Monday, June 28, 2010

Notes on Soorah al-Kahf verses 4-5

Verse 4. And warn those who say that, Allah has given birth to a son.


• This acted as an explanation from what was left unspecified in the previous verse – Ibn Uthaimeen.

• See (9:30) “The Jews call ‘Uzayr a son of Allah, and the Christian call Christ the son of Allah…”

Encyclopedia Judaica Jerusalem states that Uszayr called the Father of Judaism by the Jews was considered ‘son of God’ by the Jews of Yemen.

Verse 5. They have no knowledge about it, nor do their fathers. The word coming out of their mouths is very grave. What they are saying is nothing but lie.


• The belief that Jesus is a son of God only became the dominant teaching of Christianity in the 4th century when it was adopted at the council of Nicea in 325 AD along with the other belief that Christ has same nature as God. Arius (250-336) the bishop of Alexandria of Egypt opposed to sign this creed. Before that there are numerous Christians who had diverse views on Christ, each with their own scripture to anchor their views.

• Other prophets were called the Son of God

o Israel (Jacob) in Exodus 4:22-24


o Solomon in 2nd Samuel 8:13-14

o David in Psalm 89:26-27. As the only begotten son in Psalms 2:7.

o Angels are sons of God in the Book of Job 1:6

In New Testament

o Adam the son of God in Luke 3:38

o Nowhere in the Gospels Jesus actually called himself “Son of God”. Jesus rebuke those who called him the Son of God in Luke 4:41.

• The Hebrew Perspective


o The Hebrews were strict Monotheists and in their expression Son of God (usage in the Old Testament) metaphorically means “Servant of God” one who is a close and faithful servant of God as a son to his father.

o Example: Blessed are the peace-makers; they will be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:9)

• The Roman Perspective


o Romans and Greeks believe in a literal meaning of Son of God as a god incarnate or someone born of a physical union between male and female gods.

o Example: In Acts 14:11-13 Barnabas called the Roman god Zeus and Paul was called the Roman god Hermes.

• Allah has refute all these claims in the last scripture sent to mankind (72:3) (19:92-3) (39:4)


• The word coming out of their mouths is very grave.


o The heavens are almost torn apart, the earth split in two and the mountain crumble, that they claim the Most Gracious had a son. (19:90-1)

o Allah having a son means that He is deficient and others share in His Lordship, His Dominion and His Divinity. It is also lying about Him. (6:21).

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