A Linguistic and Contextual Analysis of Surah At-Tawbah 9:31
By Dr. Maxwell Shimba, Shimba Theological Institute
Introduction
The relationship between Jesus (the Messiah, son of Mary) and Allah in Islamic scripture remains a central point of debate in interfaith dialogue. While the mainstream Muslim position is clear that Jesus is regarded as a prophet and not divine, a close and literal reading of Surah At-Tawbah 9:31 introduces compelling questions. In this article, we will analyze whether the Qur’an, by its very grammar and structure, actually places Jesus alongside Allah as one who is to be worshiped.
The Verse in Question
Surah At-Tawbah 9:31 reads:
“They take their rabbis and their monks as lords apart from Allah, and also the Messiah, son of Mary, whereas they were commanded to worship none but the One True God.” (9:31)
A critical point is the phrase: “apart from Allah, and also the Messiah, son of Mary.”
The Power of Conjunction: The Meaning of "And"
The word “and” (Arabic: wa) is universally recognized as a conjunction that connects equal entities, persons, or objects. In this context, the conjunction grammatically unites Allah and the Messiah, son of Mary. The verse thus lists both Allah and the Messiah as those distinct from rabbis and monks, suggesting they share a unique status as “lords.”
If the intent of the verse was merely to condemn the worship of any being except Allah, it would have sufficed to mention Allah alone. Instead, the addition of “and the Messiah, son of Mary” implies that the Messiah, too, is not to be placed in the category of created beings wrongly taken as lords, but rather is set apart with Allah as a legitimate object of worship.
Reading the Verse Literally
A plain, literal reading yields:
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They (Jews and Christians) take their religious leaders as lords apart from Allah and also the Messiah.
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This means: Rabbis and monks are wrongly elevated, but Allah and the Messiah are not among those false lords; they are the exception.
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Therefore, the text suggests that the only true Lords—those to be worshiped—are Allah and the Messiah.
This interpretation is reinforced by the wording: “whereas they were commanded to worship none but the One True God.” The reference to “the One True God” immediately after mentioning both Allah and the Messiah opens the possibility that, in this context, both are subsumed under this divine identity.
Implications for Christian-Muslim Dialogue
For Christians, this reading resonates powerfully with the doctrine of the divinity of Jesus, the Messiah. The verse, by grammatical necessity, identifies both Allah and the Messiah as those who should be recognized as lords, in contrast to the false lordship attributed to rabbis and monks.
For Muslims, such an interpretation presents a challenge to the classical doctrine of tawhid (absolute monotheism), yet it arises directly from the conjunction “and” and the logical structure of the verse. The literal sense does not support the exclusion of Jesus from divinity but, in fact, does the opposite.
Counterpoints and Response
It is true that most Islamic commentators, both classical and modern, have interpreted this verse as a condemnation of Christians who wrongly worship Jesus, rather than as an endorsement. However, such interpretations may be influenced by pre-existing theological commitments, rather than a strict adherence to the grammatical and logical flow of the text itself. A fresh, unbiased reading demands that we allow the verse to speak for itself: Allah and the Messiah are both set apart as legitimate Lords to be worshipped.
Conclusion
A careful and honest reading of Surah At-Tawbah 9:31, considering the power of the conjunction “and,” shows that the verse elevates both Allah and the Messiah, son of Mary, above all other lords, and implicitly commands their worship. The text, therefore, provides scriptural evidence within the Qur’an itself that Jesus is to be worshiped as Lord, alongside Allah. This reading has profound implications for Christian-Muslim dialogue and invites renewed reflection on the identity of the Messiah in Islamic theology.
Dr. Maxwell Shimba
Shimba Theological Institute
References
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The Qur’an, Surah At-Tawbah 9:31
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Basic Arabic Grammar
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Discussions on conjunctions and logical structure in Semitic languages
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