Many people are of the opinion that Muslims disregard Jesus, as he is a symbol of Christianity. However, the opposite is truer than can be explained.  With Easter coming up, this issue needs to be set aright!

Muslims believe in Jesus, revere him, hold him in high honour and love him. In fact, it is part of the Muslim belief system to acknowledge Jesus, or in Arabic, Isa, as he is known. The difference arises in that Muslims, believe him to be a prophet of God, not a son of God, nor God himself. He was messenger sent to the Children of Israel, like many other prophets before him.

Muslims believe he was born of a miraculous birth without a father. His mother Mary (Maryam in Arabic) was a chaste woman and did not have a husband.

“And mention in the Book, the story of Mary. When she withdrew from her family to a place in the East. And she took in seclusion from them a screen. Then We sent to her Our Angel, and he presented to her, himself as a well-proportioned man. She said, “Indeed, I seek refuge in The Most Gracious 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.” She said, “How can I have a son when no man has touched me, and I have not been unchaste?” He said, “Thus it will be, and 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 she withdrew with him to a remote place.” (Surah Maryam 19:16-21)

This is story of the birth of Jesus as is believed by all Muslims. Jesus did not have a father, his mother was a pure and chaste woman who guarded herself. Allah simply willed for Jesus to be, and he was. Allah created Adam without mother or father, so how can the creation of Jesus be any more difficult?!

Muslims also believe that Jesus was among the best of the Prophets (known as ulul ‘azm), along with Abraham, Moses, Noah and Muhammad, Peace be upon them all. They were chosen by Allah, and possessed a strong will and determination in fulfilling their duties of prophet hood. They endured the negativity of their people and bore the torture with patience. Jesus was also special in that he performed many miracles. He spoke from the cradle, amongst others,

“So she pointed to him. They said, “How can we speak to one who is in the cradle, a child?” He (Jesus) said, “Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the scripture and made me a prophet. And He has made me blessed wherever I am, and has enjoined upon me prayer and charity as long as I live,” (Surah Maryam 19:29-31)

“And a messenger to the Children of Israel, ‘Indeed I have come to you with a sign from your Lord in that I design for you from clay the like of a bird, then I breathe into it and it becomes a bird by the permission of Allah. And I cure the blind and leper, and I give life to the dead, by the 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 indeed believers.” (Aal-Imran 03:49)

Jesus (peace be upon him) performed many other miracles, and it is part of a Muslims belief to accept this. Jesus had no super power, rather it was by Our God’s permission that he was able to perform these wonders. Indeed, this was a sign to the people whom he was sent to, and to us today. For who can perform such tasks except with the aid of only God! Jesus was no more than a messenger of Allah, as he himself said, that his miracles were accomplished by only God’s permission.

Jesus worshipped the only One God alone. He was a servant of Allah, obedient to His commands. He prayed and worshipped the only God as was prescribed for him. He was not a god on earth, nor was he the son of God. He ate food, drank, and prayed. It is not for any divine being to indulge in the same activities as the creation. Allah is far superior to His creation. Jesus was only a messenger of Allah, who was sent to earth to teach the people about Allah.

With Easter round the corner, it’s important that we cover another point of difference; the crucifixion of Jesus. Muslims believe Jesus, was not crucified, though it was made to seem so. We believe that Jesus is alive, and will return to earth near the end of times.

Allah says in the Qur’an, “And their saying, ‘indeed we have killed the messiah, Jesus the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.’ And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but another was made to resemble him to them. And indeed those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge about it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him for certain.” (Surah An-Nisa 04:157)

Muslims revere Isa (peace be upon him), we admire him, and venerate him. He is one the greatest Prophets, and his significance is illustrated by the fact that he is mentioned 25 times in the Qur’an by name, whereas Muhammad (peace be upon him) is only mentioned 5 times by name!