Surah An-Nisaa 4:159 - Tafsir & Translation
Read the Arabic text, translation, and detailed commentary for Surah An-Nisaa, Ayah 159
Arabic Text
وَاِنۡ مِّنۡ اَهۡلِ الۡكِتٰبِ اِلَّا لَيُؤۡمِنَنَّ بِهٖ قَبۡلَ مَوۡتِهٖۚ وَيَوۡمَ الۡقِيٰمَةِ يَكُوۡنُ عَلَيۡهِمۡ شَهِيۡدًاۚ
Transliteration
Wa-in min ahli alkitabi illalayu/minanna bihi qabla mawtihi wayawma alqiyamati yakoonuAAalayhim shaheeda
Verse Definition & Meaning
Meaning & Definition
An-Nisa 4:159 contains a profound Quranic prophecy about Jesus (Isa ibn Maryam), stating 'And there is none of the People of the Scripture but that he will surely believe in him before his death, and on the Day of Resurrection he will be against them a witness.' According to authentic Islamic scholarship and hadith, this verse refers to the future descent of Jesus near the end times, when all remaining Jews and Christians will recognize his true prophethood before his natural death on earth. The classical interpretation, supported by companions like Abu Hurairah, explains that Jesus was not crucified but raised alive to heaven, and will return as a just ruler to defeat the Dajjal (Antichrist), break crosses, kill swine, abolish the jizyah tax, and establish Islam globally. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) described in authentic hadith that Jesus will descend at the white minaret east of Damascus, lead Muslims in prayer, and reign for forty years before his natural death, after which Muslims will pray over his body. On the Day of Judgment, Jesus will bear witness that he delivered Allah's message as a servant and messenger, not as the son of God claimed by Christians, thereby testifying to the truth of pure monotheism (Tawhid).
This definition is based on classical Islamic scholarship and authentic interpretations from recognized scholars.
Tafsir & Context
Detailed tafsir and context for Surah An-Nisaa Ayah 159 will be available soon.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions: Surah An-Nisaa Ayah 159
Find answers to common questions about the meaning, interpretation, and significance of this verse in Islamic teachings and daily life.
❓What does An-Nisa 4:159 prophesy about Jesus' second coming and the People of the Book?
An-Nisa 4:159 states: 'And there is none of the People of the Scripture but that he will surely believe in him before his death.' According to authentic Islamic scholarship, this refers to Jesus' (Isa's) future descent near the end times when all remaining Jews and Christians will recognize his true prophethood before his natural death on earth. The verse confirms that Jesus was not crucified but raised alive to heaven and will return as prophesied.
❓When and where will Jesus (Isa) descend according to authentic Islamic sources?
According to authentic hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah, Jesus will descend at the white minaret east of Damascus during the time of Fajr prayer. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) described that Jesus will appear while the Muslims are preparing for battle against the Dajjal (Antichrist), and when the enemy of Allah sees Jesus, he will dissolve like salt in water. Jesus will then kill the Dajjal and establish justice on earth.
❓What will Jesus accomplish during his second coming according to Islamic teachings?
According to authentic hadith, Jesus will break the cross, kill swine, abolish the jizyah tax, and call all people to Islam. He will rule as a just leader for forty years, during which there will be such abundance that no one will need charity. All false religions will disappear except Islam. He will kill the Dajjal, defeat Gog and Magog through prayer, and establish peace so complete that lions will graze with camels and children will play safely with snakes.
❓How will Jesus serve as a witness on the Day of Judgment according to this verse?
The verse states that 'on the Day of Resurrection he will be against them a witness.' Jesus will testify that he delivered Allah's message as a servant and messenger, not as the son of God as claimed by Christians. He will bear witness that he taught pure monotheism (Tawhid) and that the Christian doctrine of Trinity is false. This testimony will serve as proof against those who corrupted his original message.
❓What is the Islamic understanding of Jesus' death mentioned in this verse?
The phrase 'before his death' refers to Jesus' natural death that will occur during his second coming to earth. Islam teaches that Jesus was not crucified but was raised alive to heaven. The authentic interpretation, supported by companion Abu Hurairah who repeated 'before the death of Isa' three times, confirms that Jesus will live for forty years after his descent and then die naturally. Muslims will then pray the funeral prayer over his body.
❓How does this verse relate to other Quranic passages about Jesus and the end times?
This verse connects to Az-Zukhruf 43:61 which states that Jesus 'is a sign of the Hour,' indicating his descent as a major sign of the approaching Day of Judgment. It also relates to verses in Al-Ma'idah where Jesus will be questioned about whether he told people to worship him and his mother, to which he will deny any such claim. These passages collectively establish Jesus' role in Islamic eschatology as a returning prophet who will restore pure monotheism.
❓What are the authentic physical descriptions of Jesus according to Islamic sources?
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) described Jesus as a man of moderate height, reddish-white complexion, with straight hair reaching his shoulders that appears to drip water even when dry. He will descend wearing two light yellow garments, placing his hands on the wings of two angels. The Prophet said Jesus will look like Urwah ibn Mas'ud and emphasized that no disbeliever will survive his breath, which extends as far as his sight.
❓What is the significance of the phrase 'People of the Book' in this prophecy?
The 'People of the Book' refers specifically to Jews and Christians who possess earlier scriptures. The verse prophesies that during Jesus' second coming, all remaining Jews and Christians will recognize his true status as a prophet of Allah, not as God or son of God. This recognition will mark the end of religious confusion about Jesus' identity and the universal acceptance of his authentic message of pure monotheism before his natural death.
❓How do Islamic scholars interpret the timing and context of this prophetic verse?
Classical Islamic scholars, including Ibn Abbas and Abu Hurairah, interpret this verse as referring to the future descent of Jesus near the Day of Judgment. The timing is linked to the appearance of the Dajjal and other major signs of the end times. Scholars emphasize that this prophecy confirms Jesus is alive in heaven and will return to fulfill his earthly mission, which was interrupted when Allah raised him up to escape the Jewish plot to crucify him.
Translations & Commentary
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