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The three most influential world religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, have a deep, conflicting interest and involvement in Jesus (as). Between them, the three religions claim adherents who account for most of the world’s population. In this issue of the Muslim Sunrise, we present articles that shed light on the life of Jesus (as) from birth to death vis-à-vis his status from an Islamic perspective.
A Muslim cannot be called a Muslim if he/she does not believe in the prophethood of Jesus (as) since the fourth out of the six Islamic articles of faith is belief in all the prophets of God. Hence, Jesus (as) is a revered prophet in Islam.
The Qur’an mentions his history starting from his grandmother, Hanna, who dedicated the life of her daughter, Mary (as), in the service of God. Jesus (as) was miraculously born to the virgin Mary (as). Most non-Muslims are unaware of the sheer volume of information contained about Jesus in the Qur’an, including the fact that an entire chapter (Chapter 19: Maryam) of the Muslim Holy Book is named after Jesus’ mother, Mary/Maryam. Her name is mentioned more times in the Qur’an than in the New Testament; in fact, the title ‘son of Mary’ (as) forms an integral part of his name in Islam (Isa bin Maryam, or Jesus, son of Mary) so it is fitting to begin with this brief mention of his much-honored mother.
Prophet Jesus (as) was the awaited Messiah to the Jews, and his message was one that was fundamentally monotheistic and based on the Torah. He showed many miracles, was rejected by the Jewish clergy, and crucified by the authorities. It is only the Holy Qur’an that has explicitly highlighted the truth about God’s favor on Jesus (as), of not only saving him from an accursed death, but elevating him in stature as a successful prophet who continued his mission in foreign lands for many years until his last breath.
Having survived the crucifixion, Jesus (as) left the area of Judaea to preach his message amongst the lost tribes of the House of Israel. He eventually reached and settled in Kashmir, where he passed away at an advanced age, and where his tomb still exists.
The enigma surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus (as) and his post-crucifixion life among the lost tribes of Israel was untangled through Divine guidance by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiah, and Mahdi (as) in his book “Jesus in India,” written in 1899.
The controversy persists and differences still exist about the death of Jesus (as). However, the consensus in the direction pointed out by the Promised Messiah (as) at the end of the nineteenth century is unmistakable.
We believe it is only a matter of time before the world will be compelled to acknowledge the truth revealed through Divine guidance to Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as). The knowledge
about the life and death of Jesus (as) will profoundly impact the adherents of all three major world religions. Moreover, it will greatly help them reach a common ground from which an era of tranquility and peace should arise.
Exploring the Islamic perspective on Jesus (as) will lead to a new love and respect for him as a mortal human being whose faith in God elevated him to the station of Messiah.
We encourage readers to send their feedback at contact@muslimsunrise.com.
[Some sentences of this editorial have previously been published in existing articles about Jesus (as) in the ‘Review of Religions’]Last modified: January 2023
