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.
If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions; feel free to post them here.
2008
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
Catholics exalt Mary to the point of worship.
ReplyDeleteThat was my initial assumption as well, except that I began to question whether or not God Himself is included in this worship. The Catholics also accept the Trinity and to some degree include the worship of God as well as excessive veneration towards Mary. Many including Christians would agree that this excessive veneration is worship, though Catholics themselves would disagree. However, there is no question as to whether or not Catholics or major Christian denominations/sects worship Jesus - this is a fact. So, I would agree that while we could argue that Catholics worship Mary in derogation of Allah and other major Christian groups Jesus in derogation of Allah, the Collyridians without a doubt worshiped Mary as God. So yes, I would agree with you that to some extent the Catholics fall under that category and the other major Christian denominations in terms of worshiping Jesus.
ReplyDeletePeace be upon you.
Catholics exalt Mary to the point of worship.
ReplyDelete