I know this is a biased observation, though I wonder if pure objectivity is even possible on this matter (I know, how postmodern of me!). But here it is. Let the commenting begin.
It seems that even the Qur’an can’t avoid elevating Jesus to a point unparalleled by any other person, even Muhammad himself.
I know, that assertion is going to need some evidence. Here’s what I am seeing:
- Jesus is called the “Messiah” (4:171), which doesn’t have to mean anything more than “anointed one” but it is a title not shared in the Qur’an with anyone else
- Jesus was born miraculously of a virgin (19:20)
- Jesus’ mother Mary is the only woman mentioned by name in the Qur’an, indicating her uniqueness among women (19:16ff)
- The infant Jesus miraculously spoke from the cradle (3:46; 5:110; 19:29)
- Jesus possessed the miraculous ability to breathe life into a clay bird, an act that imitates the creation of humankind by God (3:49; 5:110)
- Jesus is saved from suffering a physical death (4:158)
- Jesus has already been physically raised up into the highest of heavens to be with God himself (4:158)
- Islamic tradition even says that Jesus will come again in the “Last Days” to help fight against the “false Messiah.”
- Islamic art shows Jesus standing in God’s court at the Last Judgment. (An image originally posted here has been removed by the author of this blog as some Islamic readers have deemed it blasphemous – the depiction of Jesus or Muhammad or even God maybe? I have no desire to offend, so that was an easy edit.)
To my knowledge, none of the above can be claimed of Muhammad, at least not from his life as described in the Qur’an. That just seems a little odd to me if Muhammad is the greatest of all prophets. It is as if even the Qur’an cannot escape the supremacy of Jesus Christ.
Well, that’s what I am seeing. What do you think?
A Christian Reads The Qur'an 
July 2, 2011 at 3:48 PM
[…] Maryam (19:1-63), II (christianreadsquran.wordpress.com) […]
July 4, 2011 at 12:53 PM
Yes, more things have been mentioned about Jesus Christ (a.s.) in the Quran. Muslims believe that we was one of the strongest messengers of God. But let me add to it please.
The incident of Mairaj (ascent to the heavens) is mentioned in the Quran in only a verse and two others somewhere. But have you actually read about the journey of Mairaj. It is a really long incident which took place. And it was written in just a few words in the Quran. What need is there to write something for which a messenger is there to explain about it? You need revelation for things you don’t know or for things at which you were not present. When the Prophet (pbuh) is himself present there, so we do not need things that tell what all happened with him. Hundreds of Sahaba were with him day and night. They were witnessing the miracles performed by him day and night.
Another thing is that the Quran came as a confirmation of other scriptures as well. When it is sent as a confirmation, you do expect it to contain things of previous scriptures to prove that. You will find narrations of previous messengers and previous scriptures to confirm the same.
Another thing is that, if the Quran were about the Prophet (pbuh), don’t you think it would become more of a biography than a Holy scripture. Also, people would say that the Prophet (pbuh) had himself written it – since it contains so many things about him only.
4:82 :- Do they not then consider the Qur’ân carefully? Had it been from other than Allâh, they would surely have found therein many a contradiction.
Lastly, regarding point number eight that you mentioned, may I know where in the Quran does it say about it – that is – that Jesus (a.s.) coming in the last days.
NOTE : Drawing of living things is not allowed in Islam (except for trees, etc.). It is strictly prohibited and you will find several rulings which show its prohibition. So Muslims do not believe in any art work of the messengers, or angels, or any other similar beings. Even if the painting is drawn by a Muslim, even then that is just the artists imagination. Muslims never except it. Even in Wikipedia there are images in the section of the Prophet (pbuh). Many people have asked them to remove it. You can find it in the discussion section. Wikipedia answers it saying that it is a secular website and will post any content for or against the article – and no further questions on the same will be reviewed.
Anyways, I thought that when you posted pictures in almost every post that you make, it was for illustrative purposes only. I did not know that you take them seriously and you have actually made a ninth point out of it. Again, please remember that Muslims do not accept any images or support any images based on the Prophet (pbuh), or other prophets, or angels, etc.
