Jesus is a Christian though isn’t he?
Jesus (peace be upon him) isn’t just exclusive to Christianity. Muslims believe Jesus (called ‘Isa in Arabic) is a prophet - a messenger of Allah (swt) who was sent to mankind with a revelation from Allah (swt). In the Quran, stories about the life and teachings of Jesus (pbuh) are abundant. In fact, Jesus (pbuh) is mentioned more times in the Quran than Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
Moses (Musa), Noah (Nuh), Adam, John (Yahya), David (Da’ud), and many other key figures in the Bible, (peace be upon them all) are also prophets in Islam.
So do Muslims believe Jesus is the Son of God?
No, absolutely not. In the Quran, Jesus is often referred to as ‘Isa ibn Maryam, which translates as Jesus, son of Mary, and the Quran repeatedly asserts that Jesus, like all the other prophets, was only a human, who worshipped Allah (swt) and taught his followers to do the same. Allah (swt) tells us Himself:
“It is not for God to take a son unto Him” (Chapter 19, Verse 34)
Muslims also reject the concept of the Trinity, the belief that God exists eternally and simultaneously as God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit, as a blasphemous denial of Tawhid (monotheism). This is because GOD IS ONE. Three cannot be one. Believing otherwise in Islam is known as Shirk - the unforgivable act of worshipping something or someone other than Allah (swt) or associating something or someone as a partner with Him.
What else does the Quran say about Mary, the mother of Jesus?
Mary (called Maryam in Arabic) (may Allah (swt) be pleased with her) is the only female mentioned by name in the Quran. In fact, she has a whole chapter named after her - chapter 19 - one of only eight people to have this honour in the Quran. As a matter of fact, there is more information in the Quran about Mary’s life than in the Bible.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) described Mary as one of the most perfect women to have ever lived. Not only is she a perfect role model for women, but because of her sincerity, piety, purity and pure devotion to Allah (swt) she is an outstanding example to all who believe.
Do Muslims also believe Mary was a virgin?
Yes, Muslims too believe in the miraculous conception of Jesus (pbuh). Mary’s elderly father Imran and barren mother Hannah (may Allah (swt) be pleased with them both) desperately longed for a child, so much so that Hannah in her prayers vowed to dedicate the child to Allah (swt) if she ever became pregnant. When she gave birth to Mary, Hannah stuck to her promise and left Mary in the care of the priest Prophet Zakariyya (pbuh).
It was here that the Angel Gabriel came to Mary with the news that she would give birth to Jesus (pbuh).
“The Angels said to Mary, ‘O Maryam! Verily, Allah (swt) has chosen you, purified you, and chosen you above the women of the worlds’” (Chapter 3, Verse 42)
She replied
“‘How can I have a son when no man has touched me, and when I have never been immoral?’ He said, ‘Just like that - Allah creates whatever He wants. When He decrees something, then all He says to it is “Be!” and it is’” (Chapter 3, Verse 47)
Muslims though reject the Christian view that the virgin birth of Jesus (pbuh) implies he is divine, as Prophet Adam (pbuh) was born without both a mother and a father, yet no such assertion is directed at him.
Is the Quranic version of Jesus’ birth similar to the Biblical version?
The two versions couldn’t be more different. In the Quran, Mary retreats to a secluded place, and gives birth all alone. Jesus (pbuh) isn’t born in a stable and Joseph doesn’t feature in the story at all. While in the throes of labour, the Quran tells us,
“And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm-tree. She
cried [in her pain]: ‘Ah! Would that I had died before this! Would that I had been
forgotten!’” (Chapter 19, Verse 23)
As a Prophet, what was the message Jesus was sent to mankind with?
Muslims believe that Allah (swt) gave a Direct Revelation to Jesus (pbuh) - the Gospel (called the Injil in Arabic).
His purpose was also to re-establish the original teachings of Prophet Moses (pbuh) in the revelation he had been given - the Torah (called Taurah in Arabic), which had been significantly changed and corrupted by the time of Jesus’ (pbuh) miraculous birth. So much so that Jesus (pbuh) was rejected by the very people who claimed to be following the Torah!
