Many of my Christian friends sometimes advise me to visit a retreat over a weekend for more peace of mind. Earlier it was my dear friend, Avriel, and now another sweet friend, Monisha. I appreciate their concern for me. They keep telling me about the greatness of Jesus. I hear and smile. They know not that being a Muslim, I know more about Jesus than they themselves. I’ve been told how even some Muslims go to a retreat and discover the power of Jesus. I smile and politely acknowledge all that. But keep silent.
Today, I’d like to tell everyone – I need not be a Christian to love Jesus. I love Jesus. In fact, Muslims love Jesus and believe in him. But they definitely love Muhammad S.A.S more than the other Prophets. Muslims who do not believe in Jesus, his birth from a virgin mother and his miracles have not studied or understood Islam well. But many of us (from all faiths) sometimes never really understand the depth and truth of our religion, but just follow it because we were born into it.
We all know Jesus from Christian perspective. I studied in a convent school myself and studied all about Noah, Moses and Jesus. And at the same time, at home, I had a fair knowledge of their importance in Islam as well, thanks to my parents. Now let me tell everyone what Islam says about Jesus.
Muslims accept Jesus as a Prophet of God (just like other Prophets before and after him – Adam, Nuh/Noah, Ibrahim/Abraham, Musa/ Moses to name a few), while Christian over the years have started to call him ‘Son of God’ or Lord himself. Jesus (or Isa Alai Salaam) is a prophet just like Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him). But Muhammed (PBUH) is the last prophet and is also the Messenger of Allah. Another major difference is that though Christians believe that Jesus was crucified, Muslims believe that he was just taken up by God (Allah) and did not die or was ever crucified. According to Islam, Jesus (Isa A.S) was raised to heaven and is there and will descend (come back) at the appointed time (towards the Day of Judgement/ Qayamat), ending all wars and bring peace to the world. He will live on earth for around forty years (Sunan Abu Dawud Book 37, Number 4310)
What the Holy Qur'an says about Jesus:
They slew him not, nor did they crucify him but it was made dubious to them.
(Holy Qur'an, Surah Nisaa, Verse 157)
And surely they slew him not. But Allah (God) raised him unto Himself.
(Holy Qur'an, Surah Nisaa, Verse 157-158)
As such, Muslims believe that Hadhrat Isa (A.S.) was raised to heaven. According to Hadith, he is on the second heaven. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam=Peace be upon him) mentioned, "During the Meraj (Night of Ascension), I met Hadhrat Isa (A.S.) on the second heaven. I found him of medium stature, reddish white. His body was so clean and clear, that it appeared as though he had just performed ghusal (ablution, cleansing of the entire body) and come." In another Hadith, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) mentioned to the Jews that, " Hadhrat Isa (A.S.) is not dead, he will most surely return to you before Qiyamat (the Day of Judgement)."
After his ascend, he will live with on earth
Now this piece of information might come as a surprise to many non-Muslims. But considering the Law of Nature and the Life Cycle we study through Science, this definitely makes sense. Every human being (however great or famous or pious) who is born on earth has to die. This is not new to us. And once a person dies in the context of earth, he is never seen back alive again. According to Quran, Jesus never died. He was taken away to the heavens. So in a way, he has not completed the life-cycle. Hence he has to come back or we can say that his coming back makes proper justification.
There are several Hadiths which give a detailed description about how Jesus's coming back on earth will be and also describe his physical attributes.
Sahih Bukhari Volume 3, Book 34, Number 425 ; Sahih Bukhari Volume 3, Book 43, Number 656 ; Sunan Abu Dawud Book 37, Number 4310 to name a few references
Here are some answers to some questions regarding similarities / differences between Christianity in their belief of Jesus :
1. Do Muslims believe he was a Messenger of One God? YES
2. Do Muslims believe he was born of a Virgin Mother? YES
3. Do Muslims believe Jesus had a miraculous birth? YES
4. Do Muslims believe Jesus spoke in the cradle? YES
5. Do Muslims believe he performed miracles? YES
7. Do Muslims believe that Jesus was the son of God? NO
8. Do Muslims believe Jesus was killed on the cross then resurrected? NO
I love Jesus. And I also love our dear Prophet Muhammad S.A.S.
For the complete story of Isa A.S, the Prophet, refer : http://www.islamawareness.net/Prophets/isa.html
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