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                                              Who is the Muslim Jesus? "Isa"

            For many people, understanding the differences between Islam and Christianity seems like a minor detail. After all both Islam and Christianity believe in God, and they both accept Jesus as a prophet, so why the big deal? Can’t Islam and Christianity just agree to disagree about Jesus?                           Even though Islam and Christianity agree on many issues, such as God’s creation, the existence of angels, the prophets, the ministry of Jesus and the Second Coming.  The agreement between the two cannot negate, the main issue, which confronts both Islam and Christianity.  Who is right, Islam or Christianity?[1] The result being, if Islam is “True”, then Christianity and its whole structure are false.  If Christianity is true, then a similar conclusion must be drawn about Islam and Mohammad as a prophet.                                                                      
    The main focus of Christianity is Jesus Christ, while in Islam the main focus is Allah and the revelation given by Mohammad, the Quran.  Though Jesus, called Isa is part of the Quran, his role, is one of being just a prophet, not the Son of God, he is one of many messengers or apostles. Mohammad is the “seal of the prophets”.                           The Jesus of the Bible and Jesus of Islam are two distinct persons, though they seem similar.  For some this might sound like an odd statement, but lets examine why its not. Since, both Islam and Christianity accept Jesus as an actual person who lived, the person Jesus would have distinct aspects of his life. Since there was only one Jesus, contradictions between the Jesus of Islam and the Jesus of the Bible cannot be reconciled, since some of these contradictions are diametrically opposed to each other.    The chart below illustrates some of these obvious differences, which clearly cannot be reconciled.  Jesus cannot be the “Son of God” and not be the “Son of God”. He could not die on the cross, and not die on the cross.

    Therefore since both positions cannot be reconciled, we can clearly see the Jesus of the Bible and the Jesus of the Quran, cannot both be the same person.  In addition to these differences, the Jesus Islam and the Quran have other differences, which can be clearly seen.                                                                                

The Names of Jesus in Islam

            Jesus is known by several names and titles in the Quran. In the Quran, the most popular name used for Jesus is Isa, used 25 times. Sixteen times the name is linked with the title, “son of Mary”.  Jesus is also referred to Al Messiah (The Messiah) eight times.  He is also called the Word of God, Kalimet Allah, two times, and Ruh Allah, Sprit of Allah, once.

1. Isa

            Jesus in the Quran is not known by the name Jesus, which is the Greek pronunciation of the Hebrew name Joshua, but by the name “Isa”.  According to Samuel Zwemer, author of the Muslim Christ, there are several theories on the name Isa in the Quran.                                                              One theory is that Mohammad used the name Isa because it rhymed better with the name of Moses, Musa, the Quran was written in poetic prose. The problem with this theory, the names of Moses and Jesus (Musa and Isa) are only linked five times. Another is by Muslim commentator Beidhawi, he says Isa is the Arabic form of the Hebrew Yesu’a (Joshua). An additional theory, which has gained traction, is the name was a result of the Jews of Medina, who gave Mohammad the Hebrew name Esau, Isa, in place of Joshua, as a term of derision.,

A fourth explanation is offered by Dr. Otto Pautz.  "The Koran  expression Isa corresponds with the Hebrew Esau, the name of the brother of Jacob (Israel). Because his descendants all through their history stood hostile over against the Israelities, who were the people of the promise, the later Jews caricatured the name of Jesus by making it Esau.  Mohammed took this form of Esau from the Jews at Medina, without being conscious of the sinister import connected with the name in their minds." We would like further proofs of this ingenious theory before accepting it, although it appears most plausible in view of all that Mohammed borrowed and adapted from Judaism.[2]

2. Son of Mary

            Along with the name Isa, which appears twenty-five times, is the phrase “Son of Mary” which occurs sixteen times linked with Isa, and twenty-five times total.  In contrast to the Gospels, the name Son of Man is the most common used phrase to identify Jesus, followed by Son of God.

6. And when Jesus (Isa) son of Mary said: O Children of Israel! Lo! I am the messenger of Allah unto you, confirming that which was (revealed) before me in the Torah, and bringing good tidings of a messenger who cometh after me, whose name is the Praised One. Yet when be hath come unto them with clear proofs, they say: This is mere magic. Surah 61:6

3. Al Messiah (The Messiah)

            This term occurs eight times in the Quran, and is often joined with Isa (Jesus) or it used by itself.  The declaration of Messiah’s humanity and his non-divine nature is clearly demonstrated in this Surah, since the Quran claims Allah could destroy the Messiah,

17. They indeed have disbelieved who say: Lo! Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary. Say : Who then can do aught against Allah, if He had willed to destroy the Messiah son of Mary, and his mother and everyone on earth? Allah's is the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them. He createth what He will. And Allah is Able to do all things. Surah 5:17 

4. The Word of God (Kalimet of Allah)

    Two times the messiah is referred to as the “Word of God” or Kalimet Allah, Surah 3:40 and Surah 4:169.   

