This treatise is devoted to the elucidation and exegesis of one of the luminous verses of the Holy Qur'an, which, with profound language and a monotheistic perspective, delineates the path of felicity and salvation through sincere God-worship. The core of this exegesis is a verse addressed to the People of the Book, emphasising abstention from exaggeration in religion and adherence to the truth of monotheism. Through an analytical lens and utilising spiritual metaphors and allusions, this work endeavours to present the lofty Qur'anic concepts in a coherent and clear framework for seekers of divine knowledge. The aim is for the reader to become intimately acquainted with the depth of the monotheistic message and to avoid any doctrinal deviation that leads to polytheism and disbelief.
Monotheism is akin to a light that illuminates the path to eternal felicity, while polytheism resembles darkness that draws man towards misguidance. From the Qur'anic viewpoint, one whose deity is the One God is a true monotheist, and God stands beside him, guiding him. However, if a person's deity is anything other than the Lordwhether a person or an objectthe path to felicity is closed to him, and a good end becomes distant. This truth forms a steadfast pillar, constituting the foundation of human felicity and salvation. The Holy Qur'an states in this regard: And whoever associates others with Allah has certainly gone far astray.
(An-Nis: 116)
يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ لَا تَغْلُوا فِي دِينِكُمْ وَلَا تَقُولُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ إِلَّا الْحَقَّ ۚ إِنَّمَا الْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَكَلِمَتُهُ أَلْقَاهَا إِلَى مَرْيَمَ وَرُوحٌ مِنْهُ ۖ فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِ ۖ وَلَا تَقُولُوا ثَلَاثَةٌ ۚ انْتَهُوا خَيْرًا لَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّمَا اللَّهُ إِلَهٌ وَاحِدٌ ۖ سُبْحَانَهُ أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُ وَلَدٌ ۘ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ وَكَفَى بِاللَّهِ وَكِيلًا
O People of the Book, do not exaggerate in your religion, and do not say concerning Allah except the truth. Indeed, the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, is the Messenger of Allah and His Word which He conveyed to Mary, and a spirit 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 Holy Qur'an explicitly admonishes the People of the Book against exaggeration in religion. Extremism is like a river that deviates from the course of moderation, flowing towards the abyss of polytheism and disbelief. This verse, by emphasising that nothing but the truth should be said about God, rejects any false claim such as the divinity of Jesus (peace be upon him) or the doctrine of the Trinity. Extremismmeaning departing from the limits of moderation in beliefsis in opposition to the spirit of monotheism and leads to doctrinal deviations. The Qur'an reiterates this warning elsewhere: Say, O People of the Book, do not exceed the limits in your religion beyond the truth.
(Al-Midah: 77)
The Holy Qur'an introduces Jesus (peace be upon him) as the son of Mary, a Messenger of God, the Word of God, and a spirit from God. These titles, like jewels in the crown of prophethood, indicate his exalted status but never remove him from the realm of humanity and createdness. Jesus (peace be upon him) is a Messenger like other prophets, a Word cast by God to Mary, and a spirit bestowed upon him by the Lord. These descriptions point to his special creation but never imply divinity or removal from the circle of created beings. The Qur'an further states: Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allah is like that of Adam. He created him from dust; then He said to him, Be, and he was.
(l Imrn: 59)
The divine creation is like an immense ocean whose every wave manifests a facet of the power and wisdom of the Lord. The creation of Jesus (peace be upon him) without a father is but one of thousands of manifestations of diversity in the system of creation. God is the Creator who brings beings into existence in various forms and diverse systems, from terrestrial and extraterrestrial animals to entities beyond human comprehension. Just as in some regions of the world the sun rises at night blending day into night, divine creation transcends the conventional rules of human understanding. This diversity is a sign of the grandeur of the Lord, as referenced in the Qur'an: And Allah did not create the heavens and the earth and what is between them except in truth.
(Al-ijr: 85)
Humanity, confronted with this grandeur, is like a child who perceives only a corner of the truth. Human knowledge is like seeing ten centimetres of an infinite world. If this limited vision is obstructed, man becomes completely blind. This limitation is an invitation to humility before divine wisdom and to acknowledge ignorance in the face of the boundless knowledge of the Lord. The Qur'an states: And you have not been given of knowledge except a little.
(Al-Isr: 85)
The Holy Qur'an invites the People of the Book to believe in God and all His Messengers. This invitation is like a key that opens the doors of felicity. Faith in the Prophets, from Moses (peace be upon him) and David (peace be upon him) to Jesus (peace be upon him), signifies acceptance of the unity of divine mission. Obedience to God and His Messengers is the path that guides man towards truth. The Qur'an declares: Say, We believe in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob...
(Al-Baqarah: 136)
The Holy Qur'an explicitly rejects the belief in the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and regards it as a superstition distant from the truth of monotheism. This verse, like a sharp sword, cuts the roots of polytheism and stresses pure monotheism. The belief in the Trinity, by violating the principle of God's unity, is considered a deviant doctrine. The Qur'an also warns elsewhere: Indeed, those who say, Allah is the third of three, have certainly disbelieved.
(Al-Midah: 73) The declaration There is no god but Allah purifies the heart from polytheism and connects the individual to truth.
All beings in the universe are like patterns on the carpet of existence, manifestations of the Divine, and none of them possess an independent reality. Just as a carpet consists of wool and dye without identity apart from its components, creatures are but manifestations of God's will. God is the Necessary Being, and all other beings, from flies and ants to Prophets and Imams, are His servants. This truth is like a mirror reflecting the grandeur of the Lord. The Qur'an states: To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth.
(An-Nis: 171) God is free from having a child because He is free from death and decay and does not require a successor.
Polytheism, like a sinister shadow, deprives the heart of the light of monotheism. Certain deviant beliefs, such as attachment to entities other than God or attributing divine status to religious figures, stem from neglect of the truth of monotheism. The declaration There is no god but Allah is like pure water that cleanses the heart from these pollutions. Religious scholars emphasise that even intercession through the Divine saints must be within the framework of guidance towards God, not leading to polytheism or disbelief. The Qur'an states: And most of them do not believe in Allah except while they associate others with Him.
(Ysuf: 106) The prayer O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad is a supplication for guidance towards pure monotheism through the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them).
This exegesis, relying on verse 171 of Surah An-Nis, presents a comprehensive depiction of the call to pure monotheism, the avoidance of extremism, and the correction of deviant beliefs. Monotheism, like a blazing torch, illuminates the path of felicity, while polytheism, like a dark veil, distances man from the truth. This verse, by elucidating the status of Jesus (peace be upon him) and emphasising sincere God-worship, stresses the unity of divine mission and mans responsibility in choosing the path of monotheism. The declaration There is no god but Allah is a key that opens the doors of guidance, and intercession through the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) is a guide towards divine truth. This exegesis invites the reader to reflect upon the grandeur of creation, humility before divine wisdom, and commitment to pure monotheism.
