The Trinity in the Quran

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful

Note: Prior to reading this entry, familiarize yourself with the concept of God in Islam and the concept of God in Christianity (posts on these topics will be uploaded soon).

The Trinitarian view of God, which is upheld by several major denominations in Christianity, comprises of the Father, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus (AS). God thus, according to many Christians, exists in three persons but is of one substance. The Quran, with its very strict monotheistic view of God, obviously and clearly rejects such a belief and renders it both polytheism and an act of blasphemy:

"They have certainly disbelieved who say "Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary" while the Messiah has said "O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord." Indeed, he who associates others with Allah, Allah has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire. And there are not for the wrongdoers any helpers. They have certainly disbelieved who say "Allah is the third of three." And there is no god except one God. And if they do not desist from what they are saying, there will surely afflict the disbelievers among them a painful punishment. Will they then not repent to Allah and seek His forgiveness? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. The Messiah, son of Mary, was not but a messenger; [other] messengers have passed on before him. And his mother was a supporter of truth. They both used to eat food. Look how We make clear to them the signs; then look how they are deluded. Say: "Do you worship besides Allah that which holds for you no [power of] harm or benefit while it is Allah who is the Hearing, the Knowing? Say: "O People of the Scripture, do not exceed limits in your religion beyond the truth and do not follow the inclinations of a people who went astray in times gone by, and who misled many, and strayed (themselves) from the Right Path." - The Quran [5:72-77]

The following passage from the Quran echoes a similar message regarding the Trinity:

"O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say "Three"; desist, it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs." - The Quran [4:171]

There is yet an important issue to raise concerning the view of the Triniy in the Quran. Having been subject to much criticism for its seemingly contradictory and false percepts of what is firmly established as the Doctrine of the Trinity in the Christian faith by the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, verse 5:116 in the Quran is thought to have referred to the Trinity and reads:

"And [beware the Day] when Allah will say “O Jesus, Son of Mary, did you say to the people, ‘Take me and my mother as deities besides Allah?’” He will say, “Exalted are You! It was not for me to say that to which I have no right. If I had said it, You would have known it. You know what is within myself, and I do not know what is within Yourself. Indeed, it is You who is Knower of the unseen." – The Quran [5:116]

This verse is said to have been an error made by prophet Muhammad (SAAW) by stating that the Christians believe that Jesus (AS) and Mary (AS) are both part of the Trinity. Several things should be carefully analyzed within this verse:

- Probably the most worthy of mentioning is that no where in the verse does it mention either Christianity or Trinity. This is where the misunderstanding begins for those who claim that this verse is inaccurate.

- The verse is constructed in the future tense "...when Allah will say..." in reference to the Day of Judgment where He will ask Jesus (AS) '...Did you say to the people, "take me and my mother as deities besides Allah?"...'. Jesus (AS) will then respond "Exalted are You! It was not for me to say that to which I have no right. If I had said it, You would have known it. You know what is within myself, and I do not know what is within Yourself. Indeed, it is You who is Knower of the unseen."

- Since this conversation will take place on the Day of Judgment, the question must make reference from the time of Jesus' birth to the end of mankind's existence. This therefore makes no specifications of when the "take me and my mother as deities.." occurs or if it is a current form of belief. It is not necessarily something that is happening but something that will have happened by the Day of Judgment.

- One very significant phrase within the verse clarifies the matter at hand. Verses 4:171 and 5:72-77 clearly state that the Trinity includes both Allah and Messiah according to those who belong to the People of the Scripture (notice it does not point out the Christians either, this will be further discussed shortly). However, verse 5:116 reads: "...Take me and my mother as deities besides Allah?...". The fact that deities are being worshiped “besides/without/instead of/ in derogation of” Allah implies that it is not in reference to the Trinity. According to the Quran, the Trinity is described as Allah being "a third of three" and that the Messiah is included in the Trinity. For Allah not to be included in this verse would mean it does not refer to the Trinity but to a seperate issue.

The certain group that worshiped/worships Jesus (AS) in derogation of Allah (SWT) and Mary (AS) in Derogation of Allah (swt) may vary according to interpretation. However, the religion that is currently found to have worshiped Mary are the Collyridians, a heretical Christian movement that existed in what was then a Pagan Arabia.

Allah (SWT) knows best.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions; feel free to post them here.

2008

The Satanic Verses

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful

Note: Before reading this entry, familiarize yourself with the basic beliefs of the Submitters sect (and its resulting branches), its founders (Submitters: Rashad Khalifa, Reformist Submitters: Edip Yuksel), and a brief overview of its history.

One of the most controversial aspects of this belief [apart from the belief in a messenger after Muhammad (pbuh), conflicting viewpoints of the roles of messengers and prophets, its rejection of Hadiths and Sunnah, among others] is the corrupt and appalling concept of the "Satanic Verses". It is important to note that the belief in "Satanic verse(s)" existed prior to the formation of this sect and will not be discussed in this post (perhaps in another entry).

The Satanic Verses, according to Rashad Khalifa, were verses falsely inserted into the Quran as it was being compiled. This conclusion was based on his finding of which he claims is a numerical code/pattern where all verses in the Quran, apart from two, shared the same common denominator (the number 19) which filtered the false verses from the Quran. The two verses are:

"There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; (he is) concerned over you and to the believers is kind and merciful. But if they turn away (O Muhammad), say: 'Sufficient for me is Allah; there is no deity except Him. On Him I have relied, and He is the Lord of the Great Throne.'" - The Holy Quran [9:128-129]

Keep in mind, the Submitters sect preaches heavily on Quran alone, the Quran being the perfect and protected word of God (through code 19) and the rejection of any outside sources (i.e. Hadith and Sunnah). One may wonder why these verses would ever be considered "Satanic" in the first place, there is however, no need to dwell on this claim further when there is evidence from within the Quran itself. Since the Submitters rely only on the perfect Quran, then the evidences from the Quran should outweigh their claims.

