Category: Americas, Faith & Spirituality, Featured, Highlights Topics: Islam, Mary (Mother Of Jesus), Prophet Jesus (Isa) Views: 59255
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Jesus in Islam
"Behold! the angels said: "O Mary! Allah gives you 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, he is of those nearest to Allah"; [Qur'an 3:45]
Belief in Prophets (May Allah's Peace be upon all of them)
Islam emphasizes the universality of the institution of prophethood. According to the Qur'an, there is not a single nation in the world to which a prophet has not appeared sometime in history: "There is not a people but a warner has gone among them" [Qur'an 35:24]. And again: "For every nation there is a messenger" [Qur'an 10:47]
The Qur'an mentions about 25 of the Biblical Prophets by name [Qur'an 4:163] and we are further told that there have been prophets besides those mentioned in the Qur'an: "And We sent messengers We have mentioned to thee before, and messengers We have not mentioned to thee" [Qur'an 4:164] .
It is an Islamic article of Faith to believe in all Prophets; from Adam through Abraham, Moses, Jesus to Muhammad (peace be upon them) [Qur'an 2:184] all Prophets were models of excellence who were commissioned to guide humankind [Qur'an 2:213] the mission of Prophets was to establish justice for all [Qur'an 57:25] that Prophets were the embodiments of Righteousness;
"And Zachariah, John, Jesus and Elijah; all of these were of the most Righteous." [Qur'an 6:85]
It is an accepted fact in Islam that the struggle and legacy of the prophets (peace be upon them) serve as universal guides, excellent examples and as sources of hope and inspiration.
Status of Maryam/Mary
Mary, the mother of Jesus, is a prominent figure in Islam and the only woman mentioned by name in the Qur'an. The Qur'an upholds Mary as one of the four perfect examples of womanhood [Qur'an 66:12] . Mary is mentioned more times and more biographical information about her is contained in the Qur'an than in the entire New Testament.
The birth of Jesus Christ is described in twice in the Qur'an - chapter 3 and chapter 19. Reading from the beginning of his birth, we come across the story of Mary, and the esteemed position which she occupies in the House of Islam, before the actual annunciation of the birth of Jesus is made.
The Qur'anic account of Mary includes the pregnancy of her mother, Mary's birth and the annunciations of the coming birth of Jesus: "Remember how she preserved her chastity, into whom We breathed a life from Us, and made her and her son a token for humankind" [Qur'an 21:91]. The Qur'an teaches that Mary is to be revered because she completely submitted herself to God's will, even though it meant that her own family would accuse her of unchastity when it was discovered that she was pregnant [Qur'an 19:16-21] .
The mother of Jesus (peace be upon them) is accorded highest respect and considered as among the most noble in the estimation of Allah. [Qur'an 3:33] "Behold! the angels said: O Mary! Allah has chosen you and purified you, chosen you above the women of all nations." [Qur'an 3:42]
The entire chapter 19 titled Maryam/Mary in the Qur'an and another (chapter 3) is titled Al-'Imran after the family of Mary.
Jesus /'Isa referred to 9 times in the Qur'an as 'Isa and 16 times as 'Isa ibn Maryam (Jesus son of Mary)
Mary is considered chaste, virtuous, receiver of God's spirit, a testimony to the veracity of God's message and piously obedient [Qur'an 66:11]
Jesus (pbuh) himself is recorded as saying about his respected mother,
Uniqueness of Jesus (pbuh)
Virgin birth -The Qur'an gives an account of the birth of Jesus in chapter 3. Mary is described as being a virgin, chosen by God, and considered with great honor. "Behold! the angels said: O Mary! Allah gives you glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary." [Qur'an 3:45] . Verse 47 relates the response of and to Mary, "She said: O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me? He said: 'Even so: Allah creates what He wills: When He has decreed a plan, He merely says to it, 'Be,' and it is!" The Qur'an thus affirms and Muslims believe that Jesus was born of the virgin Mary. The birth is seen as a sign (ayah) of Allah's power and as a miraculous event. And Muslims have a high regard also for Mary. However, the Qur'an presents Jesus as the son of Mary and not as the Son of God, a significant point particularly emphasized.
