The spread from the Heavens

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Category: Nabi Isa (Alayhis Salaam)

Created: Thursday, 03 March 2016 08:26

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THE MAA-IDAH OF NABI ISAA (ALAYHIS SALAAM)

“(Remember) When the Hawaariyyeen said: “O Isaa, Son of Maryam! Can your Rabb send down for us a Maa-idah from the sky?’ He (Nabi Isaa) said: “Fear Allah if indeed you are Believers.” They said: “We wish to eat from it to satisfy our hearts and so that we know that you have been truthful to us, and so that we become witnesses to it.”

Isaa, the Son of Maryam said:”O Allah! Send down to us a Maa-idah from the sky so that it becomes a festival (Eid) for those of us present and for our posterity, and a sign from You. And feed us. You are the best of sustainers.

Allah said: “Verily, I shall send it down to you. Then whoever among you who is ungrateful thereafter, verily, I shall punish him with such a punishment with which I shall not punish anyone in the worlds.”

TheHawaariyyeen (Sahaabah/Disciples) of Nabi Isaa (alayhis salaam) requested him for a miracle. They asked that a tablecloth laden with food should descend for them from the heaven. When they made this request, Nabi Isaa (alayhis salaam) was extremely perturbed since such a request displayed deficiency of Imaan and a consequence could be the destruction of those who made the request in the event of them showing ingratitude. Thus, when they made this preposterous request, Hadhrat Nabi Isaa (alayhis salaam) said to them: “Be contented with the food of the earth which Allah has bestowed to you and do not ask for a Maa-idah from heaven. Verily, if it descends upon you, it will be a decree from your Rabb. Verily, the Thamud were destroyed when they had asked their Nabi (Hadhrat Saalih – alayhis salaam) for a Miracle. They were then involved in a trial which ultimately led to their destruction.”

Despite Hadhrat Isaa’s naseehat and admonition, the Hawaariyyeen persisted with their request. When Nabi Isaa (alayhis salaam) observed their insistence, he removed his woolen cloak, made Wudhu, entered his musalla (cloister of Ibaadat). In his musalla he stood facing the Qiblah with his head lowered with humility, hands folded on his chest and with tears gushing down his cheeks in profusion. When his beard was drenched with his tears, he supplicated to Allah Ta’ala:

     “O Allah! Our Rabb! Send down for us a Maa-idah from the sky so that it be an Eid (Day of Happiness) for us—for those present and for our posterity. Let it be a naseehat (good counsel) for us and a Sign from You. Grant us food on it (the Maa-idah), You are the Best of providers.”

Allah Ta’ala accepted the supplication. A huge red tablecloth between two white clouds descended from the sky. One cloud was above and the other one below the Maa-idah. All the people looked in wonder at the descending Maa-idah moving towards them. As the Maa-idah descended, Hadhrat Isaa (alayhis salaam) continued crying. He feared the condition which was attached to the fulfillment of his dua, namely the destruction of those who will react with ingratitude after having observed this wondrous event.

Whilst the Maa-idah was descending, Hadhrat Isaa (alayhis salaam) continued supplicating: “O my Allah! Make it a rahmat (mercy). O my Allah! Do not make it a punishment. O my Allah! You have fulfilled numerous of my supplications for miracles. O my Allah! Make us grateful unto You. O my Allah! I seek refuge with You from that You are sending it (the Maa-idah) with Wrath and Punishment. O my Allah! Make it a peace and protection, and do not make it a trial.”

Hadhrat Isaa (alayhis salaam) continued with his supplication throughout the duration of the descent of the Maa-idah until it came to a rest in front of him. The Hawaariyyeen and all others present perceived the wonderful fragrance and aroma of the food emanating from the Maa-idah. Such fragrance was never perceived before by any of them. As the Maa-idah came to a halt on the ground in front of Hadhrat Isaa (alayhis salaam), he and the Hawaariyyeen fell down in Sajdah expressing their shukr (gratitude) to Allah Ta’ala.

A group ofthe Yahood witnessing this wonderful event left the scene with envy and wrath. Hadhrat Isaa (alayhis salaam) and his Hawaariyyoon and others sat down around the Maa-idah. A beautiful cloth was covering the food. Hadhrat Isaa (alayhis salaam) said: “Who among us will remove the cloth?” The Hawaariyyoon said: “O Ruhallaah, you are more entitled than us to open the cloth.”

Hadhrat Isaa (alayhis salaam) stood up and made a fresh Wudhu. Then he entered his musalla and performed a few raka’ts Salaat. Then he cried profusely for a long while. He supplicated to Allah Ta’ala for permission to open the Maa-idah (i.e. to remove the covering cloth), and for barkat (blessing) in the food. After his dua he returned and sat at the Maa-idah. As he removed the cloth he recited: “In the Name of Allah, the Best of Raaziqeen (Providers).”

Among the variety of foods on the Maa-idah was a huge  fried filleted fish. Sham’oon, the leader of the Hawwaariyoon, asked: “O Ruhallaah!. Is this food from the food of this world or from Jannat?” Hadhrat Isaa (alayhis salaam) responded: “Why do you not derive lesson from what you have seen of the Signs. Refrain from disputing these issues. I fear that you will be punished because of this Miracle.” Sham’oon said: “O Son of the Truth! I did not intend any disrespect.” Hadhrat Isaa said: “What you see is neither food from Jannat nor from this world. It is something which Allah has created in space with his power. Eat with the Name of Allah from that which you had asked for, and praise your Rabb, for He will increase it for you.”

Sham’oon then said: “O Ruhallaah! We love that you show us a miracle within this miracle.” Nabi Isaa (alayhis salaam) said: “Subhaanallaah! Is this what you have seen not sufficient for you that you ask for another miracle?” Hadhrat Isaa (alayhis salaam) then turned towards the fish and instructed: “O Fish! With the permission of Allah become alive as you were.” Allah Ta’ala gave life to the fish. The huge fish moved and became alive. Its scales and fins returned, and it began roaring noises like a lion. Its eyes glowed fiercely. The people were shocked with fear. Hadhrat Isaa (alayhis salaam) said: “What is wrong with you? You ask for a miracle. When your Rabb showed it to you, you detest it. O Fish! With the permission of Allah become as you were.” Once again the fish became a fried fish as it was earlier.

The Hawwaariyoon said: “O Isa! First you initiate the eating. We shall follow you.” Hadhrat Isaa (alayhis salaam) said: “I seek refuge with Allah. All those who had requested the Maa-idah should begin eating.” However, when the Hawwaariyyon saw that their Nabi abstained from eating, they developed a fear. They thought: Perhaps the Maa-idah has descended with Wrath and eating will result in their disfigurement. Thus they abstained. When Nabi Isaa (alayhis salaam) observed their attitude, he invited the poor and the sick, and ordered them to eat and praise Allah Ta’ala. 1,300 persons ate on this first occasion. Despite having ate to their satiation, there was no decrease in the food on the Maa-idah.