These two verses are the only verses considered to be false/satanic by the Submitters (not to be confused with the translation of "Muslims" itself. The Submitters sect is also referred to as the Quranist sect, the Quran Only sect, the Hadith Rejectors, and other terminologies as well). One can then conclude that every other verse in the Quran is accurate and authentic.

There are many verses in the Quran that refute the concept of the "Satanic Verses" which are being ignored and have had their translations manipulated. Fortunately, both Rashad Khalifa and Edip Yuksel have not yet had the chance to manipulate the entirety of their translation to conform to their ideology. Allah (swt) clearly states:

"Falsehood cannot approach it from before it or from behind it; (it is) a revelation from a (Lord who is) Wise and Praiseworthy." - The Holy Quran [41:42]

"Indeed, it is We who sent down the Reminder (the Quran) and indeed, We will be its guardian/protector." - The Holy Quran [15:9]

"Nay! This is a Glorious Quran, (inscribed) in a Preserved Tablet" - The Holy Quran [85:21-22]

"This is the Book (the Quran), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are righteous." - The Holy Quran [2:2]

"And it was not (possible) for this Quran to be produced by other than Allah, but (it is) a confirmation of what was before it and a detailed explanation of the (former) Scripture, wherein there is no doubt, from the Lord of the Worlds." - The Holy Quran [10:37]

"(This is) the Revelation of the Book wherein there is no doubt, from the Lord of the Worlds." - The Holy Quran [32:2]

"And the word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and justice. None can alter His words, and He is the Hearing, the Knowing." - The Holy Quran [6:115]

"And We did not send before you any messenger or prophet except that when he spoke [or recited], Satan threw into it [some falsehood/misunderstanding]. But Allah abolishes that which Satan throws in; then Allah makes precise His verses. And Allah is Knowing and Wise." - The Holy Quran [22:52]

One of the above verses would have been enough to refute the concept of the Satanic Verses itself. The Quran in many instances confirms that Allah's verses are accurate and protected, thus, the existence of any verse within the Quran that is not from Allah Himself is impossible.

Many will argue that the term used in some of these verse is Thikr (Reminder) and not Quran, however, the term Thikr refers to the Quran. Provided below are the translations of the above verses from both Rashad Khalifa and Free Minds (both translations of the Submitters sect):

"Those who have rejected the Quran's (thikr) proof when it came to them have also rejected an Honorable book. No falsehood could enter it, in the past or in the future; a revelation from a most Wise, Praiseworthy. What is said to you is precisely what was said to the previous messengers. Your Lord possesses forgiveness, and He also possesses painful retribution. If We made it a non-Arabic Quran they would have said, 'Why did it come down in that language?' Whether it is Arabic or non-Arabic, say, 'For those who believe, it is a guide and healing. As for those who disbelieve, they will be deaf and blind to it as if they are being addressed from faraway.'" - The Holy Quran [41:41-44]

"Surely, those who have rejected the Reminder when it came to them, and it is an Honorable Scripture. No falsehood could enter it, presently or afterwards; a revelation from a most Wise, Praiseworthy. What is being said to you is the same that was said to the messengers before you. Your Lord has forgiveness, and a painful retribution. And had We made it a non-Arabic Quran, they would have said: 'If only its verses were made clear!' Non-Arabic and Arabic, say: 'For those who believe, it is a guide and healing. As for those who disbelieve, there is a deafness in their ears, and they are blind to it. These will be called from a place far away.'" - The Holy Quran [41:41-44]

To confirm the translations, visit both the Compared Quran Translations page and the Quran Database website (variations occur in the different translations, but thikr remains translated as "Quran" or in reference to it, as seen above".

To elaborate, the "Thikr" is defined in the Quran as:

- A revelation from God - The Holy Quran [41:42]
- An Honorable Book - The Holy Quran [41:41]
- Protected/Guarded - The Holy Quran [15:9]
- Falsehood cannot enter it from before or behind (present or future) - The Holy Quran [41:42]
- Revealed in Arabic - The Holy Quran [41:44]

Furthermore:

"(This is) a revelation from the Compassionate, the Merciful. A Book whose verses have been detailed, an Arabic Quran for a people who know, as a giver of good tidings and a warner; but most of them turn away, so they do not hear. And they say: 'our hearts are within coverings from that to which you invite us, and in our ears is deafness, and between us and you is a partition, so work; indeed we are working.'" - The Holy Quran [41:2-5]

What other than the Quran (apart from the fact that the verses already make a clear connection that the Quran itself is the Reminder) is a revelation that has been protected from corruption and change, and was revealed in Arabic ? Thus, we conclude that the thikr is in fact the Quran. Since this is clearly the fact, how is it that two verses can be falsely injected in the Quran (contradicting verses 15:9 & 41:42)?

Trying to prove that the verses are Satanic will only mean that the Submitters sect is indicating that Allah (swt) is incapable of (astaghfirullah) protecting the Quran and keeping His promise. Another issue would be arguing that the verses provided above are also Satanic, since they contradict the idea that there are any in the first place. Therefore, the concept of Satanic Verses is not supported in the Quran; rather it is refuted wholly. There are no false verses. The Submitters must either consider the Satanic verses a myth, or the Quran itself a corruption and thus their religion as well.

Allah (swt) knows best.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions; feel free to post them here.

1 June 2008