and that he is a messenger sent by God, not one of God’s attributes. For this reason the great majority of scholars have said that he is Gabriel, peace be upon him, for God has called him “the Trustworthy Spirit,” “the Holy Spirit,” and “Gabriel.” The People of the Book likewise say that he was conceived of Mary and of the Holy Spirit; yet their error lies in imagining that the Holy Spirit is God’s very life— a deity that creates, provides, and must be worshipped. Nowhere in the revealed books, nor in the words of the prophets, does God refer to any of His attributes subsisting in Him as “the Holy Spirit,” nor does He call His speech—or any of His attributes—“the Son.” This is one of the proofs that the Christians have gone astray and have distorted the prophets’ words, interpreting them contrary to what the prophets meant. The foundation of their doctrine of the Trinity rests on what is found in one of the Gospels, namely that the Messiah, peace be upon him, said to them:

“Baptize the people in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

They are told in reply: Even if the Messiah actually said this, in neither his language nor that of any other prophet did they ever call one of God’s attributes subsisting in Him, or His word, or His life “son” or “holy spirit.” They never referred to His word as “son,” nor did they call God Himself “son” or “holy spirit.” What is found in their own transmissions is that they describe a chosen, honored servant as “son,” and this appears with respect to the Messiah and to others; they report, for instance, that He—exalted is He—said to Israel: “You are My firstborn son.”