The Miracle of Miracles-
the Story of Prophet 'Isa عليه السلام
Prophet Isa عليه السلام – commonly known as Jesus among Christians – is one of the greatest Prophets of Islam and also one of the most debated in the world due to various reasons. The Jews did not accept him, the Christians have revered him and raised him to a status which is the worst sin against Allah (committing shirk); the Christians believe him to be the son of Allah (Naozubilla) ...but the Muslims recognize him as a true prophet of Allah.
He was born miraculously from Maryam عليها السلام (daughter of Imran عليه السلام ), a chaste and God-fearing woman, one of the best women of the whole of mankind. Prophet Isa عليه السلام performed miracles, by the Will of Almighty Allah but he was not crucified. He will return to the earth and fill it with justice and peace and this is what we are now waiting for.
Here is a detailed insight into the story of his life:
There were many miracles that Allah bestowed upon 'Isa عليه السلام and upon his family in his lifetime, the first and foremost miracle being that of his birth- by Allah’s Will , he was born without a father, from a virgin mother, that is Maryam عليها السلام as mentioned in her story.
The Birth of Isa عليه السلام :
Maryam عليها السلام gave birth to Isa عليه السلام in Bethlehem, which is six miles south of Jerusalem, in a remote place away from people.
Although she had conceived by a miracle, Maryam عليها السلام , being human, suffered the effects of childbirth as any expectant mother would during these times. She prayed to Allah for ease from her pain. An Angel from Allah, immediately told her to shake a palm tree beside her. This was another miracle from Allah as palm trees normally do not drop dates by the shaking of one person alone. Allah also made a stream of fresh water run by her. It is mentioned in Surat Maryam (Chapter 19, verses 23-26)
But (a voice) cried to her from beneath the (palm tree): "Grieve not! for your Lord has provided a stream beneath you; [19:24]
And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates. [19:25]
So Eat and drink and be contented. And if you see from among humanity anyone, say, 'Indeed, I have vowed to the Most Merciful abstention, so I will not speak today to [any] man.' " [19:26]Such a pious and Lord-fearing woman that she was, Maryam عليها السلام felt relieved as she knew that Almighty Allah would take care of her and her newborn son. She was under a vow to Allah that she would not speak to anyone else, in order to demonstrate the miracle of Allah that had taken place.
Maryam عليها السلام returns to Jerusalem:
Some time later after the birth of 'Isa عليه السلام , both Maryam عليها السلام and infant 'Isa عليه السلام returned to their hometown, Jerusalem. The town people were shocked and began saying many ill things about Maryam عليها السلام , about her character. When questioned by the town people about the baby, Maryam عليها السلام just kept quiet as she was still under the vow to Allah. She kept pointing to the newborn baby in her arms. The people got really confused as to what was she trying to say or prove. They said that how could they talk to a child who was still in the cradle. They didn't know that nothing was impossible for Almighty Allah . This is when another one of Almighty Allah's miracle took place. The blessed baby, 'Isa عليه السلام spoke to the people. The town's people were obviously very shocked. Almighty Allah descibes this incident again in Surat Maryam [Chapter 19, verses 27-33] as:
Then she brought him ('Isa عليه السلام ) to her people, carrying him. They said, "O Maryam, you have certainly done a thing unprecedented. [19:27]
"O "Sister of Haroon , your father was not a man of evil, nor was your mother unchaste." [19:28]
So She pointed to him. They said, "How can we speak to one who is in the cradle, a child?" [19:29]
['Isa عليه السلام ] said, "Indeed, I am the servant of Allah . He has given me Revelation and made me a Prophet. [19:30]
"And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and zakah as long as I remain alive" [19:31]
" (He) has made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable". [19:32]
"So peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life (again)!" [19:33]
Maryam عليها السلام and ‘Isa عليه السلام move to Egypt:
According to some historical reports, Maryam عليها السلام moved to Egypt with ‘Isa عليه السلام as she felt that the people in Jerusalem would be a threat for both of them. ‘Isa عليه السلام spent most of his adolescent years in that city, where Allah taught him his guidance and prepared him as a great messenger. When he was about thirteen years old, he and Maryam عليها السلام returned back to Jerusalem, as the danger on ‘Isa عليه السلام was now over.
Mission and teachings of ‘Isa عليه السلام :
Allah had sent ‘Isa عليه السلام as a prophet to the Children of Israel, to inspire them and to make them return back to Allah, their true Lord. ‘Isa عليه السلام was around thirty years old at that time.
