Vocabulary

Aḥassa: “Sensation” means to perceive through the senses. The meaning of “When Jesus sensed disbelief from them” is that their disbelief was so apparent that it could be perceived through the senses, let alone through understanding,(457) as they had resolved to harm and kill him (a.s.) due to their disbelief.(458) Al-Ḥawāriyyūn (the Disciples): The root meaning of “ḥawr” is transformation and being contrary to a previous state. Based on this, those who turned away from the religion and behavior of their people and, contrary to them, believed in the new prophet and followed his religion were called ḥawārī.(459) Its application to the companions of Jesus (a.s.), according to some exegeses, was either because they purified people’s souls through the presentation of religion and knowledge, or because they caught those who were intellectually lost and guided them to the truth.(460)

In a hadith from Imam al-Riḍā (a.s.) (which will be discussed in the narrative section), ḥawārī means pure. Since the disciples were both pure themselves and caused the purification and refinement of others, they were given this name. For this reason, the pure companions of any person are called their ḥawārī.(461)