Jesus in the Qur’anJesus in the Qur’anSimilar stories – Different interpretationsSimilar stories – Different interpretations

Amina InloesDecember, 2015

• Birth and early life of Mary• The angel Gabriel visits Mary and announces her miraculous

conception• Mary is alone (no Joseph)• Mary gives birth in the wilderness by a palm tree and returns to

her people, who accuse her of indecency• Jesus speaks from her arms

[Jesus] said: "I am a servant of Allah. He has given me revelation and made me a prophet, and has made me blessed wherever I be, and hath enjoined on me prayer and charity as long as I live. He has made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable. So peace be upon me the day I was born, the day that I will die, and the day that I will be brought to life.” (19:30-33)

When the angels said, 'O Mary, indeed God gives you the good news of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah Jesus, the son of Mary, honored in this world and in the Hereafter, and among those who are near to God. He will speak to the people in the cradle and in adulthood, and he will be among the righteous.’ She said, ‘My Lord, how can I have a son when no man has touched me?’ He said, ‘So it will be, for God creates what He wants. When He decides something, He only says to it, “Be”, and it is. (3:45-47)

Birth of Jesus

• Healing the blind and lepers• Raising the dead• Creating a bird from clay• Knowledge of what people store in their houses (the unseen)

“I make for you from clay the likeness of a bird, then breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by the permission of God. And I heal the blind and the leper, and I bring the dead to life by the permission of God. And I tell you what you eat and what you store in your houses. Surely, there is a sign for you in that, if you are believers. And I have come confirming the Torah that was revealed before me, and to allow you some of what was forbidden to you.” (3:49-3:51)

Miracles

Jesus Jesus giving life giving life to clay to clay pigeons, pigeons, St Martin's St Martin's Church, Church, SwitzerlanSwitzerlanddc. 1160 ADc. 1160 AD

Parable of Parable of Jesus and Jesus and the dead the dead dog dog ((hadithhadith))

• A Word from God• A Spirit (Spirit of God)• Aided by the Holy Spirit• The Messiah Jesus the son of Mary (al-masih ‘Isa ibn Maryam)• Servant of God• Prophet• Jesus is similar to Adam• Taking a covenant with the other prophets

[Jesus] said: "I am a servant of Allah. He has given me revelation and made me a prophet, and has made me blessed wherever I be….” (19:30-31)

The Messiah (masih) Jesus the son of Mary is a messenger of God, and a word from Him which He cast upon Mary, and a spirit from Him. (4:171)

Described as…We [God] gave Moses the Book and followed afterwards with a succession of apostles. We [God] gave clear signs to Jesus the son of Mary, and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit. (2:87)

And remember [O Muhammad], We took the covenant from the prophets, as We did from you – from Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus the son of Mary…. (33:7)

• Helpers of God• Table of food from heaven (Lord’s Supper/Last Supper)

When Jesus found unbelief in [the people], he said, “Who will be my helpers in God?” The disciples said, “We are the helpers of God. We believe in God and bear witness that we submit to God (are muslims).” (3:52-53)

Disciples

The disciples said: "O Jesus, son of Mary! Can your Lord send down to us a laden table from heaven?”…Jesus, the son of Mary, said: “Allah our Lord! Send us from heaven a laden table that there may be for us—for the first and the last of us—a solemn festival and a sign from You; and provide for our sustenance, for You are the best Provider.” (5:112-115)

• Most Muslims do not believe Jesus was crucified.• Instead, he was brought to the spiritual world and is still alive.• Several interpretations of this verse

They said, “We killed the Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of God.” But they did not kill or crucify him, but it was made to appear this way to them. Those who argue about this are full of doubt, following conjecture instead of knowledge. Certainly, they did not kill him. (4:157)

On the cross?

““The Ascension of Jesus The Ascension of Jesus in the Guise of a Priest”in the Guise of a Priest”

• Narrations from the Prophet say Jesus will return with the Saviour (Mahdi) near the end of the world, and they will defeat the Anti-Christ (Dajjal) and work together to bring peace, justice, knowledge, and prosperity to the earth

• Some Qur’anic verses are interpreted to indirectly refer to this

At the end of time

• The Qur’an alludes to different Christian beliefs• Critiques of some Christian beliefs• Praise of Christians• Salvation for those who believe in God and do

good• The Qur’an says that Jesus spoke of the next

Prophet• How to speak with people of other faiths

Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians -- whoever believes in God and the Last Day and does good, they shall have their reward from their Lord. And there will be no fear for them, nor shall they grieve" (2:62, 5:69, and many other verses).

The nearest among them in love to the believers will you find those who say, 'We are Christians,' because amongst these are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world, and they are not arrogant“ (5:82)

Christianity in the Qur’an

Say, "O People of the Book [Jews and Christians]! Come to a word shared between us - that we worship none but God, and do not give Him partners….” (3:64)

Coptic Coptic BibleBible

• The Study Qur’an• God’s Emissaries: Adam to Jesus• The Muslim Jesus• Jesus through Shi‘ite Narrations

Further Reading (in English)