Tafsir & Commentary
The Table Spread (المائدة) · Medinan
قَالَ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ ٱللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَآ أَنزِلْ عَلَيْنَا مَآئِدَةً مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ تَكُونُ لَنَا عِيدًا لِّأَوَّلِنَا وَءَاخِرِنَا وَءَايَةً مِّنكَ ۖ وَٱرْزُقْنَا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلرَّٰزِقِينَ114
5:114
Translation — Sahih International
Said Jesus, the son of Mary, "O Allāh, our Lord, send down to us a table [spread with food] from the heaven to be for us a festival for the first of us and the last of us and a sign from You. And provide for us, and You are the best of providers."
Transliteration
Qala Isa ibnu Maryama Allahumma Rabbana anzil alayna ma'idatan mina as-sama'i takun lana Eedan li-awwalina wa-akhirina wa-ayatan minka war-rzuqna wa-anta khayru ar-raziqin
Tafsir (Explanation)
In this ayah, Prophet Jesus (Alayhi assalam) supplicates to Allah on behalf of his followers, requesting that a table (ma'idah) be sent down from heaven as a sign and sustenance for them. According to classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir, this du'a reflects Jesus's compassion for his people and his desire to strengthen their faith through a miraculous provision. The ma'idah represents both physical sustenance and spiritual nourishment, serving as evidence of Jesus's prophethood and Allah's power, and the request to make it a festival (Eid) for both the first and last of his followers emphasizes its lasting significance and universal blessing.
Revelation Context (Asbab al-Nuzul)
This ayah is part of the dialogue between Jesus and his disciples regarding the ma'idah, revealed in the Medinan period. It occurs within the context of Surah Al-Ma'idah's discussion of the Israelites' request for the table and their subsequent testing through it. The broader context addresses themes of faith, miracles, and the trials that accompany divine signs.
Related Hadiths
The Tirmidhi hadith (Jami' at-Tirmidhi) records that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) mentioned the ma'idah among the miracles granted to the prophets. Additionally, hadiths in Sahih Muslim discuss Jesus's intercession and his concern for his ummah, thematically related to his compassionate supplication in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lessons
This ayah teaches us the importance of sincere supplication to Allah and reminds us that prophets sought blessings not merely for themselves but for their entire communities. It encourages believers to ask Allah with humility, recognizing Him as the best of providers, and to view trials and signs as opportunities to strengthen faith and community bonds.