Out of curiosity, can you quote the other sura for us?
The Trinity was not defined until after Jesus had ascended into heaven, over a period of time. Technically, yes, it was after men started calling Jesus God. However, that is because the Bible was after men started calling Jesus God. JEsus was seen as God by the first century Christians. The Trinity was defined as a result of various heresies entering the church
Hmm… the word “surah” is equivalent to chapter. The word “ayah” is roughly equivalent to verse. The two verses I mentioned are as follows:
4:171 O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Do not exceed the limits in your religion, nor say of Allah aught but the truth. The Messiah 'Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), was (no more than) a Messenger of Allah and His Word, (“Be!” - and he was) which He bestowed on Maryam (Mary) and a spirit (Ruh) created by Him; so believe in Allah and His Messengers. Say not: “Three (trinity)!” Cease! (it is) better for you. For Allah is (the only) One Ilah (God), Glory be to Him (Far Exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is All*Sufficient as a Disposer of affairs.
Note that about the Trinity it just says “Don’t say three” implying that such a statement is beyond the bounds of the religion–i.e., an innovation after the time of Jesus. It confirms that Jesus is Christ, son of Mary, that He was a Messenger of God, and the word God bestowed on Mary and a spirit created by God–so Jesus was created. And then it refutes the idea that God would have a son by declaring His glory, His ownership of everything, His Complete Sufficience, which explains why there is no need to believe that Jesus is the Son of God in the first place, and shows how such a statement detracts from His Glory.
The other verse is much harsher, and I think it should be read in context, if you don’t mind…
Surely, they have disbelieved who say: “Allah is the Messiah 'Iesa (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary).” But the Messiah 'Iesa (Jesus)] said: “O Children of Israel! Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.” Verily, whosoever sets up partners in worship with Allah, then Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong*doers) there are no helpers.
Surely, disbelievers are those who said: “Allah is the third of the three (in a Trinity).” But there is no ilah (god) (none who has the right to be worshipped) but One Ilah (God -Allah). And if they cease not from what they say, verily, a painful torment will befall the disbelievers among them.
Will they not repent to Allah and ask His Forgiveness? For Allah is Oft*Forgiving, Most Merciful.
The Messiah 'Iesa (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary), was no more than a Messenger; many were the Messengers that passed away before him. His mother [Maryam (Mary)] was a Siddiqah *. They both used to eat food (as any other human being, while Allah does not eat). Look how We make the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) clear to them, yet look how they are deluded away (from the truth). (5:72-75)
So first, Allah calls it disbelief to declare that Jesus is divine… but in fact, what’s so beautiful about the Qur’an is that it doesn’t even put it in that order. The order is reversed, which always strikes me as extremely powerful. And the next ayah refutes the trinity proper, using the Arabic “wahidun” to describe Allah–the word means “one,” as does another word, “ahad,” but since Allah is using specifically “wahid” in refutation of the Trinity, a friend of mine once made a really powerful point about how it means the Trinity idea of 3-in-1 actually does violate the monotheism. I wish I could remember the details for you. It’s actually very intricate and deep. Then I love the next verse, especially, the one about asking for forgiveness. This is its own verse–isn’t it interesting then that Christians will say Christ died in order for the forgiveness of their sins? It’s like Allah is saying here no, you are sinning, and Allah is the One Who Forgives–Oft-Forgiving! And the Most Merciful. Ar-Raheem, actually, Especially Merciful, which some scholars believe is referring to Mercy on the Day of Judgment.
And then the last point is about Jesus and actually Mary again, reiterating the fact that neither was divine, they both ate food, and how can a God need food? Just only to underscore the point, there.*