The next is not a hadith rather an interpretation attributed to Abu Hurairah. Firstly this statement contradicts Qur’an that all would accept Isa(as) however this complete contradicts Qur’an so even if said by him we cannot accept it as it not only contradicts the Quran but all the other ahadith proofs. This is not a hadith rather his own interpretation which he has not expounded on which leaves us in ignorance in regards to his true belief on the latter day messiah.
It is indeed true that he was a great companion, however his depth of understanding was not the best and this is not only a statement said by us, rather many non Ahmadis. He would be corrected by many companions during his lifetime.
Usulush-Shashi states:
“The second category which exists among the narrators of Hadith
is of those who are renowned for their remarkable memory and honesty, but cannot be relied upon for their Ijtihad or religious verdicts, such as, Abu Hurairah (ra) and Anas bin Malik (ra).”
In Tafsir-e-Mazhari it is stated:
“In the verse under discussion it is incorrect to attribute the
second pronoun (i.e., in Qabla mautihi) towards Jesus (as). This is merely a notion of Hadrat Abu Hurairah (ra) and it is not supported by the Hadith at
all.”
The ayah has been explained in depth already as follows and I can simply say that Abu Hurairah(Ra) was showing that it would be a different person as the ayah says that isa(As) of past would only be a witness on the day of judgement, so Abu Hurairah used this statement to show the death of Isa(as). My statement holds as much weight as yours as he did not explain it.
Here is the Ayah with its true meaning:
People of The Book Would Believe?
And there is none among the People of the Book but will believe in it before his death; and on the Day of Resurrection, he (Jesus) shall be a witness against them —(Chapter 4 Verse 160)
This verse is one of the ayahs in the Qur’an which has such a confusion on many non Ahmadis sadly but this can easily be cleared up once the Qur’an is read in context. This verse in context and many other ayahs in context as well need to be read to understand this ayah. Firstly the pronoun it refers to the false belief that Jesus(as) died on the cross so this signifies that till their death the Jews and the Christians will believe that Isa(as) died on the cross as this is the creed of their belief. If Jesus(as) didn’t die on the cross both the faith of the Christians and Jews are in danger. Some Sunnis have referred to qabla mauthihi referring to Isa(As) but this is simply ridiculous for many reasons. Firstly let it be made clear that Isa(as) was successful in his mission and was granted a clear victory as all other prophets were. Having victory was never the entire world accepting the prophet as there has always been a party of people who reject the messengers of Allah.
Now let’s read this ayah in context. It is revealed right after the ayah which states that Messiah Son of Mary was not killed nor crucified. This is continuing onto the misconception that Isa(As) was killed on the cross. The surah and ayahs in context show the faults of the Jews and Christians it would not make sense to out of nowhere state that all of the Christians and Jews would become better then entire mankind by accepting the prophet sent to them. So the hi mentioned in la yu minanna bihi refers to the Ahlul Kitab and is referring to their confusion of believing that Isa(As) died on the cross. The Qabla mauthi does not refer to Jesus(as) rather to the person of the ahlul kitab. This shows that all of them will believe he died on the cross since without this both faiths are in vain.
Now here are some points one has to consider. The ayah does not exclude anyone from the people of the book. So according to the non Ahmadi interpretation all have to believe in Jesus(as) before the death but how about the millions who have died already without accepting Jesus(as)? Will they all come back to life and accept Jesus(As) even though Qur’an says the dead do not come back to life physically? How would the non Ahmadis reply to this? The Arabic puts together the words in and min which is referred to as hasr in Arabic grammar and includes all. No one from the people of the book can be excluded. The ayah states “And there is none among the People of the Book” so how can you justify the millions who rejected Isa(As) and have already died and are dying as a type? Was this a false saying by Allah God forbid?
Secondly the ayah right after states that “And on the day of resurrection, he (Jesus) shall be a witness against them” This shows us that it will be on the day of resurrection where Jesus(as) will be a witness against them not before. Secondly it states that he would be a witness against them. Why would Jesus(as) be against them if all will accept him?
