As salamu 'alaykum

This question is for those who have knowledge in Tafsir, Hadith and information regarding Ilmul Rijaal etc insha-Allaah.

I need help with something. I posted this on a catholic forum....

Imam Ibn Kathir brings the explanation of Ruh ul Allah (Spirt of Allaah) and 'Word':


The Meaning of "His Word and a spirit from Him

`Abdur-Razzaq narrated that Ma`mar said that Qatadah said that the Ayah,

[وَكَلِمَتُهُ أَلْقَـهَا إِلَى مَرْيَمَ وَرُوحٌ مِّنْهُ]

(And His Word, which He bestowed on Maryam and a spirit from [created by ] Him means, He said,

[كُنَّ]

(Be) and he was. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Ahmad bin Sinan Al-Wasiti said that he heard Shadh bin Yahya saying about Allah's statement,

[وَكَلِمَتُهُ أَلْقَـهَا إِلَى مَرْيَمَ وَرُوحٌ مِّنْهُ]

(and His Word, which He bestowed on Maryam and a spirit from [created by ] Him "`Isa was not the word. Rather, `Isa came to existence because of the word.'' Al-Bukhari recorded that `Ubadah bin As-Samit said that the Prophet said,

«مَنْ شَهِدَ أَنْ لَا إِلهَ إِلَّا اللهُ، وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، وَأَنَّ عِيسَى عَبْدُاللهِ وَرَسُولُهُ وَكَلِمَتُهُ أَلْقَاهَا إِلى مَرْيَمَ وَرُوحٌ مِنْهُ، وَأَنَّ الْجَنَّةَ حَقٌّ، وَالنَّارَ حَقٌّ، أَدْخَلَهُ اللهُ الْجَنَّةَ عَلَى مَا كَانَ مِنَ الْعَمَل»

(If anyone testifies that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah Alone Who has no partners, and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger, and that `Isa is Allah's servant and Messenger and His Word which He bestowed on Maryam and a spirit created by Him, and that Paradise is true and Hell is true, then Allah will admit him into Paradise with the deeds which he performed.) In another narration, the Prophet said,

«مِنْ أَبْوَابِ الْجَنَّةِ الثَّمَانِيَّةِ يَدْخُلُ مِنْ أَيِّهَا شَاء»

(...through any of the eight doors of Paradise he wishes.) Muslim also recorded it. Therefore, `Ruh from Allah', in the Ayah and the Hadith is similar to Allah's statement,

[وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمْ مَّا فِى السَّمَـوَتِ وَمَا فِى الاٌّرْضِ جَمِيعاً مِّنْهُ]

(And has subjected to you all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth; it is all from Him.) meaning, from His creation. `from Him' does not mean that it is a part of Him, as the Christians claim,,,"
]He also says..


Saying that something is from Allah, such as the spirit of Allah, the she-camel of Allah or the House of Allah, is meant to honor such items. Allah said,

[هَـذِهِ نَاقَةُ اللَّهِ]

(This is the she-camel of Allah...) and,

[وَطَهِّرْ بَيْتِىَ لِلطَّآئِفِينَ]

(and sanctify My House for those who circumambulate it.) An authentic Hadith states,

«فَأَدْخُلُ عَلَى رَبِّي فِي دَارِه»

(I will enter on my Lord in His Home) All these examples are meant to honor such items when they are attributed to Allah in this manner.
{Tafsir Ibn Kathir}


He responded by saying


I'll get to a few of these remarks, but least we forget, Ibn Kathir was born in the 14th century, so that is about 600 years after the death of the prophet of Islam. He could hardly be considered an early authentic authority. You are using late sources, rather than letting Arabic speak for itself. But, supposing Muslim commentaries are correct, let's review a few choice references. Jesus is called 'the word' by Muslim [1.378] and not merely created by the word, as is found in Ibn Kathir. Bukhari calls Jesus 'Allah's word AND a Spirit' [6.60.3; 9.93.907]. Islamic commentaries are all over the place when it comes to these topics. Bottom line, on the subject in this thread, your sources are considerably confused.

Whats the best way to explain this to him.


May Allaah reward you.