JESUS IS GOD ACCORDING TO THE QUR’AN (PART FIVE)
By Dr. Maxwell Shimba, Shimba Theological Institute
Originally written on Monday, August 10, 2015
Abstract
This article provides a theological and comparative analysis of Qur’anic and Biblical texts to demonstrate that the divinity of Jesus Christ (Isa al-Masih) is affirmed even within the Qur’an. Through an exegetical examination of Surat An-Nisa 4:171 and cross-referencing it with John 4:24, this study argues that the Qur’an implicitly recognizes Jesus as the eternal Spirit of God—thereby affirming His divine nature as presented in Christian theology.
1. Introduction
The question of Jesus’ divinity is a central point of dialogue and debate between Christianity and Islam. Muslims often reject the claim that Jesus is divine, regarding Him instead as a prophet. However, a closer examination of the Qur’an itself reveals a profound theological paradox: the Qur’an identifies Jesus as “a Spirit from Allah.” This statement—when analyzed alongside the Biblical declaration that “God is Spirit”—leads to a logical and theological conclusion consistent with Christian doctrine: if Jesus is the Spirit from God, and God is Spirit, then Jesus shares in the divine essence of God Himself.
2. Jesus as “the Spirit from Allah” in the Qur’an
The Qur’an explicitly acknowledges Jesus as a Spirit proceeding from God. In Surat An-Nisa (4:171), translated by Sheikh Ali Muhsin Al-Barwani, the verse reads:
“O People of the Book! Do not go to extremes in your religion, nor say anything about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only a messenger of Allah, His word which He conveyed unto Mary, and a Spirit from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers, and do not say ‘Three.’ Cease! (It is) better for you. Allah is only one God. Glory be to Him that He should have a son! Unto Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is sufficient as a Guardian.” (Surat An-Nisa 4:171)
This verse clearly describes Jesus as “a Spirit from Allah.” According to Islamic theology, Allah’s Spirit (Ruh Allah) is uncreated and eternal. The Qur’an itself does not teach that God’s Spirit was ever created or came into existence at a particular time. Rather, the Spirit of Allah is part of His divine essence and eternality.
Yusuf Ali affirms this understanding when he writes:
“The Spirit is not a created thing. It proceeds directly from God, and therefore shares, by His leave, in the divine nature.” (Yusuf Ali, The Holy Qur’an, p. 132).
Similarly, Abdul-Haqq observes:
“If Jesus is the Spirit of God, then His nature is divine, for God’s Spirit is eternal and uncreated.” (Abdul-Haqq, Sharing Your Faith with a Muslim, p. 84).
Hence, when the Qur’an declares that Jesus is “a Spirit from Allah,” it affirms His divine and eternal essence, not a created or finite nature.
3. God as Spirit in the Bible
The Bible, written centuries before the Qur’an, provides a direct statement regarding the nature of God. In the Gospel according to John, we read:
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24, NKJV).
Here, Scripture explicitly defines God’s essence as Spirit. Thus, if Jesus is called the “Spirit from God” in the Qur’an, and God is Spirit according to the Bible, then Jesus must share in the very nature of God.
The convergence of these two scriptural sources—Qur’an and Bible—establishes a remarkable theological consistency: Jesus is identified as divine, both as the Word (Kalimatullah) and as the Spirit (Ruhullah) of God.
4. The Qur’an Commands Consultation of the Bible
Furthermore, the Qur’an itself instructs believers to confirm divine truth by consulting the Scriptures that preceded it. In Surat Yunus (10:94), Allah commands:
“If you are in doubt concerning what We have revealed unto you, then ask those who read the Book before you. Verily the truth has come to you from your Lord; so do not be among those who doubt.”
Therefore, Muslims are directed to the Bible as a source of divine truth and clarification. The Bible—affirming that God is Spirit—corroborates the Qur’anic statement that Jesus is the Spirit from God. The logical inference is undeniable: Jesus, the eternal Spirit from God, is Himself divine.
5. Theological Conclusion
The Qur’an and the Bible together attest that:
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The Qur’an — affirms Jesus as “a Spirit from Allah.” (Surat An-Nisa 4:171).
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The Bible — teaches that “God is Spirit.” (John 4:24).
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Therefore, Jesus is divine, sharing in the very essence of God’s Spirit.
This conclusion is consistent with both the Christian theological framework and the implicit Qur’anic acknowledgment of Christ’s eternal, uncreated nature.
As the Qur’an itself advises in Surat Yunus (10:94), truth-seekers are to confirm revelations through the Scriptures that came before. Upon such confirmation, it becomes evident that Jesus is indeed the eternal Spirit of God—thus, God Himself in nature and being.
6. Final Reflection
Today, I declare without hesitation or doubt that Jesus is the Spirit from God and that the Spirit is God. Hence, Jesus is God. Both the Qur’an and the Bible bear witness to this divine truth.
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)
References
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Abdul-Haqq, Bassam M. Sharing Your Faith with a Muslim. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1980.
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Al-Barwani, Sheikh Ali Muhsin. Tafsiri ya Qur’an Tukufu. Dar es Salaam: Islamic Foundation, 1977.
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The Holy Bible, New King James Version (NKJV). Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
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The Holy Qur’an, Translated by Abdullah Yusuf Ali. New York: Tahrike Tarsile Qur’an, 1987.
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Surat An-Nisa (4:171); Surat Yunus (10:94). The Holy Qur’an.
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Shimba, Maxwell. Max Shimba Ministries Writings. Orlando: Shimba Theological Institute, 2015.
By Dr. Maxwell Shimba
Shimba Theological Institute
Copyright © Max Shimba Ministries, 2015
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