Surah An-Nisa — Verse 159

Word Meanings:

• Ahl al-Kitab (أهل الكتاب): The People of the Book, referring to the Jews and Christians who received the Torah and the Gospel.
• La yu'minanna bihi (لَيُؤْمِنَنَّ بِهِ): They will surely believe in him — meaning Jesus (peace be upon him).
• Qabla mawtihi (قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ): Before his death — referring to the death of each individual from the People of the Book, or the death of Jesus himself after his descent at the end of time.
• Shahidan (شَهِيدًا): A witness — testifying to the truth or falsehood of what people claimed about him.

Explanation of the Verse:

This noble verse carries a profound and decisive truth that will unfold at the end of time. Allah Almighty informs us that there is not a single person from the People of the Book — whether Jew or Christian — who will not believe in Jesus (peace be upon him) before his death. This refers to the period when Jesus will descend to earth in the last days, as a just ruler and a fair judge. At that time, every Jew and Christian alive will see him with their own eyes, and the truth of his prophethood and his message will become crystal clear to them. They will all believe in him — the Jews who rejected him and accused him falsely, and the Christians who exaggerated his status and called him the son of God. He will correct their misconceptions, break the cross, and abolish the false practices that had been innovated in his name.

However, this belief at that moment — when the truth becomes undeniable and visible — will not be the faith of the unseen that earns reward. Rather, it will be a compelled belief, like the faith of a person who sees death approaching and suddenly declares belief, which is of no avail to him.

Then, on the Day of Resurrection, Jesus (peace be upon him) will stand as a witness over these very people. He will testify against the Jews who denied him, slandered him, and accused his pure mother of a grave sin. And he will testify against the Christians who elevated him to divinity and worshipped him alongside Allah. His testimony will be a living proof of his complete innocence from all that was falsely attributed to him, and his absolute servitude to Allah, the Lord of all worlds.

A Call to Reflection and Faith:

Dear reader, ponder the wisdom of this verse. It reveals the ultimate victory of truth over falsehood, and the certainty that every soul will eventually recognize the truth — whether in this life, when it is beneficial, or at the moment of death or the Hereafter, when it is too late. How blessed is the one who hastens to believe in all the messengers of Allah, including Jesus (peace be upon him), as a true servant of Allah and a noble prophet — without exaggeration and without denial. This is the straight path, the path of balance and moderation that Islam calls us to. It is the path that leads to Allah's pleasure and eternal bliss in Paradise. Do not delay your faith until the truth becomes undeniable, for then it will be of no benefit to you. Rather, embrace the truth now, with a sincere heart, and you will be among the successful.