By Dr. Maxwell Shimba | Max Shimba Ministries
Introduction
The late Muhammad, after failing to convince Christians to accept Islam using his own book—the Quran—resorted to referencing the Holy Bible to justify and defend the claims of Allah. However, upon examining both the Bible and Quran, significant theological contradictions arise—especially concerning the divine sonship of Jesus Christ.
1. The Testimony of Jesus Himself: He is the Son of God
The Gospel of John offers a powerful witness of Jesus’ claim to divinity:
“For this reason the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He was not only breaking the Sabbath, but was also calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God. Therefore Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in the same way. For the Father loves the Son and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and He will show Him greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, so that all will honor the Son just as they honor the Father. The one who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. Truly, truly, I say to you, the one who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.’”
— John 5:18–24
This passage reveals Jesus’ intimate unity with the Father. He is not just a prophet or messenger; He claims divine equality with God.
2. The Arabic Bible Uses the Term "Allah"—But Does This Prove Doctrinal Consistency?
Muslims often argue that since the Arabic Bible uses the word "Allah" to refer to God, this proves that Allah of the Quran is the same as the God of the Bible. However, the mere use of the term is not enough—we must examine the attributes and identity associated with that name.
i. Allah in the Arabic Bible Has a Son
“And behold, a voice from heaven said, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’”
— Matthew 3:17
In Arabic:
"هذا هو ابني الحبيب الذي به سررت."
(Hadha huwa ibni al-habib aladhi bihi surirt.)
Here, the "Allah" of the Arabic Bible publicly acknowledges having a Son—Jesus Christ.
ii. The Son of God Is the Manifestation of God the Father
“Philip said to Him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you for so long a time, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father.’”
— John 14:8–9
This confirms that Jesus is the visible expression of the invisible God—fully divine and yet present in human form.
“I and the Father are one.”
— John 10:30
“We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true. And we are in Him who is true by being in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.”
— 1 John 5:20
In Arabic:
"إنه الإله الحق والحياة الأبدية."
(Innahu al-ilah al-haqq wal-hayat al-abadia.)
Clearly, Jesus is not merely a prophet—He is the true God and eternal life.
3. The Quran’s Contradiction: Allah Has No Son
While the Bible affirms Jesus as the Son of God, the Quran explicitly denies this:
Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:72
“They have certainly disbelieved who say, ‘Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary’ while the Messiah has said, ‘O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.’ Indeed, he who associates others with Allah—Allah has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire. And there are not for the wrongdoers any helpers.”
This verse not only denies Jesus’ divinity but also threatens eternal punishment to those who confess Him as the Son of God. This stands in stark contradiction to the Gospel message of grace, redemption, and eternal life through Christ.
4. Misusing the Name "Allah" in the Bible
Just because the word "Allah" appears in the Arabic Bible does not mean the theological identity of the Quranic Allah is the same as the Biblical God. Even Satan is mentioned in the Bible, including the Arabic version:
“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving…”
— 2 Corinthians 4:3–4
The term “god” can refer to false deities or Satan himself. What matters are the characteristics, nature, and attributes associated with the name.
5. Divine Confirmation of the Sonship of Jesus
“While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. Then a voice came from the cloud, saying, ‘This is My Son, whom I have chosen; listen to Him.’”
— Luke 9:34–35
In Arabic:
"هذا هو ابني الذي اخترته. اسمعوا له."
(Hadha huwa ibni alladhi ikhtartuhu. Isma'uu lahu.)
This is a direct divine declaration from God the Father concerning Jesus' identity.
Conclusion
Muslims often assert that the word "Allah" in the Arabic Bible proves theological unity with Christianity. However, the God of the Bible has a Son—Jesus Christ—while the Allah of the Quran categorically denies having a son. This contradiction exposes a theological divide that cannot be bridged by linguistic similarities.
Key Question:
Do Muslims now accept that their Allah has a Son—Jesus Christ—as the Bible clearly proclaims?
If not, then they must reconsider the claim that Allah of the Quran is the same as the God of the Bible.
Shalom,
Dr. Maxwell Shimba
Max Shimba Ministries
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