BY EJAZ NAQVI, MD

As the Christian world is observing the holy week culminating in crucifixion and ascension, most of my Christian friends are (often pleasantly) surprised to hear about the Islamic views on Jesus. There is a significant difference in the Christian and islamic(and other religions) view on “Jesus dying for our sins” and certainly on his divinity, however there are many similarities that I would like to share here.

Before we talk about the end of Jesus’ life as we know it, let’s review Islam’s view on his birth. Jesus is viewed as one of the Prophets in Islam- not just any Prophet but on of the 5 most exalted Prophets. Others being Noah, Abraham, Moses and Muhammad-peace be upon them all. His mother Mary is also revered by Muslims. In fact there is a whole chapter (Surah)in the Qur’an named after her- the only chapter named after a woman. The Qur’an has a similar description of the annunciation as the canonized Gospels.

But there is a story not mentioned in any of the canonized Gospels- one where Jesus speaks from the cradle when the villagers arrived and started to question Mary about her innocence. The following passages are from chapter 19 (Surah Maryam or Mary). Rather than answering them herself, she pointed to the baby Jesus, who then defended her mother.

But she pointed to the baby. They said: “How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?” He (Jesus) said: “I am indeed a servant of Allah: He has given me revelation and made me a Prophet; And He has made me blessed wheresoever I be, and has enjoined on me Prayer and Charity as long as I live; (He) has made me kind to my mother, and not insolent, unblessed; So peace (Salam) 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)“! Such (was) Jesus the son of Mary: (it is) a statement of truth, about which they (vainly) dispute. The Qur’an 19:29-34

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/askamuslim/2024/03/easter-crucifixion-and-ascension-from-islamic-perspective/