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_001.jpg) The Islamic view of Jesus lies between two extremes. The Jews, who
rejected Jesus as a prophet, called him an imposter, while the Christians, on
the other hand, considered him to be the son of God and worship him as such. Islam
considers Jesus to be one of the greatest and most forbearing of prophets, in
addition to Noah, Abraham, Moses and Muhammad, may God praise them. Jesus is
also considered to be the Messiah as well. This is in conformity with the
Islamic view of the Oneness of God, the Oneness of Divine guidance, and the
complementary role of the subsequent mission of God’s messengers.
The message of God to humanity, which is to worship God
and God alone and to live according to His instruction, was revealed to Adam
(peace be upon him), who passed it on to his children. All the subsequent
revelations to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and, finally, Muhammad are in
conformity with that message. Thus, Islam views any contradictions among
revealed religions as man-made elements introduced into these religions. The
position of Jesus in the three major creeds- Judaism, Christianity, and Islam-
is not an exception.
Although the Quran does not present a detailed
life-story of Jesus, it highlights the important aspects of his birth, his
mission, his ascension to heaven. It also passes judgment on the Christian and
Jewish beliefs concerning him. We will look at some of the truths which God
revealed about Jesus in the Quran.
Born of a Virgin Mother
Like Christians, Muslims believe that Mary, Maria in
Spanish, or Maryam as she is called in Arabic, was a chaste, virgin woman, who
miraculously gave birth to Jesus. Jesus’ birth in itself was a miracle in that
he had no father. God describes his birth in the Quran as follows:
“And mention in the Book (the Quran), Mary, when she withdrew
in seclusion from her family to a place facing east. She placed a screen (to
screen herself) from them; then We sent to her a spirit from Us, (the angel
Gabriel), and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects. She
said: ‘Verily, I seek refuge with the Most Gracious (God) from you, if you do
fear God.’ (The angel) said: ‘I am only a messenger from your Lord, (to
announce) to you the gift of a righteous son.’ She said: ‘How can I have a
son, when no man hath touched me, nor am I unchaste?’ He said: ‘So (it will
be), your Lord said That is easy for Me (God): And (We wish) to appoint him as
a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us (God), and it is a matter (already)
decreed (by God).’” (Quran 19:16-21)
This fact, however, does not necessitate that Jesus is divine
in essence or spirit, nor is he worthy of worship, for Adam’s existence was
more miraculous than that of Jesus. If his miraculous birth were a proof that
Jesus was God incarnate or His son, then Adam would have more right over this
divinity than him. Rather, both are prophets who were inspired with revelation
from God Almighty, and both were servants to Him living according to His
commandments.
“Indeed, the likeness of Jesus with God is as the likeness of
Adam. He created him of dust, then He said to him: ‘Be!’ and he was.’” (Quran
3:59)
Miracles
Muslims, like Christians believe that Jesus performed
miracles. These miracles were performed by the will and permission of God, Who
has power and control over all things.
“Then will God say: ‘O Jesus the son of Mary! Recount My
favor to you and to your mother. Behold! I strengthened you with the Holy
Spirit (the angel Gabriel) so that you did speak to the people in childhood and
in maturity. Behold! I taught you the Book and Wisdom, the Torah and the
Gospel. And behold: you make out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, by
My leave, and you breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by My leave, and you
heal those born blind, and the lepers by My leave. And behold! You bring
forth the dead by My leave. And behold! I did restrain the Children of Israel from (violence to you) when you did show them the Clear Signs, and the unbelievers
among them said: ‘This is nothing but evident magic.’” (Quran 5:110)
God sent all prophets with miracles specific to the
nation to whom they were sent to prove the veracity of their message. These
miracles were not performed of their own accord; rather, they were only
manifest in their hands by God's will. The miracles performed by Jesus were no
different. The Jews were well advanced in the field of medicine, and the
miracles which Jesus brought were of this nature, proving the truth of His
message and in order to convince the Jews.
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