The Holy Quran, like a radiant lamp, serves as humanitys guide towards truth and guidance. Verses 17 and 18 of Surah Al-Maidah, with eloquent expression and sound reasoning, critique two theological deviations prevalent among the Jews and Christians: the claim of the divinity of Christ and the belief in Gods sonship. This treatise, relying on a precise analysis of these two verses, explores the theological and educational dimensions of these beliefs and investigates their connection with similar deviations in other religious traditions, including certain extremist currents. The objective of this study is to clarify the boundaries of monotheism and servitude, inviting profound reflection upon the sacred texts, thereby opening a path towards rational and spiritual guidance.
لَقَدْ كَفَرَ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمْ ۚ قُلْ فَمَنْ يَمْلِكُ مِنَ اللَّهِ شَيْئًا إِنْ أَرَادَ أَنْ يُهْلِكَ الْمَسِيحَ ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ وَأُمَّهُ وَمَنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا ۗ وَلِلَّهِ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا ۚ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَاءُ ۚ وَاللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Indeed, those who said: God is the Messiah, son of Mary, have disbelieved. Say: Then who holds any power from God if He intends to destroy the Messiah, son of Mary, and his mother, and all who are on the earth together? To God belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatever lies between them. He creates what He wills, and God is over all things competent.
وَقَالَتِ الْيَهُودُ وَالنَّصَارَىٰ نَحْنُ أَبْنَاءُ اللَّهِ وَأَحِبَّاؤُهُ ۚ قُلْ فَلِمَ يُعَذِّبُكُمْ بِذُنُوبِكُمْ ۖ بَلْ أَنْتُمْ بَشَرٌ مِمَّنْ خَلَقَ ۚ يَغْفِرُ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ وَيُعَذِّبُ مَنْ يَشَاءُ ۚ وَلِلَّهِ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا ۚ وَإِلَيْهِ الْمَصِيرُ
And the Jews and the Christians say: We are the children of God and His beloved. Say: Then why does He punish you for your sins? Nay, you are but human beings from among those He has created. He forgives whom He wills and punishes whom He wills; and to God belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatever lies between them, and to Him is the final return.
Verse 17 of Surah Al-Maidah explicitly declares the Christian belief in the divinity of Christ as disbelief. This claim, like a sword upon the body of monotheism, degrades the unique Divine Essence to the level of a created being. Conversely, verse 18, addressing the Jews and Christians claim to be children of God and His beloved, offers a reasoned critique. Although both verses deem these claims as acts of disbelief, they differ fundamentally in theological and educational terms, warranting deep reflection.
Verses 17 and 18 of Surah Al-Maidah act as two wings of one truth, criticising theological deviations. The former condemns outright polytheism with decisive language, while the latter logically corrects misconceptions regarding Gods nature. Together, these verses invite a pure understanding of monotheism and caution against any deviation that distorts the Divine Essence.
Verse 17 of Surah Al-Maidah categorically labels the Christian claim that God is the Messiah, son of Mary as disbelief. This belief, which equates the Divine Essence with a created being, undermines the foundation of monotheism. Monotheism, like a steadfast pillar, negates any likeness or partner for God. The verse poses a contemplative question underscoring Gods absolute power: if God wills to destroy the Messiah, his mother, and all beings on earth, who can prevent it? This question, like a clear mirror, reveals the impotence of creatures before the Creator.
The tone of verse 17, where God speaks of destroying the Messiah, his mother, and all creatures on earth, has been examined from an educational perspective. This tone, reflecting divine wrath, may lead to undesirable learning outcomes. In the religious tradition, guidance is expected to be accompanied by reason and wisdom, not threats and violence. This critique is not a denial of the verses content but rather an invitation to reconsider its understanding to avoid inculcating violence or intimidation within the religious community.
In analysing this verse, it has been suggested that including the phrase and whoever is in the heavens would have enhanced the comprehensiveness of divine power. Such an addition, like adding a gem to a crown, would have further emphasised the grandeur and all-encompassing sovereignty of God. This suggestion does not imply altering the Quranic text but invites contemplation on modes of expressing divine guidance.
Verse 17 of Surah Al-Maidah, in its decisive rejection of Christs divinity, underscores the sanctity of the Divine Essence. However, its threatening tone necessitates reconsideration to ensure divine guidance is accompanied by reasoning and compassion. This verse serves as a mirror reflecting the helplessness of creatures before their Creator and calls for pure monotheism.
Verse 18 of Surah Al-Maidah addresses the claim of Jews and Christians who regard themselves as children of God and His beloved. Although this claim does not amount to the explicit polytheism of verse 17, by attributing plurality and duality to the Divine Essence, it contradicts the fundamental tenet of He begets not, nor was He begotten in Surah Al-Ikhl. The Quran, through logical reasoning, challenges this claim: if you are Gods children, why then are you punished for your sins? This question acts as a key that unveils misconceptions about Gods nature.
The reasoning in verse 18, which uses the punishment for sins as evidence against divine sonship, is theologically noteworthy. At first glance, this reasoning rests on divine justice: God, as a just judge, views all creatures equally and does not exempt any group from punishment based on claims of sonship. However, criticism has been raised that punishment does not necessarily negate sonship, since parents may discipline their sinful children. This critique invites deeper reflection on the Quranic argument.
