Al-Ma'idah (The Table Spread): Verse 115

Issues Discussed Herein:

There are two readings for the word meaning "sending down":

1. Ibn 'Amir, 'Asim, and Nafi' read it with a shaddah (تشديد): {مُنَزِّلَهَا} (Munazzilahā - intensive form).
2. The rest read it with a takhfif (تخفيف - simple form): {مُنْزِلَهَا} (Munzilaha - simple form).

Interpretation:

• The two forms (Nazzala and Anzala) are both valid linguistic forms.
• It is said that the intensive form (with shaddah) implies sending it down repeatedly (time after time), while the simple form implies sending it down once.

Regarding the verse: {فَمَن يَكْفُرْ بَعْدَ مِنكُمْ فَإِنِّي أُعَذِّبُهُ عَذَابًا لَّمْ أُعَذِّبْهُ أَحَدًا مِّنَ الْعَالَمِينَ} (So whoever disbelieves after you among you - then indeed, I will punish him with a punishment I have not punished anyone else among the worlds).

• Ibn 'Abbas said this means transforming them into pigs (monkeys, according to another narration).
• Another view is that it refers to a specific type of torment that no one else among them will be subjected to.
• Al-Zajjaj said this punishment might be hastened for them in this world, or it might be deferred until the Hereafter.
• The phrase {مِّنَ الْعَالَمِينَ} (among the worlds) means the people of their time.

It is said that the Israelites asked Jesus (peace be upon him) this question when they were stranded in a desert area without water or food. This is why they said, {نُرِيدُ أَن نَّأْكُلَ مِنْهَا} (We want to eat from it).

There is a difference of opinion on whether Jesus (peace be upon him) asked for the Table Spread for himself or for his people, even though he attributed the request to himself outwardly. Both possibilities are plausible, and Allah knows best.

There is a difference of opinion on whether the Table Spread actually descended:

• Al-Hasan and Mujahid said it did not descend.
  • Evidence 1: When the people heard the threat, {فَإِنِّي أُعَذِّبُهُ عَذَابًا لَّمْ أُعَذِّبْهُ أَحَدًا مِّنَ الْعَالَمِينَ}, they repented and said they did not want it.
  • Evidence 2: The verse describes the Table Spread as a feast for their first and last generations. If it had descended, that feast would have remained until the Day of Resurrection.

• The vast majority of commentators (Al-Jumhur) said it did descend.
  • Reasoning: Allah Almighty said, {إِنِّي مُنَزِّلُهَا عَلَيْكُمْ} (Indeed, I will send it down to you). This is a firm promise of descent, not conditional upon anything, so its occurrence is necessary.

Rebuttals to the opposing view:

• Rebuttal to Evidence 1: The statement {فَمَن يَكْفُرْ بَعْدَ مِنكُمْ فَإِنِّي أُعَذِّبُهُ} is a condition and a consequence that is not linked to the promise of descent in {إِنِّي مُنَزِّلُهَا عَلَيْكُمْ}.
• Rebuttal to Evidence 2: The day it descended was a feast for them and for those who followed them under their religious law (Shari'ah).

It is narrated that when Jesus (peace be upon him) intended to make the supplication, he wore wool garments. Then he said, "O Allah, send it down upon us."

So, a red tablecloth descended between two clouds—one cloud above it and one below it—while they watched until it fell into their hands. Upon this, Jesus (peace be upon him) wept and said: "O Allah, make me among the grateful. O Allah, make it a mercy and not a trial or punishment."

He told them: "Let the one among you with the best deeds stand up, uncover it, mention Allah's name upon it, and eat from it."

Simon, the chief of the disciples, said: "You are more deserving of that, O Spirit of Allah." So Jesus stood up, performed ablution, prayed, and wept. Then he uncovered the cloth and said: "In the Name of Allah, the Best of Providers."

Behold, there was a roasted fish without bones or scales, dripping with fat. At its head was salt, and at its tail was vinegar, surrounded by various kinds of greens, except for leeks. There were also five loaves of bread: one had olives, the second had honey, the third had ghee (clarified butter), the fourth had cheese, and the fifth had dried meat.

Simon asked: "O Spirit of Allah, is this from the food of this world or the food of the Hereafter?" He replied: "It is neither of them, but rather something Allah created by His sublime power. Eat what you ask, and be grateful; Allah will sustain you and increase you from His bounty."

The disciples then said: "O Spirit of Allah, if only you would show us another sign from this miracle." So he said to the fish: "Come to life by the permission of Allah!" It stirred, and then he told it: "Return as you were," and it returned to being roasted.

Then the Table Spread flew away. Afterward, they disobeyed, and they were transformed into monkeys and pigs.