Is Jesus God in the Qur'an?

Islam claims to respect to Jesus, considering him as one of the greatest of God's messengers to mankind. Yet it asserts that Jesus is not God.

According to Muslims, Jesus was a big failure.  Muslims do not accept the writings made at the time of Jesus, but then accept what is written 600 years after Jesus without historical proof. According to the claims of Islam, Jesus' prophecy did not accomplish anything.  Jesus' gospel, called in the Quran the “injil”, disappeared and not one piece of his teaching remains.  By the Muhammad’s time, not one sincere Christian believer was left.

Yet we find in the Quran, Jesus was greater than Muhammad.  Jesus performed extraordinary feats of miracles that Muhammad never did.  He healed, he gave life and he raised people from the dead.  Furthermore, he was born through miraculous virgin birth, has ascended to heaven and he is there now waiting to come back to judge.  There is even evidence of Jesus being without sin.

Jesus, Born of a Virgin

The following Quranic verse is about the miraculous virgin birth of Jesus (i.e. the immaculate conception).  It is from the chapter on Maryam, who even in Islam was revered as the mother of Jesus.  Here Mary speaks:

"She said: "How shall I have a son, seeing that no man has touched me, and I am not unchaste?" Quran 19:20, Yusuf Ali

The angel responded, making clear that Jesus is sent from Allah:

"He said: "So (it will be): Thy Lord saith, 'that is easy for Me: and (We wish) to appoint him as a Sign unto men and a Mercy from Us': It is a matter (so) decreed." " Quran 19:21, Yusuf Ali

Every Man is a Sinner but Jesus

Muhammed, like every man is a sinner:

 “All the sons of Adam are sinners, but the best of sinners are those who repent often.”

 Narrated by Anas (RAA).  English Book 16, Hadith 1520

The Quran confirms that Muhammad was a sinner, where it says that Muhammad has both sins of the past and and his sins of the future:

"Verily, We have given you (O Muhammad SAW) a manifest victory. That Allah may forgive you your sins of the past and the future, and complete His Favour on you, and guide you on the Straight Path;"  Quran 48:1-2, Muhsin Khan

But Jesus is special.  Jesus, as a man and son of Mary had flesh and blood.  Yet unlike every man (and indeed Muhammad), Jesus was untouched by Satan:

“Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

"The satan touches every son of Adam on the day when his mother gives birth to him with the exception of Mary and her son." “  Sahih Muslim 2366 c

In fact, Jesus was said in the Quran to be righteous, pure or blameless:

“(The angel) said: "I am only a Messenger from your Lord, (to announce) to you the gift of a righteous son." “ Quran 19:19, Muhsin Khan

The word ‘زَكِيًّا’ (zakiana) is only used twice in the Qur'an and not of Muhammad.  In the only other place it is used, it describes a young man’s innocence, where the young man was found not guilty of any crime deserving of death.

Jesus Conceived by Allah

When Allah conceived Jesus, he blew some of his spirit into Mary's private parts:

 "And (remember) her who guarded her chastity: We breathed into her of Our spirit, and We made her and her son a sign for all peoples."  Quran 21:91, Yusuf Ali

The Arabic word used here for chastity 'فَرْجَهَا' also means "private parts".  This is what Allah breathed into.  The same base word is used in 'لِفُرُوجِهِمْ', in an instruction to guard against sexual immorality:

 "and who guard their private parts" Quran 23:5, Mufti Taqi Usmani

Why did Allah breathe into Mary’s genitals?  It says he breathed into her “some of Our spirit”, some of Allah’s essence.  And then Mary became pregnant.

Jesus, a Word of God or God's Spirit?

Jesus, just like Allah, gave life using his breathe.  In the Quran it says that from the mud, he formed a living bird and breathed into the bird to give it life, just as Allah did to make man:

(Remember) when Allah will say (on the Day of Resurrection). "O 'Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)! Remember ... when you made out of the clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, by My Permission, and you breathed into it, and it became a bird by My Permission, ..."  Quran 5:110, Muhsin Khan

In John 1:1 of the Bible, Jesus is equated to being the Word of God.  Indeed in John 1:14, the Word became flesh and God became a man.  Yet in the Quran, Jesus is "a Word from Him" (Allah):

"(Remember the time) when the angels said: “O Maryam, Allah gives you the good news of a Word from Him whose name is MasīH ‘Īsā , the son of Maryam (the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary) a man of status in this world and in the Hereafter, and one of those who are near (to Allah)." Quran 3:45, Mufti Taqi Usmani

In what sense did Jesus (Isa) come out from Allah as Word from him?  Perhaps it is that Allah conceives Jesus by saying "Be":

