Prophet Isa(Alaihi salaam) part 6:

Prophet Isa(Alaihi salaam) part 6:

A) Isa(Alaihi salaam)'s Message :

Like an opposing force, the message of Isa(Alaihi salaam) came to denounce the practices of the Pharisees(members of a Jewish sect ,noted for strict observance of rites and ceremonies of the written law and for insistence on the validity of their own oral traditions concerning the law) and to reinforce the Law of Musa(Alaihi salaam). In the face of a materialistic age of luxury and worship of gold,Isa(Alaihi salaam) called his people to a nobler life by word and deed. This exemplary(desirable) life was the only way out of the wretchedness and diseases of his age. Isa(Alaihi salaam)'s call, from the beginning, was marked by its complete uprightness and piety. It appealed to the soul, the inner being, and not be a closed system of rules laid down by society.

Isa(Alaihi salaam) continued inviting the people to Almighty Allah. His call was based on the principle that there is no mediation between the Creator and His creatures. However, Isa(Alaihi salaam) was in conflict with the Jews' superficial interpretation of the Torah (Taurath). He said that he did not come to abrogate(overrule) the Torah, but to complete it by going to the spirit of its substance to arrive at its essence.He(alaihi salaam) made the Jews understand that the Ten Commandments mentioned in taurath (The Ten Commandments—with the exception of the fourth one, which deals with observance of the Sabbath—in essence and spirit constitute an integral part of the Qur’anic ethics and laws. These ten commandments are also mentioned in the Bible (in the Exodus version 20 : 2(3)-17).The Qur’an presents itself as a book through which Allah has guided humankind to the noble ways of the previous prophets and messengers, who are to be emulated as the perfect role models of humanity. (See Qur’an 4:26; 6:90) have more value than they imagined.For instance, the fifth commandment does not only prohibit physical killing, but all forms of killing; physical, psychological, or spiritual. And the sixth commandment does not prohibit adultery only in the sense of unlawful physical contact between a man and a woman, but also prohibits all forms of unlawful relations or acts that might lead to adultery. The eye commits adultery when it looks at anything with passion.

B) Isa(Alaihi salaam) Denounces Materialism :

Isa(Alaihi salaam) was therefore in confrontation with the materialistic people. He told them to desist from hypocrisy, show and false praise. There was no need to hoard wealth in this life. They should not
preoccupy themselves with the goods of this passing world; rather they must preoccupy themselves with the affairs of the coming world because it would be everlasting.Isa(Alaihi salaam) told them that caring for this world is a sin, not fit for pious worshippers. The disbelievers care for it because they do not know a better way. As for the believers, they know that their sustenance is with Allah, so they trust in Him and scorn(feel something as unworthy) this world.Isa(Alaihi salaam) continued to invite people to worship the Only Lord, Who is without partner, just as he invited them to purify the heart and soul.

C) Jewish Priests Try to Embarrass Isa(Alaihi salaam) :

Isa(Alaihi salaam)'s teaching annoyed the priests, for every word of Isa(Alaihi salaam) was a threat to them and their position,exposing their misdeeds.The Roman occupiers had, at first, no intention of being involved in this religious discord of the Jews because it was an internal affair, and they saw that this dispute would distract the Jews from the question of the occupation.

However, the priests started to plot against Isa(Alaihi salaam). They wanted to embarrass him and to prove that he had come to destroy the Mosaic Law. The Mosaic Law provides that an adulteress be stoned to death. They brought him a Jewish adulteress and asked Isa(Alaihi salaam): "Does not the law stipulate the stoning of the adulteress?" Isa(Alaihi salaam) answered: "Yes." They said: "This woman is an adulteress." Isa(Alaihi salaam) looked at the woman and then at the priests. He knew that they were more sinful than she. They agreed that she should be killed according to Mosaic Law, and they understood that if he was going to apply Mosaic Law, he would be destroying his own rules of forgiveness and mercy.Isa(Alaihi salaam) understood their plan. He smiled and agreed: "Whoever among you is sinless can stone her." His voice rose in the middle of the worship area, making a new law on adultery, for the sinless to judge sin. There was none eligible; no mortal(perishable) can judge sin, only Allah the Most Merciful.As Isa(Alaihi salaam) left the worship area, the woman followed him. She took out a bottle of perfume from her garments, knelt before his feet and washed them with perfume and tears, and then dried his feet with her hair. Isa(Alaihi salaam) turned to the woman and told her to stand up, adding: "O Lord, forgive her sins." He let the priests understand that those who call people to Almighty Allah are not executioners. His call was based on mercy for the people, the aim of all divine calls.

To be continued...In sha Allah !