Prophets come at times when the level of morality and spirituality are at their lowest within mankind. They are guides sent by Allah, who remind people of their beliefs and responsibility to Allah. Same was the case with the Children of Israel. They had gone astray over time, worshipping idols, rebelling against Allah, and were also involved in many other sins like corruption, treachery, oppression, hypocrisy, and murder. They no longer held a respect for life, truth or justice.
Allah quotes the speech of 'Isa عليه السلام to the Children of Israel in Surat-us-Saff:
And remember, 'Isa , the son of Maryam, said: "O Children of Israel ! I am the apostle of Allah (sent) to you." [61:6]
The Miracles of ‘Isa عليه السلام :
Prophet ‘Isa عليه السلام was a human being like all other human beings. But Allah had given him some miracles like he had previously given different miracles to some other prophets too. The birth of ‘Isa عليه السلام had in itself been a wonderful miracle, him being born without a father. With time, Allah gave him some other miracles also. ‘Isa عليه السلام could cure people with serious handicaps and diseases, by simply wiping their diseased spots. Owing to this, he was called Al-Maseeh, or the Messiah, which means in Arabic, among other things, the one who cures people by wiping on them.
‘Isa عليه السلام even raised the dead in certain situations. Allah, the Almighty has described the miracles of ‘Isa عليه السلام in Surat-ul-Maidah [5:110] :
[110] [The Day] when Allah will say, "O 'Isa , son of Maryam, remember My favor upon you and upon your mother when I supported you with the Holy Spirit and you spoke to the people in the cradle and in maturity; and [remember] when I taught you writing and wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel; and when you designed from clay [what was] 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 [killing] you when you came to them with clear proofs and those who disbelieved among them said, "This is not but obvious magic."
One thing that we should never forget is that Prophet ‘Isa عليه السلام possessed these miracles BUT it was Almighty Allah who had given them to him in the first place and that it was only by Almighty Allah’s wish and command that he could perform them. Such is our Lord (subhaan wa ta’aalah).
The Hawariyyoon: The Disciples of ‘Isa عليه السلام :
Prophet ‘Isa عليه السلام worked hard on getting the Children of Israel back on the Right Path, but stil many disbelieved him and even conspired to kill him. At that point, ‘Isa عليه السلام wanted to see who was faithful to him. Twelve people declared their loyalty to his message and their willingness to travel with him. These twelve people were known as Hawariyyoon or the Disciples. They have also mentioned in the Quran in Surat-ul-Maidah:
"When 'Isa found unbelief on their part, he said: "Who will be My helpers to (the work of) Allah?" The disciples said: "We are Allah's helpers: We believe in Allah and you bear witness that we are Muslims". [5: 52-53]
‘Isa عليه السلام foretells the coming of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم :
‘Isa عليه السلام had foretold people and the world about the coming of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم , just like he had confirmed the message of Prophet Musa عليه السلام who had come and gone before him. The Qur’an confirmed this fact in Surat-us-Saff:
Since the Injeel was changed or lost after 'Isa عليه السلام , the name of Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم does not appear explicitly in the current gospels. However, there are parts of the gospels that hint at the coming of a messenger after 'Isa عليه السلام .
The Israelite priests reject 'Isa عليه السلام and plot to kill him:
Prophet 'Isa عليه السلام worked hard on getting the Children of Israel back on the True Path, but only some truly accepted the truth and followed his guidance. However, the Israelites' priests and many of their people disbelieved in him, rejected his message of Truth and even accused him of sorcery. All prophets in Islam had come to preach the same message of the Oneness of Allah, but the Children of Israel accused 'Isa عليه السلام of trying to change the teachings of Prophet Musa عليه السلام and other Israelite prophets.
And just as the hypocites and the disbelievers do, some of the priest plotted a plan with the Roman governer to kill 'Isa عليه السلام . They turned them against 'Isa عليه السلام by falsely accusing him of being a traitor, among other things, which were obviously not true. The Qur'an has briefly documented their conspiracy. Allah says in Surat Al-Imran: [3: 54-55]
[54] And the disbelievers planned, but Allah planned. And Allah is the best of planners.
[55] [Mention] when Allah said, "O 'Isa, indeed I will take you and raise you to Myself and purify you from those who disbelieve and make those who follow you [in submission to Allah alone] superior to those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me is your return, and I will judge between you concerning that in which you used to differ.