"She said: “O my Lord, how shall I have a son while no human has ever touched me?” Said He: “That is how Allah creates what He wills. When He decides a matter, He simply says to it ‘Be’, and it comes to be." Qur'an 3:47, Mufti Taqi Usmani

Here, Allah makes Mary come to be pregnant by simply saying "Be".  Though in Surah 21:91 above, Allah breathes his spirit into Jesus. This is a contradiction.  How can Jesus be a Word of God and simultaneously also Allah's spirit or breathe?  The contradiction is reinforced here:

"Surely, the case of ‘Īsā , in the sight of Allah, is like the case of ’Edam . He created him from dust, then He said to him, “Be”, and he came to be." Qur'an 3:59, Mufti Taqi Usmani

This verse says Jesus was created in the same way as Adam (Edam) was created.  I.e. Jesus was created from dust by Allah saying "Be".  Adam, being the first man, was created from dust.  But Jesus was birthed from Mary.  Certainly, of Adam, Allah fashioned him out of clay and breathed his spirit into him:

“Recall when your Lord said to the angels, “I am going to create a human being from a ringing clay made of decayed mud.  When I form him perfect, and blow in him of My spirit, then you must fall down before him in prostration.”" Qur'an 15:28-29, Mufti Taqi Usmani

More evidence for Allah breathing into Adam is in Ibn Kathir's commentary on this verse 17:11:

“Man prays for evil like his prayer for good, and man is so hasty.”  Qur'an 17:11, Mufti Taqi Usmani

To explain why man is so hasty, Ibn Kathir recalled the following anecdote:

Salman Al-Farisi and Ibn `Abbas mentioned the story of Adam, when he wanted to get up before his soul reached his feet. When his soul was breathed into him, it entered his body from his head downwards. When it reached his brain he sneezed, and said, "Al-Hamdu Lillah'' (praise be to Allah), and Allah said, "May your Lord have mercy on you, O Adam.'' When it reached his eyes, he opened them, and when it reached his body and limbs he started to stare at them in wonder. He wanted to get up before it reached his feet, but he could not. He said, "O Lord, make it happen before night comes.''  Ibn Kathir 

Here, Adam is having his spirit breathed into him by Allah but Allah is slow. Adam asks Him to hurry it up and have it done before sunset.

Therefore, irrespective of what Qur'an 3:47 says 1) neither Adam nor Jesus were created in the same way, and 2) neither Adam nor Jesus were created by Allah saying "Be" but by the imparting of Allah's spirit.

Jesus, Creator and Doer of Miracles

Jesus created a bird and breathed life into it.  This is an amazing feat for any man.  Yet he did much more.  He raised the dead, he healed the lepers and the blind.  He, rather surprisingly, “spoke” whilst still a baby in the cradle.  (Not all of these things are in the Bible.):

(Remember) when Allah will say (on the Day of Resurrection). "O 'Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)! Remember My Favour to you and to your mother when I supported you with Ruh-ul-Qudus [Jibrael (Gabriel)] so that you spoke to the people in the cradle and in maturity; and when I taught you writing, Al-Hikmah (the power of understanding), the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel); and when you made out of the clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, by My Permission, and you breathed into it, and it became a bird by My Permission, and you healed those born blind, and the lepers by My Permission, and when you brought forth the dead by My Permission; …"  Qur'an 5:110, Muhsin Khan

These miracles are also mentioned in Qur'an 3:49.  These feats are much more than what Muhammad ever did, for Muhammad performed no miracles.  

Jesus Is Coming Back to Judge

Islam teaches that Jesus did not die on the cross but was ascended straight to heaven.  

They (the opponents of ‘Īsā) devised a plan, and Allah devised a plan. And Allah is the best of all planners.  When Allah said: “O ‘Īsā , I am to take you in full and to raise you towards Myself, ...” Qur'an 3:54-55, Mufti Taqi Usmani

In Quran 3:45 quoted above, Jesus is said to be close to Allah and a man of status in heaven.  It should be of little surprise then that Jesus will descend to earth as judge:

“Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

By Him in Whose hand is my life, the son of Mary (ﷺ) will soon descend among you as a just judge. He will break crosses, kill swine and abolish Jizya and the wealth will pour forth to such an extent that no one will accept it.”  Sahih Muslim 155 a 

How can Jesus judge justly?  Only God is just.  If Jesus is but a man, judging with perfect justice is impossible.  Only a sinless man can judge justly.  Further, if Jesus is not God, why is he now residing with God in heaven? 

In contrast to Jesus, Muhammad was not raised to heaven but died of poisoning. Muhammad is not alive in heaven.  Muhammad is not returning to judge. As a sinful man he incapable of judging justly.  Jesus is greater than Muhammad.

