Trinity in Islam

Within Christianity, the doctrine of the Trinity states that God is a single being who exists, simultaneously and eternally, as a communion of three distinct persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Within Islam however, such a concept of plurality within God is a denial of monotheism, and utterly foreign to the revelation found in Muslim scripture. The act of ascribing partners to God, whether they be sons, daughters, or other partners, is considered to be blasphemous in Islam.

Three Qur'anic verses may directly refer to this doctrine. The Qur'an asserts that God's absolute oneness rules out the possibility of another being sharing his sovereignty or nature.David Thomas, "Trinity", Encyclopedia of the Qur'an ]

References in the Qur'an

The possible Qur'anic references to the doctrine of "Trinity" are verses cite quran|4|171|style=nosup|expand=no, cite quran|5|73|style=nosup|expand=no, and cite quran|5|116|style=nosup|expand=no.

Verse 4:171

O People of the Book, commit no excesses in your religion; nor say of God anything but the truth. The Messiah Jesus son of Mary was (no more than) a Messenger of God, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a Spirit proceeding from Him; so believe in God and His Messengers. Say not "Trinity": desist! It will be better for you: for God is One: Glory be to Him! (far exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belong all things in the heavens and on earth. And enough is God as a Disposer of affairs. (Qur'an cite quran|4|171|style=nosup|expand=no)

Here the Trinity is defined as follows:

1. Jesus "The Messiah Jesus son of Mary was (no more than) a Messenger of God"

2. Mary "and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary"

3. Holy Spirit "and a Spirit proceeding from Him"

Verse 5:73-75

They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of three in a Trinity: for there is no god except One Allah. If they desist not from their word (of blasphemy), verily a grievous penalty will befall the blasphemers among them. Why turn they not to Allah, and seek His forgiveness? For Allah is Oft- forgiving, Most Merciful. Christ the son of Mary was no more than an apostle; many were the apostles that passed away before him. His mother was a woman of truth. They had both to eat their (daily) food. See how Allah doth make His signs clear to them; yet see in what ways they are deluded away from the truth! .(Qur'an cite quran|5|73-75|style=nosup|expand=no)

Apart from Allah (God) the Trinity is composed according to the Quran 5:73-75 as follows:

1. Jesus: "Christ the son of Mary was no more than an apostle"

2. Mary: "His mother (Mary) was a woman of truth."

Verse 5:116

When God says, 'Jesus, son of Mary, did you say to people, "Take me and my mother as two gods alongside God"?' he will say, 'May you be exalted! I would never say what I had no right to say - if I had said such a thing You would have known it: You know all that is within me, though I do not know what is within You, You alone have full knowledge of things unseen (Qur'an cite quran|5|116|style=nosup|expand=no)

Here the Quran explains that the Trinity is also composed of:

1. Jesus

2. Mary

ee also

*Tawhīd
*Divinity of Jesus
*Collyridians
*Shirk (polytheism)

References

Links