Lets analyze the verse again, [21:35]We granted not everlasting life to any human being before thee. If then thou shouldst die, shall they live *here *for ever? It just amazes me that just to keep Jesus AS alive, to what extent one can really go. Anyway, Glad you did not say that it was incorrect interpretation. Now, taking your explanation on this verse, Jesus AS was born around 600 years before Muhammad PBUH, you and I both agree Jesus AS is/was a human being. I ask you, what was special in Jesus AS which lead Him to have longer life than holy prophet PBUH?.. A simple logic tells me that He AS was born 600 years before Muhammad PBUH and i see no reason to believe why Jesus AS was raised up and Muhammad PBUH was given death. Theres an age limit of human's life cycle. One cant pass that limit. Prophets have lived for as long as 300 years of age, but eventually died, in this very earth. You do know very well, the verse you're trying to give explanation of can by no mean support the belief of Jesus AS being raised up alive.
If something is obvious, it doesnt require explanation. You cannot take a verse and add your 2 cents in it, to support your belief. When Muhammad PBUH was given death, Jesus AS is no different. He AS did nothing extraordinary if compared with Muhammad PBUH.
Jesus AS is living bodily in the heavens for more than 2000 years, this to me doesnt seem the longevity of life but rather considering someone being immortal, given that there is no specific time of his arrival according to you.
Brother I meant not to offend but I **was **saying that your explanation is incorrect. It has to be incorrect because it doesn't make sense. I shall explain again.
Now first of all you have thrown in too many wild cards for me to deal with the green part and the pink part will have to be taken up later on, please remember to do so inshaAllah, I'll do the same.
Let's not run away from this verse just yet I'll paste it again ...
[21:35]We granted not everlasting life to any human being before thee. If then thou shouldst die, shall they live *here *for ever?
From here it is said that
1) No one before Muhammad (SAW) had been granted immortality.
2) That there is a likelihood that Muhammad (SAW) will die
3) And that if he (SAW) does die, how can anyone be granted immortality
Now a man on a death sentence has not been granted freedom to die naturally, but at this moment in time his death time is written for some point in the future say in 10 days time. Would it be correct or false to say that he has been saved from the death penalty just because he is alive today? No, his time is written and in the same way Isa (AS) being alive has not been granted immortality, i.e. his (AS) death time is also written. To confirm the very next verse says that all souls shall taste the flavour of death. Not that they have tasted it but that all souls WILL do so.
Now there are Sahabis who were born before Muhammad (SAW) but they did not die before him. Remember the verse refers to humans not just prophets. So take you interpretation and apply it on the Sahabah, does it fit? No it does not. As I was saying there were some who were born before him (SAW) and they lived on to die after him. Which means clearly it is wrong to assert that this verse requires to believe that all prophets have died before Muhammad (SAW), because it for one needs to be applied to all people and some people although came before Muhammad (SAW) actually died after him, which refutes your position on this verse. Agree to this and we will move on. If not then I am happy to stay here for a while.
Also, have a look at this verse and the verse you're explaining and give some time to think about it..
3:144 ( or 145 for some )And Muhammad is only a Messenger. Verily, **all **Messengers have passed away before him. If then he die or be slain, will you turn back on your heels? And he who turns back on his heels shall not harm Allah at all. And Allah will certainly reward the grateful.
one hand Allah says he didnt grand anyone everlasting life, and on other hand allah says all prophets have passed away ( even if i take your interpreation of many and not all , it then requires one to see the verse in which the mentioning of Jesus AS used to eat food , it will leave you with no doubt of his death., though the correct interpretation is that all prophets have passed away before him )..
Do you really not think this explanation of yours gives birth to a lot of questions? Some of which is, if Jesus AS was alive even during Muhammad PBUH's prophethood, what was the need of Allah sending down a brand new prophet and not sending Isa AS back to earth?.. is it possible that Jesus AS have learnt Quran even before it was revealed to Muhamad PBUH, since Jesus AS is/was the closest prophet to Allah? Does questions like this seriously not come in your mind when you're trying to explain a verse ?
Peace Mr. Popat
Trying to entertain the thought of "what was the need of Allah ..." is not a line of questioning for the Muslim who does not ask but obeys. We will not get to the answer of that question, because an even more fundamental question is "what was the need of Allah (SWT) Hiding Himself and then sending Messengers to teach us about Him?" These questions are transgressions from the topic.
Highlighted in blue above I have my answer to this verse ... the interpretation within the rules of Arabic grammar do not mandate it to be ALL prophets. Agree that the verse does not mandate ALL prophets then we can move on. If it does mandate ALL prophets then please show how I am mistaken.