Companions of Jesus in Quran
The Holy Book refers to Jesus’ companions as Hawariyun (disciples).
Two meanings have been cited for Hawariyun. According to one, it means those who washed and whitened clothes.
Others believe that the disciples of Jesus (AS) had cleansed themselves of sins and made efforts to help others do so as well.
The disciples of Jesus (AS), according to religious books, were 12. In the Bible, the Book of Mathew, they are introduced as: 1- Sham’un, known as Peter, 2. Andreas or Andrw, a brother of Peter, 3. James, the son of Zebedee, 4. John, a brother of James, 5. Philip, 6. Bartholomew, 7. Thomas, 8. Mathew, 9. James (son of Alphaeus), 10. Thaddaeus, 11. Simon (the Canaanite), and 12. Judas Iscariot.
Simon is said to have been the best companion of Jesus (AS) and he called him Peter (the rock). And Judas Iscariot was a traitor who betrayed Jesus (AS) to the Romans.
The disciples, or apostles, were close companions of Jesus (AS) who supported him on the path of God. Jesus (AS) referred to them as his apostles and had given them the power to heal illnesses.
The Quran does not name the apostles of Jesus (AS) but refers to some of their characteristics. For example, Verse 52 of Surah Al-Imran talks about their faith in God: “When Jesus found them denying the truth, he said, ‘Who will help me in the cause of God?’ The disciples replied, ‘We are the helpers of God. We believe in Him. Jesus, bear witness that we have submitted ourselves to His will.’”
This is also pointed out in Verse 14 of Surah As-Saff.
The Quran also points to the disciples asking Jesus (AS) for praying to God to send down food from heaven: “(Recall) when the disciples said, ‘Jesus, son of Mary, can your Lord send us a table full of food from heaven?’ and you replied, ‘Have fear of God if you are true believers.’ They said, ‘We only wish to eat therefrom to comfort our hearts, to know that you have spoken the Truth to us, and to bear witness to it along with the others.’” (Verses 112-113 of Surah Al-Imran)
After Jesus (AS) ascended to heaven, the disciples went to people and invited them to God until all of them were killed by rulers or corrupt individuals.
