Prophet Jesus Christ (3/3)

Once this call of Jesus was launched which was only a confirmation of the calls of previous prophets, his contemporaries differed and were divided into several sects. Very few among them believed in the real message of Jesus. These are called the Supporters by the Qur’an and we shall talk about them towards the end. But the great majority of the Jews of the time rejected his message, not because they could not understand it, but in defense of their vested interests. So they started to spread rumours against Jesus and began to trace him and ask him several questions in order to instigate both the masses and the rulers against him. It is claimed in other scriptures that he was captured and dragged to the ruler who ordered him to be crucified, and thus he and his call were finished.

But the Holy Qur’an has something different to confirm; and as it corrected the story of Jesus’s birth as well as his call, so it also corrected the tale of his end on earth. The Qur’an clearly states that Allah has saved him from the cross and someone else was crucified in his place. Here are the words of the Qur’an: “That they said (in boast) “We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Apostle of Allah.” This they said in mockery, because if they believed him to be the messenger of Allah, they would not have boasted to be his killers. But Allah Almighty says: “But they killed him not, nor crucified him. So it was made to appear to them. And those who differ concerning him are full of doubts, with no certain knowledge, but only conjecture to follow. For of surety they killed him not, but Allah raised him up unto Himself; and Allah is Exalted in power, Wise.” (Surah An-Nisa’, 4:157-158 )

Muslims also believe that Jesus Christ will come back to earth before the Day of Judgement and will declare his belief in Islam and follow the teachings of the Qur’an and Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him and upon all the Prophets of Allah. This is clear from a number of Prophetic traditions that confirm Christ’s return to earth.

Not only this, but the Holy Qur’an also states that all the People of the Book, both Jews and Christians, will testify their belief in Jesus as a slave and a prophet of Allah before their actual death, that is on their death bed and on the Day of Judgement they will give testimony to this effect. The Qur’an says: “And there is none of the People of the Book but must believe in him before his death; and on the Day of Resurrection will be a witness against them.” (Surah An-Nisa’, 4:159)

But this testimony will not avail those who declare it, because they did it when it was too late.

But how does the Holy Qur’an correct the belief in Jesus? This is mentioned in many chapters of the Holy Book. The Qur’an for example addresses both Jews and Christians saying: “O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: Nor say of Allah anything but the truth. Christ Jesus, son of Mary, was no more than an apostle of Allah, and His word, which He delivered to Mary, and a spirit from Him. So believe in Allah and His apostles; say not Trinity; desist, it will be better for you; for Allah is One God, glory be to Him; far exalted is He above having a son. To Him belong all things in the heavens and on earth. And enough is Allah as a Disposer of affairs.” (Surah An-Nisa’, 4: 171)

The Holy Qur’an then says: “Christ disdains not to serve and worship Allah, nor do the angels, those nearest to Allah. Those who disdain His worship and are arrogant; He will gather them all together unto Himself to answer.” (Surah An-Nisa’, 4: 172)

In chapter five verse seventy five we read the following: “They do blaspheme who say “(Allah) is Christ the son of Mary” But said Christ: “O Children of Israel! Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.” Whoever joins other gods with Allah, Allah will forbid him Paradise, and the Fire will be his abode. There will be no one to help for the wrong-doers. They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of three in a Trinity; for there is no god except One God. If they desist not from their word of blasphemy, verily a grievous penalty will then befall the disbelievers among them.” (Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:72-73)

Calling them back to the right belief in Allah the Qur’an says: “Why turn they not to Allah, and seek His forgiveness? For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Christ, son of Mary was no more than an apostle; many were the apostles that passed away before him. His mother was a woman of truth. They had both to eat their daily food. See how We make the Signs clear to them, yet see in what ways they are deluded away from the truth.” (Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:74-75)

Again the Holy Qur’an compares Jesus Christ to Adam, the father of all humanity who has been created without a father or a mother. In a straightforward logic the Qur’an says: “The similitude of Jesus before Allah is as that of Adam; He created him from dust, then said to him “Be” and he was. The truth comes from your Lord, so be not of those who doubt.” (Surah Al-‘Imran, 3:59-60)

Two things remain to be mentioned before we conclude the story of this great luminary of Islam - Jesus Christ in whom all Muslims believe and who is honoured and respected by the Qur’an. The first thing is that miraculous table of food which his supporters asked to be sent to them from Allah when Jesus warned them to fear Allah if they had faith they said: “We only wish to eat thereof and satisfy our hearts, and to know that you have indeed told us the truth; and that we ourselves may be witnesses to the miracle.” (Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:113) So the table came down as they asked.

The second thing that has to be mentioned here is that the Holy Qur’an tells us about what will happen on the Day of Judgement and how He will call Jesus to court and ask him about the falsehoods ascribed to him. “Allah will say: O Jesus, son of Mary! Did you say to men worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of Allah. He will say: Glory to You! Never could I say what I had no right to say. Had I said such a thing, You would indeed have known it ... Never said I to them except what You did command me to say, to wit: Worship Allah my Lord and your Lord; and I was a witness over them while I dwelt among them. When You took me up, You were the Watcher over them; and You are a Witness to all things. If you do punish them, they are your slaves, and if You forgive them You indeed You, are the Exalted in power, the Wise.” (Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:116-118)