They lie concerning what they report and what they help accomplish, seeking to ruin people’s religious and worldly affairs. This gives the polytheists a semblance of proof, as do the reports of soothsayers and the like.

Allah, glorified be He, appointed the Messenger to convey His commands and prohibitions, His promises and warnings. These people, however, portray the messengers and shaykhs as governing the world by fulfilling needs and relieving distress. This is not part of the religion of the Muslims. Rather, the Christians claim this for Christ alone, on the basis of their erroneous notions of union and indwelling.

For this reason, they have not made the same claim about Abraham, Moses, or others, despite their utter ignorance in this matter. The signs with which Moses was sent are greater; and if this were possible, it would not be exclusive to Christ. Rather, Moses would have a stronger claim.

Thus, I would meet Christian scholars on their own terms and ask them to explain the distinction between Christ and others with regard to divinity. They could find no distinction. Indeed, I would explain to them that the signs Moses brought were greater: if such signs constituted evidence for a claim to divinity, Moses would have a stronger claim. As for Christ’s birth without a father, it demonstrates the Creator’s power, not that the created being is superior to others.