"... Indeed you have brought forth (said) a terrible evil thing. ..."

[S. Munir]

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ

In the Name of Allâh

الله‎ Allah [سبحانه و تعالى  , Glorified and Exalted be He] says,

وَقَالُوا اتَّخَذَ الرَّحْمَٰنُ وَلَدًا

لَّقَدْ جِئْتُمْ شَيْئًا إِدًّا

تَكَادُ السَّمَاوَاتُ يَتَفَطَّرْنَ مِنْهُ وَتَنشَقُّ الْأَرْضُ وَتَخِرُّ الْجِبَالُ هَدًّا

أَن دَعَوْا لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ وَلَدًا

وَمَا يَنبَغِي لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ أَن يَتَّخِذَ وَلَدًا

إِن كُلُّ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ إِلَّا آتِي الرَّحْمَٰنِ عَبْدًا

لَّقَدْ أَحْصَاهُمْ وَعَدَّهُمْ عَدًّا

وَكُلُّهُمْ آتِيهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَرْدًا

"And they say: "The Most Gracious (Allâh) has begotten a son (or offspring or children) [as the Jews say: 'Uzair (Ezra) is the son of Allâh, and the Christians say that He has begotten a son {'Isâ (Jesus) ['alayhis-salâm]}, and the pagan Arabs say that He has begotten daughters (angels and others)]."

Indeed you have brought forth (said) a terrible evil thing.

Whereby the heavens are almost torn, and the earth is split asunder, and the mountains fall in ruins,

That they ascribe a son (or offspring or children) to the Most Gracious (Allâh).

But it is not suitable for (the Majesty of) the Most Gracious (Allâh) that He should beget a son (or offspring or children).

There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes to the Most Gracious (Allâh) as a slave.

Verily, He knows each one of them, and has counted them a full counting.

And everyone of them will come to Him alone on the Day of Resurrection (without any helper, or protector or defender)."
[ القرآن الكريم The Noble Qur'aan, سورة مريم Soorah Maryam - (Mary) 019, Verses 088 - 095 ]
[Translation - "Interpretation of the Meaning of The Noble Qur'aan in the English Language" By Dr. Muhammad Taqiuddeen al-Hilaalee, Ph.D. and Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Published By Darussalam.]


al-Mubarakfuri [rahimahullaah, died 1426AH] summarised the explanation of these verses from Tafsir Ibn Kathir which was written by the notable scholar Ibn Kathir [rahimahullaah, died 774AH] as follows:
"The Stern Rejection of attributing a Son to Allah

After Allah affirms in this noble Surah that 'Isa was a worshipper and servant of Allah and He mentioned his birth from Maryam without a father, He then begins refuting those who claim that He has a son. Holy is He and far Exalted is He above such description. Allah says,

وَقَالُواْ اتَّخَذَ الرَّحْمَـنُ وَلَداً لَقَدْ جِئْتُمْ

(And they say: "The Most Gracious has begotten a son." Indeed you have brought forth) This means, "In this statement of yours."

شَيْئاً إِدّاً

(a thing Idda.)

Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Qatadah and Malik all said, "Terrible." It has been said that it is pronounced Iddan, Addan, and Addan with elongation on the first vowel. All three of these pronunciations are known, but the most popular is the first.

Allah said;

تَكَادُ السَّمَـوَتُ يَتَفَطَّرْنَ مِنْهُ وَتَنشَقُّ الاٌّرْضُ وَتَخِرُّ الْجِبَالُ هَدّاً - أَن دَعَوْا لِلرَّحْمَـنِ وَلَداً

(Whereby the heavens are almost torn, and the earth is split asunder, and the mountains Hadda, that they ascribe a son to the Most Gracious.)

that is, out of their high esteem for Allah, when they hear this statement of wickedness coming from the Children of Adam. The reason for this is that these are creatures of Allah and they are established upon His Tawhid and the fact that there is no deity worthy of worship except Him. He has no partners, no peer, no child, no mate and no coequal. Rather, He is the One, Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures are in need of. Ibn Jarir reported that Ibn 'Abbas said concerning Allah's statement,

تَكَادُ السَّمَـوَتُ يَتَفَطَّرْنَ مِنْهُ وَتَنشَقُّ الاٌّرْضُ وَتَخِرُّ الْجِبَالُ هَدّاً - أَن دَعَوْا لِلرَّحْمَـنِ وَلَداً

(Whereby the heavens are almost torn, and the earth is split asunder, and the mountains Hadda, that they ascribe a son to the Most Gracious.)