5. The Spirit of God (Ruh of Allah)
            One time he is called the Spirit of God, in Surah 4:169. In this verse, all five names used for Jesus are included, along with a very specific rejection of the doctrine of the trinity. 

171. O People of the Scripture! Do not exaggerate in your religion nor utter aught concerning Allah save the truth. The Messiah,Jesus son of Mary, was only a messenger of Allah, and His word which He conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers, and say not "Three". Cease! (it is) better for you! Allah is only One God. Far is it removed from His transcendent majesty that he should have a son. His is all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is sufficient as Defender Surah 4:171

            Mohammad’s understanding of the Trinity was incorrect; he understood the doctrine to include Mary as the third person, not the Holy Spirit.  Several Surahs indicate this to be the case. (See Surahs 5:18, 75)

116. And when Allah saith: O Jesus, son of Mary! Didst thou say unto mankind: Take me and my mother for two gods beside Allah? he saith: Be glorified It was not mine to utter that to which I had no right. If I used to say it, then Thou knewest it. Thou knowest what is in my mind, and I know not what is in Thy mind. Lo! Thou, only Thou art the Knower of Things Hidden. Surah 5:116

Jesus in the Quran

            The Jesus of Islam, is derived from two main sources, first the Quran and second the Hadith or traditions.  The traditions were collected a couple hundred years after the death of Mohammad, so Muslims selectively question the validity of various Hadith.  Muslims are not likely to question the Quran, which according to Islam is the copy of an identical book in Heaven.

The account of Jesus in the Quran can be divided into several segments;

• His annunciation,
• His birth,
• His miracles
• His mission and message
• His death
• His character as an apostle and prophet

His Annunciation

            According to the Quran, Mary went out into the wilderness, and the Allah sent “Our spirit” , the angel Gabriel who assumed the form of a perfect man, he announced to Mary she would give birth to the Messiah. The Messiah would speak from his cradle and to men, with a message to Israel.  Allah would create the Messiah in her womb, even though no man had touched her.

 

43. O Mary! Be obedient to thy Lord, prostrate thyself and bow with those who bow (in worship).44. This is of the tidings of things hidden. We reveal it unto thee (Mohammad). Thou wast not present with them whenthey threw their pens (to know) which of them should be the guardian of Mary, nor wast thou present with them whenthey quarrelled (thereupon). 45. (And remember) when the angels said: O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a word from Him, whose name is the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, illustrious in the world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near (unto Allah).46. He will speak unto mankind in his cradle and in his manhood, and he is of the righteous.47. She said: My Lord! How can I have a child when no mortal hath touched me? He said: So (it will be). Allah createth what He will. if He decreeth a thing, He saith unto it only: Be! and it is.48. And He will teach him the Scripture and wisdom, and the Torah and the Gospel. 49. And will make him a messenger unto the children of Israel, (saying): Lo! I come unto you with a sign from yourLord. Lo! I fashion for you out of clay the likeness of a bird, and I breathe into it and it is a bird, by Allah's leave. I healhim who was born blind, and the leper, and I raise the dead, by Allah's leave. And I announce unto you what ye eat andwhat ye store up in your houses. Lo! herein verily is a portent for you, if ye are believers.50. And (I come) confirming that which was before me of the Torah, and to make lawful some of that which wasforbidden unto you. I come unto you with a sign from your Lord, so keep your duty to Allah and obey me  Surah 3:43-50

16. And make mention of Mary in the Scripture, when she had withdrawn from her people to a chamber looking East, 17. And had chosen seclusion from them. Then We sent unto her Our spirit and it assumed for her the likeness of a perfect man.18. She said: Lo! I seek refuge in the Beneficent One from thee, if thou art God fearing. 19. He said: I am only a messenger of thy Lord, that I may bestow on thee a faultless son. 20. She said: How can I have a son when no mortal hath touched me, neither have I been unchaste!21. He said: So (it will be). Thy Lord saith: It is easy for Me. And (it will be) that We may make of him a revelation for mankind and a mercy from Us, and it is a thing ordained.Surah 19:16-21

