Jesus in Islam

Demystifying Islam

 by Dr. Ali Shehata

 

Jesus in Islam

 

Another unfortunate misconception prevalent especially among Christians is the idea that Islam is in some way equivalent to "turning your back on Jesus," or "denying him," causing them ultimately to turn away from learning more about Islam. Such people have regrettably not realized that only in Islam, Jesus pbuh has been given his due respect, honor and praise, without exaggeration or falsehood. 

 

In Islam, Muslims know Jesus pbuh as the Word of God, which means that he was created by the Word of God, “be”. Whenever God wishes to create something, He simply says, “Be,” and it then comes into existence by His will.  This can be seen in the beginning of the Biblical chapter Genesis where God says, “Let there be light”. Thus, when He created Jesus pbuh, He commanded him to "Be" in the womb of Mary and he was then willed into existence. Muslims also believe in an immaculate conception and they honor the Virgin Mary for her piety, righteousness and purity. Indeed, great words of praise and honor are found in the Quran and Hadith for both the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ pbuh.

 

Among these verses, the Quran clearly states that the first miracle of Jesus pbuh was his speech as an infant. The first time he spoke was to calm his mother during her birth pangs, and the second time was when he spoke in her defense, when her people questioned how she could have a son without marriage (inferring evil about her).

 

Muslims also believe that Jesus pbuh was the Messiah or Christ. Many Christians falsely think that the word Christ or Messiah somehow indicates that Jesus pbuh was God or His son, but the word Messiah is simply the Hebrew form of the Greek word Christ – both meaning, “anointed or chosen one”. In fact, there are many things in the Bible that are called Christ (in Greek), indicating again that this word means that something is chosen for a specific purpose or anointed, but in no way does it refer to divinity.

 

Furthermore, Muslims believe that Jesus pbuh lived a noble and pious life, preaching to people and performing miracles through the permission of God alone. He had many righteous followers from among the Jewish people of his time. Among these followers were the Disciples, whom Muslims consider to be very virtuous and loyal to both God and His Messenger Jesus pbuh. Furthermore, Jesus' pure message caused a great deal of grief and annoyance to a corrupted group of scholars among the Jews of that time to the point that they conspired to kill him.

* Not all Jews, since as mentioned elsewhere, there were many Jews who believed in Jesus and accepted him as a Messenger and Prophet of God. They followed his teachings and repented to God for the distortions in religious practice and scripture that they had falsely introduced.

 

In both the Quran and the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad pbuh, it states clearly that although the corrupted Jews sought to kill Jesus, they did not succeed in their evil plan and that God rescued him and took him up to Heaven without him having to die. The corrupt group of Jews then crucified someone who willingly took the physical image of Jesus pbuh before his ascension to Heaven, leaving the aforementioned Jewish group thinking that they had actually killed the Messiah.

 

Muslims further believe that Jesus pbuh will return near the end of time to kill the Anti-Christ. He will then remain on Earth as a righteous ruler, where he will marry and have children before his death, whereupon he shall be buried next to the Prophet Muhammad pbuh. In fact, there still exists, till this day, a reserved place for him beside the grave of the Prophet Muhammad pbuh in the city of Madinah.

 

In summary, a passage from chapter 19 of the Quran, a chapter entitled Mary, which discusses many of the points outlined above, will here be reproduced for the reader:

 

And mention to them the story of Mary in the Book, when she drew aside from her family to an eastern place [for solitary worship]. So she took a veil to screen herself from them, and at this time We sent to her Our spirit [the Angel Gabriel], and he appeared to her as a man in all respects. 

 

She said, “Surely I seek the protection of the Most Merciful from you, come not near if you are one who does fear God!” He said, “I am only a messenger of your Lord coming to you with the announcement that you shall be given a pure son.” 

 

She said, “How shall I have a boy when no man has ever touched me, nor have I been unchaste?” He said, “Even so. Your Lord says, ‘It is easy for Me, and that I may make him a sign to men and a mercy from Me,’ and it is a matter which has already been decreed.”

