Surah 5.110 (Surah Maidah)

Question 1

What is the main theme of this Surah?

Answer 1

• This verse of Surah Maidah discusses the theme of God’s messengers. Hazrat Isa was human and a Prophet and not a begotten son of God. He was born to Maryam without a father and he spoke as an infant and defended his mother. Quran says, “He shall speak to the people in childhood and in maturity.”
• Jesus did great things but only with God’s permission, “by my leave”. God gives miracles to His prophets to help them, in this case, Hazrat Isa got the holy spirit, the Book and the Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel; God gives humankind signs through prophets of His existence, which separates those who believe and those who don’t.
• God protects his chosen people as Hazrat Isa was protected from his enemies and raised to the heavens alive. Prophets faced opposition and persecution as Hazrat Isa was rejected with claims of magic.

Question 2

What is the importance of this surah?

Answer 2

• These teachings reaffirm Muslims the prophethood of Hazrat Isa (A.S) and the power of God. Humans are capable of great feats but it is God who permits these; whether it is moon landings, space travel, etc.
• The words “By My leave” are repeated with each miracle to emphasize that everything takes place according to the will of God so we should look to Him for the fulfillment of our needs. It also strengthens Muslim belief in all the messengers.
• Muslims should use these as signs of God’s grace, and believe in His power. They should therefore remember Him often, by praying, supplicating or doing good deeds, etc. to ensure they are counted as believers.