His Birth

            The Jesus of Islam was born by the trunk of palm tree. The baby Jesus of Islam consoled his mother who did not know how to explain the birth of a son. First he told her about a little stream of water, a rivulet where she could drink water, he then tells her to shake the date tree and eat the dates and be consoled.  Mary then takes the baby back to her town’s people, who accuse her of being a wicked women, the baby Jesus then comes to the defense of Mary, making all know he was a prophet, a slave of Allah, speaking from the cradle.                                                                                     The Jesus of Islam declares from the cradle, he would die and be resurrected, which is why according to Islam, Jesus will return, get married, and then die, followed by the resurrection.                        The version of the events here are very similar to events described in a Christian Apocryphal work known as The Infancy Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew[3].  In this work the infant Jesus orders a palm tree to feed his mother dates, he then orders the tree to rise. The baby Jesus then orders the palm tree to open a course of water between its roots.

 

22. And she, conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a place.23. And the pangs of childbirth drove her unto the trunk of the palm tree. She said: Oh, would that I had died ere this and had become a thing of naught, forgotten!24. Then (one) cried unto her from below her, saying: Grieve not! Thy Lord hath placed a rivulet beneath thee,25. And shake the trunk of the palm tree toward thee, thou wilt cause ripe dates to fall upon thee.26. So eat and drink and be consoled. And if thou meetest any mortal, say: Lo! I have vowed a fast unto the Beneficent,and may not speak this day to any mortal.27. Then she brought him to her own folk, carrying him. They said: O Mary! Thou hast come with an amazing thing.28. Oh sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a wicked man nor was thy mother a harlot.29. Then she pointed to him. They said How can we tale to one who is in the cradle, a young boy?30. He spake: Lo! I am the slave of Allah. He hath given me the Scripture and hath appointed me a Prophet,31. And hath made me blessed wheresoever I may be, and hath enjoined upon me prayer and alms giving so long as I remain alive,32. And (hath made me) dutiful toward her who bore me, and hath not made me arrogant, unblest.33. Peace on me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive!34. Such was Jesus, son of Mary: (this is) a statement of the truth concerning which they doubt. Surah 19:22-34 

    In the Infancy Gospel of Pseudo Matthew, we read about baby Jesus, who like the baby Jesus of the Quran speaks to his mother about and the palm tree, telling the tree to provide dates and water to his mother. The Jesus here is three days old, about the same age as the baby Jesus of the Quran. 

Then the infant Jesus, who was resting with smiling face at his mother’s bosom, said to the palm, “Bend down, tree, and refresh my mother with your fruit.” And immediately, at this voice, the palm bent down its head to the feet of Mary, and they gathered fruit from it……Then Jesus said to it, “Raise up, palm, and be strong, and be companion of my trees which are in my Father’s Paradise. Open a water course beneath your roots which is hidden in the earth, and from it flow waters to satisfy us”.[4]

His miracles

         The Quran teaches Jesus of Islam would have miracles, like the Jesus of the Bible, including healing the blind and the leper.  He would also raise the dead. However, the Jesus of Islam records a miracle which is not in the scripture. In this miracle Jesus creates a pigeon or bird from clay and breathes life into it, causing it to fly this scene is repeated in Surah 5:110.                                                   This “so-called” miracle is not found in the bible, but it is found other works, which Mohammad may have had access to, including The Infancy Gospel of Thomas[5]and its Arabic translation known as The Arabic Infancy Gospel.

48. And He will teach him the Scripture and wisdom, and the Torah and the Gospel.49. And will make him a messenger unto the children of Israel, (saying): Lo! I come unto you with a sign from your Lord. Lo! I fashion for you out of clay the likeness of a bird, and I breathe into it and it is a bird, by Allah's leave. I heal him who was born blind, and the leper, and I raise the dead, by Allah's leave. And I announce unto you what ye eat and what ye store up in your houses. Lo! herein verily is a portent for you, if ye are believers.50. And (I come) confirming that which was before me of the Torah, and to make lawful some of that which was forbidden unto you. I come unto you with a sign from your Lord, so keep your duty to Allah and obey me   51. Lo! Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is a straight path.52. But when Jesus became conscious of their disbelief, he cried: Who will be my helpers in the cause of Allah? The disciples said: We will be Allah's helpers. We believe in Allah, and bear thou witness that we have surrendered (unto Him). 53. Our Lord! We believe in that which Thou hast revealed and we follow him whom Thou hast sent. Enroll us among those who witness (to the truth). Surah 3:48-53 

