Jesus Christ: God's messenger of peace to humanity
Jesus Christ, on him be God's peace and blessing, is undoubtedly one of the most influential figures in human history. He is a revered figure among billions of people and his name is associated with love, mercy, compassion and humility.
All the three Abrahamic religions of Christianity, Judaism and Islam recognise Jesus though with varied differences.
While he is the most central figure in the Christian faith where he is considered a son of God and a divine being, in Judaism he is falsely claimed to be the promised Messiah and his blessed mother Mary is accused of engaging in an adulterous relationship which resulted in Jesus' birth.
Islam took a middle path and places him among the ranks of the honoured messengers of God who were sent to guide humanity towards the worship of the Creator.
For Muslims, Jesus Christ is fondly referred to as Masih Isa ibn Maryam (the Messiah Jesus the son of Mary) and together with Noah, Abraham, Moses and Muhammad, who is the last among the chain of Prophets, they are considered to be the most venerable messengers of God.
Muslims have an utmost respect for Prophet Jesus and whenever his name is mentioned, they often add "Peace be upon him". Islam is the only non-Christian faith which makes it an article of faith to belief in him. As one Muslim scholar said, "No Muslim is a Muslim unless he believes in Jesus Christ." In the Qur'an, his name is mentioned five times more than the name of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
In the Quranic view, Jesus' essential work was to confirm the teachings inscribed in the Torah and his coming was a continuation of the message of monotheism brought by all Prophets. "We believe in God and in what has been sent down to us, what has been revealed to Ibrahim (Abraham) and Ismail (Ishmael) and Ishaaq (Isaack) and Yakub (Jacob) and their offspring, and what was given to Musa (Musa) and to Isa (Jesus) and all the other prophets of the Lord. We make no distinction among them." (Quran 2:136)
Jesus' mother Mary also holds a loft place in Islam and the Quran describes her as the most virtuous, chaste and honorable woman who ever lived. "Behold! The angel said: "O Maryam! Allah has chosen you and purified you — chosen you above the women of all nations." (Quran 3:42)
Like Christians, Muslims also believe in the miraculous birth of Jesus who was born without any male intervention. Even before the birth of her son, Mary was a dedicated and devout worshipper of God. During one of her moments in seclusion, angel Gabriel appeared to her to give her the glad tidings of an honourable son. "(Remember) when the angels said, "O Mary, God gives you good news of a word from Him, whose name is the Messiah Jesus, son of Mary, revered in this world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near (to God). He will speak to the people from his cradle and as a man, and he is of the righteous." She said, "My Lord, how can I have a child when no man has touched me?" He said, "So (it will be). God creates what He wills. If He decrees a thing, He says to it only, 'Be!' and it is." (Quran 3:45-47)
After she gave birth and returned home cradling the baby, her people started demonising her for giving birth to a child yet she was unmarried. In response, she pointed to the child who she knew was no ordinary child and in his first miracle, the infant child spoke and defended her honour: "He said: "Behold, I am a servant of God. He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet." (Quran 19:30)
In his later years, Jesus was endowed to perform miracles which he did with the decree of God as a proof to his people that he was sent as a messenger of God. By God's will he gave life to the dead, cured the sick, made the lame to walk and the blind to see and with a touch of his hand, the lepers were healed. His other miracles included fashioning birds out of clay and blowing life into them (Quran 3:49) and a banquet being sent from the sky in response to a request from his disciples (Quran 5:114).
Islam endorses the divinely-revealed monotheistic teachings that were brought by Prophet Jesus and the Quran goes on to state that Jesus predicted the coming of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the next Prophet after him (Quran 61:6). In one of his traditions, Prophet Muhammad confirmed his closeness to Jesus stating, "Both in this world and in the Hereafter, I am the nearest of all the people to Jesus, the son of Mary. The prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one." (Bukhari)
The Quran has also described the virtues and noble qualities of those who followed the teachings of Jesus (peace be upon him). "We sent after them Jesus the son of Mary, and bestowed on him the Gospel; and We ordained in the hearts of those who followed him compassion and mercy." (Quran 57:27)
It also describes the "Nasara" (the Christians) as the closest among mankind in showing love to Muslims: "And nearest among them in love to the believers will you find those who say, "We are Christians", because amongst them are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world, and they are not arrogant." (Quran 5:82)
The main point of divergence between Muslims and Christians is the divine status accorded to Jesus in the Christian faith where he is considered a son of God. Muslims on the other hand negate this belief maintaining that he was a Prophet sent to provide guidance to humanity. Another point of difference is the doctrine that he died on the cross to atone for the sins of mankind. Muslims, however, maintain that he was not crucified but was raised up to the heavens and he will return back to earth in the last days where he will restore peace and justice among mankind.
For Muslims, Jesus the son of Mary is an inspirational personality whose teachings inculcates the worship of only one God among mankind, invites people towards honouring parents, stress on giving charity, call for ending the suffering of the oppressed and marginalized members of society and stand for justice in the face of social persecution.
The life of Jesus is emblazoned with love, peace and mercy and this formed the essence of his message to mankind. In this times when misunderstanding and animosity exists among those who are ignorant of his sublime message, it is essential that Christians and Muslims inculcate in their lives the noble teachings of Jesus and other Prophets (peace be upon them) which will help in promoting peace and mutual understanding among humanity. As the Almighty states in the Quran, his life is an embodiment of peace and those who revere him have an obligation to emulate what he lives for. "Hence, peace was upon me on the day when I was born, and [will be upon me] on the day of my death, and on the day when I shall be raised to life [again]!" (Quran 19:33)
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