Doubts Brought About Jesus (عليه سلام)

“Say (O Muslim), “We believe in Allâh and that which has been sent down to us and that which has been sent down to Ibrahim (Abraham), Isma’il (Ishmael), Ishaaq (Isaac), Ya’qub (Jacob), and to Al-Asbat [the twelve sons of Ya’qub (Jacob)], and that which has been given to Musa (Moses) and ‘Isa (Jesus), and that which has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted (in Islâm)”.

(Qurʾân, Al-Baqarah 2:136)

“We believe in One Creator, we believe in all His Prophets, we believe that Jesus (peace be upon him) was one of the mightiest Prophets of God, that he was the Messiah as well as the Word of God, that he was born miraculously – without any male intervention (which many modern-day Christians do not believe today), that he gave life to the dead by God’s Permission, and that he healed those born blind and the lepers by God’s Permission.”

Islām respects all religions. Nevertheless, Muslims consider the view of Christendom to be a misguided one. The Qurʾân highlights the important aspects of Jesus’s mother, his birth, his mission and his ascension to heaven.

The story of Jesus in the Qurʾân starts with the conception of his mother, Mary, when the wife of ʿImrân, Mary’s mother, vowed to dedicate her child to the service of God in the temple. This is mentioned in the following verses (which are translated as follows):

“(Remember) when the wife of ʿImrân said: “O my Lord! I have vowed to You what (the child that) is in my womb to be dedicated for Your services (free from all worldly work; to serve Your place of worship), so accept this, from me. Verily, You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knowing.”

“Then when she delivered her child [Maryam (Mary)], she said: “O my Lord! I have delivered a female child,” – and Allâh knew better what she delivered, – “And the male is not like the female, and I have named her Maryam (Mary), and I seek refuge with You (Allâh) for her and for her offspring from Shaytan (Satan), the outcast.”

“So her Lord (Allâh) accepted her with goodly acceptance, He made her grow in a good manner and put her under the care of Zakariya (Zachariah). Every time he entered Al-Mihrab (a praying place or private room) to (visit) her, he found her supplied with sustenance. He said: “O Maryam (Mary)! from where have you got this?” She said “This is from Allâh” Verily, Allāh provides sustenance to whom He wills, without limit.”

(Qurʾân , Âl-ʿImrân 3:35-37)

The Qurʾân stated also that the Almighty Allâh chose Mary, purified her and raised her above all other women of the world. This is mentioned in the following verses (which are translated as follows):

“And (remember) when the angels said: “O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allâh has chosen you, purified you (from polytheism and disbelief), and chosen you above the women of the ‘Alamin (Mankind and Jinns) (of her lifetime).”

“O Mary! “Submit yourself with obedience to your Lord (Allâh, by worshipping none but Him Alone) and prostrate yourself, and Irkai (bow down etc.) along with Ar-Raki’un (those who bow etc.)”

(Qurʾân, Al-‘ʿImrân 3:42-43)

Concerning the birth of Jesus, Allâh says through chapter Maryam (Mary) in the Qurʾân (which is translated as follows):

“And mention in the Book (The Qurʾân, O Muhammad, the story of) Maryam (Mary), when she withdrew in seclusion from her family to a place facing east.”

“She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent to her Our Ruh [angel Jibrael (Gabriel)], and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects.”

“She said: “Verily! I seek refuge with the Most Beneficent (Allâh) from you, if you do fear Allâh.”

“(The angel) said: “I am only a Messenger from your Lord, (to announce) to you the gift of a righteous son.”

“She said: “How can I have a son, when no man has touched me, nor am I unchaste?”

“He said: “So (it will be), your Lord said: ‘That is easy for Me (Allâh): And (We wish) to appoint him as a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us (Allâh), and it is a matter (already) decreed, (by Allâh).”

“So she conceived him, and she withdrew him to a far place (i.e. Bethlehem valley about 4-6 miles from Jerusalem).”

“And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of the date-palm. She said: “Would that I had died before this, and had been forgotten and out of sight!”

“Then [the baby ‘Isa (Jesus) cried unto her from below her, saying: “Grieve not! Your Lord has provided a water stream under you;”

“And shake the trunk of date-palm towards you, it will let fall fresh ripe dates upon you.”

