The background of the verses of Mubahila

When the delegation of Christians from Najraan came to Madina, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) invited them to Islam.  They said:  We have been Muslims much before you.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: No.  There are 3 things among you that negate Islam.  One is that you worship the cross.  The second is that you eat pork and the third is that you claim that the Lord Almighty has a son. 

 

One person of the delegation said:  Jesus is the son of God as he has not father.

 

A second said:  Jesus is God as he resurrects the dead and informs one what is unseen and cures all diseases and bring birds to life.

 

Yet another said:  In spite of this excellence, why do you abuse him saying that he is a slave of God?

 

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  He is the slave of Lord Almighty and His Word which was cast into Maryam. 

 

The delegation took umbrage to this and said:  Now we will not keep quiet unless you say that Jesus is God and they told the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam):  If you are truthful, then show us someone who resurrects the dead and cures a born blind person and a leper and can make birds out of mud and breathe life in them.

 

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) held His peace.  The revelation came:

 

Surely, the example of ‘Isa (Jesus) in the sight of Allah is the same as that of Adam whom He formed from clay, then said (to him): ‘Be.’ And he became.  (Ordained to forewarn the Umma [the Community]:) ‘This is the truth from your Lord, so be not of those who doubt.’  So, if someone contends with you about ‘Isa (Jesus) after knowledge has come to you, say: ‘Come, let us (jointly) call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, and ourselves and yourselves (at the same place). Then let us supplicate fervently (i.e., most submissively) and invoke the curse of Allah upon the liars.’  Surah Al Imran (59-61)

 
This is called Mubahila.

The next morning, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) came Imam Hasan, Imam Hussain, Hadhrat Fatima, Hadhrat ‘Ali (May Allah be well pleased with them), but they couldn’t come out for fear of being destroyed.

[Excerpted from Maqasid Ul Islam, Vol. 9]