 

So then she conceived him, and withdrew herself to a remote place. And when the pangs of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She cried out in anguish, “Oh, would that I had died before this, and had been a thing quite forgotten!” But he called her from below her, "Do not grieve, your Lord has provided beneath you a stream. And shake towards you the trunk of the palm-tree, it will drop on you fresh, ripe dates. So eat and drink and rest. And if you see any man, then say to him, ‘Surely I have vowed a fast to the Most Merciful, and as such I shall not speak to any man today.’” 

 

Then she brought him to her people, carrying him. They said, “O Mary, you have certainly done a thing unprecedented. O sister of Aaron! Your father was not a man given to evil, nor was your mother an unchaste woman!” But she only pointed to the baby. They said, “How should we speak to one who is yet but a babe in the cradle?” 

 

[Upon this, Jesus] spoke to them saying, “Indeed, I am the servant of God. He has taught me the Book and made me a Prophet. And He has made me blessed wherever I may be, and He has commanded me with prayer and charity, so long as I shall live. And also to be dutiful and loving to my mother, and He has not made me arrogant or disobedient. And may peace be upon me on the day I was born, and on the day I die, and on the day I am raised to life [in the Hereafter].” 

 

That is Jesus, the son of Mary—the word of truth about which they are in dispute. It befits not the Majesty of God that He should take to Himself a son; exalted is He above all that they ascribe to Him. When He has decreed a matter, He only needs to say to it "Be," and it is! Indeed, Jesus did say, “Surely, God is my Lord and your Lord, therefore serve Him. This alone is the right path.” Then the factions differed [concerning Jesus] from among them, so woe to those who disbelieved - from the scene of a tremendous Day. How [clearly] they will hear and see the Day they come to Us, but the wrongdoers today are in clear error. {19:16-38} 

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How do Muslims view Salvation?

 

Demystifying Islam

 by Dr. Ali Shehata

 

How do Muslims view Salvation?

 

As has been mentioned throughout this book, Islam is the religion that all the Prophets preached since it is submission to the One God. It would make sense then that the matter of salvation should be consistent throughout all the scriptures that God has revealed. This system of salvation can be summarized throughout all scriptures in one word—repentance.  

 

This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says “In repentance and rest is your salvation…” [NIV, Isaiah 30:15]

 

I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. [NIV, Luke 5:32]

 

From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” [NIV, Matthew 4:17]

 

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out [NIV, Acts 3:19]

 

Salvation in the Quran and Hadith  

 And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed. {24:31}

 

Say: “O My Servants, those of you who have sinned against their souls. Despair not of the Mercy of God, for God forgives all sins! Indeed, He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.” {39:53} 

 

The Prophet Muhammad pbuh also advised the believers thus,      

 O people! Turn to God in repentance and seek His forgiveness, for surely I make repentance to Him a hundred times every day. [Muslim]

 

Due to this great emphasis on repentance and righteousness in Islam, some people have the false notion that in Islam salvation lies only in doing righteous deeds. While certainly, the performance of good deeds is a sign of someone's faith and brings one closer to God and His Mercy, but salvation itself lies in the Grace and Mercy of God as is clear from the following statement of the Prophet Muhammad pbuh:   

 

Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately; and rejoice, but know that no one's good deeds will alone earn him Paradise. The Companions asked, “Not even you O' Messenger of God?” He replied, “Not even me, unless and until God covers me in His Grace and Mercy.” [Bukhari]

 

Blind Faith?

 One of the most common obstacles to understanding the above mentioned principles is the concept of blind faith, wherein people say, “You just have to believe,” or, “It’s a mystery.” And with such statements, some people close their minds and throw away the key, having convinced themselves that religion doesn’t have to make sense in order to be true. Could this be the case then? Is there any possible evidence against such a notion? Yes, there are a number of both scriptural and logical evidences that people neglect when retreating to blind faith. For example, in the New Testament it states:  

 

For God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. [NIV, 1 Corinthians 14:33]

 

Everywhere around us we look and see order and organization. Everyday people study natural sciences like those of chemistry, physics and geology—sciences which are founded entirely upon order, and the constant laws that the Creator has built the Universe upon. Does it make sense then that we should find reason, logic and order in everything but religion? Absolutely not! And once again, this idea is not supported anywhere. Consider the following words also from the New Testament:   

 

Since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. 

