The Claim That Almost Shattered the Heavens

 Surah Maryam (19): 88–98

🔹 English Translation

88. And they say, “The Most Merciful has taken a son.”
89. You have certainly made a monstrous and terrible claim.
90. The heavens are about to burst apart, the earth to split open, and the mountains to collapse,
91. Because they attribute a son to the Most Merciful.
92. It is not befitting for the Most Merciful to take a son.
93. There is none in the heavens and the earth except that he comes to the Most Merciful as a servant.
94. Indeed, He has fully encompassed them and counted them precisely.
95. And every one of them will come to Him on the Day of Resurrection alone.
96. Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds—the Most Merciful will place love for them.
97. So We have made it easy in your language, so that you may give glad tidings to the righteous and warn a hostile people.
98. And how many generations before them We destroyed—do you perceive any of them or hear from them even a whisper?

🔹 Introduction

Surah Maryam verses 88–98 address one of the gravest false beliefs in human history: attributing offspring to Allah. These verses expose the severity of this claim, affirm Allah’s absolute oneness and independence, remind humanity of individual accountability, and conclude with hope for believers and a warning drawn from destroyed nations.

🔹 Explanation (Ayah-wise)

🔸 Verses 88–92

Allah strongly condemns the claim that Ar-Rahman has a son. The Qur’an describes this belief as so severe that the cosmos itself reacts—heavens splitting, earth breaking, mountains collapsing. This imagery shows how unnatural and false this belief is.

🔸 Verses 93–95

Allah clarifies reality: every being is a servant, not a child. All are counted, known, and will stand alone before Allah on the Day of Judgment—no lineage, no intercession without permission.

🔸 Verse 96

A powerful contrast: true believers are granted love and acceptance—not by force, but placed naturally by Ar-Rahman in hearts.

🔸 Verses 97–98

The Qur’an is made easy and clear to warn and to give glad tidings. Past nations who rejected truth vanished completely—no trace, no sound—a final warning to deniers.

🔹 sᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ

According to Ibn Kathir:

These verses refute Christians, Jews, and polytheists who claimed Allah has children.

Attributing offspring to Allah is a major form of disbelief (kufr).

The reaction of the universe symbolizes the magnitude of the sin.

Allah’s servants are fully owned, known, and accountable to Him.

Believers are honored with love in this world and success in the hereafter.

Destroyed nations are proof that denial leads to total ruin.