GESUS and CHRISTIANITY in the Perspective of Islam

Introduction
To establish your relationship with another on a sound basi s, it is necessary to know his perspective about you.

It is difficult for a Muslim to know what perspective a Christian has about Islam. However, it is easy for a Christian to know the Muslim’s perspective about Christianity, as he (the Christian) only needs to refer to the Qur’an-the basic source of religious teaching of Muslims.

It is for this purpose that this paper was prepared. Below, is a compilation of verses of the Holy Qur’an- which refer to Jesus and Christianity.

The Birth of Mary
Indeed, Allah chose Adam and Noah and the family of Abraham and the family of ‘Imran over the worlds- Descendants, some of them from others. And Allah is All Hearing and All Knowing. [Mention, O Muhammad], when the wi fe of ‘lmran said, My Lord, indeed I have pledged to You what is in my womb, consecrated [for Your service], so accept th is from me.
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Indeed, You are the All Hearing, the All knowing.” But when she delivered her, she said, “My Lord, I have delivered a female.” And Allah was most knowing of what she delivered, and the male is not like the female. “And I have named her Mary, and I seek refuge for her in You and [for] her descendants from Satan, the expelled [from the mercy of Allah].” So her Lord accepted her with good acceptance and caus ed her to grow in a good manner and put her in the care of Zechariah. Every tim e Zechariah entered upon her in the prayer chamber, he found with her provision. He said, O Mary, from where is this [coming] to you?” She said, “It is from Allah. Indeed, Allah provides for whom He wills without account.” (Ali‘Imran: 33-37).
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The Eminence of Mary
And [mention] when the angels said, “O Mary, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds. O Mary, be devoutly obedient to your Lord and prostrate and bow with those who bow [in prayer]” (Ali‘Imran: 42-43).

And [the example of] Mary, the daughter of ‘Imran, who guarded her chastity, so We blew into [her garment] through Our angel [i.e. Gabriel], and she believed in the words of her Lord and His scriptures and was of the devoutly obedient (at-Tahreem:12).

And [mention] the one who guarded her chastity [i.e. Mary], so We blew into her [garment] through Our angel [i.e. Gabriel], and We made her and he r son a sign for the worlds.(Al-Anbiya’: 91).

And We made the son of Mary and his mother a sign and shel tered them within a high ground having level [areas] and flowing water (Al-Mu’minun: 50).
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The Birth of Jesus
[And mention] when the angels said, “O Mary, indeed Allah gi ves you good tidings of a word1 from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary1 distinguished in this world and the Hereafter and among those brought near [to Allah]. He will speak to the people in the cradle and in maturity and will be of the righteous.” She said, “My Lord, how will I have a child when no man has touched me?” [The angel] said, “Such is Allah; He creates what He wills.

When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, ‘Be, and it is. And He will teach him writing and wisdom2 and the Torah and the Gospel, And [make him] a messenger to the Children of Israel, [who will say], ‘Indeed I have come to you with a sign from your Lord in that I design for you from the clay [that which is] like the form of a bird, then I breathe into it and it becomes a bird by permission of Allah.
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1 Referring to the prophet Jesus (peace be upon him), who was conceived merely by a command from Allah — the word “Be.”
2 The teaching of the prophet.
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And I cure the blind [from birth] and the leper, and I give life to the dead-by permission of Allah. And I inform you of what you eat and what you store in your houses. Indeed in that is a sign for you, if you are believers. And [I have come] confirming what was before me of the Torah and to make lawful for you some of what was forbidden to you. And I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so fear Allah and obey me. Indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is the straight path” (Ali‘Imran:45-51).

And mention, [O Muhammad], in the Book [the story of] Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place toward the east. And she took, in seclusion from them, a screen. Then We sent to her Our Angel [i.e.Gabriel], and he represented himself to her as a well-proportioned man.
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She said, “Indeed, I seek refuge in the Most Merciful from you, [so leave me], if you should be fearing of Allah.” He said, “I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you [news of] a pure boy [i.e. son].” She said, “How can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?” He said, “Thus [it will be]; your Lord says, ‘It is easy for Me, and We will make him a sign to the people and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter [already] decreed.”

