Abstract
The Incarnation of Jesus Christ (Eisa al-Masih), a central Christian doctrine that the eternal “Word became flesh” is confirmed in the Qur'ān as the Logos named the Christ (Q. 3:45). The Spirit (Ruh) in Surah 19, and the Word (Christ) in Surah 3 confirm the Incarnation narrative in the Gospels of Luke 1 and John 1. In the spirit of Ignatius’ openness to extra-Biblical sources in the Spiritual Exercises (SPEX), Qur’ānic sources can be integrated in the Ignatian contemplation on the Incarnation. O’Shaughnessy and F. Rahman argue that the Rūḥ al-qudus ( القدس روح , “Holy Spirit”) is not the angel Gabriel contrary to the early commentators that Gabriel and the Spirit are the same being. The mere task of Gabriel is to announce (Q. 3:42, 45-46) the conception of the Word by the Spirit of Holiness. The Qur’an not only confirms Luke 1 and John 1, but enriches the Incarnation narrative—a new annotation befitting Ignatian contemplation.
Recommended Citation
Oliveros, Renato T. PhD
(2022)
"Thomas O'Shaughnessy, SJ & Fazlur Rahman: The Incarnation in the Qur'ān,"
Asia Pacific Mission Studies: Vol. 4:
Iss.
2, Article 5.
Available at:
https://archium.ateneo.edu/apms/vol4/iss2/5
