What Do Muslims Believe About Jesus? Unveiling the Islamic Perspective
Did you know that Jesus (peace be upon him), or Isa as he is known in Arabic, is mentioned in the Quran more times than the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)? It’s a surprising fact, highlighting the significant role Jesus plays in the Islamic faith. This article explores the central question: What do Muslims believe about Jesus? We will delve into the Quranic teachings, the role of Jesus as a prophet, and address common misconceptions surrounding the Islamic view of Jesus. Prepare to have your understanding expanded with clear and concise explanations rooted in authentic Islamic sources.
Introduction: Understanding Jesus in Islam
The question of what do Muslims believe about Jesus? is vital for fostering interfaith dialogue and mutual respect. Misinformation often clouds the reality of Jesus’s esteemed position within Islam. This post aims to provide clear, concise, and accurate information based on authentic Islamic sources. We’ll explore Quranic verses, Sunnah practices, and scholarly interpretations to paint a comprehensive picture of Jesus’s role in Islam, bridging gaps in understanding and promoting informed perspectives. This article will provide you with insights into what do Muslims believe about Jesus?
Key Teachings About Jesus in Islam
Islam reveres Jesus as one of the most important prophets sent by God. However, Islamic teachings differ from Christian beliefs regarding his divinity. These differences often lead to misunderstandings about what do Muslims believe about Jesus. Here are key principles that explain the Islamic view:
Jesus is a Prophet of God: Muslims believe Jesus was a prophet of God, sent to guide the Children of Israel. This is a fundamental aspect of what do Muslims believe about Jesus.
- Quran (3:45) states: “Behold! the angels said: ‘O Mary! God giveth thee 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 and of (the company of) those nearest to God.'”
- Practical Step: Recognize and respect Jesus’s role as a divinely appointed messenger. Reflect on how his message of peace and submission to God resonates with Islamic teachings.
The Virgin Birth of Jesus: Islam affirms the miraculous birth of Jesus to the Virgin Mary (Maryam). This is considered a sign of God’s power and a testament to Mary’s piety. Understanding this is crucial to grasping what do Muslims believe about Jesus.
- Quran (19:20-21) recounts Mary’s astonishment and God’s response: “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.'”
- Practical Step: Reflect on the power and majesty of God through this miraculous event. Appreciate the significance of miracles within religious narratives and their implications for faith.
Jesus Performed Miracles: Muslims believe Jesus performed miracles with God’s permission, such as healing the sick and raising the dead. These miracles are divine signs, pointing to God’s power and Jesus’s role as a messenger. The miracles are integral to what do Muslims believe about Jesus.
- Quran (5:110) mentions God reminding Jesus of His favors: “when I strengthened thee with the holy spirit, so that thou didst speak to the people in childhood and in old age; and when I taught thee the Book and wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel; and when thou didst determine out of clay a form like a bird with My permission, then thou didst breathe into it, and it became a bird with My permission; and thou didst heal the blind and the leprous with My permission; and when thou didst bring forth the dead with My permission.”
- Practical Step: Acknowledge the miracles of Jesus as signs of God’s grace and power. Consider how these miracles influenced people during Jesus’s time and their ongoing significance.
Jesus Was Not Crucified: Most Muslims believe that Jesus was neither crucified nor killed, but was raised to God. This is a significant difference in belief and essential for understanding what do Muslims believe about Jesus.
- Quran (4:157) states: “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.”
- Practical Step: Understand the Islamic perspective on the events surrounding the crucifixion. Explore different interpretations and their theological implications.
Jesus Will Return: Muslims believe Jesus will return to Earth before the Day of Judgment to restore justice and peace. This belief is part of Islamic eschatology and shapes the Muslim understanding of the end times. The awaited return forms part of what do Muslims believe about Jesus.
- Hadith (Sahih Bukhari) mentions the return of Jesus to break the cross, kill the pig, and abolish the jizya (tax).
- Practical Step: Anticipate the return of Jesus as a sign of the approaching Day of Judgment in accordance with Islamic eschatology. This anticipation encourages Muslims to strive for righteousness and prepare for the future.
Addressing Misconceptions About What Muslims Believe About Jesus
Many misunderstandings exist regarding what do Muslims believe about Jesus. Let’s debunk some common myths to clarify the Islamic view:
Myth: Muslims hate Jesus.
- Reality: As demonstrated above, Muslims revere Jesus as a prophet of God and mention him with utmost respect. Insulting any prophet is forbidden in Islam. Scholarly sources from Al-Azhar University confirm that reverence for all prophets is a core tenet of Islam. The Quran explicitly commands respect for all prophets, demonstrating the falsehood of this claim regarding what do Muslims believe about Jesus.
Myth: Muslims believe Jesus was just an ordinary man.
- Reality: While Muslims do not believe Jesus was divine, they recognize him as a uniquely blessed prophet who performed miracles and was born of a virgin. Referencing Tafsir Ibn Kathir, a respected commentary on the Quran, explains the elevated status of Jesus. He was chosen by God for a specific mission and granted miraculous abilities, highlighting his special position in Islamic tradition, furthering revealing what do Muslims believe about Jesus.
Myth: Muslims deny the Gospels.
- Reality: Muslims believe that the original Gospels were divine revelations to Jesus, which may have been altered over time. They believe the Quran is the final and complete revelation from God. Dr. Zakir Naik elaborates on the Muslim perspective on the Bible and the Quran in his comparative religious lectures. Muslims acknowledge the presence of divine guidance in earlier scriptures, but believe the Quran is the ultimate source of truth, offering a broader context for understanding what do Muslims believe about Jesus.
Conclusion: Reaffirming the Islamic Perspective on Jesus
So, what do Muslims believe about Jesus? In short, Muslims hold Isa (Jesus) in high esteem as a prophet of God, born of the Virgin Mary, who performed miracles. While Muslims differ with Christians on the issue of Jesus’s divinity, his role as a messenger of God is undeniable in Islamic theology. By understanding these key beliefs, as you now do, we can foster greater interfaith dialogue and mutual respect. To deepen your understanding of Islamic teachings, explore resources from reputable Islamic scholars and institutions that accurately present the complexities of Islamic faith and ethics, furthering your understanding of what do Muslims believe about Jesus.