 

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God, nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. 

 

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised.  [NIV, Romans 1:19-25]

 

So also in the Bible it states that the nature of God is clear and plain, yet people still seek to worship created beings and images as opposed to the Creator. Why? Because they have been misled by the very concept of blind faith.

 

The verses of the Quran reason with the reader to consider God's perfection, and direct the hearts to reflect upon the order and majestic clarity of His words when He asks mankind the simple question:  

 

Do they not consider the Quran with care? Had it been from other than God, they would surely have found in it much discrepancy and contradiction.  {4:82}

 

Yet, God does not author confusion and He has blessed humanity with minds by which to reason and to reflect. He has made His signs clear, plain and abundant for anyone who truly desires to understand. Consider also these clear and logical verses from the Quran:

 

Do they associate with God as partners those who created nothing and who are themselves created? {7:191} 

 

If there were in the heavens and the earth gods besides God, then there would be absolute chaos. {21:22}

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Why Don't Muslims believe that Jesus pbuh is the Son of God?

Demystifying Islam

 by Dr. Ali Shehata

 

Why Don't Muslims believe that Jesus is the Son of God?

 Similar to the reasoning presented above, Muslims adhere to the belief in God as One without partner, without associate. As above, I will try to make the bulk of this presentation a discussion of the logic presented in the Quran. Yet, as before, let me share a few Biblical verses that are often cited to show that Jesus pbuh is most certainly not the Son of God, in the sense that the Lord of the Universe actually sired him.

 

Some of the Sons of God found in the Bible  

 Israel is my son even my first born. [NIV, Exodus 4:22]

 

Adam, which was the son of God. [NIV, Luke 3:38]

 

Blessed are the peace-makers for they shall be called sons of God. [NIV, Matthew 5:9]

 

Seeing such verses often confuses a number of readers. How can so many people be called His “sons”? The answer comes in understanding what this term actually means. A “son of God,” in the Bible, is traditionally understood to mean someone close to God or one of his servants. 

 

Was Jesus pbuh different than these other “sons”? Some Christians state that he is different because he was begotten by God. The word “begotten” implies originating from or being produced by someone else; to procreate or sire.  We will discuss the implications of this statement momentarily, but first let us examine the validity of the idea that Jesus was begotten of God by taking a closer look at John 3:16:  

 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 

Reading this verse, it appears that this premise might have some validity since the verse does say, "only begotten son".  Yet it must be remembered that the English Bible that many people read today is actually the translation of various Greek and Hebrew Bible manuscripts. Thus, the central question must be— do these manuscripts also state that Jesus was begotten. The answer to that question is no, they do not.

 

The Reality behind the term “Begotten Son”

 Deacon Bob Williams and Professor Paul Duff, both prominent day Christian teachers and Bible scholars, have commented on this whole issue in a very lengthy and scholarly treatise that I recommend those who are interested in this matter to review. I will reproduce herein their conclusions so that the reader may understand from their research that the word “begotten” is a clear addition to the text of the Bible as it stands today. The following quote concerns the origin of the word “begotten” and why it is found in so many versions of the English Bible (many emphasis is mine).

 

First, the term came about because of translation errors. Most modern translators have correctly identified the original language and its intent, and thus have something similar to "one and only Son" (the NASB (New American Standard Bible) retains "only begotten" in the text, but some NASB publishers include a footnote which states the literal translation is "unique, only one of His kind"). But some ancient translators apparently erroneously thought that the root of the second part of monogenes was gennao, instead of genos. Remember genos means, "of the same kind," but gennao does indeed mean "to beget," from which comes "begotten." 

 

However, if gennao was indeed the true root, an additional  "n" would apparently have to be added to read monogenNes. Hugo McCord used to advocate the "only begotten" translation, but then he wrote, "I, too, was in the same error. I did not realize I had to add to the Greek to get 'only begotten' into the New Testament. One added letter in a word lowers Jesus from being the only Son of God to being only a son of God." (Gospel Advocate, 3/30/86). Instead of being begotten, being truly unique relegates Him to merely being a created being like everyone else! 