"Verily, the heavens, the earth, the mountains and all creatures - except for humans and Jinns - are frightened by the associating of partners with Allah. Creation will almost cease existing before the association of partners with Allah, due to His Greatness. Just as the idolator does not benefit by his good deeds because of associating partners with Allah, we hope that Allah would forgive the sins of those who believed in His absolute Oneness by worshipping Him alone. The Messenger of Allah said,

"لَقِّنُوا مَوْتَاكُمْ شَهَادَةَ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ، فَمَنْ قَالَهَا عِنْدَ مَوْتِهِ وَجَبَتْ لَهُ الْجَنَّة"

"Encourage your dying people to testify to La ilaha illallah, for whoever says it at the time of their death, they will definitely enter into Paradise."

The people said, "O Messenger of Allah, what about he who says it while in good health"

He replied,

"تِلْكَ أَوْجَبُ وَأَوْجَب"

(This will necessitate his entrance into Paradise even more.)

Then he said,

وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَوْ جِيءَ بِالسَّموَاتِ وَالْأَرَضِينَ، وَمَا فِيهِنَّ وَمَا بَيْنَهُنَّ وَمَا تَحْتَهُنَّ، فَوُضِعْنَ فِي كِفَّةِ الْمِيزَانِ،وَوُضِعَتْ شَهَادَةُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ فِي الْكِفَّةِ الْأُخْرى لَرَجَحَتْ بِهِن

"I swear by He Whom my soul is in His Hand, if the heavens and the earths, and all that is in them, between them and under them, were brought and placed in a balance of a scale, and the testimony of La ilaha illallah was placed on the other side of the scale, the testimony would outweigh all of it."

This was recorded by Ibn Jarir [At-Tabari 18:258] and it is supported by the Hadith related to the story of the card [Tuhfat Al-Ahwadhi 7:330, referring to the text wherein it is stated that the Kalimah will outweigh ninety-nine scrolls of recorded deeds reaching as far as can be seen on the Day of Judgement]. And Allah knows best.

Ad-Dahhak said,

تَكَادُ السَّمَـوَتُ يَتَفَطَّرْنَ مِنْهُ

(Whereby the heavens are almost torn,) "This means to be split apart into pieces due to the fear of the magnificence of Allah." 'Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam said,

وَتَنشَقُّ الاٌّرْضُ

(and the earth is split asunder,)

"This is due to its anger on behalf of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime."

وَتَخِرُّ الْجِبَالُ هَدّاً

(and the mountains Hadda.)

Ibn 'Abbas said, "This means to be torn down." Sa'id bin Jubayr said, "Haddan means some of it is broken by other parts of it in succession."

Imam Ahmad reported from Abu Musa that he said that the Messenger of Allah said,

"لَا أَحَدَ أَصْبَرُ عَلَى أَذىً سَمِعَهُ مِنَ اللهِ إِنَّهُ يُشْرَكُ بِهِ وَيُجْعَلُ لَهُ وَلَدٌ، وَهُوَ يُعَافِيهِمْ وَيَدْفَعُ عَنْهُمْ وَيَرْزُقُهُم"

"There is no one more patient than Allah concerning something harmful that he hears. For verily, partners are associated with Him and a son is ascribed to Him, while He is the One Who gives them good health, protects them and sustains them."
[Ahmad 4:105.]

This narration is also recorded in the Two Sahihs. In one wording of it he said,

"إِنَّهُمْ يَجْعَلُونَ لَهُ وَلَدًا وَهُوَ يَرْزُقُهُمْ وَيُعَافِيهِم"

"...that they attribute a son to Him, while He is the One Who sustains them and gives them good health."
[Fath Al-Bari 10:527, Muslim 4:2160.]