Can Allah Have Blood?

The Quran does not say whether Allah has blood.  But Allah has physical hands, legs a shin and a foot:

It was narrated from 'Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'As that:

The Prophet [SAW] said: "Those who are just and fair will be with Allah, Most High, on thrones of light, at the right hand of the Most Merciful, those who are just in their rulings and in their dealings with their families and those of whom they are in charge." Muhammad (one of the narrators) said in his Hadith: "And both of His hands are right hands." Sunan an-Nasa'i 5379

If Allah can have a physical body and still be God, why is it not possible for Jesus to have a body? It is.

(The above argument was drawn from a YouTube video of Christian Prince entitled "God yet he has blood like us".)

The Islamic Dilemma

The common claim made by Muslims is that the Bible has been corrupted.  Muslims want you to believe that the books of the Bible have been changed to the point that their original meaning is unrecognizable.  What the average Muslim doesn't know, is that the Quran can be used against itself, to show that the Bible could not possibly have been corrupted. This puts Muslims in a difficult predicament, because the Bible shows the Quran is a fabrication. Below we explain this so-called Islamic Dilemma.

The Bible is Allah’s book.  By asking, “So, do you think that Allah’s Bible has been corrupted?”  Muslims may be taken aback. They may not having realized that their corruption claim is actually an attack on their own Allah.  To reinforce, you might follow up with, “Are you saying that the words of Allah have become corrupted?”

The Quran doesn't actually use the term Bible, the Quran references the “Zabur” (Psalms), the “Torah”, and the “Injil” (lit. the Gospel).  If asked, the Muslim will hopefully admit that both Torah and Injil are the words of Allah.  If not, lead them to the Qur'an:

“We sent ‘Īsā son of Maryam after those prophets, confirming the Torah that was (revealed) before him, and We gave him the Injīl having guidance and light therein, and confirming the Torah that was (revealed) before it; a guidance and a lesson for the God-fearing.” Surah 5:46, Mufti Taqi Usmani 

“He has revealed to you the Book with the truth, confirming what has been before it, and has sent down the Torah and the Injīl earlier to give guidance to mankind, and has sent down the Furqān (the Criterion of right and wrong). Surely, those who have rejected the verses of Allah, for them there is severe punishment. Allah is Mighty, the Lord of Retribution.”  Surah 3:3-4, Mufti Taqi Usmani

"And when there came to them (the Jews), a Book (this Quran) from Allah confirming what is with them [the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)], although aforetime they had invoked Allah (for coming of Muhammad Peace be upon him) in order to gain victory over those who disbelieved, then when there came to them that which they had recognised, they disbelieved in it. So let the Curse of Allah be on the disbelievers.”  Qur'an 2:89, Muhsin Khan and Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali

Note that I chose Muhsin Khan over Usmani for the translation of Surah 2:89 because it clarifies that "what is with them" are the Torah and Injil.  In the Arabic, the verses actually don’t say “sent down” but literally says “what is is between your hands”.  So the verses refer to a real physical book, not just a message.

Next, according to the Quran, Allah's word cannot be changed:

"The Word of your Lord is perfect in truth and justice. None is there to change His words..." Surah 6:115, Mufti Taqi Usmani

"And recite what has been revealed to you of the Book of your Lord. There is no one to change His words..." Surah 18:27, Mufti Taqi Usmani

"For them there is the good news in the worldly life and in the Hereafter: there is no change in the words of Allah.  That is the great achievement." Surah 10:64, Mufti Taqi Usmani

So the Injil and Torah are the words of Allah and cannot be changed.

You might have trouble getting the Muslim to admit that the Injeel corresponds to the New Testament gospel of Jesus.  The term Injeel or Injīl or in Arabic إنجيل literally means gospel.  As it says in Surah 5:46 above, the Injil is a book.  But which book?

From 200-800 AD, there was only one Christian book commonly available, the Evangelion, which was a compendium of the synoptic gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  This was most likely the book Muhammad saw the Christians reading.  Ibn Ishak, the earliest Islamic biographer of Muhammad even quotes John 15:23-16:1 and says that it is taken from the Injil.  Was Ibn Ishaq lying?  Probably not. 

So, the Qur'an shows that the synoptic gospels are the words of Allah and cannot have been corrupted.  The synoptic gospels of course asserts that 1. Jesus is God, 2. that he died and 3. that he rose from the dead.  These claims completely contradict the Quran and expose it as a fabrication.

