In this blog, I will explore the Qur'anic view of Jesus and compare it with the Biblical perspective. I'll delve into the unique features of Jesus as depicted in the Qur'an, his life trajectory, and the theological implications of his teachings.
by Dr. Tim Orr
In this post, I lean heavily on Richard Shumack's book, Jesus Through Muslim Eyes.
In my last blog, I discussed how Muhammad’s revelations responded to the orthodox understanding of Jesus, leading to a new portrayal that excludes his divinity and the Trinity. This marks a significant departure from the Christian perspective, highlighting dramatic differences between the Bible and the Qur’an.
In this blog, I will explore the Qur'anic view of Jesus and compare it with the Biblical perspective. I'll delve into the unique features of Jesus as depicted in the Qur'an, his life trajectory, and the theological implications of his teachings. The Qur'an portrays Jesus as a significant prophet, emphasizing his miraculous birth, teachings, and miracles while firmly rejecting his divinity. I'll also discuss the Qur'an's primary focus on the oneness and supremacy of God, the divine nature of its recitation, and the warning of coming judgment. Additionally, I will examine the fundamental differences in the doctrines of atonement between Islam and Christianity, highlighting how these divergent views reflect broader theological distinctions between the two faiths. I will see how the Qur'an uses Jesus to argue against orthodox Christian teachings.
The Qur’an claims to be God's final and complete revelation, delivered to Muhammad, the last prophet. This positions the Qur’an as a correction to previous scriptures, including the Torah, the Psalms of David, and the Gospels, which Muslims believe have been altered over time. Jesus is portrayed in the Qur’an to support Muhammad’s role as the final prophet and the Qur’an’s position as the ultimate scripture. The divine nature of the Qur’anic recitation is emphasized to affirm its unaltered and perfect state, contrasting with the perceived corruption of earlier texts.
The Qur’an does not provide a detailed biography of Jesus but assumes the reader already knows about him. Jesus is mentioned frequently and portrayed as a unique figure among Islamic prophets. Key features of Jesus in the Qur’an include his miraculous birth, teaching of the gospel, performing miracles, and being taken to heaven by God, thus avoiding crucifixion. These elements emphasize his unique role but maintain that he is not divine, consistent with the Qur’an’s emphasis on the oneness of God.
The Qur’an ascribes three unique theological qualities to Jesus: Messiah, a word from God, and a soul from God. However, it offers little explanation of these features or his religious significance, leaving the Qur’anic Jesus a mysterious figure compared to the rich character portrayed in the Christian Gospels. The Qur’an focuses on correcting what it sees as erroneous Christian beliefs about Jesus, particularly his divinity, to emphasize the oneness and supremacy of God.
The Qur'an introduces Jesus with remarkable details that set him apart from other prophets. These key features are summarized in Surah al-Ma’ida (The Table):
"O Jesus, Son of Mary, remember My favor upon you and your mother when I supported you with the Pure Spirit, and you spoke to the people in the cradle and maturity; and when I taught you writing and wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel; and when you designed from clay like the form of a bird with My permission, then you breathed into it, and it became a bird with My permission, and you healed the blind and the leper with My permission; and when you brought forth the dead with My permission; and when I restrained the Children of Israel from you when you came to them with clear proofs, and those who disbelieved among them said, ‘This is not but obvious magic’" (Q5:110).
This passage highlights several significant aspects of Jesus' life and mission:
These biographical highlights suggest that Jesus holds a special place in Islamic theology, distinct from other prophets.
The Qur'an frequently uses Jesus to argue against orthodox Christian teachings. It aims to correct what it perceives as deviations from the valid message of Jesus. For instance, in Surah an-Nisa, the Qur'an states:
"The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word, which He directed to Mary and a soul from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say ‘Three’; desist it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and on the earth" (Q4:171).
Here, the Qur'an explicitly rejects the Trinity and Jesus' divinity, emphasizing instead the oneness of God. This passage and others like it are intended to counter Christian doctrines and reaffirm Islamic monotheism.
The Qur'an provides limited information about Jesus' teachings, movements, and personal interactions. Compared to the rich narrative in the Christian Gospels, the Qur'anic Jesus remains a more enigmatic figure. His prophetic voice is heard only in brief, general declarations such as:
These statements focus on affirming his role as a prophet and redirecting attention to Allah. The only recorded prayer of Jesus in the Qur'an is also brief and general:
"O Allah, our Lord, send down to us a table from heaven to be for us a festival for the first of us and the last of us and a sign from You. And provide for us, and You are the best of providers" (Q5:114).
This prayer contrasts sharply with the detailed and personal prayers of Jesus found in the Gospels.
In Islam, sin is seen as an act of disobedience against Allah. Humans are viewed as inherently capable of good and evil but not inherently sinful. Forgiveness is obtained through sincere repentance, remorse, and seeking Allah’s mercy. Prayer, fasting, and charity also contribute to atoning for sins. Each person is responsible for their deeds, and there is no concept of inherited sin.
Islam does not include the concept of sacrificial atonement, where someone else, such as Jesus in Christianity, takes on the sins of others. Instead, it teaches that each individual must seek forgiveness directly from Allah. This lack of a sacrificial intermediary is a significant departure from the Christian understanding of atonement.
The Bible, particularly the New Testament, presents Jesus as the central figure of Christianity, whose identity and mission are vastly different from the Qur'anic portrayal:
In Christianity, the doctrine of atonement is central. Christians believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on the cross as a substitute for sinners. His sacrificial death and resurrection are seen as the means for humans to be reconciled with God. This belief is rooted in the idea that sin separates humans from God, and only through Jesus’ atoning sacrifice can this separation be bridged, granting believers eternal life.
For Christians, the absence of a doctrine of atonement in Islam represents a fundamental theological difference. The belief in Jesus’ sacrifice as essential for salvation is a cornerstone of the Christian faith. Without this belief, Christians argue that reconciliation with God is not possible. This difference creates a significant barrier in theological discussions and evangelism, as the concept of atonement through Christ is crucial to Christian doctrine.
In summary, the Bible and the Qur’an offer dramatically different portrayals of Jesus. The Bible presents Jesus as the divine Son of God and a central figure in the Christian faith, whose life, death, and resurrection are foundational to Christian doctrine. The Qur’an reinterprets Jesus as a significant prophet who underscores the oneness of God and corrects perceived misconceptions about his nature and mission. This fundamental difference reflects broader theological divergences between Christianity and Islam, shaping how each faith understands and relates to Jesus. The contrasting views on Jesus highlight the distinct paths these religions take in their teachings about God's nature, human salvation, and the role of prophets.
Reference
Shumack, R. (2020). Jesus through Muslim eyes. SPCK Publishing.