Truth About Islam

Key Premise: Allah as the Speaker Throughout the Quran

Islamic theology maintains that the Quran is the literal word of Allah, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel). However, this does not mean that every verse is spoken directly by Allah in the first person. The Quran frequently includes quotations, stories, and statements made by prophets, angels, or even disbelievers.

Verses 16–33: The Speech of Jesus

In Surah Maryam, verses 16–33 recount the miraculous birth of Jesus and his first speech as a newborn. These verses directly attribute the words to Jesus, particularly in verse 30, where he says:

“Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet.”
(Surah Maryam 19:30)

This marks the beginning of Jesus' speech, which continues through to verse 36.

Who Speaks in Verses 34–36?

The confusion arises because verses 34–36 follow this structure:

Verse 34: A divine commentary summarizing Jesus' nature:
- “Such was Jesus, son of Mary: (this is) a statement of the truth concerning which they doubt.”
- This is clearly Allah speaking, setting the context for the reader.
Verse 35: Allah continues to declare His majesty and deny having a son:
- “It is not for Allah to take a son. Glory be to Him! When He decrees a thing, He only says to it: Be! and it is.”
Verse 36: A shift back to the words of Jesus:
- “And indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is the straight path.”
- The grammar and context here strongly suggest that this is Jesus speaking, continuing the speech from earlier verses (vv. 30–33).

Why This Is Not Allah Speaking in Verse 36

1. Narrative Structure

In verse 36, the phrase “Allah is my Lord and your Lord” is a first-person declaration ("my Lord"), which aligns with Jesus speaking, not Allah.
If Allah were the speaker here, the verse would likely be phrased differently, e.g., "I am Allah, your Lord," to maintain the consistency of divine speech in the Quran.

2. Quranic Style of Quoting

The Quran often quotes individuals (e.g., prophets, believers, or disbelievers) to present their perspectives, even within a broader narrative where Allah is the ultimate speaker.
This shifting narration is a well-recognized stylistic feature of the Quran and is understood contextually.

3. Classical Tafsir

Islamic exegetes, such as Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, interpret verse 36 as a continuation of Jesus' speech. They do not consider it a statement made directly by Allah.
This interpretation resolves the apparent theological tension.

Rebutting the Critique

1. Does Allah Speak All Throughout the Quran?

Yes, the Quran is entirely from Allah. However, this does not mean Allah is always the immediate speaker. The Quran narrates events, quotes individuals, and uses rhetorical shifts to convey its message. The narrative framework often alternates between:

Allah's direct speech (e.g., commands, warnings, and divine commentary).
Quotations of prophets, angels, or others (e.g., the speech of Jesus in Surah Maryam).

2. Does Verse 36 Create a Contradiction?

No, because it is Jesus speaking in this verse. The structure is clear:

Allah introduces and affirms the truth about Jesus in verses 34–35.
Jesus then concludes with his own declaration in verse 36.

The critique assumes that Allah is speaking throughout verses 34–36, but this interpretation disregards the narrative context and grammatical cues.

Conclusion

The critique rests on a misunderstanding of the Quran’s narrative style. In Surah Maryam 19:36, it is Jesus who is speaking, affirming Allah as his Lord and urging others to worship Him. This is consistent with the Quran’s broader theological message and does not depict Allah as worshiping another entity.