Other objections:

1. There are subtleties in processes of translation and interpretation.  Virtually any translation of the quoted passages will convey the same meaning.  (You might like to try this for yourself by making a visit to https://quran.com/.)  In addition, the Quran many times says that it is clearly written, that it is the "clear revelation" of Allah, "with clear signs, proofs, etc.".  We can then take the Qur'an at its literal meaning.
2. Injil corresponds only to PARTS of the synoptic gospels.  Response: From Surah 5:46, the Injil is not a set of fragments but an actual book.  One can't just go cutting up pieces of the gospel accounts and say "this is Injil" and "that is not Injil".  This is very similar to saying the gospel of Jesus has been corrupted.

Some might want to divert attention by insisting that the Quran is the final revelation of God so that we should listen exclusively to it.  We as Christians have a good response to this.  The Qur'an actually instructs us to put our faith in the Bible:

“And the people of the Injīl must judge according to what Allah has sent down therein. Those who do not judge according to what Allah has sent down, they are the sinners.” Surah 5:47, Mufti Taqi Usmani

(Thanks to David Wood, Sam Shamoun and Christian Prince for presenting this argument.  Watch their videos at:

https://www.youtube.com/user/Acts17Apologetics

https://www.youtube.com/user/shamounian

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOllN2W9yT4ZYaSgTkqzhhg)

Abrogation of "eye-for-an-eye"

The following verse in the Quran describes eye-for-an-eye.  Eye-for-an-eye was a Jewish legal concept that loosely translates to "If I kill your slave then you kill my slave.  Or I kill your wife you kill my wife."  It was a way of limiting the exacting of revenge.  It was practiced in Arabia too apparently.

It could apparently be alleviated in the Quran, by the payment of blood money:

"O you who believe! Al-Qisas (the Law of Equality in punishment) is prescribed for you in case of murder: the free for the free, the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. But if the killer is forgiven by the brother (or the relatives, etc.) of the killed against blood money, then adhering to it with fairness and payment of the blood money, to the heir should be made in fairness. This is an alleviation and a mercy from your Lord. So after this whoever transgresses the limits (i.e. kills the killer after taking the blood money), he shall have a painful torment."

Sura 2:178, Muhsin Khan and Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali 

Is this a form of forgiveness?  It is not.  It is paying people off.  Jesus in the Bible expressed forgiveness when he told the woman caught in adultery to "go and sin no more".  

Taqqiya, Islamic Deceipt, and Islam

Well Taqqiya IS a thing. It exists in Islam. It is not just a crazy conspiracy theory on the Alex Jones channel. 

Taqqiya originates from Quranic verses about not making friends with unbelievers.  It is said that the Shiite Moslems started to use it when under threat by Sunni Muslims, to save themselves from death for holding the wrong Islamic beliefs.

It should be obvious that most Westernised Muslims don't actually practice taqqiya.  I personally wouldn't bother accusing a Muslim who grew up in The West of taqqiya for saying anything deceptive about Islam.  But to be clear, this does not mean that deceit about the nature of Islam isn't actually practiced. 

Taqqiya is only one type of deceit endorsed in Islamic literature, there are several, including tawriya, kitman, and muruna.

Significantly, Muhammad can be quoted as equating war with deceit (in Bukhari 52:269).  This is relevant because jihad, which literally means fighting or struggle for the cause of Islam, umbrellas physical fighting but also includes "jihad of the tongue" or creating arguments to defend Islam.  The bad news is that Jihad is obligatory in Shia Islam, and considered a duty more universally, so I guess the duty would extend to the largest group of Muslims, Sunni Muslims too!

Muhammad clearly used deceit to conquer people such as the Jews of Medina. 

The concept of deceit as a means to "defend Islam" actually made it into the Sha'afi Shariah manual 'The Reliance of the Traveller' (paragraph r8.2) that came out in the 14th century.

But I personally wouldn't accuse anyone of taqqiya unless you can show he has actually KNOWINGLY deceived you.  Unverifiable accusations are not fair and they are not polite.  I would estimate that most Westernised Muslims aren't knowingly trying to deceive you and don't know what taqqiya. 

Imams and Sheikhs however I hold to a greater level of suspicion, because they should know what taqqiya is.  I have witnessed Muslims saying lots of untrue things about Islam, and using lots of ingenious arguments.   They have to be getting these facts and arguments from somewhere.  I guess they are getting them from their teachers.

BTW, this post is a rebuke of a video made by Aymann Ismail.

Hezbollah are terrorists

In the Al Quds protests in Canada this year, that in response to the claim that Hezbollah are terrorists by Rebel Media reporters, that Hezbollah was equated by one commenter with the government. 

Al Quds day is an annual protest day against the state of Israel.  These protests are particularly famous in Iran for their chants of "Death to Israel" and "Death to America".

Well if it is in fact true that Hezbollah are the government, they are a terrorist government!  Hezbollah are terrorists.