Allah said;

وَمَا يَنبَغِى لِلرَّحْمَـنِ أَن يَتَّخِذَ وَلَداً

(But it is not suitable for the Most Gracious that He should beget a son.)

Meaning that it is not befitting of Him, nor is it appropriate for His lofty majesty and greatness. There is no coequal for Him in His creation, because all creatures are His slaves. This is why He says,

إِن كُلُّ مَن فِى السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ إِلاَّ آتِى الرَّحْمَـنِ عَبْداً - لَّقَدْ أَحْصَـهُمْ وَعَدَّهُمْ عَدّاً

(There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto the Most Gracious as a slave. Verily, He knows each one of them, and has counted them a full counting.)

He knows their number from the time He created them, until the Day of Resurrection, male and female, both the small and the large of them.

وَكُلُّهُمْ ءَاتِيهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَـمَةِ فَرْداً

(And everyone of them will come to Him alone on the Day of Resurrection.)

This means that there will be no helper for him and no one to save him, except Allah alone, Who has no partners. He judges His creatures as He wills and He is the Most Just, Who does not do even an atom's weight of injustice. He will not wrong anyone."
al-Misbaah al-Muneer of al-Mubarakfuri [Abridged Tafsir Ibn Kathir - English Edition Published By Darussalam].

[S. Munir]

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ

In the Name of Allâh

الله‎ Allah [سبحانه و تعالى  , Glorified and Exalted be He] says,

يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ لَا تَغْلُوا فِي دِينِكُمْ وَلَا تَقُولُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ إِلَّا الْحَقَّ ۚ إِنَّمَا الْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَكَلِمَتُهُ أَلْقَاهَا إِلَىٰ مَرْيَمَ وَرُوحٌ مِّنْهُ ۖ فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِ ۖ وَلَا تَقُولُوا ثَلَاثَةٌ ۚ انتَهُوا خَيْرًا لَّكُمْ ۚ إِنَّمَا اللَّهُ إِلَٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ ۖ سُبْحَانَهُ أَن يَكُونَ لَهُ وَلَدٌ ۘ لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ وَكِيلًا

لَّن يَسْتَنكِفَ الْمَسِيحُ أَن يَكُونَ عَبْدًا لِّلَّهِ وَلَا الْمَلَائِكَةُ الْمُقَرَّبُونَ ۚ وَمَن يَسْتَنكِفْ عَنْ عِبَادَتِهِ وَيَسْتَكْبِرْ فَسَيَحْشُرُهُمْ إِلَيْهِ جَمِيعًا

فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ فَيُوَفِّيهِمْ أُجُورَهُمْ وَيَزِيدُهُم مِّن فَضْلِهِ ۖ وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ اسْتَنكَفُوا وَاسْتَكْبَرُوا فَيُعَذِّبُهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا وَلَا يَجِدُونَ لَهُم مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ وَلِيًّا وَلَا نَصِيرًا

"O people of the Scripture (Christians)! Do not exceed the limits in your religion, nor say of Allâh aught but the truth. The Messiah 'Isâ (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), was (no more than) a Messenger of Allâh and His Word, ("Be!" – and he was) which He bestowed on Maryam (Mary) and a spirit (Rûh) created by Him; so believe in Allâh and His Messengers. Say not: "Three (trinity)!" Cease! (it is) better for you. For Allâh is (the only) One Ilâh (God), Glorified is He (Far Exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allâh is All-Sufficient as a Disposer of affairs.

The Messiah will never be proud to reject to be a slave of Allâh, nor the angels who are the near (to Allâh). And whosoever rejects His worship and is proud, then He will gather them all together to Himself.