So she conceived him, and sh e withdrew with him to a remote place. And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of palm tree. She said, “Oh, I wish I had died before this and was in oblivion, forgotten.” But he3 called her from below her, “Do not grieve; your Lord has provided beneath you a stream. And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates.
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3 There is a difference of opinion among scholars as to whether “he” refers to the baby or to the angel.
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The Eminence of Jesus
[The Day] when Allah will say, “O Jesus, Son of Mary, remember My favor upon you and upon your mother when I supported you with the Pure Spirit [i.e. the angel Gabriel] and you spoke to the people in the cradle and in maturity; and [remember] when I taught you wr iting and wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel; and when you designed from clay [what was] like the form of a bird with My permission, then you breathed into it, and it became a bird with my permission; and you healed the blind [from birth] and the leper with My permission; and when you brought forth the dead with My permission; and when I restrained the Children of Israel from [killing] you when you came to them with clear proofs and those who disbelieved among them said, “This is not but obvious magic.”
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4 i.e. far removed is He from any such need.
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And [remember] when I inspired to the disciples, “Believe in Me and in My messenger [i.e.Jesus]. ”They said, “We have believed, so bear witness that indeed we are Muslims [in submission to Allah].” [And remember] when the disciples said, “O Jesus, Son of Mary, can your Lord5 send down to us a table [spread with food] from the heaven?” [Jesus] sa id, “Fear Allah, if you should be believers.” They said, “We wish to eat from it and let our hearts be reassured and know that you have been truthful to us and be among its witnesses.”
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5 i.e. will Allah consent to (His ability is undoubted)
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Said Jesus, the son of Mary, “O Allah, our Lord, send down to us a table [spread with food] from the heaven to be for us a festival for the first of us and the last of us and a sign from You. And provide for us, and You are the best of providers.” Allah said, “Indeed, I will send it down to you, but whoever disbelieves afterwards from among you-then indeed will I punish him with a punishment by which I have not punished anyone among the worlds” (Al-Maidah 110-115).

And We did certainly give Moses the Scripture [i.e. the Torah] and followed up after him with mess engers. And We gave Jesus, the son of Mary, clear proofs and supported him with the Pure Spirit [i.e. the angel Gabriel]. But is it [not] that every time a messenger came to you, [O Children of Israel], with what your souls did not desire, you were arrogant? And a party [of messengers] you denied and another party you killed (Al-Baqarah: 87).
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Those messengers-some of them We caused to exceed others. Am ong them were those to whom Allah spoke, and He raised some of them in degree. And We gave Jesus, the Son of Mary, clear proofs, and We supported him with the Pure Spirit [i.e.Gabriel]. If Allah had willed, those [generations] succeeding them would not have fought each other after the clear proofs had come to them. But they differed, and some of them believed and some of them disbelieved. And if Allah had willed, they would not have fought each other, but Allah does what He intends (Al-Baqarah: 253).

And We sent, following in their footsteps,6 Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming that which came before him in the Torah; and We gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and light and confirming that which preceded it of the Torah as guidance Then We sent following their footsteps [i.e.traditions] Our messengers and followed [them] with Jesus, the son of Mary, and gave him the Gospel.
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6 i.e. following the tradition of the prophets of the Children of Israel. and instruction for the righteous (Al.Ma’idah: 46).
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And We placed in the hearts of those who followed him compassion and mercy, But monasticism, which they innovated; We did not prescribe it for them except [that they did so] seeking the approval of Allah. But they did not observe it with due observance. So We gave the ones who believed among them their reward, but many of them are defiantly disobedient (Al-Hadeed: 27).

