Tafsir of Maryam 19:34

"That is ‘Īsā, son of Maryam—the word of truth about which they dispute."

Qirā’āt (Readings):

• ‘Āṣim and Ibn ‘Āmir: Read qawla al-ḥaqqi (the word of truth) in the accusative case (naṣb).
• Ibn Mas‘ūd: Narrated as qāla al-ḥaqqu (the Truth spoke).
• Al-Ḥasan: Read qulu al-ḥaqqi with a ḍamma on the qāf. This is the same as in al-An‘ām (73): qawluhu al-ḥaqqu.
• Qawl, qāl, and qūl all share the same meaning, similar to rahb, ruhb, and rahb.

Grammatical Analysis:

• *Nominative (raf‘):* It is a predicate following a predicate, a substitute (badal), or the predicate of an omitted subject.
• Accusative (naṣb): If interpreted as "the Word of Allah," it is for praise. If interpreted as a source (maṣdar) confirming the sentence's meaning (i.e., "He is truly the servant of Allah"), it signifies certainty and truth, not falsehood.

Exegesis: ‘Īsā is called "the Word of Allah" and "the Word of Truth" because he was born solely through the Word of Allah—His command "Be!" (kun)—without the mediation of a father. This is naming the effect by the name of the cause, just as rain is called "the sky" (al-samā’) and fat is called "the dew" (al-nadā).

If "the Word of Truth" refers to ‘Īsā, it is possible that "the Truth" (al-ḥaqq) is a name of Allah, or that it signifies certainty and veracity. This is supported by the phrase: "about which they dispute." That is, his affair is absolute truth, yet they are in doubt regarding him.

• "They dispute" (yamtarūn): They doubt. Miryah means doubt.
• Alternative interpretation: They argue/dispute (yatamārūn). The Jews said: "A lying sorcerer." The Christians said: "The son of God" and "the third of three."
• ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib: Read it as tamtarūn (you all dispute) in the second person.
• Ubayy ibn Ka‘b: Read it as: "The word of truth about which the people were disputing."

"It is not for Allah to take a son. Exalted is He! When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, ‘Be,’ and it is."