An-Nisa': 171

Ayah

Word by Word

يَٰٓأَهۡلَ

O People

ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ

(of) the Book

لَا

(Do) not

تَغۡلُواْ

commit excess

فِي

دِينِكُمۡ

your religion

وَلَا

and (do) not

تَقُولُواْ

say

عَلَى

about

ٱللَّهِ

Allah

إِلَّا

except

ٱلۡحَقَّۚ

the truth

إِنَّمَا

Only

ٱلۡمَسِيحُ

the Messiah

عِيسَى

Isa

ٱبۡنُ

son

مَرۡيَمَ

(of) Maryam

رَسُولُ

(was) a Messenger

ٱللَّهِ

(of) Allah

وَكَلِمَتُهُۥٓ

and His word

أَلۡقَىٰهَآ

which He conveyed

إِلَىٰ

مَرۡيَمَ

Maryam

وَرُوحٞ

and a spirit

مِّنۡهُۖ

from Him

فَـَٔامِنُواْ

So believe

بِٱللَّهِ

in Allah

وَرُسُلِهِۦۖ

and His Messengers

وَلَا

And (do) not

تَقُولُواْ

say

ثَلَٰثَةٌۚ

Three

ٱنتَهُواْ

desist

خَيۡرٗا

(it is) better

لَّكُمۡۚ

for you

إِنَّمَا

Only

ٱللَّهُ

Allah

إِلَٰهٞ

(is) God

وَٰحِدٞۖ

One

سُبۡحَٰنَهُۥٓ

Glory be to Him

أَن

That

يَكُونَ

He (should) have

لَهُۥ

for Him

وَلَدٞۘ

a son

لَّهُۥ

To Him (belongs)

مَا

whatever

فِي

(is) in

ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ

the heavens

وَمَا

and whatever

فِي

(is) in

ٱلۡأَرۡضِۗ

the earth

وَكَفَىٰ

And is sufficient

بِٱللَّهِ

Allah

وَكِيلٗا

(as) a Disposer of affairs

Translation

O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: Nor say of Allah aught but the truth. Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) a messenger of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him: so believe in Allah and His messengers. Say not "Trinity": desist: it will be better for you: for Allah is one Allah: Glory be to Him: (far exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belong all things in the heavens and on earth. And enough is Allah as a Disposer of affairs.

Tafsir

"Prohibiting the People of the Book From Going to Extremes in Religion

Allah says;

يَا أَهۡلَ الۡكِتَابِ لَا تَغۡلُواۡ فِي دِينِكُمۡ

O People of the Scripture! Do not exceed the limits in your religion,

Allah forbids the People of the Scriptures from going to extremes in religion, which is a common trait of theirs, especially among the Christians.

The Christians exaggerated over `Isa until they elevated him above the grade that Allah gave him. They elevated him from the rank of Prophethood to being a god, whom they worshipped just as they worshipped Allah.

They exaggerated even more in the case of those who they claim were his followers, claiming that they were inspired, thus following every word they uttered whether true or false, be it guidance or misguidance, truth or lies.

This is why Allah said,

اتَّخَذُواۡ أَحۡبَـرَهُمۡ وَرُهۡبَـنَهُمۡ أَرۡبَاباً مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ

They took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allah. (9:31)

Imam Ahmad recorded that Ibn Abbas said that Umar said that the Messenger of Allah said,

لَاا تُطۡرُونِي كَمَا أَطۡرَتِ النَّصَارَىِ عِيسَى ابۡنَ مَرۡيَمَ فَإِنَّمَا أَنَا عَبۡدٌ

فَقُولُوا

Do not unduly praise me like the Christians exaggerated over `Isa, son of Maryam. Verily, I am only a servant, so say,

عَبۡدُاللهِ وَرَسُولُه

`Allah's servant and His Messenger.'

This is the wording of Al-Bukhari.

Imam Ahmad recorded that Anas bin Malik said that;

a man once said, ""O Muhammad! You are our master and the son of our master, our most righteous person and the son of our most righteous person..."" The Messenger of Allah said,

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ بِقَوۡلِكُمۡ وَلَاا يَسۡتَهۡوِيَنَّكُمُ الشَّيۡطَانُ

O people! Say what you have to say, but do not allow Shaytan to trick you.

أَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بۡنُ عَبۡدِاللهِ عَبۡدُاللهِ وَرَسُولُهُ وَاللهِ مَا أُحِبُّ أَنۡ تَرۡفَعُونِي فَوۡقَ مَنۡزِلَتِي الَّتِي أَنۡزَلَنِي اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَل

I am Muhammad bin Abdullah, Allah's servant and Messenger. By Allah! I do not like that you elevate me above the rank that Allah has granted me.

Allah's statement,

وَلَا تَقُولُواۡ عَلَى اللّهِ إِلاَّ الۡحَقِّ

(nor say of Allah except the truth.) means, do not lie and claim that Allah has a wife or a son, Allah is far holier than what they attribute to Him. Allah is glorified, praised, and honored in His might, grandure and greatness, and there is no deity worthy of worship nor Lord but Him.

Allah said;

إِنَّمَا الۡمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ابۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ رَسُولُ اللّهِ وَكَلِمَتُهُ أَلۡقَاهَا إِلَى مَرۡيَمَ وَرُوحٌ مِّنۡهُ

Al-Masih `Isa, son of Maryam, was (no more than) a Messenger of Allah and His Word, which He bestowed on Maryam and a spirit from (created by) Him;

`Isa is only one of Allah's servants and one of His creatures. Allah said to him, `Be', and he was, and He sent him as a Messenger.

`Isa was a word from Allah that He bestowed on Maryam,

meaning He created him with the word `Be' that He sent with Jibril to Maryam. Jibril blew the life of `Isa into Maryam by Allah's leave, and `Isa came to existence as a result.

This incident was in place of the normal conception between man and woman that results in children. This is why `Isa was a word and a Ruh (spirit) created by Allah, as he had no father to conceive him. Rather, he came to existence through the word that Allah uttered, `Be,' and he was, through the life that Allah sent with Jibril.

Allah said,

مَّا الۡمَسِيحُ ابۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ إِلاَّ رَسُولٌ قَدۡ خَلَتۡ مِن قَبۡلِهِ الرُّسُلُ وَأُمُّهُ صِدِّيقَةٌ كَانَا يَأۡكُلَنِ الطَّعَامَ

Al-Masih (`Isa), son of Maryam, was no more than a Messenger; many were the Messengers that passed away before him. His mother (Maryam) was a Siddiqah. They both ate food. (5:75)

And Allah said,

إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِيسَى عِندَ اللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ ءَادَمَ خَلَقَهُ مِن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُونُ

Verily, the likeness of `Isa before Allah is the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust, then (He) said to him:""Be! ـ and he was. (3:59)

وَالَّتِى أَحۡصَنَتۡ فَرۡجَهَا فَنَفَخۡنَا فِيهَا مِن رُّوحِنَا وَجَعَلۡنَـهَا وَابۡنَهَأ ءَايَةً لِّلۡعَـلَمِينَ

And she who guarded her chastity, We breathed into her (garment) and We made her and her son (`Isa) a sign for all that exits. (21:91)

وَمَرۡيَمَ ابۡنَةَ عِمۡرَانَ الَّتِى أَحۡصَنَتۡ فَرۡجَهَا

And Maryam, the daughter of `Imran who guarded her chastity. (66:12)

and Allah said concerning the Messiah,

إِنۡ هُوَ إِلاَّ عَبۡدٌ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ

He (`Isa) was not more than a servant. We granted Our favor to him. (43:59)

The Meaning of ""His Word and a spirit from Him

Abdur-Razzaq narrated that Ma`mar said that Qatadah said that the Ayah,

وَكَلِمَتُهُ أَلۡقَاهَا إِلَى مَرۡيَمَ وَرُوحٌ مِّنۡهُ

(And His Word, which He bestowed on Maryam and a spirit from (created by) Him) means,

He said,

كُنَّ

(Be) and he was.

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Ahmad bin Sinan Al-Wasiti said that he heard Shadh bin Yahya saying about Allah's statement,

وَكَلِمَتُهُ أَلۡقَاهَا إِلَى مَرۡيَمَ وَرُوحٌ مِّنۡهُ

(and His Word, which He bestowed on Maryam and a spirit from (created by) Him),

""Isa was not the word. Rather, Isa came to existence because of the word.""