And [mention] when Jesus, the son of Mary, said, “ O childre n of Israel, indeed I am the Messenger of Allah to you confirming what came before me of the Torah and bringing good tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name is Ahmad.”7
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7 Another name of prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم)
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But when he came to them with clear evidences they sa id, “This is obvious magic “ 8 (as-Saff: 6) And when the son of Mary was presented as an example 9 immediately your people laughed aloud. And t hey said, “Are our gods better, or is he?” 10 They did not present it [i.e. the comparison] except for [mere] argument. But, [in fact], they are a people prone to dispute. He [i.e. Jesus] was not but a servant upon whom We bestowed favor, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel. And if We willed, We could have made [inste ad] of you angels succeeding [one another]11 on the earth.
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8 i.e., fraud or deception.
9 Of a creation of Allah which is being worshipped along with Him.
10 Implying that they must all be the same.
11 Or “ Succeeding [you].”
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And indeed, he [i.e. Jesus] will be [a sign for] knowledge of the Hour, so be not in doubt of it, and follow Me.12 This is a straight path. And never let Satan avert you. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy. And when Jesus brought clear proofs, he said, “I have come to you with wisdom [i.e. prophethood] and to make clear to you some of that over which you differ, so fear Allah and obey me. Indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. This is a straight path.” But the denominations from among them differed [and separated], so woe to those who have wronged from the punishment of a painful Day (Az-ukhruf: 57-65).

The Nature of Jesus
And [beware the Day] when Allah will say, “O Jesus, Son of Mary, did you say to the people, “Take me and my mother as deities besides Allah?” He will say, “Exalted are You! It was not for me to say that to which I have no right. If I had said it, You would have known it. You know what is within myself, and I do not know what is within Yourself. Indeed, it is You who is Knower of the unseen. I said not to them except what You commanded me-to worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.
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And I was a witness over them as long as I was among them; but when You t ook me up, You were the Observer over them, and You are, over All things, Witness. If You should punish them-indeed they are Your servants; but if You forgive them-indeed it is You who is the Exalted in Might, the Wise. Allah will say, This is the Day wh en the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness.” For them are gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever, Allah being pleased with them, and they with Him. That is the great attainment. To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatever is within them. And He is over All things competent (Al- Maidah: 116-120).

O People of the Scri pture, do not commit excess in your religion 17 or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him.
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17 Another meaning is “And they di d not kill him being certain [of his identity]”, i.e. they killed another assuming it was Jesus (upon whom be peace).
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So believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, “Three”; desist-it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs.

Never would the Messiah disdain to be a servant of Allah, nor would the angels near [to Him]. And whoever disdains His worship and is arrogant-He will gather them to Himself All together. And as for those who believed and did righteous deeds, He will give them in full their rewards and grant them extra from His bounty. But as for those who disdained and were arrogant, He will punish them w ith a painful punish-ment, and they will not find for themselves besides Allah any protector or helper (An-Nisa’:171-173).
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They have certainly disbelieved who say that Allah is Christ, the son of Mary. Say, “Then who could prevent Allah at All if He had intended to destroy Christ, the son of Mary, or his mother or everyone on the earth?” And to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them. He creat es what He wills, and Allah is over All things competent (Al-Maidah: 17).

They have certainly disbelieved who say, “Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary” while the Messiah has said, “O children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.” Indeed, he w ho associates others with Allah, Allah has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire. And there are not for the wrongdoers any helpers.
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They have certainly disbelieved who say, “Allah is the third of three.”18 And there is no god except one God. And if they do not desist from wh at they are saying, there will surely afflict the disbelievers among them a painful punishment. So will they not repent to Allah and seek His forgiveness? And Alla h is Forgiving and Merciful.

The Messiah, son of Mary, was not but a messenger; [other] messengers have passed on before him. And his mother was a supporter of truth. They both used to eat food19 . Look how We make clear to them the signs; then look how they are deluded. Say, “Do you worship besides Allah that which holds for you no [power of] harm or benefit while it is Allah who is the Hearing, the Knowing?’ (Al-Maidah: 72-76).
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18 Such as attributing divine qualities to certain creations of Allah or revering them excessively.
19 They were in need of sustenance, proving that they were creations of Allah, not divine beings.
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Muslims Believe in Previous Revelation
The religion of all Prophets is one- though their laws are different-The Muslim (follower of Muhammad) cannot be considered a Muslim un less he believes in All Prophets including Jesus and their scriptures. [Allah said], “O Mess engers, eat from the good foods and work righteousness, Indeed I, of what you do, am Knowing. And indeed this, your religion , is one religion 20 and I am your Lord, so fear Me.” But they [i.e. the people] divided their religion among them into portions [i .e. sects]-each faction, in what it has, 21 rejoicing (Al- Mu’minun:51-53).
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20 i.e. a collective way of life or course of conduct followed by a community.
21 Of beliefs, opinions, customs, etc.
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Indeed this, your religion,22 is one religion, and I am your Lord, so worship Me. And [yet] they divided their affair [i.e. that of their religion] among themselves,23 [but] All to Us will return (Al-Anbiya’: 92-93). Say [O, believers],“We have believed in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the Descendants [Al-Asbat]24 and what was given to Moses and Jesus and what has been given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him” (Al-Baqarah: 136).
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22 i.e. a collective way of life or course of conduct followed by a community.
23 i.e. one part of three, referring to the Christian concept of trinity.
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Say, “We have believed in Allah and in what was revealed to us and what was  revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Descendants [Al-Asbat?], and in what was given to Moses and Jesus and to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [submitting] to Him” (Ali ‘Imran: 84).