Thank you
July 4, 2011 at 10:53 PM
Just on your question about #8: what I am reading says it is somewhat ambiguous in the Quran but those who do believe it look to 43:61. Also Sahih Bukhari Volume 3, Book 43, Number 656: Narrated Abu Huraira, in the Hadith.
July 4, 2011 at 10:57 PM
Just on your question about #8: what I am reading says it is somewhat ambiguous in the Quran but those who do believe it look to 43:61. Also Sahih Bukhari Volume 3, Book 43, Number 656: Narrated Abu Huraira, in the Hadith.
I did not mean to offend Islamic sensibilities by using what appears to be Islamic art. I apologize if I have. Is this picture not Islamic? Does it not depict some sort of Islamic thinking?
July 5, 2011 at 1:54 AM
No, the image is not Islamic. Like I said, Islam is strictly against drawing images. No picture of such sort in any part of the world is acceptable ever – I hope this bold statement answers your questions.
Secondly, there are versus in the Quran which we understand from hadith. Like I said earlier, the Quran and the hadith need to be read together. It is a must. You cannot just use one and neglect the other. Anyways, the deduction of that verse was from the hadith. And you are right. But did you know that this is also in the hadith – that the Prophet (pbuh) said that when Jesus (a.s.) will come in the last days, even he (Jesus (a.s.)) will follow the Sharia and the Holy book revealed to The Prophet (pbuh).
And also, when you look at the hadith, in it there are numerous miracles and signs mentioned; which were revealed to the Prophet (pbuh). I have already stated earlier as to why you will not find all of them in the Quran.
Thank you
July 5, 2011 at 6:37 AM
How would you respond to the argument that the Hadith is nothing more than later people’s creative efforts to give Muhammad greater authenticity and uniqueness in an effort to make the new religion of Islam look better, that these are legends that cannot be supported and thus were not even claimed by Muhammad during his lifetime? Interestingly, this is what some–including some Muslims–say about the miraculous accounts of Jesus in the Gospels of the Bible and those passages in the Letters of the Bible that claim jesus was divine. The difference is all of these were written within 50 years of Jesus’ death and resurrection and were included in the one sacred text of Christianity.
July 9, 2011 at 12:43 AM
Yobibit wanted to reply to this. I am posting his answer on his behalf. He says:
If a person feels indisposed (sick), he should visit a doctor.
Unfortunately, he first went to a quack who impressed upon him that his was a case of severe calenture, acute pyrexia, lethal febrility, and what not. A simple fever, it certainly was not.
Now, every word from the doctor appears suspect to this patient. The quack with his commanding tone, all-knowing mannerism and urgency-inducing sureness had made him believe, firmly and solemnly, that he was about to die; and that Dr. Quack, the wise and learned, the unequaled and unparalleled in his science (or art! art of fooling!) alone could save him.
The good doctor tries to convince him in vain that he is healthy and his temperature is higher than that of his surroundings just because being a human, he is warm-blooded and that slight variations in body-temperature are quite normal. But all of this falls on deaf ear.
The answer to the above in detail would be long and lengthy, tiring and boring, but Allah-Willing compelling and convincing, for a true seeker of truth. But alas! It may take some time. This writer cannot help this delay.
But, in short:
1. Hadith-compilation started right in the days of the holy Prophet (pbuh), and a part of it under his own supervision.
2. The unique science of Asmaa-ur Rijaal, which is a vast repository of biographies of all the people in the chains of transmissions of hadiths, makes it impossible and unthinkable that a fabricated hadith would escape scrutiny. And rigorous criteria for verification of hadiths have been laid down and followed by the Hadith-scholars through these 14 centuries.
3. The importance of Hadiths is clear from many verses of the holy Quran. Example : 4:59, 5:92, 16:44, 24:54, 24:56, 47:33, 53:3-4, 59:7, 2:151, 2:129, 64:12. Details about these verses on some other occasion, Allah-Willing.
The holy Prophet (pbuh) too stated the importance of his hadiths in unambiguous terms. Just check the following hadith:
“Abdulläh Bin Âmr Bin Al-Â̈s said: ‘Alläh’s Prophet! Should I record in writing what I hear from you?’
Prophet (pbuh): ‘Yes.’
Abdullah: ‘Even what you say in states of pleasure or anger?’
