Second: this substance united with the Messiah and clothed itself in him as in armour. That substance is the Father in one respect and the Son in another.

For this reason, Allah reports them as saying, at one point, “The Messiah is the son of Allah,” and at another, “Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary.” As for His report that they said, “Allah is the third of three,” the Quran commentators say that this means Allah, the Messiah and his mother, as He said:

“O Jesus, son of Mary, did you tell people, ‘Take me and my mother as two gods besides Allah’?”

For this reason, He said in the same passage:

“The Messiah, son of Mary, was no more than a messenger; other messengers had passed away before him. His mother was a woman of truth.”

That is, the Messiah’s highest rank is that of a messenger, and his mother’s highest rank is that of a woman of truth; neither attains divinity. This is the evidence for that interpretation, and it is clear. Some people claim that what is meant is the three hypostases—the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit—but this interpretation is open to question.

As for His words:

“They attribute the jinn to Allah as partners, though He created them, and without knowledge they fabricate sons and daughters for Him. Glory be to Him! Exalted is He above what they attribute to Him!”

“Originator of the heavens and the earth! How could He have a child when He has no consort? He created all things, and He has knowledge of all things.”

His words, “Originator of the heavens and the earth,” mean that He originated them both, as He similarly stated in al-Baqarah. They do not mean that His heavens and earth are wondrous, although Arabic would allow that reading were it not for the context. For the purpose is to refute their fabricated claims of sons and daughters for Him, and their claim that He has taken a child.