The Prophet Jesus (PBUH)

Jesus, the Messiah, a Spirit and Word from Allah, was the son of Mary, daughter of Joachim (Imran), the last Prophet sent to the Children of Israel. The lineage of Jesus is the same as his mother's, since he was born miraculously without a father (i.e. of virgin birth). Paradoxically, the New Testament, despite referring to his miraculous birth [Matthew1:18; Luke1: 34], provides contradictory accounts. Jesus, for example, is said to be the son of Joseph the carpenter[1] (Matthew 1: 16; 13: 55; Luke 3: 23) and that he had brothers and sisters. (Matthew 13: 55-56; Luke 8:19; Mark 3:31). Similar contradictory accounts will be referred to later.

Mary:
Joachim (Imran), Mary's father, was a religious scholar. His wife, who was barren, vowed that if she got pregnant she would dedicate the child to the temple of Jerusalem. Contrary to her wish for a male-child, more appropriate than a female one for the service of the temple, Imran's wife gave birth to a female-child. Nevertheless, Allah accepted her child (Mary), and protected her and her offspring from Satan.[2]

Upon the death of Joachim, Zachariah took care of Mary on account of being her uncle (her aunt's husband). He appointed a place in the temple for Mary to worship Allah therein. Mary used to serve the temple and take care of it. Throughout her life, Mary had a very pure and virtuous life. To his surprise, while frequently visiting Mary in the sanctuary, Zachariah used to find her provisioned.[3] Upon asking her about it, she would answer that it was from Allah. Referring to the mentioned-above, the Quran says: ( Remember when the wife of Imran said: 'Lord, I have vowed to You in dedication what is within my womb. Accept this from me; You are the Hearer, the Knower.' And when she gave birth to her, she said: 'Lord, I have given birth to her, a female.' Allah knew of what she had given birth to; the male is not like the female 'and I have called her Mary. And I seek refuge with You for her and her descendants from the Satan, the accursed. Her Lord accepted the child with gracious favor, and by His goodness she grew up comely, and entrusted her to the care of Zachariah. Whenever Zachariah went to her in the sanctuary, he found that she had provision with her. 'Mary,' he said, 'how comes this to you?' 'From Allah,' she answered. Truly, Allah provides whomsoever He will without reckoning ) [3: 35-37]

As a sign of honor, Angles would occasionally visit Mary informing her that she enjoyed a high status on account of being chaste and chosen above the women of the entire world. Accordingly, Mary was requested to submit herself to the Lord and to worship Him even more than ever. As regards this honor, the Quran refers: (And when the angels said to Mary: 'Allah has chosen you, purified you, and chosen you above all women of the worlds. O Mary! Be obedient to your Lord, prostrate and bow with those who bow.') [3: 42-43] Mary was committed to her Lord's obedience and submission, as we learn from the following verse: ( And Mary, 'Imran's daughter, who guarded her chastity, so We breathed into her of Our Spirit; and she believed in the Words of her Lord; and His books and was among the obedient.) [66: 12]

Confirming Mary 's veneration, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Among all women of the world, four are the best: Mary (Imran 's daughter), `A'ishah (Pharaoh 's wife), Khadeejah (Khuwaylid 's daughter) and Fatimah (Muhammad 's daughter).” [4]

The Miraculous Birth of Jesus:
The angles announced to Mary the Birth of a child named Jesus who would possess several traits, enumerated in the following Qur'anic verse: ( When the angels said: 'O Mary! Allah gives you glad tidings of a Word from Him, whose name is Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary; high honored shall he be in this world and in the Hereafter, and shall be among those who are close (to Allah). He shall speak to people in the cradle and of age, and shall be among the righteous.' ) [3: 45-46]

While Mary was away from her people 's dwelling place, the angel Gabriel appeared to her in the shape of a human being. 'I seek refuge with Allah, the All-Merciful from you! If you are pious.' said Mary, in fear.