Now the biggest complication with their interpretation of this ayah is it created contradiction in the Qur’an. This book cannot have any contradictions. Allah has stated:
Will they not, then, meditate upon the Qur’an? Had it been from anyone other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much disagreement.(Chapter 4 verse 83)
The Qur’an is the greatest book and has no contradictions but sadly the non Ahmadi interpretation causes many contradictions by claiming all will accept Jesus(as) and become Muslim. Here are some clear ayahs that prove that firstly only a few Jews were made to accept, and secondly that the disbelievers will remain till day of judgment. Christians and Jews are in fact both mentioned by name.
Then, because of their breaking of their covenant, and their denial of the Signs of Allah, and their seeking to kill the Prophets unjustly, and their saying: ‘Our hearts are wrapped in covers,’ — nay, but Allah has sealed them because of their disbelief, so they believe not but little —(Chapter 4 Verse 156)
We were just speaking in context. Now I ask the non Ahmadis whether they have read the ayah of the Jews and Christians believing in it in context? Just four ayahs before Allah has made it clear that from the Jews they do not believe but little. A minority of them believe. Allah has sealed them because of their disbelief which caused only a little of them believe. This leaves no room left for one to claim the entire mankind will follow a prophet whom Qur’an says has already died.
The next ayah is chapter 3 verse 56 which despite proving the death of Isa(as) also proves that the disbelievers would remain till the day of judgment:
When Allah said, ‘O Jesus, I will cause thee to die a natural death and will exalt thee to Myself, and will clear thee from the charges of those who disbelieve, and will place those who follow thee above those who disbelieve, until the Day of Resurrection; then to Me shall be your return, and I will judge between you concerning that wherein you differ. (Chapter 3 verse 56)
Allah makes it clear that he will place those who follow Isa(as) above those who disbelieve until the day of resurrection which shows us once again that disbelievers will remain till the day of judgment.
Now here are two ayahs which mention both the Christians and the Jews by name, that they will indeed exist till the day of judgement:
And from those also who say, ‘We are Christians,’ We took a covenant, but they too have forgotten a good part of that with which they were exhorted. So We have caused enmity and hatred among them till the Day of Resurrection. And Allah will soon let them know what they have been doing.(Chapter 5 verse 15)
This ayah has clearly stated that Allah has taken a covenant from the Christians and has caused enmity and hatred among them till the day of resurrection. Now for them to have enmity and hatred they have to exist so how can one say they will have hate and enmity till day of judgment but not be in existence? This is another contradiction which the non Ahmadi interpretation causes which cannot be accepted.
Again Allah states:
And the Jews say, ‘The hand of Allah is tied up.’ Their own hands shall be tied up and they shall be cursed for what they say. Nay, both His hands are wide open; He spends how He pleases. And what has been sent down to thee from thy Lord will most surely increase many of them in rebellion and disbelief. And We have cast among them enmity and hatred till the Day of Resurrection. Whenever they kindle a fire for war, Allah extinguishes it. And they strive to create disorder in the earth, and Allah loves not those who create disorder. (Chapter 5 verse 65)
This ayah is also really clear and states that in regards to the Jews Allah has caused enmity and hatred till the day of resurrection. Once again Jews have to be present for there to be hatred and animosity amongst them. The verse next ayah Allah states:
And if the People of the Book had believed and been righteous, We would surely have removed from them their evils and We would surely have admitted them into Gardens of Bliss.(Chapter 5 Verse 66)
Allah has clearly stated that if the People of the book Had believed and been righteous. This shows that they will not believe till qiyamah nor be righteous. How can a Muslim possibly accept a view of a verse which contradicts over 40 ayahs of the Holy Qur’an?
Again Allah has stated:
And those who disbelieve will not cease to be in doubt about it until the Hour comes suddenly upon them or there comes to them the punishment of a destructive day.
This ayah has also told us that they would disbelieve until the hour comes upon and that suddenly upon them or there comes to them the punishment of a destructive day.