"So, when 'Isa sensed disbelief in them, he said: 'Who are my helpers in the way of Allah?" The disciples said: "We are helpers of Allah. We believe in Allah; and be wit­ness that we are Muslims." [52] "Our Lord, we have believed in what You have revealed, and we have followed the messenger. So, write us down with those who bear witness.""[53] (3:52-53)

Following blessed predictions mentioned earlier, Sayyidna 'Isa (A.S) was born with all promised signs. As a messenger sent to Bani Isra'il, he presented his call to them supported by miracles to prove his prophethood. But, the Bani Isra'il were adamant and kept on rejecting him as a prophet, even going to the limit of being physically hostile to him.

The text now identifies the very first followers of Sayyidna 'Isa (A.S), brings to light their real creed, expressed first before their prophet and then (in verse 53), reiterated it in the form of a prayer before their Lord.

Commentary

The word, 'hawariyy (singular of 'al-hawariyyun') appearing in verse 52 (translated as 'the disciples'), is a derivation from hawar which lexically means whiteness. In the religious terminology, the title of 'hawariyy' has been given to the sincere disciples or companions of Sayyidna 'Isa (A.S) either because of their sincerity or the purity of their heart, or because of their white dress. Likewise, the Companions (radiallaahu 'anhum: May Allah be pleased with them) of the Holy Prophet Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam: Peace be upon him have been called, sahabiyy (plural, sahabah).

Some commentators have given the number of the disciples as twelve. Incidentally, the word 'hawariyy' is also, at times, used in the absolute sense of 'helper' or 'supporter'. It is in this very sense that it was said in a hadith: "Every prophet has a hawariyy, that is, a sincere companion; Zubair is my hawariyy" (Tafsir al-Qurtubi) [Ma'ariful Qur'an]

» Posted by Seifeddine-M on 2nd December 2011

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