رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا بِمَا أَنزَلْتَ وَاتَّبَعْنَا الرَّسُولَ فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّاهِدِينَ
Our Lord, we believe in what You have revealed and we follow the prophet. Therefore, count us among those, who bear witness [of Your Truth]1
Note: This, according to the Qur’an, was the supplication of the companions of Jesus (pbuh). The Qur’an informs us that after the Jewish priests and rabbis persisted in their rejection of Jesus (pbuh), he turned towards a few common people and called them to the path of God. These people accepted faith at the hands of Jesus (pbuh). It was at this time that they called upon their Lord with the cited words.
Although, from a broader perspective, the words ‘who bear witness’, may be used generally for all those, who accept and declare the Truth; yet, in the light of the usage of these words in the Qur’an it is clear that these words are normally used specifically for the companions of the messengers of God. These words indicate not only the special position of these companions but also their special responsibility.
The cited supplication expresses the acceptance and submission to the call of a messenger of God and the commitment to follow the messenger in all aspects of religion. With the expression of this acceptance and commitment, the person asks for God’s favors, especially, in the life of the hereafter.
- Aal Imraan 3:53 [↩]