Jesus and the Holy Quran

Taqiyyullah

Christians all over the world observe the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25th. The Muslims keep themselves aloof from observing the day as if Christ is alien to them.

But the Holy Quran recognises the prophethood of Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and most of the other prophets that have appeared in every part of the world, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) being the last in the line. The Quran also makes no distinction between them:

"Say: We believe in Allah and (in) that which has been revealed to us and (in) that which was revealed to Araham and Ismail and Isacc and Jacob and the tribes and (in) that which was given to the prophets from their Lord, we do not make any distinction between any of them and to Him do we submit (Muslims)". - Al Quran: Sura 2, verse 136. Al Baqarah (The Cow)

Again in verse 285 Sura Al Baqarah, it says: "The Messenger believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord and (so do) the believers. They all believe in Allah and His angels and His Books and His messengers. We make no difference between any of His messengers. And they say: We hear and obey; our Lord, Thy forgiveness (do we crave), and to thee is the eventual course".

The Holy Quran speaks of Jesus Christ his mission, his teachings and his followers in some 78 verses in many Suras namely Al-Baqarah, Al-Imran, Al-Nisa, Al-Maidah, Al-Anam , Al-Araf, Al-Bara's at, Yunus, Maryam, Al-Ambiya, Al-Ahjab, Al-Lumar, Al-Shura, Lukhruf, Al-Hadi, Al-Saff, Al-Jinn, References to Jesus Christ who is referrd to as I'sa alaihis Salam in the Quran includes:

He is a (Prophet) (19:30) Sura Maryam, the Arabic name for Mary; he is a Messenger -- 4:157, 171 (Al-Nisa -- The woman); he has a book (19:30); The sending of him is a 'Sign' (aya) and 'mercy' (19:21); he and his mother are a "sign" (23:50 -- Sura Al-Muminun the Believers); he is made on "Example" parable (Mathal), 43:57, 59 (Sura Zukhruf : Gold); he brought "proofs" (baiy a nat) and "wisdom" (hikma) 43:63, 5:110); and was aided by Allah with the ruh-al-Kudus (2:87, 5:110).

In Sura 3:44 (Al-Imran -- The Family of Amran) I'sa (pbth) is described as exalted in this word and in the world to come and one of the nearest to God. The Sura Reveals--

"When the angels said 'O Mary, surely Allah gives the good news with a world from Him (of one) whose name is the messiah, I'sa son of Mary, worthy of regard in this world and here after and of those who are drawn nigh to Allah.'

In sura 19:30-31, he is called the blessed one, who got the word of God while a child.

In sura 43:63, he is said to have come to be imbued with wisdom in order to guide mankind in their controversies.

Sura 4, verse 171 reveals:
"O'ye people of the Book! Overstep not bounds in your religion; and of God, speak only truth. The Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary is only an apostle of God, and His word which He conveyed into Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Himself. Believe therefore in God and His apostles, and say not "Three" (there is a trinity) -- Forbear -- it will be better for you. God is only one God. Far be it for his glory that He should have a son. His whatever is in the Heavens and whatever in the Earth. And God is sufficient Guardian.

In the verse 3:47 -- 48 it is revealed:
"And He will teach him the Book and the wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel.”
"And (Make him) a messenger of the Children of Isreal (Saying): I have come to you with a sign from your lord, that I determine for you out of dust the form of a bird then I breath into it and it becomes a bird, with Allah's permission," and I heal the blind and the lepers, and bring the dead to life with Allah's permission; and I inform you of what you should eat and what you should store in your houses. Surely there is a sign in this for you, if you are believers."

Verse 49:
And (I am) a verifier of that which is before me of the Torah, and I allow you part of that which was forbidden to you; and I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so keep our duty to Allah and obey me.

Verse 50:-
Surely Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so serve Him. This is the right path. (Siratul Mustakeem).
About the advent of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) Jesus fortells in Sura Saff (The Ranks) 61:6:
"And when Jesus son of Mary, said, O children of Israel surely I am the messenger of Allah to you, verifying that which is before me of the Torah and giving the good news of a Messenger who will come after me, his name being Ahmad.”