Page 67 - Mary: An Exemplary Muslim Woman

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The Prophets' Deaths

An analysis of the words used to narrate the Prophets' deaths and
those used to narrate the attempt on the Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) life reveal
an important fact. In the first case, the Qur'an uses qatala (to kill), maa-
ta (to die), halaka (to perish), salaba (to crucify), and a few other specif-
ic words. The Qur'an is very clear and specific about the fact that "They
did not kill him [wa ma qataloohu] and did not crucify him [wa ma salaboohu]."
People were shown a likeness of the Prophet Jesus (pbuh), who in fact,
was taken back by Allah and raised to the heavens:

When Allah said: "Jesus, I will take you back [mutawaffeeka], raise you
up [wa raafi`uka] to Me, and purify you of those who disbelieve. And I
will place the people who follow you above those who disbelieve until
the Day of Resurrection." (Surah Al 'Imran: 55)

In other words, the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) did not experience a nor-
mal death. The word tawaffa in the above verse is used in the following
ways:

Paolo Veronese's "Feast in the House of Levi," an oil
painting from 1573. It is on display in Venice's
Accademia Museum. This picture from the Italian
Renaissance depicts the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) and the
Apostles.