إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبْدٌ أَنْعَمْنَا عَلَيْهِ وَجَعَلْنَـٰهُ مَثَلًا لِّبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ 59
Translations
He [i.e., Jesus] was not but a servant upon whom We bestowed favor, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.
Transliteration
In hu illa abdun an'amna alayhi wa ja'alnahu mathalan li bani Isra'il
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah clarifies that Jesus (Isa) was merely a servant upon whom Allah bestowed favors and made him a sign and example for the Children of Israel, refuting claims of his divinity. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize this verse's role in establishing the creedal foundation that Jesus, despite his miracles and elevated status, remained a created servant of Allah, not divine or the son of God. The verse contextualizes Jesus's miraculous abilities and righteousness as divine grants (ni'am) meant to guide Bani Isra'il, not as evidence of godhood.
Revelation Context
Surah Az-Zukhruf is a Meccan surah addressing polytheists who rejected the monotheistic message. This ayah appears within a section discussing Jesus in response to Christian beliefs current in Arabia. The broader context involves refuting various misconceptions about prophets and divine attributes, establishing that all messengers were human servants commissioned with divine guidance.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'I am the nearest of all the people to Jesus, the son of Mary, in this life and the next life. The prophets are brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one' (Sahih Bukhari 3442). This hadith emphasizes Jesus's status as a prophet and servant, consistent with the ayah's message.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that honor and miraculous abilities do not elevate one beyond servitude to Allah—true greatness lies in perfect obedience and submission to the Divine. For believers, it reinforces that following the example of prophets means recognizing their humanity while accepting their divinely-guided message, not elevating them to divine status.