            In the Infancy Gospel of Thomas we read the following regarding the creation of birds from clay, 

I Thomas the Israelite, announce and make known to all you brethren from the Gentiles the childhood and the great deeds of our Lord Jesus Christ….When this child Jesus was five years old, he was playing at the ford of a stream….He made soft cla and modeled twelve sparrows from it. It was the Sabbath when he did this. There were many other children playing with him. A certain Jew saw what Jesus did while playing on the Sabbath; he immediately went and announced to his father Joseph, “See your child is at the stream, and has taken clay and modeled twelve birds; he has profaned the Sabbath.” Joseph came to the place, and seeing what Jesus did he cried out, “Why do you do on the Sabbath what it is not lawful to do?” Jesus clapped his hands and cried sparrows, “Be gone” and the sparrows flew off chirping. The Jews saw this and were amazed…[6] 

            The same Jesus of this work then kills another who happens to bump into him, demonstrating the source behind the work.

“Once again he was going through the village, and a child who was running banged into his shoulder. Jesus as angered and said to hi, “You shall go no further on your way.” And immediately the child fell down dead.”[7]

His mission and message

         The message of the Muslim Jesus is the same as Mohammad’s, which is to bring man back to Allah, not to redeem them. Jesus is presented as one of many prophets who have a similar mission, with Mohammad being the last of the prophets with this same message.  Mohammad’s message is a repetition of the earlier apostles, message including Moses and Jesus.

 

26. And We verily sent Noah and Abraham and placed the Prophethood and the Scripture among their seed, and among them there is he who goeth right, but many of them are evil livers.27. Then We caused Our messengers to follow in their footsteps; and We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow, and gave him the Gospel, and placed compassion and mercy in the hearts of those who followed him. But monasticism they invented. We ordained it not for them. Only seeking Allah's pleasure, and they observed it not with right observance .So We give those of them who believe their reward, but many of them are evil livers.Surah 5:26-27	253. Of those messengers, some of whom We have caused to excel others, and of whom there are some unto whom Allah spake, while some of them He exalted (above others) in degree; and We gave Jesus, son of Mary, clear proofs (of Allah's sovereignty) and We supported him with the holy Spirit. And if Allah had so willed it, those who followed after them would not have fought one with another after the clear proofs had come unto them. But they differed, some of them believing and some disbelieving. And if Allah had so willed it, they would not have fought one with another; but Allah doeth what He will.  Surah 2:253
46. And We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow in their footsteps, confirming that which was (revealed) before him,and We bestowed on him the Gospel wherein is guidance and a light, confirming that which was (revealed) before itin the Torah a guidance and an admonition unto those who ward off (evil).47. Let the People of the Gospel judge by that which Allah hath revealed therein. Whoso judgeth not by that which Allah hath revealed; such are evil livers. Surah 5:46-47	87. And verily We gave unto Moses the Scripture and We caused a train of messengers to follow after him, and We gave unto Jesus, son of Mary, clear proofs (of Allah's sovereignty), and We supported him with the holy Spirit is it ever so, that, when there cometh unto you a messenger (from Allah) with that which ye yourselves desire not, ye grow arrogant, and some ye disbelieve and some ye slay? Surah 2:87
6. And when Jesus son of Mary said: O Children of Israel! Lo! I am the messenger of Allah unto you, confirming that which was (revealed) before me in the Torah, and bringing good tidings of a messenger who cometh after me, whose name is the Praised One. Yet when be hath come unto them with clear proofs, they say: This is mere magic. Surah 61:6	157. And because of their saying: We slew the Messiah Jesus son of Mary, Allah's messenger They slew him not nor crucified, but it appeared so unto them; and lo! those who disagree concerning it are in doubt thereof; they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture ; they slew him not for certain, Surah 4:157

His death

    According to Islam, Jesus did not die on the cross but was taken up to Allah, it only appeared that he died.  However, according to the Quran he will return to get married and die.  This completely contradicts the Bible, which clearly teaches, Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was resurrected to never die again.