This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah25-Who believe in the unseen, establish prayer,26 and spend out of what We27 have provided for them.
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25 Literally, “those who have taqwa,” i.e. who have piety, righteousness, fear and love of Allah, and who take great care to avoid His displeasure.
26 At its proper times and according to its specified conditions.
27 It is to be noticed that the reference of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) to Himself as “We” in many Qur’anic verses is necessarily understood in the Arabic language to denote grandeur and power, as opposed to the intimate singular form “I” used in specific instances.
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And who believe in what has been revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what was revealed revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Descendants [Al-Asbat?], and in what was given to Moses and Jesus and to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [submitting] to Him” (Ali ‘Imran: 84).

This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah25 -Who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, 26 and spend out of what We27 have provided for them, And who believe in what has been revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what was revealed before you, and of th e Hereafter they are certain [in faith] (Al-Baqarah: 2-4).
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25 Literally, “those who have taqwa,” i.e. who have piety, righteousness, fear and love of Allah, and who take great care to avoid His displeasure.
26 At its proper times and according to its specified conditions.
27 It is to be noticed that the reference of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) to Himself as “We” in many Qur’anic verses is necessarily understood in the Arabic language to denote grandeur and power, as opposed to the intim ate singular form “I” used in specific instances.
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The Messenger has be lieved in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allah an d His angels and His books and His messengers,[saying],”We make no distinction between any of His messengers.”And they say, “We hear and we obey. [We seek] Yo ur forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is th e [final] destination” (Al-Baqarah: 285).

He has ordained for you of religion what He enjoined upon Noah and that which We have revealed to yo u, [O Muhammad], and what We enjoined upon Abraham and Moses and Jesus - to establish the religion and not be divided therein. Difficult for those who associate others with Allah is that to which you invite them. Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills and guides to Himself whoev er turns back [toHim] (Ash-Shura: 13).
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The Single Religion
The Qur’an explains clearly that the religion of All prophets is a single one. This religion includes a si ngle concept of God and a single concept of moral principles. The Qur’an calls this single religion Islam and calls those who beli eve in it, Muslims. Since the followers of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) believe in this single religion they are called Muslims and their religion is called Islam.

They say, “Be Jews or Christians [so] you will be guided.” Say, “Rather, [we follow] the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth, and he was not of the polytheists” (Al-Baqarah: 135)

Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was one inclining toward truth, a Muslim [submitting o Allah]. And he was not of the polytheists28 (Ali Imran: 67).
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But when Jesus felt [persistence in] disbelief from them, he said, “Who are my supporters for [the cause of] Allah?” The disciples said,” We are supporters for Allah. We have believed in A llah and testify that we are Muslims [submitting to Him] (Ali Imran: 52).

When his Lord said to him, “Submit,” he said, “I have submitted [in Islam 29] to the Lord of the worlds.” And Abraham instructed his sons [to do the same] and [so did] Jacob, [saying], “O my sons, indeed Allah has chosen for you this religion, so do not die except while you are Muslims.”
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28 Those who associate others with Allah in worship.
29 The meaning of the word “Islam’ is submission to the will of Allah.” This is the way of life ordained by Allah and taught by all of the prophets from Adam to Muhammad (sallallahu alayhe wa sallarn). A Muslim is one who submits himself to Allah.
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Or were you witnesses wh en death approached Jacob, when he said to his sons, “What will you worship after me?” They said, “We will worship your God and the God of your fathers, Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac-one God. And we are Muslims [in submission] to Him” (Al-Baqarah: 131-33).

