Ontology of "Word" in the Qur'an and Criticism of its non-Islamic Interpretations

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Philosophy and theology of the Faculty of Theology at the University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran

2 Department of Islamic philosophy and theology of University of Mazandaran

10.22061/orj.2023.1854

Abstract

In the Gospel of John and the Qur'an, as well as some religious texts of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, Jesus (pbuh) was interpreted as "Word". If we consider "Word" as another interpretation of "Logos", then we can say that in the sphere of Jewish and Christian religio-philosophical literature, we are faced with at least three interpretations of this attitude: First, the word is neither as created nor as uncreated (tool God), secondly, the word means creation (son of God), thirdly, the word means God (God the son). The first view can be found in the opinions of Philo the Jew, the second view in the Synoptic Gospels, and the third view in the first chapters of John's Gospel. From an ontological point of view, to what extent these views are influenced by the concept of logos in Greek philosophical-religious literature, or what effects Philo had on John and the church fathers, is beyond the scope of this research. But in its conceptual and ontological sphere, the Holy Qur'an has a specific meaning of the use of "word". Verses 39 and 45 of Al-Imran, 171 Nisa, as well as 34 Maryam and 12 ،Tahrim in the Qur'an talk about the application of the word to Jesus (PBUH). Now three questions are raised: What does the Qur'an mean by "word"? Why did the Qur'an use the word "word" only for Jesus (pbuh) among the prophets? To what extent are the aforementioned Jewish and Christian views compatible with the Qur'an? The Quranic ontology of the word "Word" is focused on the aspect of the creation of Jesus (pbuh) and extends to the beliefs in which Jesus (pbuh) is the instrument of God (Philoni's view), the son of God (the point of view of the Synoptic Gospels), God the Son (the view of the Gospel of John) ) Was introduced; Because in the verses of the Qur'an, the word means the creation of God, and it is considered as a reaction against the aforementioned Judeo-Christian views in addition to the verses that negate God.

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