Muslims believe that the Gospel or New Testament has also been misinterpreted, misrepresented, mistranslated and textually distorted over time, so therefore no longer represents the original revelation, which the Quran calls a “Light”, guidance, and a divine scripture (Chapter 5, Verse 45).
In the Bible, Jesus performed loads of miracles, is that true in Islam too?
Yes, the Quran also details miracles performed by Jesus (pbuh), on the leave of Allah, to confirm his prophetic mission. In comparison to the Bible which reports Jesus (pbuh) performed his first miracle when he was 30 years old, the first miracle in the Quran was when Jesus (pbuh) spoke to defend his mother when she returned after giving birth.
When accused of being deceitful, immoral and unchaste, such was Mary’s faith and trust in Allah (swt) that she simply pointed to her baby, who by the permission of Allah (swt), spoke in her defence! Other miracles performed by Jesus (pbuh) included healing those born blind, reviving the dead, walking on water and breathing life into a bird made of clay. However, all these too only occurred on the leave of Allah (swt).
What else do we know about Jesus?
We know that Jesus (pbuh) lived a life free from sin, but that is not to say he wasn’t ever tempted. He also lived a very humble life and didn’t own very much at all.
It is said he only carried with him a comb and a jug, but after seeing a man combing his beard with his fingers, he gave it away and after seeing another man drinking water from a river with the palms of his hands he gave away the jug too. He warned his followers to beware of greed:
“He who seeks after the world is like one who drinks sea water; the more he drinks, the more his thirst increases, until it kills him”.
Do Muslims believe Jesus was crucified?
No. It was certainly the plan of his enemies the Jewish priesthood and the Romans who opposed his teachings, to put him to death on the cross, but the Quran is clear on this:
“They did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but they thought they did” (Quran 4:156)
And also:
“God lifted him up to His presence. God is Almighty, All-Wise” (Quran 4:157)
As these verses indicate, Jesus (pbuh) was taken and raised to heaven. He was not crucified, but Allah (swt) saved him and someone else was crucified in his place.
So Jesus didn’t actually die?
No. Muslims believe Jesus (pbuh) is still alive. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) on his miraculous night journey through the seven heavens (Mi’raj) saw Jesus (pbuh), so we know Jesus (pbuh) is in one of the seven heavens. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) also confirmed that Jesus (pbuh) will return to Earth.
It has been related by Abu Hurayra (may Allah (swt) be pleased with him) that the Prophet (pbuh) said:
“He will come again, and when you see him, you will recognize him. He is of medium height and his colouring his reddish-white. He will be wearing two garments, and his hair will look wet.”(Ahmad ibn Hanbal: Musnad, 2.406)
Do we know anything else about Jesus’ return?
He will return to destroy the Antichrist (called Dajjal in Arabic), a false messiah whose appearance will mark the imminent end of the world. Abu Hurayra (may Allah (swt) be pleased with him) relates that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
“By the One in Whose hand my soul is, the son of Maryam will soon descend among you as a just judge, and he will break the crosses, and kill pigs, and abolish the Jizya (a protection tax payable on non-Muslims to a Muslim ruler), and wealth will pour forth to such an extent that no-one will accept it, and one Sajda (prostration) will be better than the world and what it contains” (Al-Bukhari).
We also know that Jesus (pbuh) will marry, have children and live for forty-five years, after which he will die and be buried next to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in Madinah.
If Muslims believe in Jesus then why don’t they celebrate Christmas?
Even among Christians, there is no agreement on the exact date of the birth of Jesus (pbuh).
The Catholic Church's observance was originally timed to replace the pagan winter solstice festival and appease converts. Most Christians in the Middle East and North Africa observed Christmas according to other calendars.
Among Muslims, the anniversary of Jesus’ (pbuh) birth falls on Ashura Night, the 10th night of the 1st month of the Muslim lunar calendar. This auspicious night is the anniversary of many other events that happened in the lives of many Prophets (peace be upon them all) and this holy-night is observed worldwide.