Al-Bukhari recorded that Ubadah bin As-Samit said that the Prophet said,

مَنۡ شَهِدَ أَنۡ لَا إِلهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ وَحۡدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبۡدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَأَنَّ عِيسَى عَبۡدُاللهِ وَرَسُولُهُ وَكَلِمَتُهُ أَلۡقَاهَا إِلى مَرۡيَمَ وَرُوحٌ مِنۡهُ وَأَنَّ الۡجَنَّةَ حَقٌّ وَالنَّارَ حَقٌّ أَدۡخَلَهُ اللهُ الۡجَنَّةَ عَلَى مَا كَانَ مِنَ الۡعَمَل

If anyone testifies that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah Alone Who has no partners, and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger, and that `Isa is Allah's servant and Messenger and His Word which He bestowed on Maryam and a spirit created by Him, and that Paradise is true and Hell is true, then Allah will admit him into Paradise with the deeds which he performed.

In another narration, the Prophet said,

مِنۡ أَبۡوَابِ الۡجَنَّةِ الثَّمَانِيَّةِ يَدۡخُلُ مِنۡ أَيِّهَا شَاء

through any of the eight doors of Paradise he wishes.

Muslim also recorded it.

Therefore, `Ruh from Allah', in the Ayah and the Hadith is similar to Allah's statement,

وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمۡ مَّا فِى السَّمَـوَتِ وَمَا فِى الاٌّرۡضِ جَمِيعاً مِّنۡهُ

And has subjected to you all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth; it is all from Him. (45:13)

meaning, from His creation.

`from Him' does not mean that it is a part of Him, as the Christians claim, may Allah's continued curses be upon them.

Saying that something is from Allah, such as the spirit of Allah, the she-camel of Allah or the House of Allah, is meant to honor such items.

Allah said,

هَـذِهِ نَاقَةُ اللَّهِ

This is the she-camel of Allah... (11:64)

and,

وَطَهِّرۡ بَيۡتِىَ لِلطَّأيِفِينَ

and sanctify My House for those who circumambulate it. (22:26)

An authentic Hadith states,

فَأَدۡخُلُ عَلَى رَبِّي فِي دَارِه

I will enter on my Lord in His Home.

All these examples are meant to honor such items when they are attributed to Allah in this manner.

Allah said,

فَأمِنُواۡ بِاللّهِ وَرُسُلِهِ

so believe in Allah and His Messengers.

believe that Allah is One and Alone and that He does not have a son or wife. Know and be certain that `Isa is the servant and Messenger of Allah.

Allah said after that,

وَلَا تَقُولُواۡ ثَلَثَةٌ

Say not:""Three!""

do not elevate `Isa and his mother to be gods with Allah. Allah is far holier than what they attribute to Him.

In Surah Al-Ma'idah, Allah said,

لَّقَدۡ كَفَرَ الَّذِينَ قَالُواۡ إِنَّ اللَّهَ ثَـلِثُ ثَلَـثَةٍ وَمَا مِنۡ إِلَـهٍ إِلاَّ إِلَـهٌ وَحِدٌ

Surely, disbelievers are those who said:""Allah is the third of the three."" But there is none who has the right to be worshipped but One God. (5:73)

Allah said by the end of the same Surah,

وَإِذۡ قَالَ اللَّهُ يعِيسَى ابۡنَ مَرۡيَمَ أَءَنتَ قُلتَ لِلنَّاسِ اتَّخِذُونِى

And (remember) when Allah will say (on the Day of Resurrection):""O `Isa, son of Maryam! Did you say unto men:`Worship me!""' (5:116)

and in its beginning,

لَّقَدۡ كَفَرَ الَّذِينَ قَألُواۡ إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الۡمَسِيحُ ابۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ

Surely, in disbelief are they who say that Allah is the Messiah, son of Maryam. (5:17)

The Christians, may Allah curse them, have no limit to their disbelief because of their ignorance, so their deviant statements and their misguidance grows. Some of them believe that `Isa is Allah, some believe that he is one in a trinity and some believe that he is the son of Allah. Their beliefs and creeds are numerous and contradict each other, prompting some people to say that if ten Christians meet, they would end up with eleven sects!

The Christian Sects

Sa`id bin Batriq, the Patriarch of Alexandria and a famous Christian scholar, mentioned in the year four hundred after the Hijrah, that;

a Christian Council convened during the reign of Constantine, who built the city that bears his name. In this Council, the Christians came up with what they called the Great Trust, which in reality is the Great Treachery. There were more than two thousand patriarchs in this Council, and they were in such disarray that they divided into many sects, where some sects had twenty, fifty or a hundred members, etc.!

