🔴Exploring the Identity of Jesus: A Dialogue between Muslims and Christians

Mohamed, Ph.D
5 min readJul 18, 2024

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The concept of Jesus being God in the flesh is a perspective that is not widely accepted in Islam. In Islam, Jesus (peace be upon him) is considered a noble prophet and a messenger of God, but not God himself. The Quran, the holy book of Islam, affirms Jesus’ miraculous birth and his message of monotheism. The Quran describes him in many parts of it. The following is one sample:

Remember when the angels proclaimed, “O Mary! God (Allah) gives you good news of a Word from Him, his name will be the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary; honoured in this world and the Hereafter, and he will be one of those nearest to Allah.

And he will speak to people in his infancy and adulthood and will be one of the righteous.”

Mary wondered, “My Lord! How can I have a child when no man has ever touched me?” An angel replied, “So will it be. Allah creates what He wills. When He decrees a matter, He simply tells it, ‘Be!’ And it is!

And Allah will teach him writing and wisdom, the Torah and the Gospel,

and make him a messenger to the Children of Israel to proclaim, ‘I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I will make for you a bird from clay, breathe into it, and it will become a real bird — by Allah’s Will. I will heal the blind and the leper and raise the dead to life — by Allah’s Will. And I will prophesize what you eat and store in your houses. Surely in this is a sign for you if you truly believe.

And I will confirm the Torah revealed before me and legalize some of what had been forbidden to you. I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so be mindful of Allah and obey me.

Surely Allah is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him alone. This is the Straight Path.’”

(Quran 3:45–51).

However, it also emphasizes that Jesus was a mortal human being, just like all other prophets sent by God:

The Messiah, son of Mary, was no more than a messenger. Many messengers had come and gone before him. His mother was a woman of truth. They both ate food. See how We make the signs clear to them, yet see how they are deluded from the truth!

Say, O Prophet, “How can you worship besides Allah those who can neither harm nor benefit you? And Allah alone is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” (Quran 5:75–76).

Photo by Adrian Cogua: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-a-stencil-4485749/

Now, let's dive into the Quranic verses mentioned above and explore the biblical account of Jesus' life. He was born to a human mother, Mary, and grew up in a humble home in Nazareth. He faced challenges and setbacks just like anyone else, and his teachings emphasized the importance of humility and obedience to God. If he were truly divine, would he not have claimed such status more explicitly? Instead, his words and actions were focused on serving others and teaching them about the kingdom of God.

Moreover, the concept of Jesus being God is a product of theological development over time. The earliest Christian communities did not worship Jesus as God; rather, they saw him as a righteous teacher and leader who died and was raised from the dead. It wasn’t until later that the doctrine of Jesus’ divinity became more widespread.

As we reflect on Jesus’ life and teachings, it’s impossible not to be moved by his selfless love and compassion. He spent his life ministering to the marginalized and oppressed, feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and bringing hope to those who felt hopeless. His love was not limited to a select few; it was extended to everyone he encountered.

If we were to view Jesus as God, we would be elevating him to an untouchable pedestal, diminishing his humanity and making him unrelatable. Instead, by seeing him as a prophet or teacher, we can connect with him on a deeper level and learn from his remarkable example. We can strive to emulate his love, kindness, and compassion in our own lives.

While some may argue that Jesus’ miracles and resurrection are evidence of his divinity, I propose an alternative perspective. These events can be seen as demonstrations of Jesus’ unwavering commitment to his mission and his connection with the divine. Furthermore, even if we accept that Jesus performed miracles or was raised from the dead, it’s essential to recognize that this doesn’t necessarily imply he was God. Throughout history, numerous individuals have claimed to possess extraordinary abilities or have experienced supernatural events without being considered divine.

To further illustrate this point, consider the story of Adam, who was born miraculously without a father or mother. In a similar vein, all prophets in the biblical tradition, including Moses, Solomon, Ibrahim, and others, possessed extraordinary abilities and performed miraculous feats that were tailored to their specific context and the needs of their people. These miracles served as a means to convey their messages and emphasize the importance of worshipping God.

In this light, Jesus’ miracles can be seen as part of his prophetic calling, rather than as proof of his divinity. His life, teachings, and actions were a manifestation of his faithfulness to God and his commitment to sharing the message of love and redemption with humanity.

As Muslims believe that Islam is the culmination of all previous revelations, including those given to Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and others. The Quran is the final revelation from God to humanity, and it confirms the essential messages of previous prophets while correcting any misconceptions or distortions that may have arisen over time.

Before we part ways, I encourage you to delve into the Quran and uncover its powerful message firsthand. As you read it, you’ll find that it presents a beautiful and cohesive narrative of creation, human nature, and the purpose of life.

You can access an English translation of the Quran at the link provided below: 👇🔴

https://quran.ksu.edu.sa/index.php?l=en#aya=1_1&m=hafs&qaree=husary&trans=en_sh

I hope that as you explore the Quran, you’ll come to see that Islam is a faith that values love, compassion, and peace. And who knows? You may find that it speaks to your heart and soul in ways that surprise you.

May we all continue on our journey towards love and peace on earth.

Mohamed, Ph.D

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Mohamed, Ph.D
Mohamed, Ph.D

Written by Mohamed, Ph.D

University professor and author, delving into the worlds of Islamic studies, personal growth, and entrepreneurship to share insights and inspire others.

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