The Story of Crucifixion:
The belief in the crucifixion is very prominent among Christians, they believe that 'Isa عليه السلام was captured by the Romans and was crucified, or nailed to a cross and left to die. This is absolutely absurd and untrue, as in The Qur'an, the True Word of Allah, it is clear and firm that 'Isa عليه السلام was neither crucified nor killed. Almighty Allah raised Him up to the heavens. Some commentors explain that one of the twelve disciples of 'Isa عليه السلام betrayed him and that Allah made him look like 'Isa عليه السلام and that he was the one who was crucified. Allah had raised Prophet 'Isa عليه السلام alive to the heavens and he will return again before the Day of Judgement. Allah says in Surat-un-Nisa' [4: 157-159] :
[157] And [for] their saying, "Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, 'Isa , the son of Maryam, 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.
[158] Rather, Allah raised him to Himself. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise.
[159] "And there is none from the People of the Book but that he will surely believe in 'Isa before his death. And on the Day of Resurrection he will be witness against them."
Differences:
There are many great factors that widen the gaps between Muslims and Christians. The differences in belief between us and them do not let us get close unless they give up their kufr (disbelief) and misguidance, and join the monotheists who believe in One Lord and God, and bear witness that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is His Messenger, and believe that ‘Eesa (Jesus – peace be upon him) was a human being.
These are the most significant deviations in their religion, which widen the gap between us Muslims and them:
- The Christian belief that the Isa(A.S.) is the son of God
What Quran says: "Say: "God is Unique! God, the Source [of everything]. He has not fathered anyone nor was He fathered, and there is nothing comparable to Him!" (Quran 112:1-4).
The Quran also states:
"Such was Jesus, the son of Mary; it is a statement of truth, about which they vainly dispute. It is not befitting to the majesty of God, that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! When He determines a matter, He only says to it, ‘Be' and it is" (Quran 19:34-35).
What the Bible says: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him (Bible: John 3:16).
And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17)
The Christian belief that the Isa (A.S) is a god alongside God and that he is the second person of the holy trinity, according to their beliefs.
However, it is interesting to note that the term "son of God" is used in other parts of the Bible to refer to Adam (Bible: Luke 3:38), Israel (Bible: Exodus 4:22) and David (Bible: Psalms 2:7) as well. The creatures of God are usually referred to in the Bible as children of God.
- The belief that God is formed of three Persons, which is known as the doctrine of the trinity.
What the Quran says:
Muslims believe in the Absolute Oneness of God, Who is a Supreme Being free of human limitations, needs and wants. He has no partners in His Divinity. He is the Creator of everything and is completely separate from His creation.
Allah says in the Quran regarding the Trinity:
"People of the Book (Jews and Christians)! Do not exceed the limits in your religion, and attribute to God nothing except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, was only a Messenger of God, and His command that He conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit from Him. So believe in God and in His Messengers, and do not say: ‘God is a Trinity.' Give up this assertion; it would be better for you. God is indeed just One God. Far be it from His glory that He should have a son. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and in the earth. God is sufficient for a guardian" (Quran 4:171).
WhatBible says: The belief is that in the unity of the Godhead there are Three Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three Persons or beings are distinct from each another, while being similar in character: uncreated and omnipotent.
John 5:7 states "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”
John 5:7 states "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”
- The Christian belief that the Messiah (peace be upon him) was crucified and that he died on the cross and the belief that the Messiah died on the cross as a ransom for mankind and as expiation for original sin.
This is a core Christian belief and it relates to the concept of atonement. According to this belief, God sent His only son to redeem mankind from a sin committed by the father of mankind (Adam – peace be upon him), but God was unable to forgive his sin, so He sent His only son who had no sin, to sacrifice himself in order to do away with sin. This is an attribution of imperfection to the Lord of the Worlds and a denial of the fact that Adam (peace be upon him) repented and Allah saved the Messiah (peace be upon him) from death.
Christians believe Jesus was spat on, cut, humiliated, kicked, striped and finally hung up on the cross to endure a slow and painful death.
What Quran says: 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 Exalted in Might and Wise. And there is none from the People of the Scripture but that he will surely believe in Jesus before his death. And on the Day of Resurrection he will be against them a witness.(Quran 4:157-159)
What Bible says: He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2)
I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet— I can count all my bones— they stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. (Psalm 22:14-18)
Video links/Urls:
Below are some video urls that talk or explain about the life of 'Isa عليه السلام and on other matters relating to his life.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0S_A9ERJWN0 - Christian accepts Islam after challenging Dr. Zakir Naik at an Islamic conference
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMLOlG3RJ0M - Story of 'Isa عليه السلام and the reality of his cruxifixion
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhi1pWpqvkA - Sheikh Ahmed Deedat on "Is Jesus God?"
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zt6ijrhur-8 - Is Jesus God? : Sheikh Ahmed Deedat and Pastor Stanley Sjoberg