Like Adam (pbuh) -Though the unique birth of Jesus with one parent is no indication of divinity just as Adam's creation was without any parentage [Qur'an 3:59] .
Messiah -It is obvious that Jesus holds an exalted place within Islam. Some of the honorable epithets of Jesus (pbuh) mentioned in the Qur'an are ... prophet / nabi, messenger of God / rasul, of the Righteous / min-as-salihin, word of Allah / kalimatu-Llah), spirit from God / ruhun mina' Llah, positive sign/symbol for humanity / aayatun lin- naas, mercy from God / rahmatan minna, the son of Mary / ibne Maryam, eminent in this world and the next / wajihan fid-dunya wal-aakhirah, and most unique of all... the Messiah / masih.
Miracles -The Qur'an speaks of Jesus possessing intellect and eloquence in childhood [Qur'an 19:30] and documents some of Jesus' miracles, including curing the sick, restoring the sight of the blind and reviving the dead, with God's permission [Qur'an 5:110] .
The Qur'an specifically mentions two miracles which the Bible does not contain;
1. The Qur'an records Jesus as an infant verbally defending Mary's innocence [Qur'an 19:27-35]. In Surah 19:27-34, Jesus speaks from the cradle to state his mission. Jesus said, "I am indeed a servant of Allah Who has given me revelation and made me a prophet."
2. The Qur'an [5:110] also reports that Jesus formed a bird out of clay, and blew into it, and it came to life and flew away.
This last miracle is not recorded in the canonical New Testament but does appear in the non-canonical Gospel of Thomas.
It must be remembered that all miracles / mu'jizah performed by prophets (pbuh) are done through the agency of the prophets but by the power and authority of God. Jesus' miracles too are considered basically in the line of his being a prophet and in God's enabling and permitting him to do so. The Qur'an thus stresses the fact that the miracles of Jesus were performed by the permission and power of God [Qur'an 5:110] .
No Easter Commemoration
Millions of Christians commemorate the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus (pbuh), and this begs the question that if Jesus is important to Muslims, why do Muslims then not commemorate Easter. Though Muslims accept Jesus (pbuh) as a great prophet, revere his exemplary mother Mary, and believe that Jesus is the Messiah; Muslims do not accept the major concepts that are central to the commemoration of the Easter weekend. Among these concepts are...
-> Divine Incarnation and Trinity [Qur'an 4:171] [Qur'an 112:1-4]
Allah is ONE in an absolute sense, no one shares in His Lordship nor in His divinity; nothing is equal or comparable to God. This is in keeping with the command, "and Jesus answered him, the first of all the commandment is, Hear, O Israel; The LORD our God is One LORD." [Mark 12:29]. In promoting a great human such as Jesus (pbuh) to divinity, does not elevate Jesus as much as it minimizes the concept of the divine; is not making the finite infinite as much as making the perfect imperfect; not an elevation of Jesus, but rather a devaluation of the Divine.
-> Crucifixion
Christ, according to Muslim belief, did NOT die on a cross [Qur'an 4:157] but was rather elevated by Allah and saved from being killed [Qur'an 4:158].
-> Resurrection
Not having died, Jesus could NOT have been resurrected [Qur'an 4:156].
-> Inherited Sinfulness [Qur'an 2:285]
Babies are born pure and no one is born bearing the sin of any one and no one bears the burden of another [Qur'an 17:15] .
-> Redemption / Atonement
Muslims do not believe in the doctrine of Original Sin, so there is no theological need for the all-atoning sacrifice of Jesus through his crucifixion and resurrection. Muslims further believe that each person will be held accountable before God for his/her own actions and thus responsible for their own salvation. Therefore, we will not be able to rely upon anyone else, not even Jesus or Muhammad, to save us from our sins. Sins are those acts we deliberately incur by our choice of actions, we are responsible and hence personally accountable. In Islam there is no notion of redemption for one's sin by another. Each one is accountable for himself/herself [Qur'an 99:7-8] and for each person according to his/her personal striving [Qur'an 2:286] .
