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genuineness of the Qur’ an and the Traditions of Muhammad. Whether this hypothesis
about the four kinds of creation is valid or not, it does not in any way affect the
Muslim’ s belief in the truth of the Qur’ an and its statement about the birth of Jesus
being the miraculous will and work of God. At any rate, the whole point is worth
pursuing
Now if anyone wishes to call Jesus the son of God or God because he was created
without the precedence of a human father, and because God Himself adopted him or
acted as his father, if this holds true the same thing should even be more applicable to
and more appropriate for Adam, who had neither a father nor a mother. And if the
fatherhood of God is interpreted in a figurative sense then it should apply to all
mankind, particularly those who distinguished themselves in the service of the
Supreme Lord. Human beings are the magnificent creation of God and, in a sense, are
His children. Whether the Fatherhood of God is interpreted literally or figuratively it
would be quite arbitrary to confine it to Jesus alone, discarding Adam in the first
interpretation and the rest of mankind in the second. The Qur’ an reveals the birth of
Jesus in the following manner:
And relate (O Muhammad) in the Book (the story of) Mary, when she withdrew from
her family to a place in the East. She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them;
then We sent to her our angel, and he appeared before her as a man in all respects. She
said: ‘I seek refuge from you to (God) Most Gracious: (come not near) if you do fear
God. ‘ He said:’ Nay, I am only a messenger from your Lord, (To announce) to you
the gift of a pure growing son.’ She said:’ How shall I have a son, seeing that no man
has touched me, and I am not unchaste?’ He said:’ So (it will be): your Lord said:
That is easy for Me, and (We wish) to appoint him as a Sign unto men and a Mercy
from Us. It is a matter so decreed’ . So she conceived him, and she retired with him to
a remote place. And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm-tree: She
cried (in her anguish ): ‘ Ah! how I wish I had died before this! how I wish I had been
a thing forgotten or out of sight!’ But a voice cried to her from beneath the palm-tree:’
Grieve not! for your Lord has provided a rivulet beneath you; and shake towards
yourself the trunk of the palm-tree: It will let fall fresh ripe dates upon you. So eat and
drink and cool (your) eye (be happy). And if you do see any man, say: ‘I have vowed
a fast to (God) Most Gracious, and this day will I enter into no talk with any human
being.’ At length she brought him to her people carrying him (in her arms). They said:
‘O Mary! truly an amazing thing you have brought! O sister of Aaron! your father
was not a man of evil, nor your mother was a woman unchaste!’ But she pointed to
him. They said: ‘How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle? He said:’ I am
indeed a servant of God: He has given me revelation and made me a prophet; and He
has made me blessed wheresoever I be, and (He) has enjoined on me prayer and
charity as long as I live; and (He) has made me kind to my mother, and not
overbearing or miserable; so peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and
the day that I shall be raised up to life (again)!’ Such (was) Jesus the son of Mary. (It
is) a statement of truth, about which they (vainly) dispute. It is not befitting to (the
Majesty) of God that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! When he determines a
matter, He only says to it: ‘Be’ ; and it is. Verily God is my Lord and your Lord: Him
therefore serve you: this is a Way that is straight.(19:16-36; cf.3:42-64; 4:171-172;
5:17, 72-75; 25:2, 43:57-65)
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