 

Second, it appears that the term came about because of doctrinal reasons. Somewhere in the 3rd century, Origen promoted the doctrine of eternal generation (that Christ eternally came from the Father; not sure what all was meant by such, but the phrase and doctrine evidently caught on). This idea was furthered in the 4th century by Jerome and others to battle against the growing Arian heresy. Arius taught that Jesus pbuh was indeed begotten ( Arius taught that there is an essential difference between God the Father and Christ the son, which makes the son secondary, or lesser, than the Father. Arius believed that since Christ was begotten, he must have had a beginning, and thus could not be co-eternal with the Father.)

 

Later in the same article they also state:  

 Notice that these translators were not consistent in the way they translated monogenes. Look at Luke 7:12, 8:42, and 9:38. In all these verses, the [King James Version] translators left out "begotten" and just put "only." In all these places, they were faithful to translating the original language as it really ought to be done. So why here and not the other passages? Because none of these are referring to Christ. It is obvious that the KJV translators inserted their theology into their work. Pagan beliefs or the Truth from the One God? (Williams, B. (1995) Jesus: Born, but Not Begotten. Retrieved from http://www.biblelessons.com/begotten.html)

 

Now we have to address the entire question of God begetting children in of itself. In Islamic thought, such a statement is deemed to be very insulting to God because it implies that he would take to himself a woman from Earth and have a child with her—outside of marriage moreover! Such an idea is reminiscent of the pagan stories of Greek mythology where Zeus becomes infatuated with an earthly woman and decides to have a child with her, as was the case with the Greek hero Hercules. So to ascribe to the Lord of the Universe such behavior is likened to the beliefs of the pagans, and thus, is a grave blasphemy in Islamic theology.

 

With this understanding, one can then see the meaning in the following hadith of the Prophet Muhammad pbuh wherein he reports the words of the All-Mighty in saying:

 The son of Adam has insulted Me, and he has no right to do so … As for his insulting Me, he says, “God has begotten a son,” while I Am the One and Only, the Sustainer of All. [Bukhari & Muslim]

 

Thus it is deemed a great insult to God in His Majesty to say that He would take for Himself a son, for this means He must also have taken a woman to have this son. Furthermore, there comes another pertinent question of why does God need a son?

 

Of course in Christian theology, God's taking of a son is for the purpose of saving humanity by sacrificing him. So, the answer from that perspective is that God needed to have a son to forgive mankind their sins and to admit them to Heaven; his blood washing away their sins. 

 

Yet, the Quran comes with a most beautiful reply to this critical question:  

 And they say, "The Most Gracious has begotten a son!"

Indeed you have put forth a terrible lie!

At it, the skies are ready to burst, the earth to split asunder,

And the mountains to crumble in utter ruin,

That they should claim a son for the Most Gracious.

For it is not consistent with the majesty of

The Most Gracious that He should beget a son.

Not one of the beings in the heavens and the earth,

Except that they must come to the Most Gracious as a servant.

He does take an account of them (all), and has numbered them (all) exactly.

And every one of them will come to Him singly on the Day of Judgment.

So as for those who believe and work deeds of righteousness,

Upon them will the Most Gracious bestow love. {19:88-96}

 

Now in this passage I have highlighted in bold one of the names of God, the Most Gracious, because there is a reason why God continues to call Himself by this title throughout this section of the Quran. Why? Through this attribute, He responds to the above statements by saying that He does not need a son in order to forgive His creation. Why? Simply, because He is already the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, the Most Forgiving! He is capable, and ready, to forgive His servants simply when they ask Him for forgiveness!

 

Christian readers should ask themselves if they would presume to be able to do something that God is incapable of doing. Of course no Christian, or Muslim for that matter, would dare say that they could do something that God could not do – yet we forgive people everyday with no strings attached. Sometimes our spouses say things that they don't mean, or our kids misbehave, or our friends forget to keep their promises—but in all these cases, and many more, we forgive them. We don't require a blood sacrifice in order to forgive others. We just want people to sincerely say they are sorry for their actions, and for them to regret any harm that was done—the very essence of repentance. Consider that and remember then how God is more perfect than all of us combined. How perfect and all-encompassing then is His Forgiveness and Mercy?

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