Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “I am the closest of people to Jesus, son of Mary, in this world 1 and the Hereafter. The prophets 2 are brothers from different mothers, 3 but their religion is one, and there was no prophet between us.”
Possible references (unverified, pending editorial review)
Candidate: Sahih al-Bukhari 3443 (unverified) 96% confidence
Candidate: Sahih Muslim 2365b (unverified) 92% confidence
Confidence and text similarity are not editorial verification.
Commentary and footnotes (6)
Note 1
I am the closest of people to Jesus, son of Mary
(1) His statement: “I am the closest of people to Jesus, son of Mary”: Al-Hafidh Ibn Hajar said: That is, the nearest to him, because he foretold his coming, and there is no contradiction with Allah’s statement: “The closest of people to Abraham are those who follow him and this Prophet” [Al Imran: 68], as he is the closest to Abraham through emulation and to Jesus through proximity in time. (As stated in Al-Mirqat)
Note 2
in this world and the Hereafter
(2) His statement: “in this world and the Hereafter”: This may refer to this life and the next, or to the first state, as the one foretold, and the latter state, as the one supporting and strengthening his religion. (As stated in Al-Mirqat)
Note 3
The prophets are brothers from different mothers
(3) His statement: “The prophets are brothers from different mothers”: The purpose of sending all prophets is likened to guiding creation as a father, and their differing laws, similar in aim, are likened to mothers. Their religion is one, meaning that, though their laws vary, the essence of their religion—monotheism and obedience—is one. Thus, all are close to me, but Jesus is the closest. (As stated in Al-Lama’at)
Note 1
قوله
(۱) قوله: أنا أولى الناس بعيسى بن مريم: قال الحافظ ابن حجر : أي أقربهم إليه؛ لأنه بشر بأن يأتي من بعده، ولا منافاة بينه وبين قوله تعالى: ﴿إِنَّ أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِإِبْرَاهِيمَ لَلَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُ وَهَذَا النَّبِيُّ﴾ (آل عمران: ٦٨)؛ لأنه هو أولى الناس بإبراهيم من جهة الاقتداء، وأولاهم بعيسى بن مريم من جهة قرب العهد. كذا في «المرقاة».
Note 2
قوله
(۲) قوله: في الأولى والآخرة: يحتمل أن يراد بهما الدنيا والآخرة، أو أن يراد بهما الحالة الأولى، وهي كونه مبشرا، والحالة الآخرة، وهي كونه ناصرا مقويا لدينه. كذا في «المرقاة».
Note 3
قوله
(۳) قوله: الأنبياء إخوة من علاوت وأمهاتهم شتى شبه ما هو المقصود من بعثة جملة الأنبياء هو إرشاد الخلق بالأب و شبه شرائعهم المتفاوتة في الصور المتقاربة في الغرض بالأمهات، كذا قالوا. وقوله: دينهم واحد يعني أن الشرائع وإن كانت متعددة مختلفة، لكن أصل دينهم - وهو التوحيد والطاعة - واحد، فكلهم أقارب لي، لكن عيسى أقرب. كذا في «اللمعات».
Commentary and footnotes (6)
Note 1
(1) His statement: “I am the closest of people to Jesus, son of Mary”: Al-Hafidh Ibn Hajar said: That is, the nearest to him, because he foretold his coming, and there is no contradiction with Allah’s statement: “The closest of people to Abraham are those who follow him and this Prophet” [Al Imran: 68], as he is the closest to Abraham through emulation and to Jesus through proximity in time. (As stated in Al-Mirqat)
Note 2
(2) His statement: “in this world and the Hereafter”: This may refer to this life and the next, or to the first state, as the one foretold, and the latter state, as the one supporting and strengthening his religion. (As stated in Al-Mirqat)
Note 3
(3) His statement: “The prophets are brothers from different mothers”: The purpose of sending all prophets is likened to guiding creation as a father, and their differing laws, similar in aim, are likened to mothers. Their religion is one, meaning that, though their laws vary, the essence of their religion—monotheism and obedience—is one. Thus, all are close to me, but Jesus is the closest. (As stated in Al-Lama’at)
Note 1
(۱) قوله: أنا أولى الناس بعيسى بن مريم: قال الحافظ ابن حجر : أي أقربهم إليه؛ لأنه بشر بأن يأتي من بعده، ولا منافاة بينه وبين قوله تعالى: ﴿إِنَّ أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِإِبْرَاهِيمَ لَلَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُ وَهَذَا النَّبِيُّ﴾ (آل عمران: ٦٨)؛ لأنه هو أولى الناس بإبراهيم من جهة الاقتداء، وأولاهم بعيسى بن مريم من جهة قرب العهد. كذا في «المرقاة».
Note 2
(۲) قوله: في الأولى والآخرة: يحتمل أن يراد بهما الدنيا والآخرة، أو أن يراد بهما الحالة الأولى، وهي كونه مبشرا، والحالة الآخرة، وهي كونه ناصرا مقويا لدينه. كذا في «المرقاة».
Note 3
(۳) قوله: الأنبياء إخوة من علاوت وأمهاتهم شتى شبه ما هو المقصود من بعثة جملة الأنبياء هو إرشاد الخلق بالأب و شبه شرائعهم المتفاوتة في الصور المتقاربة في الغرض بالأمهات، كذا قالوا. وقوله: دينهم واحد يعني أن الشرائع وإن كانت متعددة مختلفة، لكن أصل دينهم - وهو التوحيد والطاعة - واحد، فكلهم أقارب لي، لكن عيسى أقرب. كذا في «اللمعات».