The centuries-old wars between Muslims and Christians, the Crusades and Islamic conquests in Europe have led to the fact that many people have developed a stable stereotype that there are insoluble contradictions between these two religions. This is not surprising - the layman will say so. Do we not remember how the Muslim conquerors of captive knights forced the Muslim conquerors to step on the crucifix and deny the Savior?
But cinema and book stereotypes are one thing, and historical and religious facts are another. The reality is much more complicated. Jesus Christ in Islam, unlike Judaism, takes pride of place. Of course, Muslims do not consider him the Son of God, but nevertheless he has the rank of a prophet in them. Let's figure it out.
Meaning and Mission
Jesus in Islam is Nabi. This title is given to the greatest prophets. According to the interpretation of Islam, God sent him to the Jewish people to confirm the fidelity of the Pentateuch (Taurat) and bring a new Scripture - Injil. So in the Muslim world the Gospel is respectfully called. This is the new law of Allah. Therefore, Christ is also called the messenger of God (rasul).
Muslims also deny that Jesus came to people to atone for their sins. From their point of view, everyone should be judged by their own affairs. He came to show people the right path to God, to give them Injil - "Scripture, good news."
Other titles
Jesus in Islam is called differently. The Muslim tradition speaks of him as “Abdullah” (servant of God). In the Qur'an, Christ is often called the word “masih,” that is, the Messiah. However, Islamic theologians do not recognize the meaning that the Jews put into this title.
Although some other interpretations of this biblical and Quranic character coincide with Christian ones. We know that Christ often called himself the Word. But even in the Qur'an his name coexists with such epithets as “Kalima” or “Kaul-al-Khakh”. This means the "Word of Allah" and the "utterance of truth." Isa is also called "al-shahid", that is, the Witness (or martyr) of God. It is also a sign of the Judgment or Resurrection (“alam”).
Immaculate Conception
The Prophet Isa is a significant character of Islam. The story of the Qur'an about his birth and life coincides in many respects with the Christian gospel. For example, the legend of the miraculous birth of a prophet without the participation of a man is transmitted there. Angels - or some kind of "perfect man" - announced to his mother, Maryam, that she would bring an amazing son into the world. This will happen because Allah so desired.
Son Maryam - the angels prophesied - will perform miracles and preach the truth to people. No wonder the Quran calls Christ the new Adam. After all, he, too, was created according to the word of God.
The role of the Islamic "Madonna"
Christ is the only Islamic prophet whose full name mentions a mother, not a father. Muslims call him Isa ibn Maryam. The Qur'an and tradition assure that the prophet immediately after his birth began to speak with his mother, which already testifies to the unusual character of this child. According to Islamic legends, Maryam gave birth to a son under a palm tree, and as a reward for her torment, she received wonderful fruits from this tree, and a spring scored under it.
Jesus also took the word from his mother that she would not say anything to people about his miraculous birth. But the Jews learned that Maryam had given birth to a son without a husband, and decided to stone her. Then the child spoke to them and declared himself a messenger of Allah and a prophet. But the Jews still did not believe it and sent a request to the Roman governor to punish Maryam for profligacy.
Then the son and mother were forced to flee to Egypt. A woman who gave birth to a prophet is dedicated to a special sura in the Qur'an. It’s called “Maryam”. Jesus is constantly called the son of Mary, although it is usually not customary in Arabic culture to use the name of the mother as a designation of kinship.
The story of the prophet Isa in Islam
When the boy was twelve, Maryam returned with him to Judea. They settled in the city of Nasir (as Nazareth is called in the Qur'an). When the prophet Isa grew up and was thirty years old, he began to preach his teachings to the people of Israel. He could raise the dead, heal diseases, in particular leprosy. The Muslim Jesus could reveal everything secret and hidden, opened his eyes to the blind and could even breathe life into the clay figures of birds.
He encouraged people to follow the new law that he brought with him. These commandments abolished the effect of the old, obsolete. He urged people to worship God under the new law. Many began to listen to him, and some even became his devoted disciples, apostles (“Havariyun”). God sends them bread from heaven when they ask him to. Jesus is inspired and assisted by the Holy Spirit (ruh al-kudus).
