THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JESUS CHRIST IN ISLAM

The sacred book of Islam, the Holy Qur’an, refers to Jesus as “the greatest above all in this world and in the world to come” (Al-lmran, v.45).

The Qur’an points to many unique characteristics that set Jesus apart from all other men. Born of a virgin, and thus without a human father, He entered the world unencumbered by natural birth laws. The Qur’an reports that when the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that a son would soon be born unto her, she replied, “How could this be, for I am a virgin and no mortal has ever touched me?” (Maryam, v. 20)

But as the account continues, “God breathed His Spirit into Mary and she believed the words of the Lord” (Al-Tahrim, v. 12) and conceived a child.

If you are a Muslim by faith, it is important that you consider the biblical evidence concerning Christ as well as the qur’anic, for the Qur’an itself admonishes, “If you (a Muslim) are in doubt concerning that which We (God) have revealed and shown you (in the Qur’an), then ask those (Christians) who read the scriptures (Bible) before you” (Jonah, v. 94).

In another place the Qur’an speaks of the Bible as providing “guidance and light,” and claims to be a confirmation of biblical truth. (The Table Spread, vv. 46-48) And so in looking into the Bible we find the virgin birth also – Matt.1:18-23; Isa. 7:14.

The Qur’an claims that Jesus of Nazareth knew no sin, that He was perfect and holy, whereas all other men are imperfect. Gabriel told Mary that her Son would be “without fault” (Maryam, v. 19). The Bible also agrees with this – Heb. 4:15.

According to Surah Ya-Sin and Maryam of the Qur’an, Jesus is the only One who can advise God concerning the fate of each individual on the day of judgment. The Bible, too, acknowledges that “He (God) gave Him (Jesus) authority to execute judgment…” – John 5:27. And that “…we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ…” – 2 Cor. 5:10.

In the Qur’an, Jesus is seen as a direct revelation of God (Maryam, v.21). The Bible tells us, “He is the radiance of His (God’s) glory and the exact representation of His nature…” – Hebrews 1:3. The apostle John said that Christ came to help us understand and find the true God – 1 John 5:20.

The Qur’an says He (Jesus) is the Word (Al-lmran, v. 45) and the Bible says that the Word, which became flesh and dwelt among us is God – John 1:1, 18. Jesus claimed to be God when He said, “I and the Father are one” – John 10:30.

The Bible and the Qur’an both ascribe to Jesus certain earthly deeds whose origin is obviously divine. According to the Qur’an, only God can order living things to come into existence; mere man can’t produce even a fly (The Pilgrimage, v. 73). And yet an account is given in which Jesus breathed life into a piece of clay to create a bird (The Table Spread, v. 110). The Bible tells us further that all things came into being through Him – John 1:3, 22.

The Qur’an states that only God can bring the dead to life (Ya-Sin, v. 12). It further states that Jesus had the power to do this (The Table Spread, v. 110), and the Bible tells us specifically that Jesus called Lazarus from the grave when he had been dead for four days – John 11:43, 44.

The Qur’an states that Jesus was God’s mercy toward man (Maryam, v. 21).

The Bible says the same in Titus 3:5 and John 3:16.

The Qur’an directly states that the Taurat (i.e., Torah), Zabur (i.e., Psalms), and Injil (i.e., the Gospels) were definitely revealed by God (Surah 35:27-31; 4:163, 164; 5:44; 32:24; 46:11, 12; 2:87). It also states that God’s revelations are incorruptible and changeable by no one (Surah 6:34, 115; 10:64). Thus, not only is the charge of a corrupted gospel text indefensible logically from a Muslim perspective, it is also a denial of God’s power to insinuate that He cannot keep His word pure, as He says He will. This is calling Almighty God a liar.

The Qur’an states the awful consequences of rejecting God and His revealed Scriptures and believing only in part of them, “Those who reject the Book (i.e., the Bible), and that which we have sent our messengers with, - they shall know, when the collar shall be on their necks, and chains by which they shall be dragged into hell – then shall they be burned in fire” (Surah 40:70-72; 4:136).