Refuting the allegation of those who say that `Isa is the son of Allah

Q 1: Ayahs (Qur'anic verses) were presented by a church as evidence that `Isa (Jesus- peace be upon him) is the son of Allah. Their evidence is that when Allah was Alone, He (Exalted be He) stated: Verily, I am Allâh! Lâ ilâha illa Ana (none has the right to be worshipped but I) in the singular; but when He created `Isa (peace be upon him), the style used in some Ayahs changed to the plural, as in the Ayahs: Verily, We, it is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur’ân) and Verily, We it is Who give life and cause death (Part No. 3; Page No. 295)  They said that Allah spoke in the plural; meaning Allah, `Isa (peace be upon him) and the holy spirit. We were privileged to have Sheikh `Abdul-Rahman ibn `Uwayn and Sheikh `Aly ibn Fahd ibn Ghayth amongst us during that period, and they advised us to write to Your Eminence.

A: The variation in style used in the Qur'an, and the fact that Allah sometimes speaks of Himself in the singular and sometimes in a manner that could be used in the plural or the singular as a form of respect, does not prove that `Isa (peace be upon him) is the son of Allah; or that Uluhiyyah (Divinity), which is an exclusive right to Allah, could be attributed to him. This is for a number of reasons: Firstly: The variation in styles used in the Qur'an, both singular and plural, occurs with reference to events that took place thousands of years before the creation of `Isa (peace be upon him) and his mother Maryam (Mary). Their existence has no effect on the variation in styles, but this is due to another reason which may be explained in Allah's statement: And indeed, We created man from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud. And the jinn, We created aforetime from the smokeless flame of fire. He also stated: And (remember) when We said to the angels: "Prostrate yourselves unto Adam." So they prostrated themselves except Iblîs (Satan). He was one of the jinn; he disobeyed the Command of his Lord. Will you then take him (Iblîs) and his offspring as protectors and helpers rather than Me while they are enemies to you? (Part No. 3; Page No. 296) The style used varied before `Isa and his mother (peace be upon them both) existed. Allah (Exalted be He) stated: Verily, We did send down the Taurât (Torah) [to Mûsâ (Moses)], therein was guidance and light until He stated: Verily, We did send down the Taurât (Torah) [to Mûsâ (Moses)], therein was guidance and light, by which the Prophets, who submitted themselves to Allâh’s Will, judged for the Jews. And the rabbis and the priests [too judged for the Jews by the Taurât (Torah) after those Prophets], for to them was entrusted the protection of Allâh’s Book, and they were witnesses thereto. Therefore fear not men but fear Me and sell not My Verses for a miserable price. And whosoever does not judge by what Allâh has revealed, such are the Kâfirûn (i.e. disbelievers ? of a lesser degree as they do not act on Allâh’s Laws). And We ordained therein for them: “Life for life until He stated: And in their footsteps, We sent ‘Isâ (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), confirming the Taurât (Torah) that had come before him, and We gave him the Injeel (Gospel) until His stated: And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) the Book (this Qur’ân) in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it and Muhaymin (trustworthy in highness and a witness) over it (old Scriptures). He also stated: Verily, We sent Nûh (Noah) to his people Moreover, Allah mentions His Khalil Ibrahim (Abraham- peace be upon him): So when he had turned away from them and from those whom they worshipped besides Allâh, We gave him Ishâq (Isaac) and Ya‘qûb (Jacob), and each one of them We made a Prophet. And We gave them of Our Mercy (a good provision in plenty), and We granted them honour on the tongues (of all the nations, i.e. everybody remembers them with a good praise). Allah mentions His Kalim (the one to whom Allah spoke directly) Musa (Moses- peace be upon him) ...and made him draw near to Us for a talk with him [Mûsâ (Moses)]. And We granted him his brother Hârûn (Aaron), (also) a Prophet, out of Our Mercy. And also stated: Verily, We have sent the revelation to you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) as We sent the revelation to Nûh (Noah) and the Prophets after him and: And she who guarded her chastity [Virgin Maryam (Mary)]: We breathed into (the sleeves of) her (shirt or garment) [through Our Rûh - Jibrîl (Gabriel)], and We made her and her son [‘Isâ (Jesus)] a sign for Al-‘Alamîn (the mankind and jinn). (Part No. 3; Page No. 297) And: (Remember) when Allâh will say (on the Day of Resurrection). "O ‘Isâ (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)! Remember My Favour to you and to your mother There are other verses in which the style is used interchangeably from singular to plural or vice versa regarding the creation of `Isa, when Allah addressed him, and before he was created. Based on this, it becomes clear that the style did not change after the creation of `Isa (peace be upon him) ; proving that he is the son of Allah, or shares in His Uluhiyyah (Divinity), but for another purpose indicated in the second reason. Secondly: Everyone who is well versed in the Arabic language and its styles knows that the first pronoun Ana (I) is used in the singular when speaking of oneself, while the first person plural Nahnu (we) is used to refer to two or more. However, it may be used by an individual of high standing, or professing to be, to denote his greatness. This is a figure of speech and the context allows the reader or listener understand what is meant. Whoever disagrees with this is either ignorant and does not know what he is talking about, or he is stubborn and wants to twist the meaning of the words and follow his whims and desires. Allah will establish and make apparent the truth by His Words, however much the sinners detest it. This will be explained further in the third reason. Thirdly: The Qur'an is a Book the verses of which are perfected (in every sphere of knowledge), and then explained in detail from One (Allah), (Part No. 3; Page No. 298) Who is All-Wise and Well-Acquainted (with all things). Falsehood cannot come to it from before it or behind it, (it is) sent down by the All Wise, Worthy of all praise (Allah). Parts of it explain and confirm other parts. Allah (Exalted be He) stated: 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) عليه السلام], 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 unto the Most Gracious (Allâh) as a slave. And He stated: Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "He is Allâh, (the) One. "Allâh-us-Samad (السيد الذي يصمد إليه في الحاجات) [Allâh the Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, (He neither eats nor drinks)]. "He begets not, nor was He begotten. "And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him." and: Verily, the likeness of ‘Isâ (Jesus) before Allâh is the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust, then (He) said to him: "Be!" - and he was. So whoever believes in the Qur'an must reconcile its Ayahs. Likewise, whoever quotes from the Qur'an must be fair in his citation and should not do so while turning away from other Ayahs, or unjustly mixing the truth with falsehood in order to promote the latter as their Jewish predecessors did. Allah rejected their false claim in His statement: Then do you believe in a part of the Scripture and reject the rest? Then what is the recompense of those who do so among you, except disgrace in the life of this world, and on the Day of Resurrection they shall be consigned to the most grievous torment. And Allâh is not unaware of what you do. (Part No. 3; Page No. 299) Accordingly, those who take the Ayahs of the Qur'an as evidence must clearly proclaim that `Isa (peace be upon him) is not the son of Allah, and does not share in His divinity, as well as affirm the Oneness of Allah (Exalted be He) based on the aforementioned Ayahs and His statement: Surely, they have disbelieved who say: "Allâh is the Messiah [‘Isâ (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary)." But the Messiah [‘Isâ (Jesus)] said: "O Children of Israel! Worship Allâh, my Lord and your Lord." Verily, whosoever sets up partners (in worship) with Allâh, then Allâh has forbidden Paradise to him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers) there are no helpers. Surely, disbelievers are those who said: “Allâh is the third of the three (in a Trinity).” The Qur'an is replete with similar Ayahs. Otherwise, they should stop such manipulation of words, because that will only incur mockery and derision from wise people.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.