54. And they (the disbelievers) schemed, and Allah schemed (against them): and Allah is the best of schemers. 55. (And remember) when Allah said: O Jesus! Lo!I am gathering thee and causing thee to ascend unto Me, and am cleansing thee of those who disbelieve and am setting those who follow thee above those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection. Then unto Me ye will (all) return, and I shall judge between you as to that wherein ye used to differ. 56. As for those who disbelieve I shah chastise them with a heavy chastisement in the world and the Hereafter; and they will have no helpers. 57. And as for those who believe and do good works, He will pay them their wages in full. Allah loveth not wrongdoers.  Surah 3:54-57

156. And because of their disbelief and of their speaking against Mary a tremendous calumny; 157. And because of their saying: We slew the Messiah Jesus son of Mary, Allah's messenger They slew him not nor crucified, but it appeared so unto them; and lo! those who disagree concerning it are in doubt thereof; they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture ; they slew him not for certain, 158. But Allah took him up unto Himself. Allah was ever Mighty, wise.   Surah 4:156-158

33. Peace on me the day I was born, andthe day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive! Surah 9;33

             The view of Jesus “not dying on the cross” is not unique to Islam. The position of Islam is remarkably similar to the Gnostic[8] teaching of Basilides, a first century Gnostic, who taught Jesus was not crucified because Jesus changed forms to look like Simon of Cyrene, and Simon was made to look like Jesus. Jesus then watched the crucifixion and laughed, returning to Heaven.  Islam believes Jesus did not die on the cross, but only appeared to die, Jesus was taken up into heaven, like the Jesus Basilides presented.  

The Wherefore he did not himself suffer death, but Simon, a certain man of Cyrene, being compelled, bore the cross in his stead; so that this latterbeing transfigured by him, that he might be thought to be Jesus, was crucified, through ignorance and error, while Jesus himself received the form of Simon, and, standing by, laughed at them. For since he was an incorporeal power, and the Nous (mind) of the unborn father, he transfigured himself as he pleased, and thus ascended to him who had sent him, deriding them, inasmuch as he could not be laid hold of, and was invisible to all….. If any one, therefore, he declares, confesses the crucified, that man is still a slave, and under the power of those who formed our bodies; but he who denies him has been freed from these beings, and is acquainted with the dispensation of the unborn father.[9] Basilides

In the sixth century, many of the heretical Christian sects fled to the security of the Arabian Desert, bringing with them their heretical teachings and writings.  There is a good possibility Mohammad developed his ideas presented in the Quran, from material presented by the Gnostics about Jesus not dying on the cross, but a image presented to look like Jesus.  In this case, Simon of Cyrene, many Muslim commentators have speculated Judas was made to look like Jesus among others. Mohammad

The Second Coming

    The return of Jesus, the Second Coming is not referred to in the Quran directly, but inferred.  If Jesus was caught up, and did not die, but said he would die, then he must return and die.  And when he returns, he must die, in order to be resurrected. So the background regarding the Second Coming is contained in the Hadith, not in the Quran.                                                                                        In the Hadith, Jesus comes as an enemy to the Jews and Christians; he kills the Jews and breaks the crosses, declaring himself as a Muslim.  In the end, the Muslims along with the Muslim Jesus hunt for the Jews, who are in hiding.  Even the rocks and trees reveal where the Jews are hiding.  The whole world, then becomes Muslim, Jesus gets married and has children and dies.  After his death, the Muslim Jesus is buried near Mohammad in Medina.

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The last hour would not come unless the Muslims will fight against the Jews and the Muslims would kill them until the Jews would hide themselves behind a stone or a tree and a stone or a tree would say: Muslim, or the servant of Allah, there is a Jew behind me; come and kill him; but the tree Gharqad would not say, for it is the tree of the Jews.  Book 041, Number 6985: Sahih Muslim:

    This view of a Muslim Jesus, directly contradicts the biblical view of Christ’s return and the events surrounding it.  The Bible clearly indicates teaches God’s promise to Israel and their relationship with the Messiah, the Hebrew word for Christ.  Jesus, referring to his return, said he would not return until the Jewish nation, accepts Him as Messiah. 

37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!    38 "See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39 "for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!' " Matthew 23:37-39

            In the end the nation of Israel, believes in the Messiah, who returns in glory and power, the nations are judged, and Israel and Jerusalem are elevated above the other nations of the earth.  The Jews are not killed, but saved by the Messiah, who returns to those who pierced him.

9 "It shall be in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.  10 "And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. Zechariah 12:9-10

    The “House of David” are Jews not Muslims. The nations come against Jerusalem a Jewish city in the last days.  In Zechariah, God is speaking first person, and refers to the nations looking upon “Him”, who was pierced.