Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:18

The Polytheism and Disbelief of the Christians

Allah states that the Christians are disbelievers because of their claim that `Isa, son of Maryam, one of Allah's servants and creatures, is Allah. Allah is holier than what they attribute to Him. Allah then reminds them of His perfect ability over everything and that everything is under His complete control and power,

(Say: "Who then has the least power against Allah, if He were to destroy the Messiah, son of Maryam, his mother, and all those who are on the earth together") Therefore, if Allah wills to do that, who would be able to stop Him or prevent Him from doing it Allah then said,

(And to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them. He creates what He wills.) All things in existence are Allah's property and creation and He is able to do everything. He is never asked about what He does with His power, domain, justice and greatness so this refutes the Christian creed, may Allah's continued curses be upon them until the Day of Resurrection.

Refuting the People of the Book's Claim that they are Allah's Children

Allah then refutes the Christians' and Jews' false claims and lies,

(And the Jews and the Christians say, "We are the children of Allah and His loved ones.") They claim: "We are the followers of Allah's Prophets, who are His children, whom He takes care of. He also loves us." The People of the Book claim in their Book that Allah said to His servant Isra'il, "You are my firstborn." But they explained this statement in an improper manner and altered its meaning. Some of the People of the Book who later became Muslims refuted this false statement saying, "This statement only indicates honor and respect, as is common in their speech at that time." The Christians claim that `Isa said to them, "I will go back to my father and your father," meaning, my Lord and your Lord. It is a fact that the Christians did not claim that they too are Allah's sons as they claimed about `Isa. Rather this statement by `Isa only meant to indicate a closeness with Allah. This is why when they said that they are Allah's children and loved ones, Allah refuted their claim,

(Say, "Why then does He punish you for your sins") meaning, if you were truly as you claim, Allah's children and loved ones, then why did He prepare the Fire because of your disbelief, lies and false claims

(Nay, you are but human beings, of those He has created,) Allah states: you are just like the rest of the children of Adam, and Allah is the Lord of all His creation,

(He forgives whom He wills and punishes whom He wills.) Allah does what He wills, there is none who can escape His judgement, and He is swift in reckoning.

(And to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them;) Therefore, everything is Allah's property and under His power and control,

(and to Him is the return.) In the end, the return will be to Allah and He will judge between His servants as He will, and He is the Most Just Who is never wrong in His judgment.

Menurut riwayat Ibnu Ishak, Ibnu Abbas menceritakan, bahwa Rasulullah datang kepada Numan bin Ada, Bahri bin 'Amar dan Syas bin 'Adi. Setelah terjadi pembicaraan di antara Rasulullah dengan mereka, akhirnya Rasulullah mengajak mereka masuk Islam dan memperingatkan mereka dengan siksa Allah, maka mereka berkata, "Janganlah engkau menakuti kami hai Muhammad: Demi Allah kami adalah putra-putra Allah dan kekasih-Nya", maka turunlah ayat ini.

Perkataan orang-orang Yahudi dan Nasrani itu dibantah oleh Allah yang maksudnya, "Katakanlah hai Muhammad kepada mereka: kalau benar kamu putra-putra Allah dan kekasih-Nya yang memiliki keistimewaan khusus lebih dari yang lain-lain sebagaimana yang kamu sangka, mengapa Allah menyiksa kamu karena dosa-dosamu di dunia sebagaimana yang telah banyak kamu derita, baik mengenai tempat kamu beribadah, negeri kamu maupun kerajaan kamu dan lain-lain, sebab ayah tidak akan menyiksa anak-anaknya dan tidak akan menyiksa kekasihnya. Oleh karena itu kamu bukanlah putra-putra Allah dan bukan pula kekasih-Nya yang memiliki keistimewaan sebagaimana yang kamu sangka, tetapi kamu adalah manusia biasa dan hamba Allah seperti manusia lainnya. Allah akan mengampuni dosa-dosa hamba-Nya bagi siapa yang berhak diampuni dan menyiksa orang-orang yang yang berhak disiksa sesuai dengan kehendak-Nya, karena Allah-lah yang memiliki kerajaan langit dan bumi dan apa yang ada di antara keduanya."