Kalimatullah

What is the significance of the title Kalimatullah which is used for Prophet Isa (pbuh)?

For many true seekers of Allah, the mere mention of the name of Isa Al-Masih arouses a sense of awe and intrigue from deep within. No doubt there are still those scoffers who insist he was nothing more than an ordinary mortal. However, our searching hearts are not satisfied with such a simple explanation for one who displayed to the world such divine splendor with such divine compassion! We are forever attracted to the mysteries that surround his true nature, and one of those mysteries is his title, Word of Allah!

Readers of the Qur'an are aware of this title from such verses as Surat-un Nisaa(4):171:

Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) a Messenger of God, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a Spirit proceeding from Him....

The Arabic rendering for His Word in this verse is kalimatuhu from which comes the title Kalimatullah, Word of Allah. This title for Isa Al-Masih is seen in the teachings of the Injil, which very clearly states, "…and his name is the Word of God" (Revelation 19:13).

On the basis of the teachings of the Tawrat and the Injil which both affirm that "the Lord our God, the Lord is one," it is clear that Isa Al-Masih did not descend upon the world as a member of a trinity of three separate gods. What he did come to do, however, was to reveal in a very unique way the one and only God, the Lord of the whole universe. Isa Al-Masih was able to do this on the basis of his true identity, Word of Allah! Just as Allah's Word descended upon humankind in the form of a book, Allah's Word also descended upon humankind in the form of a person. If Allah is able to reveal His Word in the form of a book made of earthly elements, is He then not able to reveal His Word in the form of a person also made of earthly elements? Surely, the Lord of the universe who is God Almighty can do all things! Indeed, Isa Al-Masih came as the revealed Word of Allah, the embodiment of Allah's will for the human race.

As we think more deeply about the issue of Allah's Word, which is the expression of Allah's will, we realize that the Word of Allah is eternal, meaning that it is without beginning or end. Furthermore, because it is the Word of Allah that speaks into being all of creation, the Word itself is above creation. That means it can only reside in the realm of divinity. Allah and His Word are inseparable, and as long as Allah existed, His Word existed. That is why Isa Al-Masih could say that he and Allah were one!

Remember that as the Word of Allah, Isa Al-Masih came to reveal the very love of Allah whose will is to touch the soul of humankind with His mercy and compassion. Again, it is important to state that Isa Al-Masih was not a god revealing the nature of another god. Rather, he was Allah's Word revealing the attributes and will of Allah for the salvation of humanity.

The Injil describes this Word of Allah as follows:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him (the Word) all things were made…. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shone in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it…. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us….

-Injil, John 1:1-5;14

Elsewhere, we read the testimony of John the Baptist [Yahya] regarding this Word of Allah:

The one who came from above is above all, the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all…. For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives him the Spirit without limit .

-Injil, John 3:31,34

It is clear that Allah sent His Word to speak to the world. And the voice of Isa Al-Masih continues to speak to all of our hearts the message of refuge, forgiveness and eternal bliss. Praise be to Allah the Most High forever and ever!