An Assessment of Divinity of Mary in Christian Tradition and Muslim Exegetic Works

There is a challenging Quranic verse that speaks of the belief among Christians in the divinity of Mary - something Christianity refuses. In this context, the following questions arise: Which Christians does this verse address? Is there any piece of evidence in Christian history that proves this belief? Which commentaries are presented by exegetes on this verse and which opinions are more realistic? The New Testament introduces Mary (a) as an ordinary person not having anything to do with divinity. In church tradition, however, she is sanctified as the Mother of God and respected as an infallible character, though a controversial subject-matter in the Christian communities. Regarding the commentaries of the Quranic exegetes on this verse, it could be said that the Christians believe in the divinity of Mary via the doctrine „Divinity of Jesus‟ or their some traditions (such as humility viz. humbleness, regarding her independence position, though they deny it in appearance. One cannot, however, easily attribute such a belief to all Christians. Considering the (albeit poor) historical Christian documents, it seems that the verse points to a deviance among some Christians at the time of the revelation of the Holy Quran, particularly among the Maccan Christians whose religious knowledge was inadequate. The verse is also related to the deviation rooted in the exaggeration in the beliefs and in the main figures of the religion. This was certainly about the Christians who considered Mary as the character having an independent role in intercession and forgiving sins.