The ManicaPost
“Truly, the likeness of Jesus with Allah is as the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust, and then said to him, ‘Be!’ and he was.” (Chapter 3 verse 59)
Do Muslims believe in Jesus (peace be upon him)?
Yes, indeed not only do Muslims believe in Jesus (peace be upon him) — they are required to do so by virtue of their declaration of the Oneness of God Almighty and their belief in the Holy Qur’aan.
The belief in Jesus (peace be upon him) as a Messenger of God Almighty and all in all the other Messengers of God is required in Islam, and is a requirement of being a Muslim.
Muslims respect for Jesus (peace be upon him)
Muslims respect and revere Jesus (peace be on him), and await his Second Coming. They consider him one of the Great Messengers of God to mankind! A Muslim never refer to him simply as “Jesus,” but always adds the phrase “peace be on him.”
The Holy Qur’aan confirms his virgin birth (interestingly a chapter of the Holy Qur’aan is entitled “Maryem” — Mary), and in Islam, Mary — the mother of Jesus (peace be upon him), is considered the purest woman in all creation.
Overview of Islamic belief
In Islam, Jesus (peace be upon him) named as Isa is considered to be a Messenger of God and the Maseeh who was sent to guide the Children of Israel with a new scripture, the Inj? or Gospel. The Holy Qur’aan mentions Jesus (peace be upon him) at least twenty-five times.
It states that Jesus (peace be upon him) was born to Mary: Maryem through a miraculous event which occurred by the decree of God.
To aid in his ministry to the Israelites (Jewish people), Jesus (peace be upon him) was given the ability to perform miracles (such as healing the blind, bringing dead people back to life, etc.), all by the permission of God rather than of his own power.
According to the Qur’aanic declaration and popular Muslim belief, Jesus (peace be upon him) was not crucified but instead, he was raised up by God unto the heavens. This “raising” is understood to mean through bodily ascension.
Muslims believe that Jesus (peace be upon him) will return to earth near the Day of Judgement to restore justice and to defeat Maseeh ad-Dajjal (“the false messiah”, also known as the Antichrist.
Jesus (peace be upon him) a Messenger of God Almighty
Like all Prophets in Islam, Jesus (peace be upon him) is considered to have been one who submitted to the will of God (a Muslim), as he preached that his followers should adopt and submit to the “straight path” as commanded by God.
Islam rejects the view that Jesus (peace be upon him) was God incarnate or the son of God, that he was ever crucified or resurrected, or that he ever atoned for the sins of mankind.
The Holy Qur’aan says that Jesus (peace be upon him) himself never claimed any of these things, and it furthermore indicates that Jesus (peace be upon him) will deny having ever claimed divinity at the Last Judgement, and God will vindicate him. The Holy Qur’aan emphasises that Jesus (peace be upon him) was a mortal human being who, like all other Prophets, had been divinely chosen to spread God’s message. Islamic texts forbid the association of partners with God, emphasising a strict notion of monotheism.
Numerous titles are given to Jesus in the Holy Qur’an and in Islamic literature, the most common being al-Masee? (“The Messiah).
Jesus (peace be upon him) is also, at times, called the “Seal of the Israelite Prophets”, because, in general Muslim belief, Jesus (peace be upon him) was the last Messenger /prophet sent by God to the Children of Israel. Jesus (peace be upon him) is seen in Islam as a precursor to Muhammad (peace be upon him), and is believed by Muslims to have foretold the latter’s coming.
l to be continued.
For further information on Islam, please contact: Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, Publications Department,/P.O. Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare/Tel: 0242- 614078 / 614004 e mail : [email protected]