Jesus is ...
Jesus denied by some as a fictional character, accused of being an illegitimate child by some, misconceived as divine by many; considered as a Prophet and Messiah in Islam. People do have differing perspectives on Jesus' life and teachings, but his spiritual legacy, as a righteous and principled guide, his mission as a Prince of Peace offers an alternative opportunity for people of faith to recognize their shared religious heritage.
Allah bears testimony to the truthfulness of Jesus; his mission, character, status and his very being. "Such (was) Jesus the son of Mary: a statement of truth, about which people dispute." [Qur'an 19:34].
All sincere ones would do well to reflect on the verse in the Quran reaffirming Islam's eternal message of spiritual unity: "Say: 'We believe in God and the revelation given to us and to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and message given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to all Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and it is unto Him that we surrender ourselves." [Qur'an 2:136]
Category: Americas, Faith & Spirituality, Featured, Highlights
Topics: Islam, Mary (Mother Of Jesus), Prophet Jesus (Isa)
Views: 59255
Topics: Islam, Mary (Mother Of Jesus), Prophet Jesus (Isa)
Views: 59255
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Older Comments:
MOHJ said:
Great article brother. Very informative and well written.
These good content are very good for others to inform them about Islam.
2020-01-14
HEARKENHERE said:
Jesus is the communicable Eternal Word that entered a human vessel, and so effected/imparted saving grace unto humanity in this lifetime - a scandal, that believers can actually be saved in this life, instead of only a hopeful redemption in the next.
The Word is akin to Knowledge, or a living Message, that bears & contains divine merits, i.e. the activity of God. God does not depart Eternity, however, His self-knowledge can; hence Revelation. In Christ, a human body was preserved for the agency of Grace, and God’s knowledge (Word) was imparted upon (adjoined to) that body. In other words, thru Jesus (incarnate), God directly reveals Himself and acts among creation.
In God’s conception of mankind, God (from an eternal standpoint) knew that redemption was intimately part of creation; only His substance (Grace) can effect salvation, or actually remove sin, instead of earthly ordinances and practices (i.e. the law). Church Fathers rightly discerned two natures co-existing side by side, having divinity & humanity un-meshed; humanity did not detract from divinity, and vice-versa.
In Jesus’ divinity, He served as the agent of the Father’s will to impart grace in this lifetime. Jesus’ divinity preceded the Incarnation. God’s self-knowledge (and plan of redemption) contains God & His merits. In other words, God’s knowledge of Himself (and actions) reflect God, i.e. God's knowledge is as real & living as He is. Nevertheless, God’s conception of self is “generated” or “produced” and therefore serves Him; hence Jesus serving the Father throughout earthly ministry.
In Jesus’ humanity, the Holy Spirit was present without stain (Jesus never committed sin); hence the Virgin Birth (preservation), which extends the eternal effect of the Immaculate Conception, and bodily victories against temptation to sin, or denial of the Holy Spirit (perseverance). Jesus’ body was therefore unobstructed (unblemished) for expiation of sin. God does not depart Eternity, however, He wills to directly commune with the hearts & minds (spirits) of believers, who dwell outside Eternity.
God, acting in this way, frees from the law those who testify to the Holy Spirit, for the Holy Spirit testifies to the Passion (death & resurrection) of Jesus Christ. In Jesus' bodily sacrifice, humanity's shedding of human blood is expiated for, eternally. In other words, Christ (more than) fulfilled the law, and was Lord of the Sabbath (where Revelation informed, and gave purpose to, the Sabbath), so Christ gifts followers with the Holy Spirit. In the Holy Spirit, believers have full (unobstructed) communion with God via Trinitarian faith. This is humanity's return to Paradise, a state of grace that preceded the puncture of sin.
2018-02-05
DR. H. KOYA FROM UNITED STATES said:
Because elsewhere in the Holy Quran Allah says: Ya Isa Inni Mutawawika
W Rafiuqa" ( I shall cause you to die then raise you to myself.)
