A171
Surah: 004 - Ayah: 171
Click here to see the translations
4:171
Supreme Name
Q. 29. The study of the Quran (4:171), reveals that Hazrat Isa was the word of God, which was inspired in Hazrat Maryam. The relation between the Word and the Soul is that the Supreme Soul, which is the Holy Spirit, is hidden in the Supreme Name (Word). This Supreme Name or the Word was given to Hazrat Maryam and it is in this sense that God breathed the Holy Spirit into her.
Q.19. According to verse (4:171): “This Masih, Isa son of Maryam, was only a messenger of Allah, and His Word which He conveyed unto Maryam, and a spirit from Him”. Please explain what is the Word? Why is the spirit separate from the Word? Can by the Word be meant Words? If so, can the spirit also mean spirit?
Ans.19. Kalimah or Word means the Supreme Name (ism-iazam) which is one in the beginning and which was given to Hzrat Maryam. By the spirit is meant the Holy Spirit. Here spirit is mentioned separately because it comes later, as a result of ibadat. Later however, this Word takes the form of the Perfect Words and the Great Names and the spirit, for although it is one, yet it is also many.
Kalimat Allah (Ism-i azam, Supreme Name)
It is a fact that Hazrat Maryam’s spirituality is the product of ism-i azam and is an example of the hujjat. The Imam gave her ism-i azam which is also called kalimah (word) (4:171). The light of Hazrat Isa was potentially hidden in this word, and it became actually manifest in the heart of Hazrat Maryam after a certain time. It should be remembered that every Prophet and every Imam is kalimatu'llah (the Word of God), i.e. the ism-i azam. Thus, if you are granted ism-i azam, you should be very careful since potentially the Imam has come to your heart (batin). But now you have to become annihilated in him in this life-time so that he may guide you actually.
Thus, the very same purport is contained in the verse which is revealed specifically concerning Hazrat Ῑsᾱ;, son of Maryam, was only a messenger of Allah, and His word which He cast unto Maryam, and a Spirit from Him” (4:171) ’
The Word which is full of wonders and miracles of knowledge bears the light of Prophethood and imᾱmat, i.e. the Holy Spirit, as the Qur’ᾱn says regarding Hazrat cῙsᾱ, son of Maryam, was only a messenger of Allah and His Word which He conveyed unto Maryam and a Spirit from Him.” (4:171)
Q445 It is said in verse (4:171): “Verily, al-Masih, Jesus, son of Maryam, is only a Messenger of God, and His Word which He cast unto Maryam and a Spirit from Him.” In what sense was Hazrat Jesus(c) a Word of God? And how is he a Spirit from Him?
A445
- The Word of God is the supreme Name and Hazrat Jesus(c) in his cycle was the supreme Name of God. This supreme Name which had Hazrat Jesus(c)’ light in it, was given to Hazrat Maryam(c), who was a siddaqah, by which the great spiritual revolution gradually took place in her personal world. All the allusions to this are found in the wise Qur’an.
- There are three souls in every human being: vegetative soul, animal soul and rational soul. However, in the Perfect Man there is an additional soul and that is the Holy Spirit, in which all the miracles of God are gathered together. This Spirit was manifesting itself in Hazrat Jesus(c) too, like all other Perfect Men.
This verse has been referred 7 times.