Crucifixion of Isa in Islam according to the Quran
Many Jews not only did not believe the new prophet, but in every way interfered with him and tried to kill him. In the end, Isa ibn Maryam became so hated by them that they raised slander against him to the Roman governor. They stated that this prophet is in fact a rebel and troublemaker, that he wants to raise a rebellion, expel the invaders and become the king of the Jews. Then the Romans ordered to seize the preacher and crucify him according to their laws, as opposed to the authority of Caesar.
There are several versions of the Muslims regarding the arrest of Isa. Some say that, knowing that they would come for him, the prophet called the bravest of the apostles to go to the cross instead of him and ascended to Allah. The Romans took the disciple for Christ and crucified. Another story tells that there was a traitor among the apostles. And when the soldiers burst into the house where Isa was with the disciples, the renegade was with them to indicate the prophet. Then Allah took Christ to himself, and gave the traitor his appearance. He was seized and crucified.
Be that as it may, the Qur'an only says that the prophet was not killed, that it only appeared to the Jews. They announced to everyone that he was dead, but in fact, Isa ascended to God. He will be by His side until Judgment Day arrives.
Isa and Mohammed
Are these two characters so opposed to each other, as is commonly believed? Isa in Islam is the prophet of true religion. She was like that until Mohammed appeared. After all, people, as Muslims believed, rejected Isa and did not follow him. Then God sent another messenger to them. Therefore, in her sermons, Isa also predicts the appearance of the prophet Mohammed. The Quran pays great attention to this figure. Much more is said about Isa than about all other prophets. In the holy book of Muslims, he is mentioned 25 times.
Second coming
The meaning of the name Isa in Islam is inextricably linked with the prophetic meaning of his mission. Among Muslims, Christ often coexists with Muhammad. Islamic tradition also shares faith in the second coming. There are several stories (hadiths) about this event. According to them, Isa, who is now in paradise, next to God, will appear in Palestine (or go down to the minaret of the Umayyad mosque in Damascus, Syria). He will be clothed in white robes, his hands will rest on the wings of angels, and his hair will appear wet, even if they were not touched by water.
In anticipation of this, a new carpet is laid in front of the mosque every day. Isa will destroy the false messiah and establish the kingdom of justice - true Sharia. Then he will die and be buried in Medina, in the mosque of the Prophet. Even now, pilgrims and visitors can see the place prepared for Isa next to Muhammad. And on Judgment Day, Allah will resurrect him, and he will be one of the main witnesses against the infidels.
Name use
Since Jesus plays such a significant role in Islam, the attitude towards him is usually very respectful. Muslims often call their children the names contained in the Qur'an. Isa is no exception. Muslims give this name to their children. Some researchers believe that after the existence of Islamic states in southern Spain, such a custom appeared among local Christians.
Christ's nature
Jesus in Islam is one of the most important prophets and in its significance is inferior only to Muhammad. The main discrepancy between Muslims and Orthodox Christians is that the former do not recognize the Trinity and consider it blasphemous to call Christ the Son of God.
In the Qur'an, on the other hand, Isa is called "mukarrabun." This means "the approximate of Allah," "friend of God." Therefore, some theologians believed that this prophet is at least partially an angel. And in some areas of Islam, it is Isa who is the object of special veneration. Some historians believe that Muslims first encountered Christians when church orthodoxy was not yet final. These were times of controversy between the followers of Jesus themselves regarding his nature. In addition, in that era there were serious discussions regarding the veneration of the crucifixion and the cult of saints, which was rejected by many Christian dissidents as superstition and paganism. It is this stage that is recorded in the Quran. Perhaps Muhammad, as a witness to these conflicts, also perceived the worship of holy places and relics as idolatry.
Muslims and Christians
Respect for the followers of the second prophet in Islam is prescribed in the Qur'an. Christians there are called "people of the Book" or "ahl al-kitab." Isa ibn Maryam, of course, is deprived of the divine nature for Muslims and is not one of the persons of the Trinity, and they consider faith in this to be a delusion. Nevertheless, the Qur'an directly indicates that the “Nazarenes" came closest to love and true doctrine. It even speaks of special respect for monks and clergy who do not suffer from pride and do not exalt themselves before others, but who humbly serve God.
Christians, especially those who follow the commandments, need to be tolerated. If a discussion arises with them, then convincing and better arguments must be made. And if Christians begin to get angry and “commit atrocities,” then you should just leave and not argue with them, saying: “You have your own Scripture, and we have our own, so let everyone believe that he has been sent.” So at least the holy book of Islam says.