaphor. Ibn Abbas, Abu Hurairah, Abu Malik al-Ghifari, Zayd ibn Ali, Qatadah, Mujahid, al-Dahhak, Malik ibn Dinar, al-A'mash, al-Kalbi, and, as stated by Ibn Atiyyah and Abu Nasrah, read it as la-alamin* (with a fatha on the 'ayn and the lam), meaning "a sign." Ikrimah, as mentioned by Ibn Khalawayh and Abu Nasrah, read *la alam (with a definite article and two fathas), the exclusivity being relative. It is also said: it is considered as such because he is the greatest of the signs.

The reports have explicitly stated his descent—peace be upon him. Al-Bukhari, Muslim, al-Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, and Ibn Majah recorded from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: "The son of Mary shall descend as a just judge; he will break the cross, kill the swine, abolish the jizya, and leave the young camels, so no one will seek them. Enmity, hatred, and envy will vanish, and he will call to wealth, but no one will accept it." In another narration: "Indeed, he is descending; when you see him, recognize him. He is a man of medium height, with a reddish-white complexion. He will descend between two light-yellow garments; his head will appear as if it is dripping, even though no moisture has touched it. He will fight the people for the sake of Islam." This report includes: "And he will destroy the Antichrist (al-Masih al-Dajjal)." In another: "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: 'How will you be when the son of Mary descends among you, and your Imam is from among you?'" In one narration: "And he leads you (yammukum) from among you." Ibn Dhi'b said: "Do you know what 'he leads you from among you' means?" He said: "Tell me." He replied: "He leads you according to the Book of your Lord, the Almighty and Majestic, and the Sunnah of your Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace."

It is well known that his descent, peace be upon him, will be in Damascus while the people are performing the dawn prayer. The Imam—who is the Mahdi—will step back, and Jesus, peace be upon him, will step forward and pray behind him, saying: "It was only established for you."

It is also said that he will step forward and lead the people in prayer. The majority hold that he will follow the Mahdi in that prayer to prevent the misconception that his descent abrogates the [previous] law. Regarding other prayers, he will lead the people, as he is the most excellent. The Shia reject this.

In some narrations, it is stated that he, peace be upon him, will descend upon a mountain pass called Afiq (rhyming with amir), which is a place in the Holy Jerusalem itself. He will remain on earth, according to a narration from Ibn Abbas, for forty years; another narration says seven years. The forty is the duration of his stay before and after being raised [to heaven]. Then he will die and be buried in the noble prophetic chamber. The full discussion of this is in al-Buhur al-Zakhirah by al-Safarini.

Al-Hasan, Qatadah, and Ibn Jubayr stated that the pronoun in "it is" (innahu) refers to the Quran, as it contains knowledge of the Hour; thus, it is equated to the knowledge itself by way of hyperbole. This is weakened by the fact that the Quran was not mentioned here, and it does not fit the context. A group said: It refers to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, for he said: "I and the Hour were sent like these two," but this view has its own remoteness. Those who hold this view seemingly make the pronoun in "it" (huwa) and "indeed" (innahu) refer to him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and that is as you can see.

(So do not doubt it)—do not be in doubt regarding its occurrence.

(And follow me)—meaning follow my guidance, my law, or my messenger. It is also said: this is the speech of the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, commanded by Him, the Almighty and Majestic; thus, it is by ellipsis, meaning: "And say: Follow me."

(This)—meaning what I call you to, or the Quran, according to the pronoun referring back to it—(is a straight path)—leading to the Truth.