Understanding Islam: What Every Christian Should Know Where did the confusion about the Trinity in Islam come from? Muhammad’s charge against pre-Islamic religious groups contributed to his misconception of the Christian idea of the Trinity and Christ’s being called the Son of God. We read in the Quran: “They surely disbelieve who say: Lo Allah is the third of three; when there is no God save the one God (5:73). Another verse says: “And they say: Allah hath taken unto Himself a Son... Nay, but whatsoever is in the heaven and the earth is His. All are subservient unto Him” (2:116). In fact Muhammad’s charge was not directed against orthodox Christianity, but against some heretical groups existing in Arabia prior to Islam. Muhammad had to deal with the Jews and the Christians, including the Nestorians, the Jacobites, the Copts, the Melkites and others. It is unfortunate that such an arrant misunderstanding of the authentic Christianity continues to plague the mind and conscience of Muslims around the world as they are taught from early childhood. Among the most important pre-Islamic deities were the al-Manat; al-Lat and the al-Uzza. These three are also mentioned in the Quran and referred to as the daughters of Allah. The al-Manat was an ancient Semite goddess. The etymological derivation is perhaps connected with the Aramaic m’nata (portion or lot). The Arabic word Manaya, came to mean “fate” and was associated with the concept of death. She was a prominent goddess among the many deities, and a popular sanctuary was erected for her near Mecca. Al-Lat was another venerated Arabian goddess. Most philologists derive the name from the form (al-ilahat), which means “the deities.” Her sanctuary was located at the valley of Wadiji near the town of Taif in Arabia. Al-Uzza is the third goddess in the pre-Islamic Arab pantheon. She was principally an important idol associated with the tribe of Khata-fan, but later her worship spread over to the main tribes including the tribe of Quraysh (the tribe of Muhammad). The historical significance of al-Uzza and the exact meaning of the name is uncertain among the Arabs. However, it has been suggested by some that Uzza should be identified with the Queen of the Heavens (cf. Jer. 7:18). Recognizing the deep attachment of the Arabian tribes to their deities caused Muhammad to compromise. Afraid of causing opposition to his message and division among the tribes, he went so far as to recognize the pre-Islamic pagan trinity (al-Lat, al-Uzza, and al-Manat) as mediators with Allah. This reinforced the prevalent idea that the members of this trinity were, in fact, the daughters of Allah. However, Muhammad later retracted this position. Thus in Quran 3:9 we read, “What think ye, then, of al-Lat and al-Uzza, Manat, the third idol besides? In connection with this verse, Thomas Hughes, in his dictionary of Islam, relates the following interesting discussion between Muhammad, the idol worshipers, Satan, and Gabriel. Al-Tabari, a famed Arab historian and scholar born AD 839 relates that, ... on a certain day, the chief men of Mecca, discussed the affairs of the city, when the prophet [Muhammad] appeared, and seating himself by them in a friendly manner, began to recite the 53rd chapter of the Quran ; and when he had reached the verse: What think ye then of al-Lat, and al-Uzza and Manat, the third idol besides? the devil suggested words of reconciliation and compromise with idolatry, namely, these are exalted females and verily their intercession is to be hoped for. These words, however, which were received by the idolaters with great delight, were afterwards disavowed by the prophet, for Gabriel revealed to him the true reading, namely, What think ye then of al-Lat, and al-Uzza and Manat, the third idol besides? Shall ye have male progeny and make God female? This, then, was an unjust partition! Verily, these are mere names which ye and your fathers have given them. One can argue persuasively that Muhammad was perplexed about the difference between tritheism of pre-Islam and the true concept of the Trinity. Muhammad’s charge was directed first of all against the polytheism of pre-Islam. Later, however, his charge against pre-Islamic religious groups contributed to Muhammads misconception of the Christian idea of the Trinity and Christ’s being called the Son of God. We read in the Quran: “They surely disbelieve who say: Lo Allah is the third of three; when there is no God save the one God (5:73). Another verse says: “And they say: Allah hath taken unto Himself a Son. . . . Nay, but whatsoever is in the heaven and the earth is His. All are subservient unto Him” (2:116). In fact Muhammad’s charge was not directed against orthodox Christianity, but against some heretical Christian groups existing in Arabia prior to Islam. Muhammad had to deal with the Jews and the Christians including the Nestorians, the Jacobites, the Copts, the Melkites and others. It is unfortunate that such an arrant misunderstanding of the authentic Christianity continues to plague the mind and conscience of Muslims around the world as they are taught from early childhood.Chidren of Abraham Ministry
Posted on: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 02:02:44 +0000
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