Reassuring Mary, Gabriel told her that he was sent by Allah to grant her a pure male child. Mary, being still virgin, expressed her amazement. 'It is easy for Allah to do it, for Allah, when He intends to create something, it is sufficient for Him to say: "Be " And it is,' said Gabriel. After sometime, Mary became pregnant with the permission of Allah.[5] The Quran speaks of Jesus’s miraculous birth: ( And mention in the Book Mary when she withdrew from her people to an eastern place, and she took a veil apart from them; then We sent unto her Our Spirit (Gabriel) that presented himself to her a man without fault. She said: 'I take refuge with the All-Merciful from you if you are pious!' He replied 'I am but a Messenger come from your Lord to give you a boy most pure.' She said: 'How shall I have a son when no mortal has touched me, neither have I been unchaste?' He replied 'Even so your Lord has said: 'Easy is that for Me; and that We may appoint him a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us.' And it is a matter decreed. So she conceived him, and withdrew with him to a distant place. And when the birth-pangs surprised her by the trunk of a palm-tree, she said: ' Would I had died before this, and become a thing forgotten!' But the one that was below her called to her: 'Nay, do not sorrow, see, your Lord has set below you a rivulet. Shake also to you the palm-trunk, and there shall come tumbling upon you dates fresh ripe. Eat, therefore, and drink and be comforted; and if you see any human, say: 'I have vowed to the All-Merciful a fast, and today I will not speak to anyone today.') [19:16-26]

According to Luke (2: 6) it was Bethlehem where Jesus was born.[6] His mother laid him in a manger, because there was no room for her in the inn.[7]

The following Qur'anic verses narrate the events that followed Jesus' birth: ( Then She brought the child to her people carrying him. They said: 'O Mary! You have committed a monstrous thing! O sister of Aaron,[8] your father was not a wicked man, nor was your mother unchaste.' Then, she pointed to him (Jesus). But they replied: 'How shall we speak to one who is still in the cradle, a little child?' He (the child) said: 'I am Allah 's servant. Allah has given me the Book and made me a Prophet. Blessed He has made me, wherever I may be, and has enjoined me to pray, and to give the alms so long as I live. And likewise to be kind to my mother; He has not made me arrogant, unprosperous. Peace be upon me, the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day when I am raised up alive!' ) [19:27-33].

“And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus. Luke. ” (2: 21)

Jesus's Early Life:
Jesus and Mary lived in an area described in the Quran as an elevated place, full of quiet and watered with springs. [23: 50] Commentators identify this area as being either Damascus, Al-Ramlah in Palestine, Jerusalem, or Egypt.

Historically speaking, the reason for departing from Bethlehem was due to a dream in which Joseph was commanded to flee with the child and his mother into Egypt, because Herod had ordered to have all the children slain there. Thereupon, Joseph took them to Egypt, where they dwelled for sometime. When Herod died, Joseph, ordered in a dream, took the child and his mother back to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child 's life had died. Jesus, at a time, had accomplished seven years. However, when hearing that Archelaus, son of Herod, reigned in Judea, Joseph turned aside into Nazareth (in Galilee). “And the child grew and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him… And when Jesus was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day 's journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass that after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting the midst of the doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed, and his mother said unto him: 'Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. ' And he said unto them: 'How is that you sought me? Wist [know] ye not that I must be about my Father 's business? ' ... And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them.” Luke (2: 40-51)

Astonishingly enough, a span of eighteen years of Jesus 's life (12-30) is thoroughly unknown.

The Prophecy:
When Jesus was thirty, he went to John the Baptist, who baptized him in the river Jordan. Then, the Holy Spirit descended upon him in the shape of a dove. Subsequently, Jesus was there in the wilderness, fasting for forty days.[9]

The Almighty Allah sent Jesus (PBUH) to bring them back to Allah's true religion. Therefore, Jesus conveyed Allah's Commands to his people and bade them to return to the Straight Path and worship Allah sincerely.

Further more, Jesus told his people that new rules were revealed unto him. The Quran refers to that as follows: ( And (I, Jesus, have come) confirming the truth of the Torah that is before me, and to make lawful to you certain things that before were forbidden unto you. I have come to you with a sign from you Lord; so fear Allah and obey me.) [3: 50]

In fact, Jesus (peace be upon him) was supported by certain miracles as a proof of genuine prophecy.

Just like prophets before him, Jesus was endowed with evidently acute intelligence, and cogent arguments. Over the course of his ministry, Jesus used to deploy arguments with a Jewish sect, named ‘Sadducees’, who denied the Judgment Day and similar eschatological doctrines.[10] Moreover, he had serious debates with some deviant religious Jewish groups, such as the ‘Pharisees’ (passionately devoted worshippers),[11] the ‘Scribes’ (preachers and professional copyists) and the ‘Priests’ (temple attendants). [12]

Ultimately, only few people believed in Jesus, the most prominent of whom are the twelve Apostles.[13] The following Qur'anic verse speaks highly about them: ( And When Jesus perceived their disbelief, he said: 'Who will be my helpers unto Allah?' The Apostles replied: 'We will be helpers of Allah. We believe in Allah. Bear witness that we are submitters (Muslims)) [3:52]

The Gospel:
Etymologically speaking, the word "Gospel" is derived from the Greek origin ‘Evangelos’ meaning 'Good news. '

The Glorious Quran advises that Allah revealed unto Jesus the Gospel containing guidance and light. [5:46]

On the top of that, it is certainly known that Jesus ’s Gospel made reference to the following ideas:

•  Confirming the Torah before it, as guidance and an admonition unto the righteous. [5:46 ]

• Divine Instructions (orders and prohibitions). [3:50-51; 5:46].

