Who is Jesus Christ in Islam?

February 19, 2018

Islam often refers to Jesus as “the son of Mary”.  This phrase displays that he is merely human not Divine.  Jesus is a messenger of Allah, along with Abraham, Moses and Noah.

And remember We took from the prophets their covenant: As (We did) from thee: from Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus the son of Mary: We took from them a solemn covenant: (Q 33:7)

Note:

The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah – the which We have sent by inspiration to thee – and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: Namely, that ye should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein: to those who worship other things than Allah, hard is the (way) to which thou callest them. Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him). (Q 42:13)

Instead of Jesus interceding with the Father on behalf of Christians, Muslims believe that Muhammad intercedes for them to Allah.  Muhammad will plead with Allah, after His permission and on behalf of humanity, to judge among His servants when they suffer from worries and troubles that they cannot bear. They will go to Adam, then to Noah, then to Abraham, then to Moses, then to Jesus, and finally to Muhammad.  Muslims believe in the intercession that concerns some believers who were to be taken out from the fire. This mediation is granted to Muhammad and to others among the prophets, the believers, and the angels.  Allah will save from hell some of the believers without the intercession of any one, but by His grace and mercy.

Born of a Virgin

Islam believes that Jesus was born of a virgin named Mary.  Islam accepts a supernatural conception of Jesus but a normal conception and birth for Muhammad, the greatest and final prophet.

Behold! the angels said: “O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honour in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to Allah.  “He shall speak to the people in childhood and in maturity. And he shall be (of the company) of the righteous.”  She said: “O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man hath touched me?” He said: “Even so: Allah createth what He willeth: When He hath decreed a plan, He but saith to it, ‘Be,’ and it is! (Q 3:45-47)

Note:

Relate in the Book (the story of) Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place in the East.  She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent her our angel, and he appeared before her as a man in all respects.  She said: “I seek refuge from thee to ((Allah)) Most Gracious: (come not near) if thou dost fear Allah.”  He said: “Nay, I am only a messenger from thy Lord, (to announce) to thee the gift of a holy son.  She said: “How shall I have a son, seeing that no man has touched me, and I am not unchaste?”  He said: “So (it will be): Thy Lord saith, ‘that is easy for Me: and (We wish) to appoint him as a Sign unto men and a Mercy from Us’:It is a matter (so) decreed.”  So she conceived him, and she retired with him to a remote place. (Q 19:16-22)And Mary the daughter of ‘Imran, who guarded her chastity; and We breathed into (her body) of Our spirit; and she testified to the truth of the words of her Lord and of His Revelations, and was one of the devout (servants).  (Q 66:12)

Deity of Christ

Islam clearly denies the Deity of Christ.

[Jesus] was no more than a servant: We granted Our favour to him, and We made him an example to the Children of Israel.  (Q 43:59)

They do blaspheme who say: “(Allah) is Christ the son of Mary.” But said Christ: “O Children of Israel! worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.” Whoever joins other gods with Allah,- Allah will forbid him the garden, and the Fire will be his abode. There will for the wrong-doers be no one to help. (Q 5:72)

Note:

Say: He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him.  (Q 112)

The similitude of Jesus before Allah is as that of Adam; He created him from dust, then said to him: “Be”. And he was. (Q 3:59)

Such (was) Jesus the son of Mary: (it is) a statement of truth, about which they (vainly) dispute.  It is not befitting to (the majesty of) Allah that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! when He determines a matter, He only says to it, “Be”, and it is. (Q 19:34-35)

O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: Nor say of Allah anything but the truth. Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) an apostle of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him: so believe in Allah and His apostles. Say not “Trinity” : desist: it will be better for you: for Allah is one Allah. Glory be to Him: (far exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belong all things in the heavens and on earth. And enough is Allah as a Disposer of affairs. (Q 4:171)

And behold! Allah will say: “O Jesus the son of Mary! Didst thou say unto men, worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of Allah.?” He will say: “Glory to Thee! never could I say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, thou wouldst indeed have known it. Thou knowest what is in my heart, though I know not what is in Thine. For Thou knowest in full all that is hidden. (Q 5:116)

To Him is due the primal origin of the heavens and the earth: How can He have a son when He hath no consort? He created all things, and He hath full knowledge of all things.  That is Allah, your Lord! there is no god but He, the Creator of all things: then worship ye Him: and He hath power to dispose of all affairs.  No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision: He is above all comprehension, yet is acquainted with all things.  “Now have come to you, from your Lord, proofs (to open your eyes): if any will see, it will be for (the good of) his own soul; if any will be blind, it will be to his own (harm): I am not (here) to watch over your doings.”  Thus do we explain the signs by various (symbols): that they may say, “Thou hast taught (us) diligently,” and that We may make the matter clear to those who know.  Follow what thou art taught by inspiration from thy Lord: there is no god but He: and turn aside from those who join gods with Allah. (Q 6:101-106)

Crucifixion of Christ

Islam denies the crucifixion of Christ and believes that Allah took Jesus from the earth and allowed a look-alike to be crucified in His place.

That they [the Jews] rejected Faith; that they uttered against Mary a grave false charge;  That they said (in boast), “We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah.;- but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not:-  Nay, Allah raised him up unto Himself; and Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise; (Q 4:156-158)

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