In Islam Jesus is mentioned in the Quran as a symbol of trust, knowledge and love for God.
Jesus’ Birth
“We sent her [Mary] our angel… He said: "Nay, I am only a messenger from thy Lord, (to announce) to thee the gift of a holy son. She said: "How shall I have a son, seeing that no man has touched me, and I am not unchaste?" He said: "So (it will be): Thy Lord saith, 'that is easy for Me: and (We wish) to appoint him as a Sign unto men and a Mercy from Us’: It is a matter (so) decreed." So she conceived him, and she retired with him to a remote place.” (Quran 19:18-22)
Jesus birth is summed up in the 19th chapter titled Mary. The debate remains; should it be understood that Jesus’ birth was of a virgin? Suffice it to say the only thing to be known for certain is that the first miracle was the announcement. Furthermore, at the announcement Mary was untouched by man. This is a time honored miracle given to mothers of prophets in the biblical and quranic traditions.
Jesus’ Life
Then will Allah say: "O Jesus the son of Mary! Recount My favour to thee and to thy mother. Behold! I strengthened thee with the Holy Spirit, Behold! I taught thee the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel and behold! … thou healest those born blind, and the lepers, by My leave. And behold! Thou bringest forth the dead by My leave. And behold! I did restrain the Children of Israel from (violence to) thee when thou didst show them the clear Signs… (Quran 5:110)
Jesus' life and purpose is summed up here in this verse where God recounts his favors to Jesus. As we can see Jesus' mission was to his people. He called them to worship the one true God. Jesus called them to worship the God of their forefathers. The Jewish people were called to remember their covenant with God.
To show his people that he was the Messiah, he was given miracles in the physical world that were symbolic testaments to his purpose. He healed the deaf so they could hear God's message. He healed the blind so they could see God’s Glory. He healed the leper so they could know of God's Mercy. He brought the dead back to life so that those who had become soulless and uncompassionate could know of God's Love.
Jesus' Death
That they [those who hated Jesus] rejected Faith; that they uttered against Mary a grave false charge; That they said (in boast), "We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah"; - but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, … Nay, Allah raised him up unto Himself… (Quran 4:156- 158)
The Quran without any ambiguity states that the enemies of Jesus who tried to kill him failed. In this verse it is stated that it was made to appear that he was killed or crucified but God raised him up. God raised him up in the sense that God saved Jesus from death and brought him near in honor. Jesus was protected from his enemies by God as were prophets of the past.
Meaning of Jesus for Muslims
For the Muslim Jesus teaches to love God and through that love the Muslim will grow in spiritual understanding beyond blind faith. Jesus is an example to the Muslim to have true devotion for God and love for his fellow human beings.
Khalil Green - Khalil Green has obtained a Bachelors Degree with Departmental Honors in Religious Studies from Washburn University in Topeka Ks. His ...
