Imam Reza (as) Disproves the Divinity of Jesus (as) in Debate

A Thought-Provoking Debate Between Imam Reza (as) and a Christian Scholar

This debate between Imam Reza (as) and the Christian scholar Gaathliq was held in the court of Mamoon al-Abbasi. In it, Imam Reza (as), with clear reasoning and firm proof, showed that Jesus (as) was a servant and prophet of Allah—not God. He explained that miracles happen by Allah’s permission and are signs of prophethood, not signs of divinity or lordship (ruboobiyyah).

An Unusual Statement to Awaken Thought

Imam Reza (as): "By Allah, we believe in the Jesus (as) that Muhammad (PBUH&HP) believed in. We take no issue with Jesus—except for his weakness in praying and fasting."

Gaathliq (Christian scholar): "By God, you've just destroyed your own knowledge and weakened your argument. I had assumed you were the most knowledgeable among Muslims!"

Imam Reza (as): "How so? Why do you say that?"

Gaathliq: "You claim Jesus (as) was weak in praying and fasting, while the truth is, there was not a single day in Jesus’s life when he did not fast, nor a single night when he didn’t remain awake in prayer. He fasted daily and spent every night in worship."

Imam Reza (as): "Tell me then—for whom was he fasting and praying?"

At this moment, Gaathliq fell silent, realizing the implication of the Imam’s question.

Challenging the Deification of Jesus (as)

Imam Reza (as): "May I ask you a question?"

Gaathliq: "Ask, and if I know the answer, I will reply."

Imam Reza (as): "Why do you deny that Jesus (as) – by God’s permission, not on his own – revived the dead?"

Gaathliq: "I deny it because whoever can raise the dead, cure the blind, and heal the leprous is God and must be worshipped."

Imam Reza (as): "Then what of Prophet Yasa’? He too revived the dead, walked on water, and healed the blind and leprous. Yet, his nation did not deify him. And Prophet Hezqil (Ezekiel) raised 35,000 people from the dead after they had been lifeless for sixty years. [His people did not consider him divine either. Therefore, your argument does not hold.]”

Conclusion

This debate reflects the deep wisdom of Imam Reza (as), who refutes the divinity of Jesus (as) by proving that miracles happen only by Allah’s will, not a prophet’s own power. He shows that other prophets performed similar acts yet were not seen as divine. Thus, Jesus (as) was a servant and prophet of Allah, and true tawheed sees miracles as signs of prophethood, not lordship (ruboobiyyah).