Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:113
ﲾ ﲿ ﳀ ﳁ ﳂ ﳃ ﳄ ﳅ ﳆ ﳇ ﳈ ﳉ ﳊ ﳋ ﳌ
They said, "We wish to eat from it and let our hearts be reassured and know that you have been truthful to us and be among its witnesses."
Tafsir of Al-Ma'idah 5:113
Tafsir
Mafatih al-Ghayb
Verse range: 5:113
Al-Ma'idah (The Table Spread): Verse 113
Context: It is as if, when they requested this, 'Isa (Jesus) said to them: "Indeed, numerous miracles have already preceded. Fear Allah regarding the request for this miracle after those overwhelming miracles have already occurred."
They replied, saying: "We are not requesting this table spread merely for it to be a miracle, but rather for a collection of many matters:"
- First: "We wish to eat from it, as hunger has overcome us, and we find no other food."
- Second: "Although we know the power of Allah, the Exalted, through proof (dalil), witnessing the descent of this table spread will increase our certainty and strengthen our tranquility." (Note: This point seems repeated in the source text, but the intent is clear regarding certainty.)
- Third: "Although we know the truthfulness of your message through the other miracles, witnessing this miracle will increase our certainty and gnosis (ma'rifah), and confirm our tranquility."
- Fourth: "All those miracles you presented were earthly miracles, but this is a heavenly miracle, which is more astonishing and greater. If we witness it, we will be among those who testify to it—testifying to it before those among the Children of Israel who did not attend, and testifying to Allah's perfect power and your prophethood."
Then, Allah, the Exalted, said:
**{ 'Isa, son of Maryam, said: "O Allah, our Lord! Send down to us a table spread from the heaven, which shall be a feast for us—for the first of us and for the last of us—and a sign from You. And provide for us sustenance, for You are the best of providers." }**