Refuting the Qadiani Misinterpretation of “فَلَمَّا تَوَفَّیۡتَنِیۡ” in the Quran

Qadianis argue that the Quranic verse “فَلَمَّا تَوَفَّیۡتَنِیۡ” (Al-Ma’idah 5:117) proves the death of Jesus (Isa عليه السلام). However, a detailed linguistic and exegetical analysis clearly shows that the term “توفى” does not necessarily mean death but rather “to take completely” or “to receive in full”.

1. Contradiction in Mirza Ghulam Ahmad’s Beliefs

We have already established that, according to Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the corruption in Christian beliefs began during Jesus’ lifetime. If that were the case, then “فَلَمَّا تَوَفَّیۡتَنِیۡ” (When You took me) cannot be used to argue that their corruption began after Jesus’ supposed death.

2. Consensus of Scholars

Not a single unanimously recognized scholar has ever interpreted “فَلَمَّا تَوَفَّیۡتَنِیۡ” to mean the death of Jesus. If Qadianis claim otherwise, they must present authentic evidence from classical Islamic scholarship.

3. Linguistic Analysis of “Tawaffa” (توفی)

The term “توفی” does not inherently mean death. Instead, it means “to take something completely” or “to receive in full”. The following classical tafsir references confirm this:

• Tafsir Al-Tha‘labi: وأصل التوفي أخذ الشيء وافيا (The essence of “Tawaffa” is to take something completely).
• Tafsir Al-Baghawi: وَمَعْنَى التَّوَفِّي: أَخْذُ الشَّيْءِ وَافِيًا (The meaning of “Tawaffa” is to take something in full).
• Tafsir Al-Razi: وَأَصْلُ التَّوَفِّي أَخْذُ الشَّيْءِ وَافِيًا كَامِلًا (The root of “Tawaffa” is to take something in full and complete form).
• Tafsir Al-Baydawi: والتوفي أخذ الشيء وافياً (Tawaffa means to take something fully).
• Tafsir Al-Khazin: وأصل التوفي أخذ الشيء وافيا (The root meaning of “Tawaffa” is to take something completely).

4. Arabic Lexicon Evidence

In classical Arabic, “Tawaffa” is used to mean “taking something completely”, not necessarily “causing death”. Examples include:

• “تَوَفَّيْتُ المالَ مِنْهُ” means “I took my full due of money from him.”
  • Lisan al-Arab: تَوَفَّيْتُ المالَ مِنْهُ واسْتوْفَيته إِذَا أَخذته كُلَّهُ (Tawaffa means taking something in full).
• “تَوَفَّيْتُ عَدَد القومِ” means “I counted the entire number of people.”
  • Taj al-‘Arus: وتَوَفَّيْتُ عَدَدَ القَوْمِ: إِذا عَدَدْتهم كُلَّهمْ (Tawaffa is used for counting the entire population).

These linguistic and exegetical proofs clearly show that “فَلَمَّا تَوَفَّیۡتَنِیۡ” does not mean Jesus died but rather that Allah took him completely—body and soul—towards Himself. This interpretation aligns with other Quranic verses that mention the raising of Jesus (Isa عليه السلام) rather than his death.

Thus, the Qadiani claim is refuted based on linguistic, exegetical, and scholarly consensus.