A Discussion of the Narrations

1. Context of Revelation

From Abū ʿAbdallāh (a.s.): When the Christians of Najrān came as a delegation to the Messenger of God (s.a.w.), and their leaders were al-Ahtam, al-ʿĀqib and al-Sayyid, the time for their prayer came. They began to ring their bells and pray. The companions of the Messenger of God (s.a.w.) said: “This is in your mosque.” He said: “Let them be.” When they finished, they approached the Messenger of God (s.a.w.) and said: “To what do you call?” He said: “To testifying that there is no god but God and that I am the Messenger of God and that Jesus is a created servant who ate, drank, and relieved himself.” They said: “Then who is his father?” Revelation descended upon the Messenger of God (s.a.w.). He said: “Tell them: What do you say about Adam (a.s.)? Was he not a created servant who ate, drank, and married?” The Prophet (s.a.w.) asked them and they said: “Yes.” He said: “Then who is his father?” They were dumbfounded and remained silent; so God revealed: “Indeed the case of Jesus with Allah is like the case of Adam: He created him from dust, then said to him, ‘Be,’ and he was”(637)

Note: Based on the content of this narration and similar narrations(638) that have been reported regarding the context of revelation of this noble verse, this verse is an argument against the doctrine of trinity and the false belief of Christians regarding Jesus (a.s.) being the son of God.

2. The Nature of God’s Creation

From the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.): “… He says to whatever He wills to exist ’Be!’ and it is” [2:117], not with a sound that strikes nor with an audible call. Rather, His speech is His action which He originates and forms. It was not previously existing, for if it were eternal, it would be a second deity.(639)

Note: God’s speech is not sound that emerges from the contact of tongue with the passages of the mouth. Sound that is produced from striking and extracting is not God’s speech. Regarding “O you who believe” and similar phrases, God does not have a vocal call, rather He creates something, because if God’s speech were equivalent to His essence and not His action, it would have to be eternal, and God is free from any partner.