Jesus Christ & Islam – Salaam One سلام

In Islam, Jesus (Arabic: عيسى; ʿĪsá) is considered to be a Messenger of God and the Messiah who was sent to guide the Children of Israel (banī isrā’īl) with a new scripture, the Injīl or Gospel. The Qur’an (Koran), considered by Muslims to be God’s final and authoritative revelation to mankind, mentions Jesus twenty-five times. It states that Jesus was born to Mary (Arabic:Maryam) as the result of virginal conception, a miraculous event which occurred by the decree of God (Arabic: Allah). To aid in his ministry to the Jewish people, Jesus was given the ability to perform miracles, all by the permission of God rather than of his own power. According to the popular opinion and Muslim traditions, Jesus was not crucified but instead, he was raised up by God unto the heavens. This “raising” is understood to mean through bodily ascension. Muslims believe that Jesus will return to earth near the day of judgment to restore justice and to defeat Masih ad-Dajjal (“the false messiah”, also known as the Antichrist).

Like all prophets in Islam, Jesus is considered to have been a Muslim (i.e., one who submits to the will of God), as he preached that his followers should adopt the “straight path” as commanded by God. Islam rejects the Christian view that Jesus was God incarnate or the son of God, that he was ever crucified [though it appeared to be such] or resurrected, or that he ever atoned for the sins of mankind. The Qur’an says that Jesus himself never claimed any of these things, and it furthermore indicates that Jesus will deny having ever claimed divinity at the Last Judgment, and God will vindicate him. The Qur’an emphasizes that Jesus was a mortal human being who, like all other prophets, had been divinely chosen to spread God’s message. Islamic texts forbid the association of partners with God (shirk), emphasizing a strict notion of monotheism (tawhīd).

Numerous titles are given to Jesus in the Qur’an and in Islamic literature, the most common being al-Masīḥ (“the messiah), although this particular term does not correspond with the meaning given to it by Christians. Jesus is also, at times, called “Seal of the Israelite Prophets”, because, in general Muslim belief, Jesus was the last prophet sent by God to guide the Children of Israel. Jesus is seen in Islam as a precursor to Prophet Muhammad [pbuh], and is believed by Muslims to have foretold the latter’s coming. [More at … http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_in_Islam]

Jesus was the servant of God, who had submitted his will to God. By definition; Muslim is a person who submits his will to God. Jesus (peace be upon him) said; “I can of myself do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is righteous; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me.”(John;5:30), “Thy will be done”.(Mathew;6:10,26:42). Hence Jesus is a Muslim as per this definition. Muslims worship the same one God, worshiped by Jesus, they are required to offer obligatory prayers (salah), keep fast (saum) and spend on charity (zakah) practice humility which was also practiced and preached by Jesus(Mathew;17:21, 23:23-24, 26:36, 1Peter;4:8).

Jesus Christ in Islam, Video talk by Ahmed Deedat 1 :56

Jesus Christ in Islam and Christianity-a Public Debate: 02:31

Circumcised:

Muslims are circumcised as was the Jesus (Luke;2:21-24).

Greetings:

Muslims greet in the same manner as Jesus (peace be upon him) greeted in Hebrew ‘Sholam alay kum’(Luke;24:36), the Islamic greeting in Arabic: “Assalaamu alai kum” both meaning ‘Peace be on you’.

Food, Attire and Appearance like Muslims:

Muslims also do not eat pork nor indulge in intoxicants. Attire and appearance of Jesus with a beard is same as of a faithful Muslim.

Exalted Status of Marry in Qur’an:

Mary, the mother of Jesus is highly respected by Muslims. Qur’an accords her a high status: “We made her and her son a sign for the universe.”(Qura’n;21:91). While she is cursorily mention in Bible, Qur’an names Chapter Number 19 after her and mentions her by name at least thirty three times. She is seen modestly dressed with her head covered; the Muslim women are also dressed modestly like Mary.

Glorified Status of Jesus Christ in Islam:

Jesus was the last Hebrew prophet, who was sent by God to preach the implantation of the Law of Moses to the Jews (Mathew;5:17-20) and make lawful some of that which was forbidden to them(Qur’an;3:49,50). Muslims believe in Jesus as messenger of God(Bible;Acts;2:22), his miraculous birth without father(Qur’an;19:16-40, Matthew;1:18-25 & Luke;1:28-35), the miracles performed by the will of God(Qur’an;3:49, Mathew;4:23,9:35, Luke; 4:22, 9:11, 3:8 and Acts:4:16). They further believe in the revelations (scripture) he received form God, who saved him and raised him up to Himself, to be sent back to this world before end of time.

The Qur’an has clearly emphasized the importance to the Muslims of Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him). Jesus was no doubt was sent with a direct mission to the Israelites; he was also a universal sign. In Qur’an (21:107) the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has been termed as a Mercy unto Humanity (Rahmatun lil Alamin), in the same Chapter (21:91) Mary and Jesus have been termed as a “Sign to Humanity” (Ayatun lil Alamin) due to miraculous birth of Jesus to virgin Mary. It is important that though many prophets are mentioned in the Qur’an the word Alamin (universe or humanity) has been used “only for Prophet Jesus and Mohammed (peace be upon them). In addition to his mission to the Israelites Jesus was commissioned with the task of heralding to the world the advent of the Last and the greatest. (John;14:16,15:26,16:7,12-14, Qur’an;6:20) [detailed description follows].

Summary:

Jesus was sent to Israelites to guide them and ease some of the commandments. But the Jews did not believe in him and tried to kill him, God raised him to Himself alive. The followers of Jesus subsequently changed the teachings of Jesus, by evolving new concepts like Trinity, and raising Jesus to the level of divinity and son of God. These wrong concepts have been clarified by God through His last scripture, Qur’an and last Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) but they deny as the Jews denied Jesus. If Christian is the one who follows the teachings of Jesus, then Muslims are more Christians than those who call themselves as Christians but follow the teachings of Paul. This forms sufficient basis to bring Muslims and Christians closer.

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