| An-Nisa (The Women): (158) Rather, Allah raised him to Himself...

Regarding His saying: {Rather, Allah raised him to Himself} (4:158), there are several issues:

Issue 1: Recitation Variants

There are two main recitations for this phrase:

1. Abu 'Amr and Al-Kisā'ī recited it as {بل رفعه الله إليه} (Bal Raf'ahu Allāhu Ilayhi) with the idghām (merging) of the Lām (in Bal) into the Rā' (in Raf'ahu).
2. The rest recited it without idghām.

The justification for idghām: The articulation point of the Lām is close to that of the Rā', and the Rā' is stronger than the Lām because it involves repetition (tarkīb). For this reason, merging the Rā' into the Lām is not permissible, as the weaker sound is merged into the stronger one.

The justification for no idghām: The Rā' and Lām are letters from two different words, so the default position is to maintain separation (i.e., avoid merging).

Issue 2: Proof for Divine Location (The Mujassimah Argument)

The Mujassimah (those who attribute physical form/location to God) used this verse, {Rather, Allah raised him to Himself}, as evidence to affirm a specific direction or location for Allah.

The Refutation: The intended meaning of "to Himself" (ilayhi) is ascension to a station where no judgment other than Allah's prevails. This is similar to:

• {And to Allah all matters are returned} (Al-Baqarah: 210).
• {And whoever goes forth from his house, emigrating to Allah and His Messenger} (An-Nisā': 100), where the emigration was physically to Medina.
• The statement of Abraham: {Indeed, I am going to my Lord} (As-Sāffāt: 99).

Issue 3: The Ascension of Jesus (Peace Be Upon Him)

The ascension of Jesus (peace be upon him) to the heavens is established by this verse. A similar verse is found in Al 'Imrān: {Indeed, I will take you in full and raise you to Myself and purify you of those who disbelieve} (Al 'Imrān: 55).

Know that when Allah mentioned the numerous types of affliction and tribulation that reached Jesus, and then stated that He raised him to Himself, this indicates that his ascension to Him is a reward greater than Paradise and all the physical pleasures contained within it. This verse opens the door for you to know the spiritual felicities.

Then the Almighty said: {And Allah is Ever All-Mighty, All-Wise}.

The meaning of Al-'Azīz (All-Mighty) is perfect power, and the meaning of Al-Hakīm (All-Wise) is perfect knowledge. By mentioning these attributes, Allah indicates that although the ascension of Jesus from the world to the heavens might seem impossible or difficult relative to human capacity, it is not difficult relative to His Power and His Wisdom. This is analogous to His saying: {Exalted is He who took His Servant by night} (Al-Isrā': 1). Although the Night Journey might seem impossible relative to the power of Muhammad (PBUH), it was easy relative to the power of the Truth, the Sublime.

Then the Almighty said:

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