JESUS CHRIST IN MUSLIM BELIEF
JESUS CHRIST IN MUSLIM BELIEF
The Muslims’ belief in Jesus (PBUH), in summary, is that he is the son of the truthful and honored Mary; he was born miraculously without any male intervention or contact. Allah (S.W) sent him as a prophet and messenger to the Children of Israel, to declare monotheism and to prophesize the coming of the final prophet. Allah (S.W) also supported him with great miracles. Challenging the Jews, who wanted to kill him as was their habit of killing prophets, he continued his mission, and Allah (S.W) saved him from their wicked conspiracy and lifted him to the heavens.
Muslims also believe that Jesus (PBUH) will come back again before the Day of Judgment, calling all to worship Allah (S.W), the One and only, following His statute and Law, breaking the cross and raising the flag of monotheism.
To clarify this belief and for more illustration, we will review the verses of the Holy Quran, that Allah (S.W) has revealed regarding Jesus (PBUH).
The Holy Quran mentions that Allah (S.W) has honored Jesus (PBUH) by making him the son of the pure Virgin Mary, whom Allah (S.W) had chosen above the women of all nations.“Behold! The angels said, "O Mary! Allah hath chosen thee and purified thee- chosen thee above the women of all nations.” (Holy Quran, 3: 42)
It also mentions that, Allah (S.W) honored her with many graces, “Right graciously did her Lord accept her: He made her grow in purity and beauty: To the care of Zakariya was she assigned. Every time that he entered (her) chamber to see her, he found her supplied with sustenance. He said: "O Mary! Whence (comes) this to you?" She said: "From Allah. for Allah Provides sustenance to whom He pleases without measure.” (Holy Quran, 3: 37), that Zachariah adopted her after her mother took a covenant on herself to give her child to Allah (S.W), and that He ordered her to worship Him."O Mary! Worship Thy Lord devoutly: Prostrate thyself, and bow down (in prayer) with those who bow down." (Holy Quran, 3: 43)
Mary (PBUH) became pregnant with her child after Allah (S.W) had given her a glad tiding by the angel, and He gave him a name.“Behold! the angels said: "O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to Allah. (Holy Quran, 3: 45)
The verses declare that Allah (S.W) created this coming child, Jesus (PBUH), by a word from Him, without any human intervention. He created him with no father, and that would not make him divine, as Allah (S.W) also created Adam in an unusual way. “The similitude of Jesus before Allah is as that of Adam; He created him from dust, and then said to him: "Be". And he was.(Holy Quran, 3: 59) Allah (S.W) created Both, Jesus and Adam (PBUT) by the word “Be”.
The Holy Quran also mentions the birth of this holy child and it was without a father, being his first miracle (PBUH).“And We made the son of Mary and his mother as a Sign” (Holy Quran, 23: 50) then Allah (S.W)Made him speak while he was still in his cradle, to refute the Jews’ wicked accusation to his mother, the pure virgin. “They said: "How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?" He said, I am indeed a servant of Allah. He hath given me revelation and made me a prophet, and He hath made me blessed wherever I be, and hath enjoined on me prayer and charity as long as I live. (He) hath made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable, so peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life (again)"
(Holy Quran, 19: 28 -33)
"He shall speak to the people in childhood and in maturity. And he shall be (of the company) of the righteous." (Holy Quran, 3: 46)
When he (PBUH) grew up as a man, Allah (S.W) sent him as he sent many prophets before him.“And in their footsteps we sent Jesus the son of Mary”.(Holy Quran, 5: 46)
His message was to complete the message of Moses (PBUH).“'(I have come to you), to attest the Law which was before me. And to make lawful to you part of what was (before) forbidden to you” (Holy Quran, 3: 50), therefore, Allah (S.W) had given him the knowledge of the Torah, “Behold! I taught thee the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel”(Holy Quran, 5: 110) and He revealed the Gospel to him (PBUH).“We sent him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light”(Holy Quran, 5: 46)
Allah (S.W) had supported Jesus (PBUH) with miracles, and had given him many signs, that were enough to convince his people to believe in him.“Behold! thou makes out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, by My leave, and thou breathes into it and it becomes a bird by My leave, and thou heals those born blind, and the lepers, by My leave. And behold! thou brings forth the dead by My leave.”(Holy Quran, 5: 110)
Moreover, as a support, Allah (S.W) gave him the knowledge of the unseen, “I declare to you what ye eat, and what ye store in your houses. Surely therein is a Sign for you if ye did believe”(Holy Quran, 3: 49) and supported him with the Holy Spirit, Gabriel (PBUH).“We gave Jesus the son of Mary Clear (Signs) and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit.”(Holy Quran, 2: 87)
The Holy Quran illustrates that Jesus’ (PBUH) message was for the Children of Israel only, "And (appoint him) an apostle to the Children of Israel, (with this message): "(Holy Quran, 3: 49) and he delivered that message to them. “And remember, Jesus, the son of Mary, said: "O Children of Israel! I am the apostle of Allah (sent) to you, confirming the Law (which came) before me, and giving Glad Tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad.” (Holy Quran, 61: 6)
The Holy Quran declares Allah’s (S.W) warning of committing excessesorexaggerating Jesus (PBUH). “O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: Nor say of Allah aught but the truth. Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) an apostle of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him”(Holy Quran, 4: 171) and this is his true nature and identity “Such (was) Jesus the son of Mary: (it is) a statement of truth, about which they (vainly) dispute. It is not befitting to (the majesty of) Allah that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! when He determines a matter, He only says to it, "Be", and it is.” (Holy Quran, 19: 34-35), for Allah (S.W) Created him by His word (Be), God does not need to have a son, Jesus or any other.
Furthermore, the Holy Quran declares that Jesus (PBUH) did not claim divinity. On the contrary, he will reject and deny everyone who claims his divinity, and that will be when Allah (S.W) asks him: “And behold! Allah will say: "O Jesus the son of Mary! Didst thou say unto men, worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of Allah.?" He will say: "Glory to Thee! never could I say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, thou wouldst indeed have known it. Thou knowest what is in my heart, though I know not what is in Thine. For Thou knowest in full all that is hidden. Never said I to them aught except what Thou didst command me to say, 'worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord'; and I was a witness over them whilst I dwelt amongst them; when Thou didst take me up Thou wast the Watcher over them, and Thou art a witness to all things”.(Holy Quran, 5: 116-117)He (PBUH) would say that, for he is just a man.
Therefore, Christian belief in him as divine, and as a son of God is false.“Such (was) Jesus the son of Mary: (it is) a statement of truth, about which they (vainly) dispute.” (Holy Quran, 19: 34), “and the Christians call Christ the son of Allah. That is a saying from their mouth”(Holy Quran, 9: 30), the verses also condemn those who say that Jesus (PBUH) is Allah (S.W) himself. “In blasphemy indeed are those that say that Allah is Christ the son of Mary. Say: "Who then hath the least power against Allah, if His will were to destroy Christ the son of Mary, his mother, and all, everyone that is on the earth”?(Holy Quran, 5:17)
Thus, the belief in this great prophet is one of the pillars of the Muslim faith, and Allah (S.W) will not accept one without this belief.“The Messenger believeth in what hath been revealed to him from his Lord, as do the men of faith. Each one (of them) believeth in Allah, His angels, His books, and His apostles. "We make no distinction (they say) between one and another of His apostles”(Holy Quran, 2: 285). May Allah’s (S.W) mercy and peace be upon them all!