W Rafiuqa" ( I shall cause you to die then raise you to myself.)
2014-04-26
MUHAMMAD FROM USA said:
What is the contribution of Mary to God's religion. Is God/Allah
saying the best deed that a women can do is give birth to a righteous
Son. What about her own deeds. How is it different from a Man?
saying the best deed that a women can do is give birth to a righteous
Son. What about her own deeds. How is it different from a Man?
2014-04-23
MTH FROM MALAYSIA said:
Salam,
To whom it may concern,
"Allah swt knows that which we do not know."
Al-Baqarah:
2:30 AND LO! [21] Thy Sustainer said unto the angels: "Behold, I am about to establish upon earth one who shall inherit it." [22] They said: "Wilt Thou place on it such as will spread corruption thereon and shed blood -whereas it is we who extol Thy limitless glory, and praise Thee, and hallow Thy name?" [God] answered: "Verily, I know that which you do not know."
Allah swt is the master of all planners, the knower, He tells the angels that we, humankind shall inherit the earth (written in Luh Mahfuz) before Adam & Eve were evicted from paradise. The eviction is just "Asbab" or cause that follows what Allah swt has planned and destined for us, the earth, the heavens and everything in between. And it is not a question of "original sin" committed that lands us here. There are other reasons that Allah swt Himself knows best.
Of cause, everybody dreams to stay in paradise, but it does not come cheap. Allah swt exchanges the soul and wealth of the believers with Jannah/paradise. And He creates humankind only to worship Him and to test/evaluate among us who have good deeds / less sins in this world for rewards and punishments in the hereafter as Allah swt has written in Luh Mahfuz.
Wu'allahu aklam ( Allah swt knows best)
Humbly.
Mohamad Taib Husaini
To whom it may concern,
"Allah swt knows that which we do not know."
Al-Baqarah:
2:30 AND LO! [21] Thy Sustainer said unto the angels: "Behold, I am about to establish upon earth one who shall inherit it." [22] They said: "Wilt Thou place on it such as will spread corruption thereon and shed blood -whereas it is we who extol Thy limitless glory, and praise Thee, and hallow Thy name?" [God] answered: "Verily, I know that which you do not know."
Allah swt is the master of all planners, the knower, He tells the angels that we, humankind shall inherit the earth (written in Luh Mahfuz) before Adam & Eve were evicted from paradise. The eviction is just "Asbab" or cause that follows what Allah swt has planned and destined for us, the earth, the heavens and everything in between. And it is not a question of "original sin" committed that lands us here. There are other reasons that Allah swt Himself knows best.
Of cause, everybody dreams to stay in paradise, but it does not come cheap. Allah swt exchanges the soul and wealth of the believers with Jannah/paradise. And He creates humankind only to worship Him and to test/evaluate among us who have good deeds / less sins in this world for rewards and punishments in the hereafter as Allah swt has written in Luh Mahfuz.
Wu'allahu aklam ( Allah swt knows best)
Humbly.
Mohamad Taib Husaini
2007-12-25
CHRISTA FROM USA said:
Salaam, Adel - to my knowledge Adam and Eve were driven out of Paradise before they had children. If I'm wrong, please correct me.
2007-12-25
FAHAD FAHEEM ANSARI FROM PAKISTAN said:
This Christmas time, I hope we Muslims resolve our differences with our Christian brothers, and unite with them in respect of our common God. This article is very positive in this regard. Merry Christmas dear Christians!!!
2007-12-24
MNASRI ADEL FROM TUNISIA said:
I just wanted to say: "God bless you" because you did well to support his cause.
*I also want to suggest adding the value of "Tolerance" to the list of topics because the enemies of ISLAM ACCUSE iSLAM OF intolerance...Though we find in quoan many verses that imlicitely or explicitly call to treat well even those who are not muslims..
*I also want to suggest adding the value of "Tolerance" to the list of topics because the enemies of ISLAM ACCUSE iSLAM OF intolerance...Though we find in quoan many verses that imlicitely or explicitly call to treat well even those who are not muslims..
