This Qur’an explains to the Children of Israel most of that over which they disagree. And it is indeed guidance and mercy to those who believe. (The Ants; Al-Naml: 27: 76-77)
The Christians have long been in dispute concerning Jesus Christ and Mary, his mother. Some said that the Christ was purely human, while others maintained that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are three different forms in which God reveals Himself to mankind. They allege that God is made of these three elements, making Jesus the Son. Thus, God the Father came down in the form of the Holy Spirit and took human form inside Mary and was born in the form of Jesus. Others still said that the Son is not eternal like the Father, but created in this world. As such, he is of a lower status than the Father and subject to Him. A different group denied that the Holy Spirit was one of the three elements. The Council of Nicaea held in 325 AD and the Council of Constantinople held in 381 decided that the Son and the Holy Spirit are equal to the Father in divinity. It further decided that the Son was born from the Father in eternity and that the Holy Spirit emanates from the Father. Likewise, the Council of Toledo, held in 589, also made the same decision concerning the Holy Spirit. The Eastern and Western Churches split over this point, and continued to differ. The Qur’an gives the final word to end all such disputes. It describes the Christ as God’s “Word which He gave to Mary and a soul from Him.” (4: 171) He is certainly a human being, no more: “He was nothing but a servant of Ours whom We had graced and whom We had made an example for the Children of Israel.” (43: 59)
The Christians had similar differences concerning the crucifixion. Some of them said that Jesus was crucified until death, and was buried then he rose from the grave after three days and was taken to heaven. Others said that Judas who betrayed him and pointed him out to his enemies was made to look like Jesus and he was crucified in his place. Some say that his likeness was thrown over his disciple Simon, and Simon was taken in his place. The Qur’an gives the final word on all this as it says: “They did not kill him, and neither did they crucify him, but it only seemed to them (as if it had been) so.” (4: 157) “God said: Jesus, I shall gather you and cause you to ascend to Me, and I shall cleanse you of those who disbelieve.” (3: 55)
In the past the Jews distorted the Torah and altered its divine laws. The Qur’an confirms the original text God had revealed: “We decreed for them in it: A life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and a similar retribution for wounds.” (5: 45)
The Qur’an tells them the truth about their history and their prophets, purging it from countless legends they report in different ways. It cleanses this history from all the filth they tried to attribute to their prophets. In fact, we can hardly find an Israelite prophet who was left unstained by this filth. They alleged that Abraham introduced his wife to the King of Palestine and to Pharaoh of Egypt as his sister, hoping for some favor from them. Jacob, or Israel, played tricks and lied to his father Isaac in order to take his grandfather’s blessings, which were due to his brother Esau. They further allege that the Prophet Lot’s two daughters made him drunk on two nights so that he slept with each one of them in order to beget a child. They did so, it is alleged, because he had no male heir and they feared that his wealth would go to others. It is further claimed that they achieved their purpose. They also allege that David saw a pretty woman from the roof of his palace. When he knew that she was married to one of his soldiers, he sent this soldier on a mission from which he was sure not to return so as to have his wife. Solomon is alleged to incline to the worship of a mule in order to please one of his women with whom he was so infatuated that he could not refuse her any request.
The Qur’an absolves all these noble and pure prophets of all the filth such Israelite superstitions, which the Jews added to the Torah, tried to attach to them. Likewise it refuted all the false claims against Jesus, son of Mary.
This Qur’an, which supersedes all books revealed before it, provides the final word on all the disputes between their followers. Still the idolaters in Arabia argued about it. It is as God describes it: “It is indeed guidance and mercy to those who believe.” (Verse 77)
It is ‘guidance’ preventing dispute and error. It outlines the way of life to implement, and determines the course to follow, and it provides a bond between the believers and the great laws of nature which never fail. And the Qur’an is ‘mercy’ saving them from doubt, worry and confusion between systems and theories that cannot provide them with a solid basis to build their life upon. Furthermore, it establishes a bond with God that gives them reassurance and peace with themselves and with mankind generally, and leading them to earn God’s pleasure and His magnificent reward.
The Qur’anic method of remolding hearts and souls in accordance with pure, undistorted nature is unique indeed. It establishes harmony between human life, the universe and the major laws of nature operating in it. This enables man to live in peace and reassurance because he realizes that he lives in a world whose laws and forces are at peace with him. He knows that the overall law that runs the universe is the same as that which controls his life. With such harmony and peace between man’s soul and the great existence around him, peace is generated within the community and among humanity at large. Reassurance and stability become a reality in human life. This is ‘mercy’ in its most comprehensive form.