By Dr. Maxwell Shimba, Servant of Jesus Christ
Max Shimba Ministries Org ©2016. All Rights Reserved
Published: Sunday, May 1, 2016
Introduction
This article seeks to explore a theological dilemma rooted in Islamic scripture, namely, the Quranic assertion that Allah cannot have a son without engaging in a marital relationship. We will investigate this claim using direct references from the Quran and analyze the internal inconsistencies it presents when compared to natural processes and Biblical narratives. The theological critique offered herein aims to provoke deep reflection on the Islamic understanding of divine capacity and limitation.
Quranic Assertion: A Limitation on Divine Power?
We begin with a verse from the Quran, Surat Al-Anʿām (6:101), which was revealed in Mecca. It reads:
“He is the Originator of the heavens and the earth. How can He have a son when He does not have a consort (wife)? He created all things and He is, of all things, Knowing.” — (Qur'an 6:101)
This verse explicitly questions the possibility of Allah having a son in the absence of a wife, implying a biological limitation that applies to him as a deity. Herein lies the theological dilemma: how can a being who claims to be the Creator of all things be limited by the need for a spouse to produce offspring?
If Allah is indeed omnipotent and the creator of all natural processes, including reproduction, then logically he should transcend such biological limitations. By asserting that he cannot have a son without a wife, the verse indirectly attributes to Allah the limitations of created beings—an argument that undermines the concept of divine omnipotence.
Natural Phenomena That Contradict the Claim
Let us examine nature, which Allah claims to have created, and assess whether reproduction necessarily requires two counterparts. We find that certain trees can reproduce without mating, and in human biology, cells divide through a process called mitosis, which does not require a male or female counterpart.
Mitosis is asexual reproduction occurring in four stages: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase. This process leads to the creation of new cells without the union of two distinct entities. (See: NCBI - Mitosis and Cell Cycle; Genetics Home Reference - Cell Division)
If Allah claims to have created these systems that function without the need for sexual union, it is theologically inconsistent for him to require a wife to have a son. This contradiction challenges the core claim of Allah’s omnipotence.
The Virgin Birth of Mary as a Case Study
The story of Mary (Maryam) and the virgin birth of Jesus (Isa) in the Quran further complicates the issue. According to Surat Aal Imran (3:45, 47):
“When the angels said: O Mary, indeed Allah gives you good tidings of a Word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary — distinguished in this world and the Hereafter and among those brought near to Allah.”
(3:45)
“She said: My Lord, how will I have a child when no man has touched me? He said: Thus it is — Allah creates what He wills. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, ‘Be,’ and it is.”
(3:47)
In this passage, Allah claims that He can create without the need for human agency, simply by commanding, “Be!” (Kun fa-yakūn). If this is truly the case, then why does Allah in Surat Al-Anʿām 6:101 deny the possibility of having a son unless He has a consort?
This internal contradiction in the Quranic narrative is both theological and logical. Mary is granted the divine power to conceive without intercourse, yet Allah cannot have a son unless he has a wife. If Allah gave Mary the ability, why could He not apply that same creative power to Himself?
The Quran’s Own Confession of Inferiority
Furthermore, Surat Al-Lail (92:1–3) presents an even more concerning theological implication:
“By the night when it covers, by the day when it appears, and by He who created the male and the female…” — (Qur'an 92:1–3)
This verse raises a significant question: Who is being referenced as the one who created male and female? If Allah is swearing by the one who created male and female, is he referring to himself or another being?
Swearing by a higher authority or creator would imply subordination, which is incompatible with divinity. A true God does not swear by another creator, for He is the Creator. Therefore, this passage may inadvertently indicate that Allah is not the true originator of life — a severe theological error in Islamic doctrine.
Theological Questions That Emerge
The above analysis invites several crucial theological inquiries:
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If Allah is the Creator of all things, why does he claim incapacity to have a son without a wife?
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How is it that Mary can have a son without a man, but Allah cannot have a son without a woman?
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If Allah gave Mary that divine ability, why could He not grant it to Himself?
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Why does Allah swear by someone else who created male and female if He is supposedly the sole Creator?
These inconsistencies reveal a profound theological weakness in the Quranic representation of Allah’s nature and power.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Quran portrays Allah as a deity bound by human-like biological constraints, which is incompatible with the notion of absolute divine omnipotence. If Allah cannot have a son without a consort, and yet enables Mary to conceive without a husband, this not only exposes an inconsistency but also undermines his claimed sovereignty.
True divinity, as revealed in the person of Jesus Christ, transcends all natural and biological limits. Jesus was born of a virgin, not through sexual union, but by the power of the Holy Spirit — the true manifestation of divine omnipotence.
May God bless you as you seek the truth.
— Dr. Maxwell Shimba,
Servant of Jesus Christ
Max Shimba Ministries Org
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