Comments
Thank you very much 4this v.beneficial article. crammed wiv the basics about Isa as
Very useful especially for muslims living with chritians. And even christians living with muslims.
I think it can unite us.
inshAllah.
JZK
Can the title of this be changed to 'Jesus the Muslim (as)' ?
It makes more sense. It's not a 'Muslim version of Jesus (as)'
It's what we believe about him (as) to be True (i.e. we don't 'accept' other 'versions' of him).
Ed didn't understand what I meant so dismissed my suggestion before this was published in the mag.
But it's never too late to change!!!
Don't just do something! Stand there.
i agree with Ya'qub.
Muslim jesus sounds odd
it should be muslim isa as?
or christian jesus as
if that makes sense
its as though theres to titles 'the muslim jesus' and then 'but jesus is a christian isnt he'. i think the title should be is jesus a christian? or is jesus a muslim if you know what i mean.
I KNOW ITS HARD TO GET THE BALANCE RIGHT. BUT INSHALLAH U WILL COME UP WITH SOMTING APPROPRIATE.
ALSO I WANA SUBSCRIBE TO REVIVAL MAG SO I GET IT THRU THE DOOR---HOW DO I GET IT?????
Isa is arabic. Since the article is not in arabic...
(then again, it is not in latin either...)
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
Assalamu Alaikum
Are you asserting Isa (AS) is the mahdi? If you are i really don't think you should be doing that as your not a scholar. Some hadiths, while agreeing Isa (AS) will return, assert he will join the Mahdi and pray in congregation behind him. http://islam-qa.com/en/ref/34890
Also, the particular hadith you cite about his appearance is one of the most contentious around, as are all hadith describing the appearance of prophets, a supposedly haram act.
A question about this - if what is halaal and haraam is got from the qur'an and sunnah, how can something gotten from those very sources be considered haraam?
I would hazard to say that if the sources are correct, then the person calling the act haraam has been mistaken or erred.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
Look Jimmy Bell, Jesus was Jewish sorry to bore you with the facts
the Quran was written down over 600 years later, it is illogical to assume it to be more accurate than many earlier accounts
so you are a jew then?
No, he dislikes them too. I think the closest I have got to as a descriotion of him is "militant athiest".
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
You seem to have lost thr plot?
did you really not understand that Jesus was Jewish? astonishing?
its none of your business butif you insist on labels the correct term is Agnostic but with Pantheist tendencies Tom
wouldn't be the first time.
so you are not christian?
my mistake.
We understand that. But he was far more than that - he was on the right path and was preaching the truth.
The term for such people in arabic used interchangebly for people before Islam is "muslim" or "hanif" (you will find the latter one more acceptable, but even the former one has a different meaning than "the follower of islam", but is used in "the person submitted to God and was on the right path").
There were also mongers of hate at that time and they decided they did not want to accept the truth or see it adopted by others and decided to throw up obstacles in the path of Prophet Isa (ra). As it has happened before and will keep happening.
Later, his teachings also got twisted to something else.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
Probably. what did Mohammed do to his message of peace and love? Jesus was not a warlord so he probably did not understand Jesus
Actually, no. Before Islam, all messengers were sent to a community from within. (what became) Christianity was for the jews and other nations and tribes were sent their own messengers..
which shows your hatred more than anything. The prophet Muhammad
was not a warlord, and his message was a follow up of the previous messages (rather, they were a precursor to his as the previous messages were telling people to worship one lord and also prophesising a final messenger.), one that united them all into one and was universal (for everyone) instead of one single community.
You call people warlords and then support the mass murder of people in the world now on a scale far greater than anything at that time - in all the battles of the Prophet (saw), the total bodycount of all the dead was about 4000, which when compared to other wars, even single wars, is a relatively tiny number.
Islam is not a pacifist religion and that is nothing to apologise for - pacifism can be naive and wrong.
When the europeans went on crusades against muslims, even they could not help but accept the chivalry of the Muslims and notice how the muslim armies were not massacring the non muslim civilians after victory. Saladin has had an enlightened place in european historians mind for centuries.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
true but 800 years ago - so what? it didn't last did it? saladin was a kurd