Surah Al-Maaida 5:114 - Tafsir & Translation

Al-Ma'idah 5:114 records Jesus's humble and profound prayer for the heavenly table, declaring 'Jesus, son of Mary, said: O Allah, our Lord! Send down to us a table spread with food from heaven that there may be for us - for the first and for the last of us - a festival; and a sign from You. And provide for us, and You are the best of providers.' According to classical Islamic scholarship, this verse presents one of the most beautiful examples of prophetic supplication in the Quran, demonstrating Jesus's complete submission to Allah, his understanding of divine mercy, and his concern for both his immediate disciples and future generations of believers. The opening phrase 'Jesus, son of Mary, said' (qal Isa ibn Maryam) emphasizes Jesus's human nature and his role as a servant and messenger of Allah, reminding readers that despite his miraculous abilities, he remained completely dependent on Allah for all divine interventions and provisions. Jesus's address 'O Allah, our Lord' (Allahumma rabbana) demonstrates perfect monotheistic understanding and collective humility, using the inclusive 'our' to show his unity with his disciples and his acknowledgment that Allah is the sole Lord and provider for all creation. The phrase 'Send down to us a table spread with food from heaven' (anzil alayna ma'idatan min al-sama') reflects Jesus's acceptance of his disciples' request while demonstrating the proper manner of making supplication to Allah - with humility, clarity, and complete dependence on divine will. According to the tafsir literature, Jesus's decision to pray for the table after initially cautioning his disciples shows his compassion for their needs and his understanding that sometimes Allah may grant extraordinary requests when approached with proper etiquette and sincere intention. The phrase 'that there may be for us - for the first and for the last of us - a festival' (takun lana idan li-awwalina wa-akhirina) reveals Jesus's far-sighted wisdom and his concern for future generations, indicating that this miracle would not be merely for immediate gratification but would serve as a lasting source of spiritual celebration and remembrance for all who would follow his message. The Arabic word 'id (festival) carries profound significance, suggesting that this divine provision would become a source of joy, gratitude, and spiritual celebration similar to the religious festivals that commemorate important divine favors throughout Islamic history. According to various interpretations, Jesus's reference to 'first and last' encompasses both his contemporary disciples and all future believers who would benefit from the testimony and spiritual legacy of this miraculous event, showing his prophetic understanding of the long-term impact of divine signs. The phrase 'and a sign from You' (wa-ayatan minka) demonstrates Jesus's understanding that the primary purpose of the table was not merely material sustenance but spiritual confirmation - a clear divine sign that would strengthen faith, provide evidence of Allah's power, and serve as proof of Jesus's authentic prophethood. Jesus's concluding supplication 'And provide for us, and You are the best of providers' (wa-urzuqna wa-anta khayr al-raziqin) shows his complete trust in Allah's provision while acknowledging Allah's supreme status as the ultimate source of all sustenance, both material and spiritual. This phrase reflects perfect theological understanding, recognizing that while Allah may provide through extraordinary means like the heavenly table, He is always the true and best provider in all circumstances, whether through miraculous intervention or natural means. According to classical commentators, Jesus's use of 'the best of providers' (khayr al-raziqin) demonstrates his understanding of Allah's absolute perfection in providing exactly what His servants need, when they need it, and in the manner most beneficial for their spiritual and physical well-being. The prayer structure itself teaches believers the proper etiquette of supplication: beginning with appropriate address to Allah, making clear and specific requests, acknowledging the broader purpose and benefits of what is requested, and concluding with recognition of Allah's supreme attributes and qualities. The historical context indicates that Jesus made this prayer after initially advising caution, showing that spiritual leaders sometimes need to balance guidance toward taqwa with compassionate response to genuine needs of their followers. This demonstrates the principle that while believers should generally trust in Allah's natural provisions, there are circumstances where requesting extraordinary divine intervention may be appropriate, provided it is done with proper humility, clear beneficial purpose, and complete submission to Allah's will. The verse also illustrates the collective nature of prophetic concern, as Jesus prayed not just for his immediate disciples but for all who would benefit from this sign throughout history, showing the universal scope of divine mercy and the lasting impact of authentic spiritual experiences. Contemporary lessons from this prayer include understanding the proper manner of making requests from Allah, recognizing the importance of considering long-term spiritual benefits rather than immediate gratification, appreciating the collective dimension of divine blessings, and learning from Jesus's perfect balance of humility, clarity, and trust in divine wisdom. The prayer also teaches that legitimate spiritual needs can be brought before Allah with confidence, provided they are approached with proper etiquette and genuine intention to strengthen faith and serve others. Modern believers can learn from Jesus's comprehensive approach to supplication, which included acknowledgment of divine lordship, specific requests with clear purpose, consideration for community benefit, and recognition of Allah's supreme attributes as the foundation for all hope and expectation.