Translation
Those who say God is the Christ, Son of Mary are indeed deniers of God. Say (to them): “Who will prevail against God in any matter if He wishes to destroy Christ, Son of Mary, his mother, and all who live on this earth?” Remember that God’s dominion covers the earth, the heavens, and all in between. He creates what He wills, and God has power over all things. The Jews and the Christians say: “We are sons of God and His beloved.” Say (to them): “Why does He then make you suffer for your sins? You are nothing but mortals from His creations. He forgives whom He wills, and He causes to suffer whom He wills. God’s dominion extends over heavens, earth, and all in between. (Your) journeys (and pursuits) are destined to come to Him (for resolution).” 302
O People of the Previous Revelations: Surely a Messenger has come, after a long cessation when no prophets came, to explain the truths; lest you say: “No bearer of good news or warning came to us. Now a bearer of good news and a warner came to you (as God willed); God is ever powerful to will anything.”
Interpretation
302 The message regarding purity of faith continues in this section as well. Christ as God is unacceptable to God, and also unacceptable is the notion that some people (in this case Jews and Christians) are entitled to be favored by God to the exclusion of others. God’s presence encompasses everyone, and closeness to Him is not based on self-claimed entitlement but on being true to His message and being responsible, as the last Prophet, who came for all humanity, reiterated the same guidance as was given to Jesus, Moses, and Abraham.
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REFLECTION
Claims of entitlement and closeness to God is not a monopoly of the Jews or Christians; some conservative Muslims and many terrorists, falsely attesting to their Islamic identity, claim that they are better than other Muslims, Jews, and Christians. On such false pretense, they commit and encourage heinous crimes against innocent people in the name of respect to the Prophet or to God. The killing of twelve journalists at Charlie Hebdo in Paris in 2015 is a stark reminder that some of these terrorists desecrate innocent lives to show their pretentious affinity to the Prophet’s image or God’s name.
ACTION
The life and property of any human being are sacred, and hatred of any people is not a justification for transgressing norms of justice, morality, and human dignity. The Qur’an is very emphatic about this, and all people, especially those who claim to be Muslims, should be mindful of their conduct in light of such a clear injunction against unlawful killing and acts of injustice against unarmed innocent civilians.