Prophet Isa (Jesus Christ)

No Muslim is a Muslim if he does not believe in Jesus or Prophet Isa, peace be upon him.

However, growing up in these lands, it is important though that the Islamic viewpoint is

highlighted on the Prophet Isa (peace be upon him) and the differences with our faith and

Christianity in relation to Prophet Jesus.

Allah SWT said the Quran is Sura Maryam, ayat 88-95:

The disbelievers say: “The Lord of Mercy has an offspring”. How terrible is this thing

you assert: it almost causes the heavens to be torn apart, the earth to split asunder,

the mountains to crumble to pieces, that they attribute offspring to the Lord of

Mercy.

It does not befit the Lord of Mercy to have offspring: there is no-one in the heavens

or earth who will not come to the Lord of Mercy as a servant – He has counted them

all: he has numbered them exactly – and they will each return to Him on the Day of

Resurrection all alone.

Dear brothers and sisters, with this passage of the Quran, it is clear that there is a difference

between what we believe as Muslims and what the Christians believe in the West.

However the Quran is full of accounts of Prophet Eesa, peace be upon him, and there is

even a chapter dedicated to his mother Mary or Maryum (may Allah be pleased with her).

Allah speaks of the impending birth of Prophet Eesa, peace be upon him in that sura, in ayat

27-28 in which it says:

She went back to her people carrying the child, and they said: “Mary, you have done

something terrible! Sister of Aaron! Your father was not an evil man, your mother

was not unchaste!

Dear brothers and sisters, within the next few passages of this chapter we encounter the

first miracle of Prophet Eesa after the miraculous conception and that is that he was given

the ability to speak from birth and he does so to confirm his status as a Prophet of Allah.

And as Muslims, we believe that our Prophet Eesa, peace be upon him, was unique is this

regard as he was given many powers from Allah SWT as is confirmed in the Quran.

As Muslims, we are also differing in our opinion on the crucifixion that the Christians

symbolise with the cross.

Again, with all things relating to Prophet Eesa, peace be upon him, and indeed all things

relating to any part of life, we refer to the Quran first as a source of truth, guidance and

reference.

In Sura Nisa, ayat 157 and 158, Allah SWT is translated as saying:

And [for] their saying, “Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary,

the messenger of Allah .” And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but

[another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it

are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of

assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain.

Rather, Allah raised him to Himself. And ever is Allah Almighty and Wise.

Dear brothers and sisters, from this selection from the Quran we can see that Allah SWT has

made it clear on the event of the crucifixion.

What we need to do as Muslims is to be clear that there is a place in our heart for this

beloved Prophet of ours. Prophet Eesa, peace be upon him, was a messenger of Allah and

we believe and testify that.

As Muslims living amongst Christians, we have a duty to communicate our beliefs relating to

Prophet Eesa, but at the same time, we must also aim to find common ground between

them and ourselves.

For example, we as Muslims believe that in the second coming of Prophet Eesa just like the

Christians do. This belief stems from the hadith of the Prophet Muhammed SAWS, in which

he is reported to have said that it is one of the signs of Judgment day that Prophet Eesa will

come down and will rule once again and then will die as normal.

Such is the level of belief that we share in regards to the Prophet Eesa, peace be upon him,

we refer to this hadith of the Prophet Muhammed SAWS in which he said:

whoever testifies that there is no Lord but Allah, with no partners, and that the

Prophet Mohamed his slave and messenger, and that Jesus is his slave and

messenger and his word sent it to Maryam and soul, and that Pardise and Hellfire

are true, entered him the Paradise regardless of what work hes on

Dear brothers and sisters, today is the day that the nation is celebrating the birth of Jesus.

Although we as Muslims do not celebrate this day for many reasons, we should use this

opportunity to inform our friends, colleagues and neighbours of our love of Jesus as well as

educate them on the beliefs we share with them on one of the greatest of Prophets.

May Allah SWT enable us to remember our beloved Prophet Eesa, peace be upon him, may

Allah SWT help us in educating others on our beloved Prophet Eesa, peace be upon him, and

may Allah SWT reward us for our efforts in doing this.

Ameen.Walhamdullilahi Rabilalameen.