Jesus (a.s.) continues his previous responses by adding that he said nothing to them except what You had commanded him to say; not only did he not invite people to polytheism (shirk), but he called them to monotheism (tawḥīd) and by Your command said to them: worship God, for He is my Lord and your Lord. Then, so that this invitation would have executive guarantee, he himself was a witness (watchful guardian) over their deeds, and after him, You were the watchful guardian and also the absolute witness over them.
The phrase “when You had taken me away” (fa-lammā tawaffaytanī) indicates the death of Jesus (a.s.); not his departure from this world, because firstly, tawaffī means the complete taking of the soul, which is also compatible with sleep; secondly, assuming tawaffī indicates death, since this question and answer takes place on the Day of Resurrection, it is not clear at what time that personage’s departure and death occurred.
“Witness” (shahīd) in the sentence “You are witness to all things” (anta ʿalā kulli shayʾin shahīd) means observer, not the observed, otherwise it would not be compatible with the proof that Jesus (a.s.) established in his fourth response.
Selected Commentary
Jesus (a.s.) continues his previous responses by adding that he said nothing to them except what You had commanded him to say; not only did he not invite people to polytheism (shirk), but he called them to monotheism (tawḥīd) and by Your command said to them: worship God, for He is my Lord and your Lord. Then, so that this invitation would have executive guarantee, he himself was a witness (watchful guardian) over their deeds, and after him, You were the watchful guardian and also the absolute witness over them.
The phrase “when You had taken me away” (fa-lammā tawaffaytanī) indicates the death of Jesus (a.s.); not his departure from this world, because firstly, tawaffī means the complete taking of the soul, which is also compatible with sleep; secondly, assuming tawaffī indicates death, since this question and answer takes place on the Day of Resurrection, it is not clear at what time that personage’s departure and death occurred.
“Witness” (shahīd) in the sentence “You are witness to all things” (anta ʿalā kulli shayʾin shahīd) means observer, not the observed, otherwise it would not be compatible with the proof that Jesus (a.s.) established in his fourth response.