So, as for those who believed (in the Oneness of Allâh – Islâmic Monotheism) and did deeds of righteousness, He will give them their (due) rewards – and more out of His bounty. But as for those who refused His worship and were proud, He will punish them with a painful torment. And they will not find for themselves besides Allâh any protector or helper."
[ القرآن الكريم The Noble Qur'aan, سورة النساء Soorah an-Nisaa - (The Women) 004, Verses 171 - 173 ]

[Translation - "Interpretation of the Meaning of The Noble Qur'aan in the English Language" By Dr. Muhammad Taqiuddeen al-Hilaalee, Ph.D. and Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Published By Darussalam.]

al-Mubarakfuri [rahimahullaah, died 1426AH] summarised the explanation of these verses from Tafsir Ibn Kathir which was written by the notable scholar Ibn Kathir [rahimahullaah, died 774AH] as follows:

" O people of the Scripture (Christians)! Do not exceed the limits in your religion, nor say of Allâh aught but the truth. The Messiah 'Isâ (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), was (no more than) a Messenger of Allâh and His Word, ("Be!" – and he was) which He bestowed on Maryam (Mary) and a spirit (Rûh) created by Him; so believe in Allâh and His Messengers. Say not: "Three (trinity)!" Cease! (it is) better for you. For Allâh is (the only) One Ilâh (God), Glorified is He (Far Exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allâh is All-Sufficient as a Disposer of affairs.

Prohibiting the People of the Book From Going to Extremes in Religion

Allah forbids the People of the Scriptures from going to extremes in religion, which is a common trait of theirs, especially among the Christians. The Christians exaggerated over 'Isa until they elevated him above the grade that Allah gave him. They elevated him from the rank of prophethood to being a god, whom they worshipped just as they worshipped Allah. They exaggerated even more in the case of those who they claim were his followers, claiming that they were inspired, thus following every word they uttered whether true or false, be it guidance or misguidance, truth or lies. This is why Allah said,

اتَّخَذُواْ أَحْبَـرَهُمْ وَرُهْبَـنَهُمْ أَرْبَاباً مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ

(They took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allah.)

Imam Ahmad recorded that Ibn 'Abbas said that 'Umar said that the Messenger of Allah said,

لَا تُطْرُونِي كَمَا أَطْرَتِ النَّصَارَىِ عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ. فَإِنَّمَا أَنَا عَبْدٌفَقُولُوا: عَبْدُاللهِ وَرَسُولُه

(Do not unduly praise me like the Christians exaggerated over 'Isa, son of Maryam. Verily, I am only a servant, so say, 'Allah's servant and His Messenger.')
[Recorded by Ahmad 1: 23.]

This is the wording of Al-Bukhari. [Fath Al-Bari 6: 551.]

Imam Ahmad recorded that Anas bin Malik said that a man once said, "O Muhammad! You are our master and the son of our master, our most righteous person and the son of our most righteous person..." The Messenger of Allah said,

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ عَلَيْكُمْ بِقَوْلِكُمْ، وَلَا يَسْتَهْوِيَنَّكُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ،أَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِاللهِ، عَبْدُاللهِ وَرَسُولُهُ، وَاللهِ مَا أُحِبُّ أَنْ تَرْفَعُونِي فَوْقَ مَنْزِلَتِي الَّتِي أَنْزَلَنِي اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَل

(O people! Say what you have to say, but do not allow Shaytan to trick you. I am Muhammad bin 'Abdullah, Allah's servant and Messenger. By Allah! I do not like that you elevate me above the rank that Allah has granted me.)
[Recorded by Ahmad 3:153.]

Allah's statement,

وَلاَ تَقُولُواْ عَلَى اللَّهِ إِلاَّ الْحَقَّ

(nor say of Allah except the truth.)

means, do not lie and claim that Allah has a wife or a son, Allah is far holier than what they attribute to Him. Allah is glorified, praised, and honored in His might, grandure and greatness, and there is no deity worthy of worship nor Lord but Him. Allah said;

إِنَّمَا الْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَكَلِمَتُهُ أَلْقَـهَا إِلَى مَرْيَمَ وَرُوحٌ مِّنْهُ

(Al-Masih 'Isa, son of Maryam, was (no more than) a Messenger of Allah and His Word, which He bestowed on Maryam and a spirit from created by Him;)

'Isa is only one of Allah's servants and one of His creatures. Allah said to him, 'Be', and he was, and He sent him as a Messenger. 'Isa was a word from Allah that He bestowed on Maryam, meaning He created him with the word 'Be' that He sent with Jibril to Maryam. Jibril blew the life of 'Isa into Maryam by Allah's leave, and 'Isa came to existence as a result. This incident was in place of the normal conception between man and woman that results in children. This is why 'Isa was a word and a Ruh (spirit) created by Allah, as he had no father to conceive him. Rather, he came to existence through the word that Allah uttered, 'Be,' and he was, through the life that Allah sent with Jibril. Allah said,

