This paper sets out to examine the presence of Jesus Christ as presented in the Holy Quran. This is presented from the perspective of a twentieth century African Christian after an objective reading of the Holy Quran and some Hadith literature. Jesus comes through as a prophet and messenger of Allah, with whom Allah has established unique relationship and about whom the last word is not yet spoken. The Quran comes through as a great defender of what it reveals as the true nature and identity of Jesus, against different and conflicting misrepresentations of Jesus by rival Christian groups. The Quran presents a Jesus in whom Allah is greatly interested.
Allah identifies and prepares Mary the mother of Jesus and entrusts her to the care of Zachariah. Allah gives a gift of a son to Zachariah in their old age; this son is John and called “Yahya” in the Quran. Allah then gives a Word from Himself to Mary. This word from Allah given to Mary becomes Jesus a son born of a virgin mother. Allah himself through the ministry of Angels and nature arranges for and takes care of Mary’s confinement and post-delivery care till Allah presents her back to her people with her infant son Jesus who as an infant miraculously spoke in defense of his mother.
The Quran presents a Jesus who delivers a message to the children of Israel only. A Jesus who performs miracles and a Jesus who is rescued by Allah from the threat of being crucified by the Jews Allah takes Jesus unto Himself and before the day of judgement Jesus will come to do the will of Allah.
After reading all the references of Jesus in the Quran, one develops an interest in this Prophet and Messenger of Allah and asks many questions about him.
However, the Quran is silent. This silence of the Quran about so much historical information about Jesus becomes very loud and problematic. The quotations from the Holy Quran in this paper are from Ali, Abdullah Yusuf: The Holy Quran: Arabic Text, Translation and Commentary, University of New York Press, 1991. The purpose of this paper is:-
1. Trace Jesus in the Holy Quran
2. Compare and contrast the Jesus in the Quran and the Bible 3. Help Christian to understand Islam Religion and being able to answer the basic system of doctrine of a Muslim.
4. Have a picture of Jesus through the eyes of a Muslim and a Christian.
Table of Contents
- 1 - Introduction
- 2 - Background - The Books of God
- Jesus in the Quran
- The Christology of the Quran
- 3 – Muhammad's Acquaintance with Jesus
- 6 - Jesus Christ According to the Bible
- 7 – Theological Implications of the Christ-Event
- 8 Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This doctoral thesis aims to explore the portrayal of Jesus Christ in the Holy Quran from the perspective of a twentieth-century African Christian. The author analyzes the Quran and some Hadith literature to understand how Jesus is presented within the Islamic tradition.
- The representation of Jesus as a prophet and messenger of Allah in the Quran
- The Quran's defense of Jesus' true nature and identity against conflicting Christian interpretations
- The unique relationship between Allah and Jesus, as portrayed in the Quran
- The importance of Jesus' role as a messenger to the children of Israel
- The miraculous events surrounding Jesus' birth, ministry, and ascension
Chapter Summaries
- 1 - Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of the thesis's scope and objectives, highlighting the author's intention to examine the Quran's presentation of Jesus Christ. It emphasizes the significance of this study for understanding the Islamic perspective on Jesus, particularly in relation to the historical and theological context of Christianity.
- 2 - Background - The Books of God: This chapter explores the Quran's perspective on the relationship between the Bible and the Quran. It delves into the Quran's view of Jesus as a prophet and messenger of Allah, examining the unique relationship established between Allah and Jesus. This chapter also explores the Quranic Christology and its significance for understanding the Islamic faith.
- 3 – Muhammad's Acquaintance with Jesus: This chapter examines the relationship between Muhammad and Jesus as portrayed in the Quran. It explores the historical and theological significance of Muhammad's encounter with Jesus, highlighting the Quran's perspective on this encounter and its implications for both Islam and Christianity.
- 6 - Jesus Christ According to the Bible: This chapter explores the biblical presentation of Jesus Christ, comparing it to the Quranic perspective. It examines the similarities and differences between the two religious traditions' accounts of Jesus' life, teachings, and ministry, and how they relate to each other within the broader theological framework of Islam and Christianity.
- 7 – Theological Implications of the Christ-Event: This chapter delves into the theological significance of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, examining the Quranic perspective on these events. It explores how these events are understood within the Islamic tradition and how they contribute to the broader theological understanding of Allah's relationship with humanity.
Keywords
This doctoral thesis explores the intersection of Islam and Christianity through an examination of the Quran's portrayal of Jesus Christ. Key terms and concepts include Jesus, Quran, Islam, Christianity, Allah, prophet, messenger, Christology, theological implications, and the unique relationship between Allah and Jesus.
- Quote paper
- Fred Maina Macharia (Author), 2003, Tracing Jesus in the Bible and the Quran, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/22816