• Foretelling the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), as well as referring to his attributes. [7:157]

• Characteristics of Muhammad's Companions. [48:29]

• A Divine Call for sacrificing one's own self and wealth in the Way of Allah. [9:111].

However, central questions appear: What happened to Jesus 's Gospel? Is it available or not? Does it have any connection with the present-day Gospels? Had there been other Gospels?
Here is a humble attempt to give adequate answers:

First: The Bible comprises the Old Testament, the Jewish ‘Holy Scripture’ (thirty- nine books). The first five books of them (Pentateuch) are metaphorically labeled as the ‘Torah.’[14] The New Testament comprises two major parts:

1-the historical books which include the four Gospels, attributed to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. They narrate the entire life of Jesus and his mother. Also, they include the acts of Jesus' Apostles, ascribed to Luke, which speak of the ministers, in particular Paul.

2- The teaching letters (21). They are concerned with preaching and admonishing teachings. Materials of New Testament were originally written in Greek

Second: It is historically proven that books of the New Testament, lacking the chain of transmitters to Jesus, were documented several decades after Jesus 's ascension. Moreover, the authors leaned heavily on prevailing oral traditions of their milieu and on contemporaries ' memories, for they had not witnessed the events themselves.

Historically speaking, the notoriously severe persecution of Christians, under the auspices of Roman Emperors (Nero, Trajan, Decius,), up to early 4^th century CE, fully accounted for the absence of chain of transmitters and the intrusion of Hellenistic doctrines. Lamentably, Christians experienced various sorts of oppression (a large mass of people slain, numerous bishops jailed, religious books burnt, and churches collapsed). Further, it was the Jews who wickedly masterminded such awful persecutional acts.[15]

Third: Among dozens of Gospels, held authentic by various Christians’ dominations, only the four present ones were canonized in the council of Nicaea[16] (325 CE). Conversely, seizure and burn were the destiny of the remaining Gospels, just because they dissented from the Nicaean creed imposed forcefully by Constantine, the emperor of Rome.[17] We dearly wish that all Gospels were available. Probably the Gospel of Jesus (or even another one akin to it) had prevailed among them. Thus, it could be concluded that canonization of the four Gospels at no point depended on valid reasons, like authenticity, linkage with Jesus, or because of unanimous decision. Instead, the only criterion was based upon arbitrariness.

Fourth: The New Testament unfortunately provides erroneous and incomplete narration of the life of Jesus. Consequently, researchers have come across many various contradictions and mistakes therein,[18] as well as a sharp division of opinions pertaining to real authors, translators, and exact dates of documentation. [19]

Accordingly, this definitely proves the validity of Islamic perspective of the Bible being corrupt and distorted.[20] Therefore, Muslims do not believe that the Bible, as a whole, is a revealed book.

Fifth: Based on the foregoing, the divine Gospel of Jesus, as referred to in the Holy Quran, is by no means held as one of the present four Gospels. Yet, the latter contains more or less some genuine traditions of Jesus. At this point, scholars have discovered the 'Q' Gospel, non-narrative, containing abundant materials of the teachings of Jesus. These materials, labeled 'Q' (from German Quelle, meaning source), have been taken from Matthew and Luke.[21]

Foretelling the Advent of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the Bible:

The Quran firmly declares that Jesus foretold the advent of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): (And remember when Jesus, the son of Mary said: 'Children of Israel! I am Allah 's Messenger to you confirming that which was revealed before me in the Torah and giving good news of a Messenger to come after me whose name shall be Ahmad.' But when he brought them clear proofs, they said: 'This is clear magic.') [61:6]

The Gospel of Barnabas[22], held Apocryphal by a large number of Christians,[23] mentioned the name ‘Ahmad’ several times.[24] Whereas the Gospel of John used the term Paraclete, taken either from the Greek word Paraklētos (meaning the helper, intercessor, consoler, or advocate) or Periklutos (meaning 'praiseworthy', equivalent to 'Muhammad' or 'Ahmad' in Arabic) . In his book ‘Izhar Al-Haqq’ the leading scholar Rahmatullah Al-Hindi amply demonstrated that different meanings of the Greek word were applicable to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).[25]

The period between Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them) is estimated to be six hundred years.[26]

The Crucifixion Problem:

In remarkable persistence, Jesus maintained his religious and reforming mission toward the children of Israel. Having become fed up with Jesus, their leading figures called a meeting in which, they expressed fear of Jesus' destroying their long-established religious doctrines, and increasing his adherents. Qā'iaphǎ, a high priest, laid stress on the necessity of the death of Jesus, otherwise the whole Jewish nation would be destroyed.

