What does Islam say about the Trinity?

Why This Question Matters

The Trinity is a central belief for many Christians, so this disagreement should be explained accurately and respectfully. Islam’s objection is not based on disrespect for Jesus. It comes from Tawhid: Allah alone is God and no created being shares in His divinity or right to worship.

Islamic Perspective

The Qur’an explicitly tells the People of the Scripture not to say 'Three' and immediately declares that Allah is One God. In that same passage, Jesus is identified as the Messiah and a Messenger of Allah rather than as Allah Himself. Elsewhere, the Qur’an rejects describing Allah as the Messiah or as one of three and records Jesus calling people to worship Allah, his Lord and their Lord. The Qur’an also presents Jesus on the Day of Judgment denying that he ever instructed people to worship him alongside Allah. Islam therefore believes in Jesus exactly as an honored Messenger of the One God, but rejects assigning him any share of Allah’s divinity or worship.

Key Points

• Allah is One.
• The Qur’an explicitly commands people not to say 'Three.'
• Jesus is a Messenger of Allah.
• Jesus called people to worship Allah.
• Jesus did not call people to worship him.
• No prophet or created being shares Allah’s divinity.
• Rejecting the Trinity does not mean rejecting or dishonoring Jesus.

Supporting Evidence

• Qur’an 4:171 commands the People of the Scripture not to say 'Three,' identifies Jesus as a Messenger of Allah, and declares that Allah is One.
• Qur’an 5:72 states that those who identify Allah with the Messiah contradict Jesus’s own call to worship Allah, his Lord and their Lord.
• Qur’an 5:73 rejects saying that Allah is one of three and affirms that there is only One God.
• Qur’an 5:116–117 presents Jesus denying that he instructed people to worship him and affirming that he told them to worship Allah, his Lord and their Lord.

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