Is Jesus God or Not? A Qur'anic Contradiction

Introduction

One of the most fundamental doctrines in Islam is the belief that Jesus (Isa) is not divine but merely a prophet of Allah. The Qur'an explicitly denies the deity of Christ in multiple verses, such as:

"O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a spirit from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, "Three"; desist—it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son." (Surah 4:171, Sahih International)

At the same time, the Qur'an presents several attributes and actions of Jesus that only God can possess. This leads to an internal contradiction within the Qur'an, as Jesus exhibits divine qualities while the Qur'an simultaneously denies His divinity.

e sameThe Qur'anic Criteria for Deity

The Qur'an provides criteria to distinguish between the true God and false gods:

1. God is the Creator:

   "Is He then Who creates like him who does not create? Do you not then mind?... And those whom they call on besides Allah have not created anything while they are themselves created." (Surah 16:17, 20-21, Shakir)

2. God is the Source of Life:

   "And they have taken besides Him gods, who do not create anything while they are themselves created, and they control not for themselves any harm or profit, and they control not death nor life, nor raising (the dead) to life." (Surah 25:3, Shakir)

3. God is Ever-Living:

   "And rely upon the Ever-Living who does not die, and exalt [Allah] with His praise. And sufficient is He to be, with the sins of His servants, Acquainted." (Surah 25:58, Sahih International)

According to these verses, only Allah can create, give life, and remain eternally alive.

Jesus as Creator and Giver of Life

The Qur'an acknowledges that Jesus created life from clay and gave life to the dead:

"[Jesus said,] ‘Indeed, I create for you from clay [that which is] like the form of a bird. Then I breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by permission of Allah. And I cure the blind and the leper, and I give life to the dead—by permission of Allah.’” (Surah 3:49, Sahih International)

This passage presents Jesus as having the ability to create and give life, two qualities that the Qur'an exclusively attributes to God.

Furthermore, the Qur'an states:

"O mankind! A similitude has been coined, so listen to it (carefully): verily! Those on whom you call besides Allah cannot create (even) a fly, even though they combine together for the purpose." (Surah 22:73, Hilali-Khan)

If no one besides Allah can create even a fly, how can Jesus create birds and raise the dead?

Jesus as the Ever-Living

Islamic tradition holds that Jesus was taken alive into heaven and will return in the future:

"But Allah took him up unto Himself. And Allah was ever Mighty, Wise." (Surah 4:158, Pickthall)

Muslims believe that Jesus has been alive in heaven for over 2,000 years, while Muhammad and all other prophets have died. The Qur'an teaches that only Allah is ever-living, yet Jesus remains alive.

Jesus as the Word and Spirit of God

The Qur'an assigns unique titles to Jesus that suggest divinity:

"Verily Christ Jesus the son of Mary [is] the apostle of God, and His word (kalimatuhu), which he conveyed into Mary, and a spirit [proceeding] from Him (roohun minhu)." (Surah 4:171, Sale)

If Jesus is God's Word and Spirit, then He is of th nature as God. The Qur'an does not call Muhammad or any other prophet the "Word of God" or "Spirit of God."

Jesus as the Object of Worship

The Bible teaches that Jesus was worshiped:

"And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, ‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’” (Hebrews 1:6, NIV)

"To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours." (1 Corinthians 1:2, NIV)

However, the Qur'an states that only Allah should be worshiped:

"And they were not commanded except to worship one God; there is no deity except Him." (Surah 9:31, Sahih International)

This presents a contradiction. If Jesus is worshiped, and only God is to be worshiped, then Jesus must be God.

Jesus as Intercessor

Islamic tradition affirms that Jesus will intercede for believers:

"The Messenger of Allah said: ‘The prophets and angels and the believers will intercede.’” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 93, Number 532s)

However, the Qur'an states that those called upon besides Allah have no power of intercession:

"And those whom they invoke besides God have no power of intercession." (Surah 43:86, Sahih International)

If Jesus has the power to intercede, then either the Qur'an contradicts itself, or Jesus is more than just a prophet.

Conclusion: A Qur'anic Contradiction

The Qur'an denies Jesus' divinity while attributing to Him characteristics, roles, and titles that belong to God alone:

1. Jesus creates life, but only God creates.

2. Jesus gives life, but only God is the source of life.

3. Jesus is alive in heaven, but only God is ever-living.

4. Jesus is God’s Word and Spirit, implying divine nature.

5. Jesus is worshiped, yet only God is worthy of worship.

6. Jesus intercedes, though intercession is only for God.

These contradictions raise a critical theological question for Muslims: If Jesus is not God, why does the Qur'an attribute to Him divine qualities?

The only logical conclusion, based on the Qur'an’s own criteria, is that Jesus is indeed God. Muslims must either accept that Jesus possesses divine attributes or acknowledge that the Qur'an contradicts itself.

Final Thought

If the Qur'an presents Jesus as possessing divine qualities, then it unwittingly affirms what the Bible has always declared:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1, NIV)

"Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6, NIV)

For those sincerely seeking the truth, this evidence calls for deeper reflection. If Jesus truly fits the description of God, then the only appropriate response is to worship Him as Lord and Savior.