Tafsir of Ayahs 115-119 of Surah Al-Ma'idah

A: Firstly: Exegetes of the Qur’an have differed concerning the time of this question being asked to `Isa (peace be upon him). Ibn Jarir and the exegetes who supported his view said that this question was asked in this world when he was raised to heaven. He used two things as evidence: The first: the context is in the past tense. The second: His saying "Tu‘azibhum" (punish them) and "In taghfir lahum" (if You forgive them). The second opinion: This question will be asked to `Isa ibn Maryam (Jesus son of Mary), on the Day of Judgment in the presence of those who worshipped him and his mother beside Allah. Allah (Exalted be He) says: "O ‘Isâ (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)! Did you say unto men: ‘Worship me and my mother as two gods besides Allâh?’" This is the viewpoint of Ibn Kathir and the exegetes who followed his opinion. Moreover, in light of these two interpretations the meaning to be understood from Allah’s saying about `Isa (the meanings of which are translated as): ...when You took me up, You were the Watcher over them will differ accordingly. (Part No. 4; Page No. 213) If we assume that this question was in this world, then ‘Eisa’s saying "Tawafaytany" (took me up) means took me through raising me to the heavens. But the meaning of this word according to the second view is death. Secondly: As for the interpretation of these Ayahs, you can refer to Ibn Jarir, Ibn Kathir and others.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.