Intro
Ahmadis have avoided this Tafsir for years and years, its available online at altafsir.com, it was also quoted in Todd Lawson’s famous research work on 4:157. Ahmadis will continue to ignore this tafsir, since it contradicts everything that Ahmadis believe in. I have written a brief introduction on this Tafsir and its history here, feel free to read that first. Todd Lawson seems to ascribe this Tafsir by Ibn Abbas to Al-Kalbi (died in 146/763), who was nonetheless a very early commentator on the Quran (see Lawson, page 45). Whatever the authenticity of this book is….it proves that from the earliest records of Islamic-writings, Muslims always believed in the “Substitution-theory”, however, they didn’t properly connect it with 5:111-115.
Ibn Abbas on 4:157–159
157″””(And because of their saying: We slew the Messiah Jesus son of Mary, Allah’s messenger) Allah destroyed their man Tatianos. (They slew him not nor crucified, but it appeared so unto them) Allah made Tatianos look like Jesus and so they killed him instead of him; (and lo! those who disagree concerning it) concerning his killing (are in doubt thereof) in doubt about his killing; (they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture) not even conjecture; (they slew him not for certain) i.e. certainly they did not kill him,””””
158″””(But Allah took him up unto Himself) in heaven. (Allah was ever Mighty) in His vengeance against His enemies, (Wise) by granting triumph to his friends: He saved His Prophet and destroyed their man.”””
159″””(There is not one of the People of the Scripture) the Jews and Christians (but will believe in him) in Jesus, that he was not a sorcerer, Allah, His son or His partner (before his death) after the soul of Jesus expires, that is after he comes down again and then dies after every single Jew in their time, (and on the Day of Resurrection he) Jesus (will be a witness against them) through delivery of the message.
Ibn Abbas on 3:55
((And remember) when Allah said: O Jesus! Lo! I am gathering thee and causing thee to ascend unto Me, and am cleansing) saving (thee of those who disbelieve) in you (and am setting those who follow you) follow your Religion (above those who disbelieve) with strong argument and triumph (until the Day of Resurrection) then I shall make you to die after descent; it is also said this means: I shall make your heart die to the love of the life of this world. (Then unto Me ye will (all) return) after death, (and I shall judge between you as to that wherein) in religion (ye used to differ) to argue.
Ibn Abbas on 5:117
(I spake unto them) in the life of this world (only that which Thou commandedst me, (saying): Worship Allah) declare Allah’s divine Oneness and obey Him, (my Lord and your Lord) He is my Lord and yours. (I was a witness of them) by conveying the message (while I dwelt among them, and when Thou tookest me) when you raised from amongst them (Thou wast the Watcher over them) You were the Protector and Witness of them. (Thou art Witness over all things) of what I said and what they said.
______________________________________________________________________________________________Links and Related Essay’s
https://ahmadiyyafactcheckblog.com/2017/04/28/tanwir-al-miqbas-min-tafsir-ibn-abbas/
https://ahmadiyyafactcheckblog.com/2017/04/28/the-tanwir-al-miqbas-tafsir-and-the-substitution-theory-of-esa-as/
https://ahmadiyyafactcheckblog.com/2017/04/28/mujahid-ibn-jabr-arabic-%D9%85%D9%8F%D8%AC%D9%8E%D8%A7%D9%87%D9%90%D8%AF%D9%92-%D8%A8%D9%90%D9%86%D9%92-%D8%AC%D9%8E%D8%A8%D9%92%D8%B1%e2%80%8e%e2%80%8e-645-722-ce-tafsir-on-4157-to-4159/
https://ahmadiyyafactcheckblog.com/2017/05/10/st-john-of-damascus-and-his-tract-heresy-of-ishmaelites-confirms-the-substitution-theory-749/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swoon_hypothesis
http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=587&Itemid=59#3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzspz1z5gz4
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Abu-al-Qasim-Mahmud-ibn-Umar-al-Zamakhshari
https://www.google.com/search?q=Who+is+Todd+Lawson&oq=Who+is+Todd+Lawson&aqs=chrome..69i57.5047j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
April 28, 2017 at 8:08 pm
Since this tafsir is of questionable authenticity, why not quote tafsir of Al-Tabari or other commentators? Those tafsir use narrations from companions to support their position on Jesus (as). Many of such narrations are considered authentic. Do Ahmadis just ignore those too? What about all the other early tafsir?