2007-12-24
BABANDI A. GUMEL FROM U.K said:
In Hadith quoted by Shaikhain (Bukhari & Muslim)
He who bears witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, He is One and there is no associate with Him, that Muhammad is His Slave and HIs Messenger and Jesus is His Word which He communicated to Mary and His Spirit, that Paradise is true and Hell is a fact Allah would make him enter Paradise whatever his deeds may be. This is an invitation to the whole humanity and the article has explained almost all the honourable epithets of Jesus Alaihis Salam for the needs of all those who want true guidance.He is described as the the Messenger of Allah Rasulullah His Nabiy the Prophet like other Nabis such as Ibrahim Ruhun Minhu Spirit from Him Kalimatihi His Words and his famous title which the Christian also know Masih the Messiah Rahamatan Minna Mercy from Us Wajihan Fid Duniya Wal Akhira Eminent in this World and the LIfe Hereafter Wa minal Muqarrabun Among the Nearest to Allah Minas Saliheen He is Among the Righteous Ayatun Lin Naas Symbol to the whole Humanity above all always Allah describes him as Isa Bn Maryam Jesus Son of Mary never said Jesus Son of Allah. That is the teachings of Islam the example of Jesus is like that of Adam who had got no father no mother yet we never called him Son of God so also Eve wife of Adam we never called her daughter of God so then what is so special about Jesus.Everything Allah has described in His Holy Book the Final Testment AlQuran which the humanity are desperately in need for true sincere guidance.Jesus is never proud to be Servant of Allah so also all the Angels and any other Righteous Servant of Allah. Therefore we are all Ibadullah ( singular is Abdullah Servant of Allah).So that is the real Jesus as taught by the Quran and we learnt from the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W)the final Prophet
He who bears witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, He is One and there is no associate with Him, that Muhammad is His Slave and HIs Messenger and Jesus is His Word which He communicated to Mary and His Spirit, that Paradise is true and Hell is a fact Allah would make him enter Paradise whatever his deeds may be. This is an invitation to the whole humanity and the article has explained almost all the honourable epithets of Jesus Alaihis Salam for the needs of all those who want true guidance.He is described as the the Messenger of Allah Rasulullah His Nabiy the Prophet like other Nabis such as Ibrahim Ruhun Minhu Spirit from Him Kalimatihi His Words and his famous title which the Christian also know Masih the Messiah Rahamatan Minna Mercy from Us Wajihan Fid Duniya Wal Akhira Eminent in this World and the LIfe Hereafter Wa minal Muqarrabun Among the Nearest to Allah Minas Saliheen He is Among the Righteous Ayatun Lin Naas Symbol to the whole Humanity above all always Allah describes him as Isa Bn Maryam Jesus Son of Mary never said Jesus Son of Allah. That is the teachings of Islam the example of Jesus is like that of Adam who had got no father no mother yet we never called him Son of God so also Eve wife of Adam we never called her daughter of God so then what is so special about Jesus.Everything Allah has described in His Holy Book the Final Testment AlQuran which the humanity are desperately in need for true sincere guidance.Jesus is never proud to be Servant of Allah so also all the Angels and any other Righteous Servant of Allah. Therefore we are all Ibadullah ( singular is Abdullah Servant of Allah).So that is the real Jesus as taught by the Quran and we learnt from the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W)the final Prophet
2007-12-24
ADEL HASAN FROM USA said:
Masha'Allah, this article is uplifting. I felt a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes as i read it. The first reaction of a Muslim is to think of all of his/her Christian friends who could benefit from reading such an article. However, as someone who attended Catholic schools throughout his childhood, I would like to play, 'devil's advocate' as it were. Regarding the concept of original sin (and I can see many of my Christian friends asking this); If no one soul bears the burden of another then why were the children of Adam evicted from Paradise for a sin he and our mother, Eve, committed? Why weren't they evicted and only those souls who subsequently committ since evicted while the rest remain in Paradise? Jazakum Allah khair for your educated responses.
2007-12-07
