📖 Exploring the Qur’anic View of Jesus Christ 🕊️: Sonship, Divinity, and Sinlessness
Etymology and Definition
Jesus (عيسى ‘Isa): Derived from Yeshua or Joshua, meaning “Yahweh is salvation.” In Islam, He is revered as a prophet born miraculously to Mary (Maryam).
Sonship: The theological concept that refers to Jesus being the “Son of God” in Christian beliefs, whereas Islam strictly emphasizes God’s singularity and rejects any filial associations.
Divinity: Refers to the nature of being divine or god-like. While Christianity upholds Jesus’ divinity, Islam rejects this concept, recognizing Jesus solely as a human prophet.
Sinlessness: The doctrine asserting Jesus’ purity and absence of sin, a trait that is acknowledged in both Islam and Christianity albeit with different implications.
Background and Cultural Narratives
In Islam:
- Jesus is one of the most significant prophets, born to the Virgin Mary (Maryam) through divine intervention.
- He performed miracles by God’s will, was given the Injil (Gospel), and will return before Judgment Day.
- Referred to as ‘Isa al-Masih, He’s acknowledged but not worshipped, aligning with strict monotheism.
In Christianity:
- Jesus Christ is both the Son of God and part of the Holy Trinity.
- His life, sacrificial death, and resurrection form the cornerstone of Christian faith.
- Celebrated widely through variations of cultural expressions and denominations.
Comparative Overview
Similarities:
- Acknowledgement of Jesus’ miraculous birth and His sinlessness.
- Attribution of moral and spiritual authority to His teachings.
Differences:
- Christianity views Jesus as divine and the Son of God; Islam strictly emphasizes His human prophetic role.
- Islamic theology denies the crucifixion and resurrection, prominent Christian doctrines.
Qur’anic Verses: Insights and Exegesis
Core Verses and Meanings
Sūrah xix. 35, 36:
“That is Jesus the son of Mary, the word of truth (Qaulu ʾl-Ḥaqq), whereon ye do dispute! God could not take to Himself a son! Celebrated be His praise! When He decrees a matter He only says to it, ‘BE,’ and it is.”
Highlights the Muslim perspective that Jesus was a prophetic figure without divine attributes.
Sūrah iii. 51, 52:
“These signs, and this wise warning do we rehearse to thee. Verily, Jesus is as Adam in the sight of God. He created him of dust: He then said to him, ‘Be’—and he was.”
Compares Jesus to Adam in terms of divine creation, stressing their shared humanity.
Sūrah ix. 30:
“The Jews say Ezra is the Son of God; and the Christians say that the Messiah is the Son of God; that is what they say with their mouths … God fight them!—How they lie!”
Rejects the notion of divine sonship attributed to any prophet.
Scholarly and Interfaith Engagement
Exciting Facts
- Miraculous Conception: Both Islam and Christianity celebrate the virgin birth of Jesus.
- Continuing Life: Islamic tradition holds that Jesus was raised to heaven and did not face death, contrasting with Christian accounts of crucifixion.
- End Times: Both traditions believe in the second coming of Jesus before the end of the world.
Notable Quotations
- “The sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair” is a biblical theme rejected in Islamic discourse, which emphasizes divine transcendence.
- “Jesus, the servant of God, the Apostle of God, the Spirit of God, and the Word of God…” (Mishkāt, book xxiii. ch. xii.) reveals Islamic respect yet theological boundaries regarding Christ’s nature.
Related Terms with Definitions
- Messiah (Masih): A title used in both religions, albeit with differing interpretations.
- Incarnation: In Christianity, refers to God taking human form as Jesus.
- Tawhid: Fundamental Islamic concept of monotheism that rejects divisions of divine nature.
Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms: Prophet, Holy Man, Messiah (Christ), Teacher Antonyms: God, Divine being (in Islamic interpretation), Divine Son
Recommended Literature and Further Reading
- “The Crucifixion and the Qur’an: A Study in the History of Muslim Thought” by Todd Lawson
- “The Birth of the Messiah: A Commentary on the Infancy Narratives in Matthew and Luke” by Raymond E. Brown
- “The Muslim Jesus: Sayings and Stories in Islamic Literature” by Tarif Khalidi
Thought-provoking Farewell
🌟 “In understanding the varied perspectives on Jesus in Islam and Christianity, one is reminded not solely of our theological differences but of our shared reverence for His person. May these reflections inspire deeper interfaith dialogue and mutual respect.” 🌟
Fatima El-Yassin 🌺
Published: October 23, 2023
