The name of Jesus (may God’s peace be upon him) occurs in the sacred texts of both Islam and Christianity. But the significance attached to it is radically different in the two religions. Muslims consider Jesus as one of the Prophets of Almighty God and revere him as much as other Prophets of God like Abraham, Moses, or Muhammad (God’s peace be on them). The Christian Churches, on the other hand, regard Jesus as the ‘Son of God ' and worship him as such. This was not the practice of the earliest Christians. They believe that God is One and that Jesus was but a servant and apostle of God.

Islam respects all religions. Nevertheless, Muslims consider the view of Christendom to be a misguided one. The Qur’anic account of Jesus and his teachings differs considerably from that of the New Testament. Some of the important points of difference are that according to the Qur’an Jesus never claimed to be God; He was not put to death on the cross, and he prophesied the coming of Muhammad, the last Prophet.

The Birth of Jesus

Jesus was the blessed Prophet of God who was sent to the people of Israel to call them to the true worship of God. He was an apostle of God. He was miraculously born of the Virgin Mary (peace be upon her).

The Qur’an states that God chose Mary, purified her, and raised her above all other women of the world (Chapter 3:42-43). The angels brought her the glad tidings of the birth of Jesus. This is best described by the beautiful verses of the Holy Qur’an: “Behold! The angels said, O Mary! God giveth thee glad tidings of a word from Him, whose name is the Messiah. Jesus son of Mary, illustrious in this world and the hereafter, and one of the company of those nearest to God. He will speak unto mankind in his cradle and his manhood, and he is among the righteous ones. She said: My Lord! How can I have a child when no mortal hath touched me? He said: So (it will be). God creates what He will. If He decrees a thing, He has only to say ‘Be!’ and it is.”

Concerning the birth itself the Qur’an says (19:16-34) that Mary withdrew from her family and went into a state of privacy (for prayer and devotion). The Holy Spirit (Gabriel) appeared to her as a man bringing news of a son. She conceived the child miraculously and retired to a distant place. After the child was born she brought him to her people. They accused her of being unchaste. In reply, she made a sign to the infant, whereupon they said that they could not converse with an infant in the cradle! But the infant answered them as follows: “He spoke, behold! I am the servant of God. He has given me the Scripture and has appointed me a Prophet. He hath made me blessed wherever I may be, and hath enjoined upon me prayer and alms-giving so long as I remain alive…”

The Mission of Jesus

The Qur’an says that God sent Muhammad with evident signs and miracles to set mankind on the right path. Jesus was similarly one of the messengers or Prophets of God. The New Testament confirms that Jesus was a messenger of God. This is written in Hebrews 3:1: “Consider Jesus, the apostle.”

The Qur’an says: “And We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow in their footsteps, confirming that which was (revealed) before him, and we bestowed on him the Gospel wherein is guidance and light, confirming that which was (revealed) before it in the Torah-a guidance and an admonition unto those who ward off (evil).” (Qur’an 5: 46)

Another of Jesus’s missions was to tell people about the coming of a final Prophet after him. This is mentioned clearly in the Qur’an: “And when Jesus son of Mary said: O children of Israel! Behold! I am the Messenger of God unto you, confirming that which was (revealed) before me in the Torah and bringing good tidings of a messenger who cometh after me, whose name is the Praise One (Ahmad). But when he hath come unto them with clear proof, they say: This is mere magic.” (61:6)

The New Testament also speaks of the coming of a ‘Comforter’ after the ministry of Jesus. The Church interprets the promised ‘Comforter’ as the Holy Spirit, but this view cannot be successfully maintained when the word is considered in its original context along with the meaning given by the different sects of Christendom. The Muslims, therefore, believe that the term ‘Comforter’ of necessity refers to Muhammad. (Qur’an 21:107).

Miracles of Jesus

Jesus performed miracles by God’s will. He could heal the blind, cure the leper, and bring back the dead to life. He performed miracles, even with simple things like food, causing provision for his disciples to come miraculously from heaven (Qur’an 5: 112-115). Miraculous also was his virgin birth and his speech while an infant was in the cradle.

Jesus was not put to death on the Cross

Muslims believe that Jesus was not crucified. His enemies intended to put him to death on the cross but God saved him from their plot. The Qur’an said: “And because of their saying: We slew the Messiah Jesus, son of Mary, Allah’s Messenger. They slew him not, nor crucified him, but it appeared so unto them, and behold! Those who disagree concerning it are in doubt thereof; they do not know thereof save pursuit of a conjecture; they slew him not for certain. But God took him up unto himself. God is ever Mighty, wise.” (Qur’an 4:157-158).

Jesus was not the Son of God

Muslims maintain that the virgin birth of Jesus without a father was not any more supernatural than the creation of Adam without a father or mother. The Qur’an said: “Behold! The likeness of Jesus before God is the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust, and then He said unto him, ‘Be!’ and he was.” (3:59).

Refuting the idea that Jesus was the Son of God, the Qur’an declares: “And the Jews say: Ezra is the son of God, and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of God. That is their saying with their mouths. They imitate the saying of those who disbelieved of old. God (Himself) opposes them. How perverse are they.” (9:30) 

The Qur’an repeatedly emphasizes the fact that Jesus was a human being. The Qur’an said: “The Messiah, son of Mary, was no other than a messenger, messengers (the like of whom) had passed away before him. And his mother was a saintly woman. And they both used to eat food. See how God doth make His signs clear to them; yet see in what ways they are turned away!” (5:78)

(Prepared by Abdul Muhaemin Karim)