مَّا الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ إِلاَّ رَسُولٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ الرُّسُلُ وَأُمُّهُ صِدِّيقَةٌ كَانَا يَأْكُلاَنِ الطَّعَامَ

(Al-Masih 'Isa, son of Maryam, was no more than a Messenger; many were the Messengers that passed away before him. His mother Maryam was a Siddiqah. They both ate food.) And Allah said,

إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِيسَى عِندَ اللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ ءَادَمَ خَلَقَهُ مِن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُونُ

(Verily, the likeness of 'Isa before Allah is the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust, then (He) said to him: "Be! ـ and he was.)

وَالَّتِى أَحْصَنَتْ فَرْجَهَا فَنَفَخْنَا فِيهَا مِن رُّوحِنَا وَجَعَلْنَـهَا وَابْنَهَآ ءَايَةً لِّلْعَـلَمِينَ

(And she who guarded her chastity, We breathed into her (garment) and We made her and her son 'Isa a sign for all that exits.) (Soorah al-Anbiyaa. - (The Prophets) 21, verses 91)

وَمَرْيَمَ ابْنَةَ عِمْرَانَ الَّتِى أَحْصَنَتْ فَرْجَهَا

(And Maryam, the daughter of 'Imran who guarded her chastity,) and Allah said concerning the Messiah,

إِنْ هُوَ إِلاَّ عَبْدٌ أَنْعَمْنَا عَلَيْهِ

(He 'Isa was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him.)

The Meaning of "His Word and a spirit from Him

'Abdur-Razzaq narrated that Ma'mar said that Qatadah said that the Ayah,

وَكَلِمَتُهُ أَلْقَـهَا إِلَى مَرْيَمَ وَرُوحٌ مِّنْهُ

(And His Word, which He bestowed on Maryam and a spirit from created by Him;) means, He said,

كُنَّ

(Be) and he was.

[Recorded by 'Abdur-Razzaq 1:177]

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Ahmad bin Sinan Al-Wasiti said that he heard Shadh bin Yahya saying about Allah's statement,

وَكَلِمَتُهُ أَلْقَـهَا إِلَى مَرْيَمَ وَرُوحٌ مِّنْهُ

(and His Word, which He bestowed on Maryam and a spirit from created by Him;)

"'Isa was not the word. Rather, 'Isa came to existence because of the word."

[Recorded Ibn Abi Hatim:6310] Al-Bukhari recorded that 'Ubadah bin As-Samit said that the Prophet said,

مَنْ شَهِدَ أَنْ لَا إِلهَ إِلَّا اللهُ، وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، وَأَنَّ عِيسَى عَبْدُاللهِ وَرَسُولُهُ وَكَلِمَتُهُ أَلْقَاهَا إِلى مَرْيَمَ وَرُوحٌ مِنْهُ، وَأَنَّ الْجَنَّةَ حَقٌّ، وَالنَّارَ حَقٌّ، أَدْخَلَهُ اللهُ الْجَنَّةَ عَلَى مَا كَانَ مِنَ الْعَمَل

(If anyone testifies that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah Alone Who has no partners, and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger, and that 'Isa is Allah's servant and Messenger and His Word which He bestowed on Maryam and a spirit created by Him, and that Paradise is true and Hell is true, then Allah will admit him into Paradise with the deeds which he performed.)
[Fath Al-Bari 6:547]

In another narration, the Prophet said,

مِنْ أَبْوَابِ الْجَنَّةِ الثَّمَانِيَّةِ يَدْخُلُ مِنْ أَيِّهَا شَاء

(...through any of the eight doors of Paradise he wishes.)

