JESUS IS GOD ACCORDING TO THE QURAN (PART ONE)

JESUS IS GOD ACCORDING TO THE QURAN (PART ONE)

By Dr. Maxwell Shimba
Shimba Theological Institute
Originally written on January 20, 2016

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Abstract

This paper seeks to establish, through textual and theological analysis, that the Qur'an itself ascribes divine attributes to Jesus Christ (ʿĪsā ibn Maryam). While Islamic theology denies the divinity of Jesus and emphasizes strict monotheism (tawḥīd), a careful reading of several Qur'anic passages reveals that Jesus shares essential divine qualities reserved only for God (Allāh). This comparative analysis between the Qur'an and the Bible demonstrates internal theological consistency regarding the divinity of Christ.

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Introduction

Muslim apologists and Islamic scholars frequently argue that Jesus Christ cannot be divine because, in their view, God cannot be born or take on human form. This argument is often emphasized in public daʿwah forums and interreligious debates. However, the Qur'an, when examined closely, attributes to Jesus qualities that belong exclusively to God.

This study investigates whether Jesus possesses divine characteristics according to the Qur'an, using both Islamic and biblical sources to evaluate the nature of His divinity.

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1. GOD AS KING

1.1 The Qur’anic Testimony

In the Qur'an, one of the exalted attributes of God is that He is “The King.”

Qur’an 59:23
“He is Allah, besides Whom there is no deity, the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Source of Peace, the Guardian of Faith, the Preserver, the Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory be to Allah above all that they associate with Him.” (Qur’an 59:23, Al-Hashr)

Here, the attribute “The King” (Al-Malik) is reserved solely for God, denoting absolute sovereignty and rulership over all creation.

1.2 The Biblical Testimony

The Bible attributes the same sovereign title to Jesus Christ:

Revelation 17:14 (NKJV)
“These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

Jesus is explicitly called “King of kings,” a title parallel to the Qur’anic divine title Al-Malik. Therefore, both the Qur’an and the Bible affirm that kingship belongs to the divine, and Jesus is identified with this divine sovereignty.

Conclusion: If the Qur’an declares that God alone is King, and the Bible reveals Jesus as King of kings, the implication is clear — Jesus shares the kingship that belongs only to God.

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2. GOD AS HOLY

2.1 The Qur’anic Testimony

The second divine attribute of God mentioned in the Qur’an is that He is “The Holy One” (Al-Quddūs):

Qur’an 59:23
“He is Allah, besides Whom there is no deity, the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Source of Peace...” (Al-Hashr 59:23)

Holiness, according to the Qur’an, is an attribute that belongs exclusively to Allah — absolute moral and spiritual perfection.

2.2 The Qur’anic Declaration of Jesus’ Holiness

However, the Qur’an also identifies Jesus with the same attribute of holiness:

Qur’an 19:19
“He (the angel) said: I am only a messenger of your Lord to announce to you the gift of a pure son.” (Arabic: ghulāman zakiyyā) — interpreted as a holy son.

Islamic commentators such as Al-Tabari and Al-Jalalayn interpret zakiyyā as “sinless” or “pure,” indicating that Jesus (ʿĪsā) is uniquely holy among all human beings.

2.3 Theological Implication

Holiness belongs solely to God, as established in the Qur’an (59:23). Yet, the same Qur’an attributes holiness to Jesus, a title not shared by any other prophet. This correspondence implies the divine nature of Jesus within the Qur’anic framework.

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3. GOD AS LORD

3.1 The Qur’anic Testimony

Another exclusive title of divinity in the Qur’an is “Lord” (Rabb):

Qur’an 39:29
“Allah presents an example: a man belonging to many disputing partners and another belonging exclusively to one man — are they equal in comparison? Praise be to Allah! But most of them do not know.”

Here, “Lord” signifies the exclusive authority and ownership of God over His creation.

3.2 Jesus as “Lord” in the Qur’an

In another passage, the Qur’an ascribes lordship to Jesus:

Qur’an 3:39
“While he was standing in prayer in the chamber, the angels called to him: ‘Indeed, Allah gives you good tidings of John, confirming a word from Allah, noble, chaste, and a prophet from among the righteous.’”

The “Word from Allah” (Kalimatun minhu) refers to Jesus (ʿĪsā ibn Maryam), who is elsewhere called the Word of God (Qur’an 3:45). The same verse identifies Him as “noble” and “lordly” (sayyidan), an Arabic term connoting leadership, honor, and authority — all elements of divine lordship.

3.3 Biblical Confirmation

Revelation 17:14
“The Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings.”

The Bible, therefore, identifies Jesus as Lord of lords, aligning with the Qur’anic notion of Rabb as the supreme Lord. Both scriptures attest to Jesus’ divine lordship.

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Conclusion

Muslim theologians often pose the question: “Is Jesus God?”
The Qur’an itself provides an affirmative answer. Jesus Christ possesses all the primary divine attributes acknowledged in the Qur’an:

1. He is King (Qur’an 59:23; Revelation 17:14).

2. He is Holy (Qur’an 19:19; Qur’an 59:23).

3. He is Lord (Qur’an 3:39; Qur’an 39:29; Revelation 17:14).

Hence, by the Qur’an’s own testimony, Jesus Christ embodies the essential qualities of divinity. The convergence of Qur’anic and Biblical revelation therefore substantiates the Christian doctrine that Jesus is indeed God.

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Bibliography

The Holy Bible (New King James Version). Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

The Qur’an. Translated by Abdullah Yusuf Ali. New Delhi: Islamic Book Service, 2009.

Al-Jalalayn, Jalal al-Din. Tafsir al-Jalalayn. Beirut: Dar al-Ma‘rifah, 1999.

Al-Tabari, Muhammad ibn Jarir. Jamiʿ al-Bayan ʿan Ta’wil Ay al-Qur’an. Cairo: Dar Hijr, 2001.

Cragg, Kenneth. The Call of the Minaret. Oxford University Press, 1956.

Parrinder, Geoffrey. Jesus in the Qur’an. London: Sheldon Press, 1965.

Shimba, Maxwell. The Divinity of Christ in Islam and Christianity. Orlando: Shimba Theological Institute Press, 2013.

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