Overview (Verse 76)

A Final Word on Israelite Differences
 
Having emphasized the point of God’s perfect knowledge, the sūrah moves on to speak about the Children of Israel’s differences on fundamental issues. What the Qur’ān states about these is part of God’s knowledge, and it provides the final, indisputable word on them. It is an example of how God judges between people in dispute. This is stated so as to provide some comfort to the Prophet for he is instructed to leave them to God, who will judge between them as He pleases:
 
This Qur’ān explains to the Children of Israel most of that over which they disagree. And it is indeed guidance and mercy to those who believe. Your Lord will judge between them in His wisdom; for He alone is Almighty, All-Knowing. So, place your trust in God; for yours is surely the path of the clear truth. Indeed you cannot make the dead hear; and you cannot make the deaf hear your call when they turn their backs and go away. Nor can you lead the blind out of their error. You can only get those who believe in Our signs to listen; and they will then submit themselves [to God]. (Verses 76-81)
 
The Christians have long been in dispute concerning Jesus Christ and Mary, his mother. Some say that the Christ was purely human, while others maintain that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are three different forms in which God reveals Himself to mankind. They allege that God is made of these three elements, making Jesus the Son. Thus, God the Father came down in the form of the Holy Spirit and took human form inside Mary and was born in the form of Jesus. Others still say that the Son is not eternal like the Father, but created in this world. As such, he is of a lower status than the Father and subject to Him. A different group deny that the Holy Spirit was one of the three elements. The Council of Nicaea held in 325 AD and the Council of Constantinople held in 381 decided that the Son and the Holy Spirit are equal to the Father in divinity. It further decided that the Son was born from the Father in eternity and that the Holy Spirit emanates from the Father. Likewise, the Council of Toledo, held in 589, also made the same decision concerning the Holy Spirit. The Eastern and Western Churches split over this point, and continue to differ. The Qur’ān gives the final word to end all such disputes. It describes the Christ as God’s “Word which He gave to Mary and a soul from Him.” (4: 171) He is certainly a human being, no more: “He was nothing but a servant of Ours whom We had graced and whom We had made an example for the Children of Israel.” (43: 59)
 
Christians have held similar differences about the crucifixion. Some say that Jesus was crucified until death, was buried and then rose from the tomb after three days and was taken to heaven. Others say that Judas who betrayed him and pointed him out to his enemies was made to look like Jesus and that it was he who was crucified in his place. Some say that his likeness was thrown over his disciple Simon, and Simon was taken in his place. The Qur’ān gives the final word on all this as it says: “They did not kill him, and neither did they crucify him, but it only seemed to them [as if it had been] so.” (4: 157) “God said: Jesus, I shall gather you and cause you to ascend to Me, and I shall cleanse you of those who disbelieve.” (3: 55)
 
In the past the Jews distorted the Torah and altered its divine laws. The Qur’ān confirms the original text God revealed: “We decreed for them in it: a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and a similar retribution for wounds.” (5: 45)
 
The Qur’ān tells them the truth about their history and their prophets, purging it of countless legends which they report in different ways. It cleanses this history from all the filth they tried to attribute to their prophets. In fact, we can hardly find an Israelite prophet left unstained by such filth. They alleged that Abraham introduced his wife to the King of Palestine and to the Pharaoh of Egypt as his sister, hoping for some favour from them. Jacob, or Israel, played tricks and lied to his father Isaac in order to take his grandfather’s blessings, which were due to his brother Esau. They further alleged that the Prophet Lot’s two daughters made him drunk on two nights so that he slept with each one of them in order to beget a child. They did so, it is alleged, because he had no male heir and they feared that his wealth would go to others. It is further claimed that they achieved their purpose. They also alleged that David saw a pretty woman from the roof of his palace. When he knew that she was married to one of his soldiers, he sent this soldier on a mission from which he was sure not to return so that he could have his wife. Solomon is alleged to have worshipped a mule in order to please one of his women with whom he was so infatuated that he could not refuse her any request.
 
The Qur’ān absolves all these noble and pure prophets of all the filth such Israelite superstitions, which the Jews added to the Torah, tried to attach to them. Likewise it refuted all false claims against Jesus, son of Mary.