And they say, “None will enter Paradise except one who is a Jew or a Christian.” That is [merely] their wishful thinking. Say, “Produce your proof, if you should be truthful.” Yes [on the contrary], whoever submits his face [i.e. self] in Islam to Allah while being a doer of good will have his reward with his Lord. And no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve. (Al-Baqarah: 111-112).

And never will the Jews or the Christians approve of you until you follow their religion. Say, “Ind eed, the guidance of Allah is the [only] guidance.” If you were to follow their desire s after what has come to you of knowledge, you would have against Allah no protector or helper (Al-Baqarah: 120).
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Say, “O People of the Scripture, come to a word that is equitable between us and you-that we will not wors hip except Allah and not associate anything with Him and not take one another as lords instead of Allah30 ”. But if they turn away, then say, “Bear witness that we are Muslims [submitting to Him]” (Ali ‘Imran: 64).

Reverted not Converted
The sincere Christian w ill find that Islam is very close to his heart and mind if he knows the authentic Islam as described by the Qur’an and if his perception is not influenced by the lifestyle of ignorant Muslims.
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30 By obeying another in disobedience to Allah.
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Therefore, when he accepts Islam he will have revert ed and not converted after All, the Qur’an relates that Islam is the single religion of All the prophets and that its followers are Muslims.

O you who have believed, bow and prostrate and worship your Lord and do good- that you may su cceed. And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any di fficulty. [It is] the religion of your father, Abraham. He [i.e.Allah] named you “Muslims” before [in former scriptures] and in this [revelation] that the Messenger ma y be a witness over you and you may be witnesses over the people. So establish prayer and give Zakah and hold fast to Allah. He is your protector, and excellent is the Protector, and excellent is the Helper (Al-Hajj: 77-78).

You will surely find the most intense of the people in animosity toward the believers [to be] the Jews and those who associate others with Allah, and you will find the nearest of them in affection to the believers those who say, “We are Christians.”
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That is because among them are priests and monks and because they are not arrogant. And when they hear what has been revealed to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of what they have recognized of the trut h. They say, “Our Lord, we have belie ved, so register us among the witnesses.

And why should we not believe in Allah and what has come to us of the truth? And we aspire that our Lord will admit us [to Paradise] with the righteous people.”So Allah rewarded them for what they said 31 with gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally. And that is the reward of doers of good. But those who disbelieved and denied Our signs-they are the companions of Hellfire (Al Maidah: 82-86).
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31 i.e. their admission and acceptance of the truth and commitment to Allah’s religion (Islam).
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And We have [repea tedly] conveyed to them the word [i.e. the Qur’an] that they might be reminded. Those to whom We gave the Scripture before it-they 32 are believers in it. And when it is recited to them, they say, “We have believed in it; indeed, it is the truth from our Lord. Indeed we were, [even] before it, Muslims [i.e. submitting to Allah].”

Those will be given their reward twice for what they patiently endured and [because] they avert evil through good, and fr om what We have provided them they s pend. And when they hear ill speech, they tu rn away from it and say,” For us are our d eeds, and for you are your deeds. Peace will be upon you 33. We seek not (the way of) the ignorant” (Al- Qasas: 51-55).
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32 i.e. the sincere believers among them.
33 This is not the Islamic greeting of “Peace be upon you.” Rather, it means “You are secure from being treated in a like manner by us.”
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And indeed, among the People of the Scripture are those who believe in Allah and what was revealed to you and what was revealed to them, [being] humbly submissive to Allah. They do not exchange the verses of Allah for a small price. Those will have their reward with their Lord. Indeed, Allah is swift in account (Ali‘Imran: 199).

So if they argue w ith you say, “I have submitted myself to Allah [in Islam], and [so have] those who follow me.” And say to those who were given the Scripture and [to] the unlearned,34 “Have you submitted yourselves?” And if they submit [in Islam], they are rightly guided, but if they turn away-then upon you is only the [duty of] notification. And Allah is Seeing of [His] Servants (Ali ‘Imran: 20).
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34 Those who have no scripture(i.e. the pagans)

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