“So eat and drink and be glad, and if you see any human being, say: ‘Verily! I have vowed a fast unto the Most Beneficent (Allâh) so I shall not speak to any human being this day.”

“Then she brought him (the baby) to her people, carrying him. They said: “O Mary! Indeed you have brought a thing Fariya (an unheard mighty thing).”

“O sister (i.e. the like) of Harun (Aaron) [not the brother of Musa (Moses), but he was another pious man at the time of Maryam (Mary)]! Your father was not a man who used to commit adultery, nor your mother was an unchaste woman.”

“Then she pointed to him. They said: “How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?”

“He [‘Isa (Jesus)] said: Verily! I am a slave of Allâh, He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet;”

“And He has made me blessed wherever I be, and has enjoined on me Salat (prayer), and Zakat (charity), as long as I live.”

“And to be dutiful to my mother, and made me not arrogant, unblest.”

“And Salâm (peace) be upon me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive!”

“Such is ‘Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary). (It is) a statement of truth, about which they doubt (or dispute).”

“It befits not (the Majesty of) Allâh that He should beget a son [this refers to the slander of Christians against Allāh, by saying that ‘Isa (Jesus) is the son of Allâh]. Glorified (and Exalted be He above all that they associate with Him). When He decrees a thing, He only says to it, “Be!” – and it is.”

“[‘Isa (Jesus) said]: “And verily Allâh is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him (Alone). That is the Straight Path. (Allâh’s Religion of Islâmic Monotheism which He did ordain for all of His Prophets).”

(Qurʾân, Maryam 19:16-36)

The Church maintains that Jesus is the “Only-begotten Son” of God, and also God Himself, since the doctrine of Trinity considers God as the Son, as the Father and as the “Holy Ghost” all at the same time! Catholics further emphasise the divinity of Mary as the “Mother of God”. Islām rejects all these concepts in totality.

Allâh says in the Qurʾân (which is translated as follows):

“Surely, they have disbelieved who say: “Allâh is the Messiah [‘Isa (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary)”, But the Messiah [‘Isa (Jesus)] said; “O Children of Israel! worship Allâh, My Lord and your Lord.” Verily, whosoever set up partners in worship with Allâh, then Allâh has forbidden Paradise for him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Polytheist and wrongdoers there are no helpers.”

“Surely, disbelievers are those who said: “Allâh is the third of the three (in a Trinity)”, But there is no Ilah (God) (none who has the right to be worshipped) but One Ilah (God – Allâh ). And if they cease not from what they say, verily, painful torment will befall the disbelievers among them.”

“Will they not repent to Allâh and ask His forgiveness? For Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

“The Messiah [‘Isa (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary), was no more than a Messenger; Many were the Messengers that passed away before him. His mother [Maryam (Mary)] was a Siddiqah [i.e. she believed in the words of Allâh and His Books]. They both used to eat food (as any other human being, while Allâh does not eat). Look how We make the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lesson, signs, revelations, etc.) clear to them, yet look how they are deluded away (from the truth).”

(Qurʾân, Al-Maidah 5:72-75)

The Muslims rather contend that the miraculous birth of Jesus, without a father, does not make him a God or a “begotten” son of God. Allâh said in the Qurʾân (which is translated as follows):

“And they (Jews, Christians and pagans) say: Allāh has begotten a son (Children or offspring). Glory be to Him (Exalted be He above all that they associate with Him). Nay, to Him belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth, and all surrender with obedience (in worship) to Him.”

“The Originator of the heavens and the earth. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it: “Be!” – and it is.”

(Qurʾān, Al-Baqarah 2:116-117)

Further more Allâh says in the Qurʾân (which is translated as follows):

“Say: (O Muhammad) “He is Allâh, (the) One”, “Allâh-us-Samad (The Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, He neither eats nor drinks)”, “He begets not, nor was He begotten”, “And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him.”

(Qurʾân, Al-Ikhlas 112:1-4)

The birth of Jesus (peace be upon him) was not any more supernatural than the creation of our father Adam. Allâh said in the Qurʾân (which is translated as follows):

“Verily, the likeness of ‘Isa (Jesus) before Allâh is the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust, then (He) said to him: “Be!” – and he was.”

