Quran Issues:
The Virgin Birth - Mary & Allah
Question: Does the virgin birth of Jesus cause a contradiction in the Quran?
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Overview
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The Quran (6:100-101) denies the Fatherhood of God by highlighting that God is without a spouse or consort. Since God has no spouse or consort to procreate with (and to suggest that He does is highly inaccurate and inappropriate), the assertion should not be made that God has children or that God is a Father.
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The Quran (19:16-22) also states that God can create children without a spouse or consort. For instance, Mary (the mother of Jesus) was assured that she did not need a husband to conceive and give birth to a son because God could cause Mary’s pregnancy through His will and power. This is significant because it highlights that a reproductive partner is not needed for the existence of children. Mary's virginal conception in Quran 19:16-22 consequently shows that the rationale of Quran 6:100-101 (that children imply or necessitate a spouse or consort) is flawed.​
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It should be noted that the Fatherhood of God has nothing to do with physical, biological or sexual procreation in the Bible. A Son of God, according to the Bible, is someone who represents God and acts with the authority of God, and this is applied to humans and angels. Simply put, God is a Father because God has sons and daughters, and the sons and daughters of God are those who represent God and act with the authority of God. This means that the Quran has misunderstood the Fatherhood of God from a Jewish and Christian perspective if Quran 6:100-101 is addressing Jews and Christians and not just pagan Arabs.
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Quran Passages
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The Quran 6:100-101 (Abdul Haleem)
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(100) Yet they made the jinn partners with God, though He created them, and without any true knowledge they attribute sons and daughters to Him. Glory be to Him! He is far higher than what they ascribe to Him, (101) the Creator of the heavens and earth! How could He have children when He has no spouse, when He created all things, and has full knowledge of all things?
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The Quran 19:16-22 (Abdul Haleem)
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(16) Mention in the Quran the story of Mary. She withdrew from her family to a place to the east (17) and secluded herself away; We sent Our Spirit to appear before her in the form of a perfected man. (18) She said, “I seek the Lord of Mercy’s protection against you: if you have any fear of Him [do not approach]!” (19) but he said, ‘I am but a Messenger from your Lord, [come] to announce to you the gift of a pure son.” (20) She said, “How can I have a son when no man has touched me? I have not been unchaste,” (21) and he said, “This is what your Lord said: ‘It is easy for Me - We shall make him a sign to all people, a blessing from Us.’” (22) And so it was ordained: she conceived him.
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