If we want early tafsir perhaps we can survey Tafsir of Muqatil bin Sulayman. While he was a very controversial figure (as he was alleged for having heretical anthropomorphic views), his tafsir is notable in that it is the earliest written tafsir that still survives until today. (To give you an idea of the age, Muqatil died in 150 AH, which is 767 AD).
I talked to a well studied friend who has a copy of it, and asked about what this Muqatil fellow says for 4:157-158. Apparently he has the substitution theory with Jesus and Judas (Yahudha is the name in the arabic text of the tafsir) and then has Jesus ascending to heaven.
Perhaps we should also check the Tafsir of Imam Al Maturidi, written only just over 20 years after Tabari. Notable as Imam Al Maturidi is one of the most famous sunni theologians.
Also early works that are pre-tabari such as Tafsir Abd al-Razzaq (died 211AH).
April 28, 2017 at 9:03 pm
@ Ahmed
I will be quoting Al-Tabari next. Further, Tabari quoted the 2 tafsir’s in his commentary, which is a summary of all the reports that he seems to have seen as authentic, or worthy.
And yes, Ahmadis totally avoid these. In fact, they totally avoid this entire conversation. Post data on the earliest tafsir’s, i’m willing to learn. I think the Tafsir that changed Islam was Sir Syed’s in 1880 and 1882. He basically went “quran-only” and purposely changed the meanings of many verses, and he did this only to adjust to modern times. But why the Dogma? I agree…the laws have always been modified, based on current conditions, but the dogma is set in stone.
Please post data here for all the Tafsir’s that you find.
April 28, 2017 at 10:29 pm
Alright. I was at the library today and decided to pick up Lawsons book as your blog piqued my interest. Skimmed through it. Apparently he mentions Muqatil and Maturidi. Apparently the arabic Yahudha does not mean Judas, but nonethless is is substitution. Maturidi is consulted. While Maturidi has some issue with the report and the nature of khabr wahid vs khabr mutawatir (a common theme among Imam Maturidi), his interpretation is nonetheless is not something the Ahmadis could stomach. He seems to assert the jews probably could not even find Jesus and had to make up their story of killing him.
April 28, 2017 at 11:15 pm
@ Ahmed
I agree. From the earliest period of Islam….only the substitution theory is mentioned. I would love to find more Tafsir from that era and compare and contrast.
Admin
April 29, 2017 at 5:50 pm
I try posting this comment before but it does not go through. Maybe it is having a website link causing it to be censored.
655- عبد الرزاق، قال: أخبرنا مَعْمر، عن قَتادة، في قوله تعالى: { وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ وَمَا صَلَبُوهُ وَلَـٰكِن شُبِّهَ لَهُمْ }: [الآية: 157]، قال: ألقى شَبَهَهُ على رَجُلٍ من الحواريين فَقُتِلَ، وكان عيسى عرض ذلِكَ عليهم فقال: أيكم أُلقيَ عليه شَبَهِي ولَهُ الجنَّة؟ فقال رجل منهم: عَلَيَّ.
Imam Abd Ar Razzaq (died 211AH, so tafsir written before then, but he narrates from earlier source), in his tafsir narrates from Qatada his (qatada’s) understanding of the 4:157. It is the substitution account with a disciple.
April 29, 2017 at 6:54 pm
Awesome. I would love to see that tafsir…
Admin
April 29, 2017 at 8:03 pm
http://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=2&tTafsirNo=101&tSoraNo=4&tAyahNo=157&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=1
Source for the arabic above