In order to achieve their goal, they turned the Roman Emperor against Jesus by claiming that the latter had been planning to destroy the kingdom of the latter, and to install himself as the king of the Jews. Under the Jews’ enticement, the Emperor ordered crucifixion of Jesus, a typical Roman penalty of those sentenced to death. [27]

Aware of the plot, Jesus hid somewhere so as not to be recognized or arrested by his enemies from the Jews.

It is narrated that later on, Jesus entered Jerusalem mounting a donkey. He said to his Apostles, who received him, 'Among you is one who eats and drinks with me but will betray me. ' Jesus gave his Apostles several commands, and then they all went to their normal meeting-place. Judas Iscariot, an Apostle, who knew the place, showed the guards where Jesus was available, in return for only a little amount of money (thirty dirhams). When the guards entered the place, it appeared to them that Judas Iscariot was Jesus. Therefore, they took him instead of Jesus and crucified him. Meanwhile, Jesus was raised into the Heaven.[28]

In connection with the crucifixion, the Quran says: (And for their saying, 'We killed the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah.' Yet, they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; only a likeness of that was shown to them. Those who are at variance concerning him surely are in doubt regarding him; they have no knowledge of him, except the following of surmise, and they killed him not of a certainty. Rather, Allah raised him up to Him. Allah is All-mighty, All-wise. There is not one of the people of the Book but will assuredly believe in him before his death, and on the Day of Resurrection, he will be a witness against them.) [4:157-159]

Elsewhere, the rise of Jesus is mentioned: (Allah said: ' Jesus, I will take you (alive) unto Me and will raise you (alive) to Me, and I will purify you from those who disbelieve.) [3: 55]

Miracles of Jesus:
The bulk of miracles of Jesus basically fell into the category of Medicine, an occupation in which the Children of Israel were highly skilled. Nonetheless, Jesus' miracles extraordinarily surpassed their impressive medical competence.

The Glorious Quran enumerates seven miracles of Jesus (peace be upon him):

1- He made from clay the shape of a bird, and then breathed into it and made it a living bird with the Permission of Allah.

2- He gave sight to someone born blind.

3- He healed the leper.

4- He raised the dead.

5- He told people what they ate and stored in their houses.

6- He was miraculously saved from crucifixion.

7- He was miraculously given a table from the Heaven.[see 5: 110-115]

Jesus' Names and Titles:

The Bible attributed many names and titles to Jesus (peace be upon him). Some of these names and titles seem to be doubtlessly contradictory, like his being the son of God, son of Joseph, Son of man, a Prophet, the God, the Lamb of God, the Savior, Son of David, the Only son, the Door, the Omnipotent God, the Image of God, the Power of God.[29]

Commenting on the theses names, Dr, M.Faruk Zein says: 'Understandably, extravagant, divine, and contradictory titles of Jesus can only be explained in the light of the manner in which the Gospels had evolved, together with the evolution of theological doctrines in a Hellenistic cultural context. But it is more difficult to understand why Christian theologians and clergy labored throughout their history trying to accommodate and defend such contradictions' [30]

The Islamic tradition, however, states only the following names and titles: Jesus, son of Mary, the Messiah, Allah's Messenger, Allah's Word, a Spirit from Allah. Allah's Servant [See the verses 4:171; 19:30].

The Second Coming of Jesus:
According to Islamic traditions, ten major signs will precede the Hour (of the Day of Judgment). Among these signs will be the second coming of Jesus, after being away from our world for a very long time, and living somewhere in the kingdom of the Lord. On his return, Jesus will live for a period of time judging among people according to Islamic Sharia.

What should be particularly emphasized, however, is that the second coming of Jesus does not necessarily oppose the firm belief of Muhammad (peace be upon him) being the final Prophet, and of Islam abrogating previous religions.

Evidences of the second coming of Jesus are derived from the Quran and Hadith.