When the king ﷺ that there were more than three hundred Patriarchs who had the same idea, he agreed with them and adopted their creed.

Constantine who was a deviant philosopher -- gave his support to this sect for which, as an honor, churches were built and doctrines were taught to young children, who were baptized on this creed, and books were written about it. Meanwhile, the king oppressed all other sects.

Another Council produced the sect known as the Jacobites, while the Nestorians were formed in a third Council.

These three sects agreed that `Isa was divine, but disputed regarding the manner in which `Isa's divinity was related to his humanity; were they in unity or did Allah incarnate in `Isa!

All three of these sects accuse each other of heresy and, we believe that all three of them are disbelievers.

Allah said,

انتَهُواۡ خَيۡرًا لَّكُمۡ

Cease! (it is) better for you.

meaning, it will be better for you.

إِنَّمَا اللّهُ إِلَـهٌ وَاحِدٌ سُبۡحَانَهُ أَن يَكُونَ لَهُ وَلَدٌ

For Allah is (the only) One God, hallowed be He above having a son.

and He is holier than such claim.

لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَات وَمَا فِي الَارۡضِ وَكَفَى بِاللّهِ وَكِيلً

To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is All-Sufficient as a Disposer of affairs,

for all are creatures, property and servants under His control and disposal, and He is the Disposer of the affairs. Therefore, how can He have a wife or a son among them.

بَدِيعُ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرۡضِ أَنَّى يَكُونُ لَهُ وَلَدٌ

He is the originator of the heavens and the earth. How can He have children. (6:101)

and,

وَقَالُوا اتَّخَذَ الرَّحۡمَنُ وَلَدًا

لَقَدۡ جِيۡتُمۡ شَيۡيًا إِدًّا

And they say:""The Most Gracious (Allah) has begotten a son. Indeed you have brought forth (said) a terrible evil thing."" Up to His saying,

فَرۡدًا

Alone. (19:88-95).

The Prophets and Angels Are Never too Proud to Worship Allah

Allah says;

لَّن يَسۡتَنكِفَ الۡمَسِيحُ أَن يَكُونَ عَبۡداً لِّلّهِ وَلَا الۡمَليِكَةُ الۡمُقَرَّبُونَ

Al-Masih will never be too proud to be a servant of Allah, nor the angels who are the near (to Allah).

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Ibn Abbas said that,

`proud', means insolent.

Qatadah said that,

الۡمَسِيحُ أَن يَكُونَ عَبۡداً لِّلّهِ وَلَا الۡمَليِكَةُ الۡمُقَرَّبُونَ

(Al-Masih will never be too proud to be a servant of Allah nor the angels who are near (to Allah).

(they) will never be arrogant.

Allah then said,

وَمَن يَسۡتَنكِفۡ عَنۡ عِبَادَتِهِ وَيَسۡتَكۡبِرۡ فَسَيَحۡشُرُهُمۡ إِلَيهِ جَمِيعًا

And whosoever rejects His worship and is proud, then He will gather them all together unto Himself.

on the Day of Resurrection. Then, Allah will judge between them with His just judgment that is never unjust or wrong""

""فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ امَنُواۡ وَعَمِلُواۡ الصَّالِحَاتِ فَيُوَفِّيهِمۡ أُجُورَهُمۡ وَيَزيدُهُم مِّن فَضۡلِهِ

So, as for those who believed and did deeds of righteousness, He will give their (due) rewards, and more out of His bounty.

Allah will award them their full rewards for their righteous actions and will give them more of His bounty, kindness, ample mercy and favor.

وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ اسۡتَنكَفُواۡ وَاسۡتَكۡبَرُواۡ

But as for those who refused His worship and were proud,

out of arrogance, they refused to obey and worship Him.

فَيُعَذِّبُهُمۡ عَذَابًا أَلُيمًا وَلَا يَجِدُونَ لَهُم مِّن دُونِ اللّهِ وَلِيًّا وَلَا نَصِيرًا

He will punish them with a painful torment. And they will not find for themselves besides Allah any protector or helper.

In another Ayah, Allah said,

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسۡتَكۡبِرُونَ عَنۡ عِبَادَتِى سَيَدۡخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَخِرِينَ

Verily! Those who scorn My worship, they will surely enter Hell in humiliation. (40:60)

degradation, disgrace and dishonor, for they were arrogant and rebellious."