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INTERFAITH ARTICLE

Jesus and Muhammad are Brothers

By: Ibrahim Hooper

During the Christmas season, Christian families seek to maintain a focus on Jesus and his legacy.

Many of our Christian brothers and sisters may be surprised to know that Muslims love and revere Jesus as one of God’s greatest messengers to mankind, just as we love and revere the Prophet Muhammad, may peace be upon them both.The Prophet Muhammad sought to erase any distinctions between the message he taught and that taught by Jesus, whom he called God’s “spirit and word.”

Prophet Muhammad said: “Both in this world and in the Hereafter, I am the nearest of all people to Jesus, the son of Mary. The prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one.”

“Behold! The angels said: ‘O Mary! God gives thee glad tidings of a Word from Him. His name will be Jesus Christ, the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and in (the company of) those nearest to God.'”

The quote above is not from the New Testament. It is taken from the Quran, Islam’s revealed text. (3:45)

Other verses in the Quran, regarded by Muslims as the direct word of God, state that Jesus was strengthened with the “Holy Spirit” (2:87) and is a “sign for the whole world.” (21:91) His virgin birth was confirmed when Mary is quoted as asking: “How can I have a son when no man has ever touched me?” (3:47)

An entire chapter of the Quran (Chapter 19) is named after Jesus’ mother Mary, “Maryam” in the Arabic of the Quran.

The Quran shows Jesus speaking from the cradle and, with God’s permission, curing lepers and the blind. (5:110) God also states in the Quran: “We gave (Jesus) the Gospel and put compassion and mercy into the hearts of his followers.” (57:27)

Muslims believe Jesus will return to earth in the last days before the final judgment. Disrespect toward Jesus is very offensive to Muslims.

The message of love, peace and forgiveness taught by Jesus, and accepted by both Christians and Muslims, can serve as a unifying force in a troubled world.

It is the same message of unity expressed by another verse in the Quran:

“Say ye: ‘We believe in God and the revelation given to us and to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and it is unto Him that we surrender ourselves.'” (2:136)

Obviously, Muslims and Christians have differing interpretations of the details of the life and message of Jesus. But by focusing on what we have in common, Christians and Muslims of goodwill can help build bridges of interfaith understanding and serve as a counterweight to the voices of division and extremism.

As the Quran tells us: “O humankind! We have created you male and female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another. Verily, the most honored of you in the sight of God is the most righteous of you.” (49:13)

INVITATION TO VISIT

What?

When?

Where?

How?

These interfaith events are hosted by the American Muslim Community in Fisher, Indiana. We offer basic informative presentations followed by an interactive Q&A session

Fridays: 12pm or 5pm
Saturdays: 12pm

If these times are not convenient, we are flexible in arranging other days and times

AL Huda Foundation
12201 Lantern Rd,
Fishers, IN 46038

(or we can arrange to come to you)

Kindly email:
selsaharty@aol.com

Once contacted, we will arrange a date and time for the event. Please include the number of attending and any dietary restrictions within your group

We live in a diverse, global community where people cannot thrive in isolation and shouldn’t base their decisions on misinformation. By increasing awareness, knowledge, and kindness we take active steps to learn about each other and overcome barriers to live in harmony. Since 2004, Al Huda Foundation has been holding interfaith events where we ask our neighbors and friends to join us for a peaceful day of mutual learning. These events are an opportunity to learn from each other in an environment that is respectful, loving, tolerant and fun! They also serve as social forums where we get to interact and engage with each other and plant the seeds for future friendship and collaboration. These events are held without the intention to debate or argue, but rather to build bridges and to offer our fellow Hoosiers an opportunity to meet their Muslim neighbors and especially our youth who are proud to be first generation American Muslims.

Our similarities run deep:
The Holy Quran says “Oh humankind, we created you from one single pair of male and female (Adam and Eve) and made you into nations and tribes, people of different color, language and religion, so you may know each other, not to despite and hate each other, but to love ,respect and care for each other” (49-13) And in the Holy Bible, “Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:17-18) We believe that understanding each other and talking to one another fosters a multifaceted relationship that works to reduce, and hopefully one day eliminate, any intolerance or fear that exists between people of different backgrounds and faiths.

Respectfully,
Al Huda Foundation Interfaith Committee