(Qurʾân, Al-‘Imran 3:59)

Our Creator sent Prophets to set mankind on the right path. Jesus (peace be upon him) was similarly one of the Messengers of God, he was prepared by God to be sent to the Jews (children of Israel) who had deviated from the teachings of prophet Moses (peace be upon him) He (Allâh) taught him the Book, the wisdom, the Torah, the Gospel and supported him with numerous miracles to prove that he was a Messenger from Allâh. In the Qurʾân Allâh says (which is translated as follows):

“(Remember) when the angels said: “O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allâh gives you the glad tidings of a Word [“Be!” – and he was! i.e. ʿIsa (Jesus) the son of Maryam (Mary)] from him, his name will be the Messiah ʿIsa (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary), held in honour in this world and in the Hereafter, and will be one of those who are near to Allâh .”

“He will speak to the people in the cradle and in manhood, and he will be one of the righteous.”

“She said: “O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me”, He said: “So (it will be) for Allâh creates what He wills. When He has decreed something, He says to it only: “Be!” – and it is.”

“And He (Allâh) will teach him [ʿIsa (Jesus)] the Book and Al-Hikmah (i.e. the Sunnah, the faultless speech of the Prophets, wisdom, etc.), (and) the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel).”

“And will make him [ʿIsa (Jesus)] a Messenger to the children of Israel (saying): “I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, that I design for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allâh’s Leave; and I heal him who was born blind, and the leper, and I bring the dead to life by Allâh’s Leave. And I inform you of what you eat, and what you store in your houses. Surely, therein is a sign for you, if you believe.”

“And I have to confirm that which was before me of the Taurat (Torah), and to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden to you, and I have come to you with a proof from your Lord. So fear Allâh and obey me.”

(Qurʾân, Al-‘Imran 3:45-50)

It should be mentioned that while Muslims believe that Jesus was given God’s “Good news” they do not recognise the present “Four Gospels” as the utterances of Jesus.

Even the church agrees that the “Four Gospels” were written by four different men, but they maintain that they were divinely inspired. This idea is rejected by us (Muslims). It can be agreed that if the four writers were divinely inspired, then why are there so many serious discrepancies and omissions in their individual accounts of the life of Jesus? Another mission of Jesus was to tell the people about the coming of the final Prophet after him.

The Almighty God said in the Qurʾân (which is translated as follows):

“And (remember) when ʿIsa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), said: “O Children of Israel! I am the Messenger of Allâh unto you confirming the Taurat [(Torah) which came] before me, and giving glad tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmed. But when he (Ahmed i.e. Muhammad) came to them with clear proofs, they said: “This is plain magic.”

(Qurʾān , Al-Anam 61:6)

The New Testament speaks of the coming of a “Comforter” after the ministry of Jesus. Some Christians believe or were made to believe that the promised “Comforter” is the “Holy Spirit”, but this view cannot be maintained because the “Holy Spirit” was already present during Jesus’ (peace be upon him) ministry, and its coming was not a future event. The Muslims, therefore, believe that the term “Comforter” of necessity refers to a Prophet. He was Muhammad the unlearned Prophet , the sole Prophet who brought with him a complete, comprehensive revelation from God which has been preserved as it was revealed to him originally, challenging the whole world to come up with one chapter like it, yet unsuccessfully challenged till present day. It is the Miracle of Miracles, the Last Testament of faith addressed to the whole world embodying complete light and guidance as well as the reprove of sin.

Jesus was followed by a few disciples who were inspired by God to support him. Not only that, but the nonbelievers plotted to kill Jesus but God had a better plan for him and his followers, as the Qurʾân tells us in the following verses (which is translated as follows):

“Then when ʿIsa (Jesus) came to know of their disbelief, he said: “Who will be my helpers in Allâh’s Cause?” Al-Hawariun (the disciples) said: “We are the helpers of Allâh; we believe in Allâh, and bear witness that we are Muslims (i.e. we submit to Allāh).”

“Our Lord! We believed in what You have sent down, and we follow the Messenger [ʿIsa (Jesus)]; so write us down among those who bear witness (to the truth i.e. Lâ Ilaha Ill-Allâh – none has the right to be worshipped but Allâh ).”

“And they (disbelievers) plotted [to kill ʿIsa (Jesus)], and Allāh planned too. And Allâh is the best of the planners.”