Muslim [Recorded by Muslim 1:57] also recorded it. Therefore, 'Ruh from Allah', in the Ayah and the Hadith is similar to Allah's statement,

وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمْ مَّا فِى السَّمَـوَتِ وَمَا فِى الاٌّرْضِ جَمِيعاً مِّنْهُ

(And has subjected to you all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth; it is all from Him.)

meaning, from His creation. 'from Him' does not mean that it is a part of Him, as the Christians claim, may Allah's continued curses be upon them. Saying that something is from Allah, such as the spirit of Allah, the she-camel of Allah or the House of Allah, is meant to honor such items. Allah said,

هَـذِهِ نَاقَةُ اللَّهِ

(This is the she-camel of Allah...) and,

وَطَهِّرْ بَيْتِىَ لِلطَّآئِفِينَ

(and sanctify My House for those who circumambulate it.)

An authentic Hadith states,

فَأَدْخُلُ عَلَى رَبِّي فِي دَارِه

(I will enter on my Lord in His Home)

[Recorded by Al-Bukhari 13:246, from the lengthy Hadith about the intercession.]

All these examples are meant to honor such items when they are attributed to Allah in this manner. Allah said,

فَـَامِنُواْ بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ

(so believe in Allah and His Messengers.)

believe that Allah is One and Alone and that He does not have a son or wife. Know and be certain that 'Isa is the servant and Messenger of Allah. Allah said after that,

وَلاَ تَقُولُواْ ثَلَـثَةٌ

(Say not: "Three!") do not elevate 'Isa and his mother to be gods with Allah. Allah is far holier than what they attribute to Him. In Surat Al-Ma'idah (chapter 5), Allah said,

لَّقَدْ كَفَرَ الَّذِينَ قَالُواْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ ثَـلِثُ ثَلَـثَةٍ وَمَا مِنْ إِلَـهٍ إِلاَّ إِلَـهٌ وَحِدٌ

(Surely, disbelievers are those who said: "Allah is the third of the three.'' But there is none who has the right to be worshipped but One God.) Allah said by the end of the same Surah,

وَإِذْ قَالَ اللَّهُ يعِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ أَءَنتَ قُلتَ لِلنَّاسِ اتَّخِذُونِى

(And (remember) when Allah will say (on the Day of Resurrection): "O 'Isa, son of Maryam! Did you say unto men: 'Worship me?'") and in its beginning,

لَّقَدْ كَفَرَ الَّذِينَ قَآلُواْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ

(Surely, in disbelief are they who say that Allah is the Messiah, son of Maryam.)

The Christians, may Allah curse them [due to associating partners with Allah], have no limit to their disbelief because of their ignorance, so their deviant statements and their misguidance grows. Some of them believe that 'Isa is Allah, some believe that he is one in a trinity and some believe that he is the son of Allah. Their beliefs and creeds are numerous and contradict each other, prompting some people to say that if ten Christians meet, they would end up with eleven sects!


The Christian Sects

Sa'id bin Batriq, the Patriarch of Alexandria and a famous Christian scholar, mentioned in the year four hundred after the Hijrah, that a Christian Council convened during the reign of Constantine, who built the city that bears his name. In this Council, the Christians came up with what they called the Great Trust, which in reality is the Great Treachery. There were more than two thousand patriarchs in this Council, and they were in such disarray that they divided into many sects, where some sects had twenty, fifty or a hundred members, etc.! When the king saw that there were more than three hundred Patriarchs who had the same idea, he agreed with them and adopted their creed. Constantine who was a deviant philosopher -- gave his support to this sect for which, as an honor, churches were built and doctrines were taught to young children, who were baptized on this creed, and books were written about it. Meanwhile, the king oppressed all other sects. Another Council produced the sect known as the Jacobites, while the Nestorians were formed in a third Council. These three sects agreed that 'Isa was divine, but disputed regarding the manner in which 'Isa's divinity was related to his humanity; were they in unity or did Allah incarnate in 'Isa! All three of these sects accuse each other of heresy and, we believe that all three of them are disbelievers. Allah said,

انتَهُواْ خَيْراً لَّكُمْ

(Cease! (it is) better for you.) meaning, it will be better for you,

إِنَّمَا اللَّهُ إِلَـهٌ وَحِدٌ سُبْحَـنَهُ أَن يَكُونَ لَهُ وَلَدٌ

(For Allah is (the only) One God, hallowed be He above having a son.) and He is holier than such claim,

