يَـٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لَا تَغْلُوا۟ فِى دِينِكُمْ وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلْحَقَّ ۚ إِنَّمَا ٱلْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ وَكَلِمَتُهُۥٓ أَلْقَىٰهَآ إِلَىٰ مَرْيَمَ وَرُوحٌ مِّنْهُ ۖ فَـَٔامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ ۖ وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ ثَلَـٰثَةٌ ۚ ٱنتَهُوا۟ خَيْرًا لَّكُمْ ۚ إِنَّمَا ٱللَّهُ إِلَـٰهٌ وَٰحِدٌ ۖ سُبْحَـٰنَهُۥٓ أَن يَكُونَ لَهُۥ وَلَدٌ ۘ لَّهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ وَكِيلًا 171
Translations
O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allāh except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allāh and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him. So believe in Allāh and His messengers. And do not say, "Three"; desist - it is better for you. Indeed, Allāh is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And sufficient is Allāh as Disposer of affairs.
Transliteration
Ya ahlal-kitabi la taghlu fee deenikum wa la taqulu alallahi illa al-haqq. Innama al-masih isa ibnu maryama rasul allahi wa kalimatuhu alqaha ila maryama wa ruhun minhu. Fa'aminu billahi wa rusulih. Wa la taqulu talathah. Intahu khayran lakum. Innama allahu ilahun wahid. Subhanahu an yakuna lahu walad. Lahu ma fi as-samawati wa ma fi al-ardh. Wa kafa billahi wakila.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah directly addresses the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) against religious extremism and false claims about Allah. It clarifies the true status of Jesus ('Isa) as a messenger of Allah, created with a word from Him and a spirit from Him, explicitly rejecting the Christian doctrine of the Trinity and the divinity of Jesus. The ayah emphasizes Allah's absolute oneness (tawhid) and transcendence, concluding that He alone is worthy of worship and guardianship.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in Medina in response to the theological disputes with the Christians of Najran who visited the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) around the 9th year of Hijrah. They upheld the Trinity and the divinity of Jesus, which prompted this clear Quranic correction. The broader context of Surah An-Nisa addresses legal and social matters of the Muslim community while also refuting false doctrines.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians exaggerated in praising Jesus, son of Mary. I am only a servant, so call me the servant of Allah and His messenger.' (Sahih Bukhari 3445). Additionally, in the hadith of the delegation from Najran, the Prophet clarified Jesus's status as a messenger, not divine (recorded in various sources including Sunan An-Nasa'i).
Themes
Key Lesson
Muslims must avoid religious extremism and exaggeration in faith while maintaining steadfast belief in the oneness of Allah. This ayah teaches that sincere adherence to pure monotheism—rejecting false doctrines about God's nature—is essential for salvation, and serves as a reminder to approach theological matters with knowledge and clarity rather than blind tradition.