In the Quran, we come across three verses:

1- (And for their saying, 'We killed the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah.' Yet, they did not kill him, nor crucified him; only a likeness of that was shown to them. Those who are at variance concerning him surely are in doubt regarding him; they have no knowledge of him, except the following of surmise, and they kill him not of a certainty. Rather, Allah raised him up to Him. Allah is All-mighty, All-wise. There is no one of the people of the Book but will assuredly believe in him before his death, and on the Day of Resurrection he will be a witness against them.) [4:157-159] The verse declares that Jesus is still alive, and that all the people of the Book will believe in him when he returns.

2- (And he (Jesus) is truly a knowledge of the Hour (wa innahu- la'lmun lssa'ah)) [43:61] i.e. by his descent the approach of the Hour will be known. The second variant reading of the verse runs as follows: ( And he is truly a sign for the Hour (wa innahu- la'alamun lssa'ah))

3- (And he shall speak to men in the cradle and of age, and righteous he shall be. ) [3:46]. Indeed, Jesus spoke to others in the cradle, and yet in his old age.[31]
Concerning the Hadith, abundant authentic materials of the second coming are available in the book 'Attasreeh Bima Tawatara fi Nuzoul Al-Maseeh' by the leading scholar Muhammad Anwar Shah Al-Hindi.

Two genuine Prophetic traditions are cited:
1-Al-Bukhari and Muslim, in their Hadith collections, narrate on authority of Hurayrah that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "By Him, in Whose Hands my soul is, surely Jesus, the son of Mary, will soon descend amongst you and will judge among mankind justly (as a Just Ruler); he will break the Cross, kill the pigs and have the warfare terminated. Besides, Money will be in abundance so that nobody will accept it, and a single prostration to Allah (in prayer) will be better than the whole world and whatever is in it." Abu Hurayrah added "If you wish, you can read (the Qur'anic verse [4:159]): ( There is no one of the people of the Book but will assuredly believe in him before his death, and on the Day of Resurrection he will be a witness against them.)" [32]

2- Abu Hurayrah also reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "There is no Prophet between me and him, that is, Jesus. Assuredly, he will descend (to the earth). Once you see him, you should recognize him. He is a man of medium height, reddish fair, wearing two light yellow garments, looking as if drops were falling down from his head though it will not be wet. He will fight the people for the cause of Islam. He will break the cross, kill the pigs, and abolish Al-Jizyah (poll tax). Allah will perish all religions except Islam. He will destroy the Antichrist (false Messiah) and will live on the earth for forty years and then he will die. The Muslims will pray over him.”[33]

From the foregoing analysis and discussion, this essay shows the pure image of Jesus and his Mother, which considerably differs from the Christians' standpoint in general and that of Paul in particular.

Dr. M. Faruk Zein stated that an academic quest to disentangle the historical Jesus, the Messiah, from Jesus Christ of the Church (invented by Paul), started in the West some two hundred years ago. Among the famous pioneers of this quest was the third President of the US, Thomas Jefferson, who endeavored to produce a Bible purged of the notions of the mythical Jesus invented by Paul and to retain only those teachings and notions pertaining to the historical Jesus. Remarkably, the quest proved the existence of a vast gap between the mythical Jesus and historical one.[34]

Furthermore, a striking resemblance has been discovered between the many modern Biblical findings and the Islamic image of Jesus. This can serve as a useful platform for further understanding and fruitful dialogue between Christians and Muslims.[35]

References

•Al-Aqeedah Al-Islamiyyah. Abdur-Rahman Habannakah. Dar Al-Kalam- Damascus 1992.

•Attasreeh Bima Tawatara fi Nuzoul Al-Maseeh. Muhammad Anwar Shah Al-Hindi. Edited by Abd Al-Fattah Abu Ghuddah. Alleppo 1992.

•Christianity, Islam and Orientalism. M. Faruk Zein. Saqi Books- London. 2003.

•Izhar Al-Haqq. Rahmatullah Al-Hindi Dar Al-Geel- Beriut 1988.

•Kissas Al-Anbiya', Inb Kathir. Dar Sadr, Beruit 2003.

•Kissas Al-Anbiya, by Abd Al-Wahhab Al-Najjar.

•Muhadarat fi Al-Nasraniyyah. Abu Zahrah. Dar Al-Fikr Al-Arabi- Cairo.

•Musnad Ahmad, Dar Arrisalah, Damascus. 1993-2001.

•Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal. Dar Al-Risalah- Damascus 1987.

•Sahih Al-Bukhari. Ibn Kathir- Damascus 1990

•Tafseer Ibn Katheer. Dar al-Khayr- Damascus 1990.

•Tafseer Al-Qurtubi . Dar Al-Fikr 1987.

• Qamous Al-Kitab Al-Muqaddas, Al-Mis'al library- Beirut. 1981.