وَللَّهِ مَا فِى السَّمَـوَتِ وَمَا فِى الاٌّرْضِ وَكَفَى بِاللَّهِ وَكِيلاً

(To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is All-Sufficient as a Disposer of affairs,)

for all are creatures, property and servants under His control and disposal, and He is the Disposer of the affairs. Therefore, how can He have a wife or a son among them,

بَدِيعُ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ أَنَّى يَكُونُ لَهُ وَلَدٌ

(He is the originator of the heavens and the earth. How can He have children.) and

وَقَالُواْ اتَّخَذَ الرَّحْمَـنُ وَلَداً - لَقَدْ جِئْتُمْ شَيْئاً إِدّاً

(And they say: "The Most Gracious (Allah) has begotten a son. Indeed you have brought forth (said) a terrible evil thing.")

Up to His saying,

فَرْداً

(Alone.)

لَّن يَسْتَنكِفَ الْمَسِيحُ أَن يَكُونَ عَبْداً للَّهِ وَلاَ الْمَلَـئِكَةُ الْمُقَرَّبُونَ وَمَن يَسْتَنْكِفْ عَنْ عِبَادَتِهِ وَيَسْتَكْبِرْ فَسَيَحْشُرُهُمْ إِلَيهِ جَمِيعاً - فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ الصَّـلِحَـتِ فَيُوَفِّيهِمْ أُجُورَهُمْ وَيَزيدُهُمْ مِّن فَضْلِهِ وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ اسْتَنكَفُواْ وَاسْتَكْبَرُواْ فَيُعَذِّبُهُمْ عَذَاباً أَلُيماً وَلاَ يَجِدُونَ لَهُمْ مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ وَلِيّاً وَلاَ نَصِيراً

(172. Al-Masih will never be too proud to be a servant of Allah, nor the angels who are the near (to Allah). And whosoever rejects His worship and is proud, then He will gather them all together unto Himself.)

(173. So, as for those who believed and did deeds of righteousness, He will give them their (due) rewards and more out of His bounty. But as for those who refused His worship and were proud, He will punish them with a painful torment. And they will not find for themselves besides Allah any protector or helper.)

The Prophets and Angels Are Never too Proud to Worship Allah

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Ibn 'Abbas said that, 'proud', means insolent. Qatadah said that,

الْمَسِيحُ أَن يَكُونَ عَبْداً للَّهِ وَلاَ الْمَلَـئِكَةُ الْمُقَرَّبُونَ

(Al-Masih will never be too proud to be a servant of Allah nor the angels who are near (to Allah).)

they will never be arrogant [At-Tabari 9:424], Allah then said,

وَمَن يَسْتَنْكِفْ عَنْ عِبَادَتِهِ وَيَسْتَكْبِرْ فَسَيَحْشُرُهُمْ إِلَيهِ جَمِيعاً

(And whosoever rejects His worship and is proud, then He will gather them all together unto Himself.)

on the Day of Resurrection. Then, Allah will judge between them with His just judgment that is never unjust or wrong.

فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ الصَّـلِحَـتِ فَيُوَفِّيهِمْ أُجُورَهُمْ وَيَزيدُهُمْ مِّن فَضْلِهِ

(So, as for those who believed and did deeds of righteousness, He will give their (due) rewards, and more out of His bounty.) Allah will award them their full rewards for their righteous actions and will give them more of His bounty, kindness, ample mercy and favor.

وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ اسْتَنكَفُواْ وَاسْتَكْبَرُواْ

(But as for those who refused His worship and were proud, )

out of arrogance, they refused to obey and worship Him,

فَيُعَذِّبُهُمْ عَذَاباً أَلُيماً وَلاَ يَجِدُونَ لَهُمْ مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ وَلِيّاً وَلاَ نَصِيراً

(He will punish them with a painful torment. And they will not find for themselves besides Allah any protector or helper.)

In another Ayah, Allah said,

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِى سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَخِرِينَ

(Verily! Those who scorn My worship, they will surely enter Hell in humiliation,)
degradation, disgrace and dishonor, for they were arrogant and rebellious. "