by Zainib Ahmad

Created on: December 07, 2008

The Status of Jesus in Islam

Allow me to shift from the common ground. And with good reason. If you would bear with me for a few minutes, while keeping your mind wide open, you might realize that this makes a whole lot of sense.

Most Christians assert that Jesus was the son of God and a part of the Divine trinity. Muslims abhor that concept based on the teachings of their religion, being strict monotheists. However most Muslims, when asked about the end of times, also profess belief in the second coming of Jesus and the revival of Islam is linked to that momentous event. I think we can only understand the true status of Jesus in Islam if we consider all matters that concern him ­­­­ his life as a Prophet of long ago, as well as the mythical figure that is due to arrive again in the form of a savior for. "Islam" assert the Muslims, and "Christianity" declare the Christians.

Most "mainstream" Muslims believe that Jesus miraculously escaped the crucifixion and was raised to the heavens by God and he has been living in those same heavens for thousands of years, and will soon miraculously descend down and solve all the problems of the Muslims by killing the anti-Christ and all the unbelievers! I say with true discomfort that Muslims cannot project Islam as a peaceful and tolerant religion, with these beliefs lurking in the closet. It may also be a key reason why so many followers of the peaceful religion of Islam, crossed the line to the hatred and violence known as fundamentalism

The actual status of Jesus in the Quran is quite clear if we do not have preconceived notions in our mind. The Quran mentions repeatedly that death is inevitable and shall come to each and every one of us, prophets and ordinary persons alike. The recorded sayings of Prophet Muhammad, also known as hadith, mention the finality and universality of death and it is clear that he believed that all prophets before him had faced death and he too would die and go to heaven for eternal life.

As for the Prophet's sayings about Jesus, where his second arrival is prophesied, they are clearly meant to be taken in a metaphorical sense, just as ALL prophecies in every religion are in parables and metaphorical terms. Muslims have made the grave mistake of taking these prophecies literally and making up ridiculous stories that defy common sense and reason. By doing so they have left the path of common sense and when that path is forsaken, bad things happen.

The truth is that Muslims accord to

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