Question
At reading Quran 3:55 and as translated by Pickthall.
(And remember) when Allah said: O Jesus! Lo! I am gathering thee and causing thee to ascend unto Me, and am cleansing thee of those who disbelieve and am setting those who follow thee above those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection. (Aal Imraan 3: 55)
The above verse says that those who follow the Jesus will be superior to others till the Day of Judgment. Who are the followers of Jesus? Is the verse referring to Muslims? But Muslims have lost the power against the rejecters. Who are the followers of Jesus (pbuh) that the verse is referring to.
Also, the verse in Surah Aal Imraan 3: 112 says that the Jews will ever live in poverty and disgrace, but we find them rich and prosperous.
What is the correct interpretation of the verse?
Answer
This verse relates to the law relating to the messengers of God. As a punishment on the rejecters of Jesus (pbuh), the Qur’an has mentioned that at the time of the God’s decision relating to the termination of Jesus’ (pbuh) mission, God declared that after him those who believe in Jesus (pbuh) will dominate those who rejected him (i.e., the Jews) till the Day of Judgment. In the referred verse, those who believed in Jesus (pbuh) refers to the Christians. It is clear that even today, the Jewish collectivity is completely dependant upon Christian collectivities for even maintaining their existence.
As for verse 112 of Aal Imraan, it relates to God’s punishment to the Jews for their rejection of God’s prophets and their planning to kill His prophets and messengers. The verse tells us that because of their crimes against the prophets and messengers of God, they have been destined to disgrace. It further tells us that the only temporary respite that they will be given from this disgrace is either because of the support that they get from other people around them or because of some temporary support given by the Almighty.
I hope this helps.
Moiz Amjad
October 31, 2004