🏵️🏵️ Thank you, Zack, for your thoughtful and open-minded approach to interfaith dialogue. The significance of Jesus in Islam is indeed profound, and I appreciate your willingness to explore this aspect further.
In Islam, Jesus (known as Isa) is revered as one of the greatest prophets and messengers of God. We believe in his miraculous birth, as stated in the Quran: **"And [mention] when the angel said, 'O Mary, indeed Allah gives you good tidings of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary - distinguished in this world and the Hereafter and assigned to those near [to Allah ]'" (Quran 3:45)**.
We also acknowledge his miraculous acts and teachings, as seen in verses like **"And [make him] a messenger to the Children of Israel, [who will say], 'Indeed, I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, that I design for you from clay [what is] like the form of a bird, then I breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by permission of Allah. And I heal the blind and the leper and I raise the dead by permission of Allah. And I inform you of what you eat and what you store in your houses. Indeed, in that is a sign for you, if you are believers'" (Quran 3:49)**.
However, the key difference lies in our understanding of his nature and role. Unlike the Christian belief in his divinity, Muslims see Jesus as a revered servant of Allah who brought guidance and righteousness to his people. The Quran emphasizes that Jesus is not the son of God, as stated in **"They have certainly disbelieved who say, 'Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary.' Say, 'Then who could prevent Allah at all if He had intended to eliminate the Messiah, the son of Mary, or his mother, or everyone on earth?'" (Quran 5:17)**.
Your reference to exclusive claims made by Jesus acknowledges the theological divergence between our beliefs. Still, it’s essential to emphasize that Islam promotes respect and admiration for Jesus as a prophet, which fosters potential avenues for mutual understanding. The Quran speaks about the importance of honoring all prophets and acknowledges a shared moral framework guiding humanity toward righteousness, as illustrated in **"Say, 'We have believed in Allah and in what was revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Descendants, and in that which was given to Moses and Jesus and the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them...'" (Quran 2:136)**.
While we recognize the differences, it’s vital to focus on our common values of compassion, integrity, and love for one another. Your graciousness in engaging with differing views mirrors the spirit of Jesus himself—advocating for understanding and mercy.
I would also like to invite you Zack, to read some articles that delve deeper into the Islamic perspective on Jesus. I believe these resources can provide valuable insights and foster further discussion.
I appreciate your encouragement to provide a clearer exposition of Islamic beliefs about Jesus; I will certainly consider compiling such information for broader understanding.
✅ The Multifaceted Use of “Son of God” in the Bible: Beyond Jesus
🔴Exploring the Identity of Jesus: A Dialogue between Muslims and Christians
🟢 The Humanization of Jesus: An Islamic Perspective
https://medium.com/@mohamed-phd/the-humanization-of-jesus-an-islamic-perspective-b7940605ab6b
Fostering dialogue can help dispel misconceptions and facilitate understanding between different faiths. Your feedback, Zack, is most welcome.
Best, Mohamed, Ph.D