JESUS IN ISLAM

JESUS IN ISLAM

In our quest for truth, we have seen that our intellects demand a more consistent and
unified approach to the ‘word of God’. If the sources that we have cannot be relied upon
then we must search out different sources of information that we can rely upon because of
its consistency. Any source claiming to be the ‘word of God’ by definition must be the most
consistent and reliable source known to man. Let us now examine the Messenger and
Prophet known in Islam as al-Maseeh ‘Isa ibn Maryam. We have already included the verse
from the Qur’an which described the meeting between Mary and the Angel. Before we
continue, let us briefly establish the Qur’an as an authority for us to refer to. The Qur’an is
without question the most unique and authentic book known to man. It is still in existence
in written and recited form the same way it was during the time of the Prophet. It was
memorized by the companions and the Prophet himself (Peace be upon him). Do we have
any reports of the disciples of Jesus in the Bible memorizing and cross-checking Matthew,
Mark, Luke, and John? Of course not. These books were written well after the events
depicted in them. None of these gospels or Paul’s writings ever got Jesus’ seal of approval.
What about the Qur’an. It is recorded in history that the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) and his
companions meticulously preserved the Qur’an. It was recited in its entirety every
Ramadhan. Today, there are millions of Muslims who have memorized the Qur’an and over
a billion Muslims recite great portions of it everyday. There are no ‘revised versions’ or
‘American Versions’. It is preserved in the language of its revelation, Arabic. Today, Muslims
can recite from the Qur’an and be confident that they are reciting the very words that the
Prophet (p.b.u.h.) recited in his Quraishi Arabic dialect. How many Christians have even
seen Aramaic (the language of Jesus) not to mention repeated his very words as he said
them? None. Christians can’t even decide which English bibles are correct so how can they
even fathom reading the very Aramaic that Jesus spoke. Needless to say this aspiration is
mute because we know that even the gospels were first written in Greek, a language far from
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Jesus’ tongue. It is a language that was born from a culture of paganism and multiple deities.
The language of the Hebrews of Jesus’ time was rooted in their faith in monotheism. Just as
the Arabic language today, because of the total comprehensiveness of Islam, is rooted in
Tawheed (Oneness of God). Time and space do not permit us to delve into the incredible
nature of the Qur’an and how it confidently explains historical events, scientific facts
unknown during the time of its revelation, and its unique eloquence so my suggestion is for
the reader to investigate the Qur’an further.
Jesus was simply sent to confirm the message of those Prophets who came before him.
He called the people to the pure worship of God, alone, without any associates or rivals.
And He (Allah) will teach him ['Isa (Jesus)] the Book and Al-Hikmah (i.e. the
Sunnah, the faultless speech of the Prophets, wisdom, etc.), (and) the Tauraat
(Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel). (Noble Qur’an 3:48)
Jesus proclaims the worship of the One God…
Truly! Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him (Alone). This is the
Straight Path. (Noble Qur’an 3:51)
Allah describes the likeness of Jesus…
Verily, the likeness of 'Isa (Jesus) before Allah is the likeness of Adam. He created
him from dust, then (He) said to him: "Be!" - and he was. (Noble Qur’an 3:59)
Allah establishes the authority of the Qur’an concerning Jesus…
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Verily! This is the true narrative [about the story of 'Isa (Jesus)], and, Laa ilaaha ill-
Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, the One and the Only True
God, Who has neither a wife nor a son). And indeed, Allah is the All-Mighty, the
All-Wise. (3:62)
The Qur’an in regards to the concept of Trinity…
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 'Isa (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 (Rooh) 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 Ilaah (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 (4:171)
Allah’s statement concerning the crucifixion…
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And because of their saying (in boast), "We killed Messiah 'Isa (Jesus), son of
Maryam (Mary), the Messenger of Allah," - but they killed him not, nor crucified
him, but the resemblance of 'Isa (Jesus) was put over another man (and they killed
that man), and those who differ therein are full of doubts. They have no (certain)
knowledge, they follow nothing but conjecture. For surely; they killed him not
[i.e. 'Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary) (4:157)
This is the Jesus of Islam. This is the attribute of Prophethood that goes back through all
of the prophets in that they were strengthened by God and were sent to the people to warn
and to give glad tidings. They were all given the message of monotheism (worshipping
God alone) from the beginning and never did any of the Prophets encourage the people to
set them (the Prophets) up as rivals or equals with their Creator. All of the basic beliefs of
Christianity as formulated in the 4th and 5th century after Jesus are absolutely
incompatible with Islam because as we have shown, the Qur’an debunks the notion of the
divinity of Jesus, the trinity, even the crucifixion. Without these core beliefs, Christianity
as we know it is empty. So we must ask ourselves, which presentation of Jesus’ message
is more consistent with what we know of all of the other Prophets’ and the words
attributed to Jesus in the gospels themselves? Is it the one presented by Paul or the one
presented in the Qur’an?