Introduction

The name of Jesus (May God's peace be upon him) occurs in the sacred texts of both Islam and Chritianity. But the significance attached to it is radically different in the two religions. Muslims consider Jesus as one of the Prophets of the Almighty God, and revere him as much as other Prophets of God like Abrahm, 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.

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 chief 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 return the people of Israel to the true worship of God. He was an apostle (messenger) of God, His servant and Prophet, to be held in honor in this world and in the Hereafter. He was miraculously born of the virgin Mary (peace be upon her).

This was not the practice of the earliest Christians. They believed that God is one and that Jesus was but a servant and apostle of God. See "The Sonship of Jesus," Impact, no.9,p.4. (See Appendix-Ed.)

However, the accounts of the "Four Gospels" differ among themselves even in the New Testament.

The Qur'an states that God chose Mary, purified her and raised her above all other women of the world. (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 Qur'an (translated as follows):

"Behold! The angels: 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, 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 createth what He will. If He decreeth a thing, he hath only to say 'Be' and it is. And He will teach him the Scripture and Wisdom, the Torah and the Gospel, and will make him a messenger unto the children of Israel, (saying): Behold! I come unto you with a sign from your Lord, i fashion for you from clay the likeness of a bird, and I breathe into it and it is a bird, by God's leave. I heal him who was born blind, and the leper, and I raise the dead, by God's leave. And I announce unto you what ye eat and what ye store up in your houses. Behold! Herein verily is a portent for you, if ye would believe. And (I come) confirming that which was forbidden unto you. I come unto you with a sign from your Lord, so keep your duty to God and obey me, God is my Lord, so worship Him. That is a straight path." (3:45-51).

Concerning the birth itself the Qur'an says (19:16-34) that Mary wthdrew from her family and went into a state of privacy (for prayer and devotion). The Holy Spirit (i.e. 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 hath given me the Scripture and hath appointed me a Prophet. He hath made me blessed wheresoever I may be, and hath enjoined upon me prayer and alms-giving so long as I remain alive. And (hath made me) dutiful toward my mother, and hath not made me arrogant, unblest. Peace be on me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the Day I shall be raised alive!"

"Such was Jesus, son of Mary; (this is) a statement of the truth concerning which they doubt." (19:30-34