Āl-‘Imrān 3:59

The issue

This verse demonstrates the similarity of the origin of Jesus and Adam as they were both created without a father. However, the difference is that Adam was created from dust or clay, while Jesus was created by the word of Allah, according to the Qur’ānic narrative.

Some of the earlier critics have noticed this discrepancy in the alleged similarity, again because Adam was created from dust, while Jesus from the spirit of Allah. Adam was without a father or a mother, but Jesus was without a father only. However, the Muslim scholars replied that the similarity was still true because Jesus was created without a father like Adam, not because he was created from dust; therefore, Jesus and Adam do share the absence of a father. They said that the purpose of the similarity was to point to the absence of a father only, not necessarily their similarity in all aspects.

However, another conflict results from the phrase, “Be! and he became” [or yakūn, as found in the Arabic] (Pickthall trans. Q 3.59). It should read, “BE and he was [kāna],” as corrected by other English translators. The difference between these two Arabic terms is significant because the first one indicates the present tense (yakūn) and the second one is in a past tense (kāna).

Al-Qurtubī, in an attempt to rid the verse of this incorrect verb tense, stated, “The future could be in the place of the past if the meaning was understood.” Even if we accept al-Qurtubī’s explanation, there still exists a contradiction in the verse because it states that Allah created Adam from dust, then Allah said to him, “BE! and he is [yakūn].” How could Allah say “BE” to Adam after he created him from the dust?

This conflict was ignored by all scholars except al-Rāzī, who attempted to resolve this issue by presenting three suggestions:

First, creation is the process of estimation and settlement (making), meaning that Allah knew his will and how it would take place before the existence of Adam. The term “BE” indicates “bringing into existence,” meaning that creation is an occurrence in the mind of the Creator, while “BE” is the action of it.

Our Comment: Is it proper to say that Allah creates in his mind, then takes the action of creation?

Second, creation is the formation from clay, and “BE” is the action of transferring life into it.

Our Comment: If the process of making Adam from clay was in the phase of becoming, then Adam was not yet created. The process of creation would be at the point of transmitting life into Adam. Therefore, the word “BE” should be said in synchronization with the action of creation.

Third, the verse should be read as “I created him by saying to him ‘BE,’ then I made him a wholesome creation.” Our Comment: When Allah said to Adam “BE,” he was instantly created because the term “BE” indicates a direct command.