“And (remember) when Allâh said: “O ʿIsa (Jesus)! I will take you and raise you to Myself and clear you [of the forged statement that ʿIsa (Jesus) is Allâh’s son] of those who disbelieve, and I will make those who follow you (Monotheist, who worship none but Allâh) superior to those who disbelieve [in the Oneness of Allâh, or disbelieve in some of His Messengers, e.g. Muhammad, ʿIsa (Jesus), Musa (Moses), etc. (peace be upon them), or in His Holy Books, e.g. the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel), The Qurʾân] till the Day of Resurrection. Then you will return to Me and I will judge between you in the matters in which you used to dispute.”

“As to those who disbelieve, I will punish them with a severe torment in this world and in the Hereafter, and they will have no helpers.”

(Qurʾân, Al-‘Imran 3:52-56)

As the above verses indicate Jesus was raised to heaven and did not die. This means that according to the Qurʾân he was not crucified. It was the plan of the enemies of Jesus (peace be upon him) to put him to death on the cross, but God saved him and somebody else was crucified. This plot and the false accusation about Mary are considered by the Qurʾân to be some of the sins of the non-believing Jews. All of this is made clear in the following verses (which is translated as follows):

“And because of their (Jews) disbelief and uttering against Maryam (Mary) a grave false charge (that she has committed illegal sexual intercourse);”

“And because of their saying (in boast), “We killed Messiah ʿIsa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), the Messenger of Allâh,” – but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but the resemblance of ʿIsa (Jesus) was put over another man (and they killed that man), and those who differ therein are full of doubts. They have no (certain) knowledge, they follow nothing but conjecture. For surely; they killed him not [i.e. ʿIsa (Jesus), son of Maryam [Mary]:”

“But Allâh raised him [‘Isa (Jesus)] up (with his body and soul) unto Himself (and he (peace be upon him) is in the heaven). And Allāh is ever All-Powerful, All-Wise.”

“And there is none of the people of the scripture (Jews and Christians), but must believe in him [ʿIsa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), as only a Messenger of Allâh and a human being], before his [ʿIsa (Jesus) or a Jews or a Christian’s] death (at the time of the appearance of the angel of death). And on the Day of Resurrection, he [ʿIsa (Jesus)] will be a witness against them.”

(Qurʾân, An-Nisa 4:156-159)

Finally, we testify that there is no God except Allâh and there is none worthy of worship except Him, He has no partners, Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger, and that ʿIsa (Jesus) son of Mary is Allâh’s slave, His Messenger, His word (Be! and he was) which he bestowed on Mary and a spirit created by Him. We believe that all of the Prophets are brothers and there is no difference between their religion, which is one religion “Al-Islâm”. We attest that the Paradise is true, the Hell-fire is true, and God will Resurrect mankind from graves. Allâh says in The Qurʾân (which is translated as follows):

“He (Allâh) has ordained for you the same religion (Islâm) which He ordained for Nuh (Noah), and that which We have inspired in you (O Muhammad) and that which We ordained for Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses) and ʿIsa (Jesus) saying you should establish religion (i.e. to do what it orders you to do practically), and make no divisions in it (religion) (i.e. various sects in religion). Intolerable for the polytheists, pagans and idolaters is that to which you (O Muhammad) call them. Allâh chooses for Himself who He wills, and guides unto Himself who turns to Him in repentance and in obedience.”

(Qurʾân, Ash-Shura 42:13)

This is our message and we will be witnesses against you on the day of Judgement that we conveyed the message of truth and left it up to you, to follow the truth or stay in darkness. The Almighty Allāh said in the Qurʾân (which is translated as follows):

“Allâh ! Lâ Ilaha Illâ Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Ever Living, the One Who Sustains and protects all that exists. Neither slumber, nor sleep overtake him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His Permission? He knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter. And they will never compass anything of His Knowledge except that which He wills. His Kursi (a footstool) extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.”

“There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in worship other than the real God (Allâh), and believes in Allâh, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. Allâh is All-Hearer, All-Knower.”

(Qurʾân , Al-Baqarah 2:255-256)

A Muslim does not refer to him simply as “Jesus”, but will add the phrase “May Allâh grant him peace and security.” The Qurʾân confirms his virgin birth, and an entire surah, (chapter) number 19 of the Qurʾân, is entitled Maryam (Mary) !