Prophet (pbuh): ‘Yes. Even in that situation I do not say other than truth.’ ”
(Musnad-ul Bazzär: 2470)
“Quoting a text (hadith) to justify itself?”
If one does not rely upon the transmissions of the Islamic scholars of those days, and on the reports of the Sahabah (the holy Companions of the Prophet (pbuh)), then no doubt, Hadith becomes unreliable. But so does the Quran, because in that case, Quran too would have been transmitted by the same unreliable people (who were certainly not so). And so do the entire Encyclopedia Britannica articles regarding Islam, Quran, etc. And all the European writings on Islam. So what remains?
When you want to study medicine, you cannot call all doctors cheats and then continue with your study of their researches. Of course, you can reject some of it based on evidence that you have, but not all. Similarly, here, how can you reject all hadiths and then believe that there was a person, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), who lived in so and so region, in such and such times, and did such and such things?
And if you say some of it is true and some unreliable, and then let me say that what I quote is also in the first category. And I cannot go into more detail, because this reply must be short.
“Hadith … later people’s creative efforts to … make … Islam look better”
The pious and holy pioneers were unparalleled in the art of separating the wheat from the chaff and the truth from the lie, but were zero as spin doctors, – the gift of our modern day corporate civilization. Else we would not have the found the story of the noble Muslims defeat at Uhud of 3 AH in the great detail, in which the holy Prophet (pbuh) himself was the commander; nor the story of the battle of Mautah of 8 AH in which the valiant Muslims had to return defeated (3000 vs. 100000). Nor even the story of the outrageous lie upon the Mother of Believers, Hazrat Aaishah (r.a.), an embodiment of all womanly virtues, would have found an entry in the Islamic texts. And have a look at this hadith:
“Salman reported that it was said to him: Your Apostle (may peace be upon him) teaches you about everything, even about ‘excrement’. He replied: Yes, he has forbidden us to face the Qibla at the time of excretion or urination, or cleansing with right hand or with less than three pebbles, or with dung or bone.” (Muslim: 385)
There are many hadiths which go into more details of what a gentleman would not prefer talking much about. Yet they are there. Because Allah, the One, sent the Prophet to teach Mankind all that they needed.
Or because, the later people wanted to make Islam glamorous!? And charming!? And enchanting!?
This is the short response. And the brief one. Hope you agree!
August 6, 2011 at 12:05 AM
Hello, Peace and blessing be upon you.
I’d like to start off by saying what great of a job you’re doing, reading the Quran. This is very respectful and unfortunately i can’t see many people doing what you are. I’d like to make a couple of points
The Quran does not elevate the status of Isa (Jesus) to anything more than a prophet and does not parallel him to the status of Muhammad. You mentioned Muhammad being the greatest of the prophets.. he isn’t the “greatest” in the sense of miracles and knowledge, but rather Muslims see him as the best prophet simply because is the seal of the prophets, he brought the Quran to existence and, of course, had the largest following.
Yes, Jesus was born from a Virigin, and this is a miracle but several other prophets went through many other miracles.
There is hadith by the Prophet that states Maryam and Khadija are the best among you (women). Yes Maryam is one of the most respected women in Islam because of her hardships, faith, situation, and because of her birth to Jesus. The wives of the prophet are also highly praised and have the respect of being referred to as the mothers of the believers (not literally).
Yes Jesus spoke from the cradle but all prophets have done miracles equally or as impressive.
All prophets were given one gift from God. Jesus had the gift of curing people, or bringing them back to life. This could possibly explain the miracle of the clay bird.
Yes Jesus was saved from a physical death.. but he will eventually have a physical death. God believes a prophet should not die because of the sins of his people. And Jesus is not literally “with” God. He is in Heaven. We believe that people who did really exceptionally good in this life do not sleep in the grave, but immediately get elevated to Heaven. I suspect this is reference to the prophets among other people.
Thank you for reading, and good luck with the rest of the Quran.
September 24, 2014 at 2:39 PM
An article for you and your weblog, my brothers, if you want:
Paul, the Christian equivalent to Mohammed :
http://o-nekros.blogspot.gr/2013/06/paul-christian-equivalent-to-mohammed.html
Τhank you from Greece.