Isa (Jesus) and the Muslim Scriptures
The Quran narrates the birth of Jesus through Maryam (Mary), a virgin mother. Before Isa’s (Jesus) birth, Maryam serves in the temple of Jerusalem. She was taken care of by the prophet Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. According to the Quran, Maryam, who was a virgin then, conceived Isa according to the Will of Allah (God).
According to Muslim scriptures (Quran, Hadith, etc.), Maryam was in the Jerusalem Temple when a messenger of Allah, named Archangel Jibrail (Gabriel), visited her. Allah blessed Maryam among all the women across the world because she will bore a son, called Isa (Jesus). Isa, the al-Masih (Messiah) and Great Nabi (Prophet) for Israel, will receive a Gospel (Kalimat) from Allah. While Isa is still an infant, he will speak about the truth of Allah; he will also be among the upright men.
When Maryam received this God’s message, she asked Jibrail how she will conceive a child as a virgin. Jibrail replied that Allah created whatever He wills. Whenever He decrees, it happens (Quran 3:47). (Note: A Quranic comparison was made about Isa, John the Baptist, and Adem’s creation wherein Allah said: “Be” “and he was” (Quran 3:59).
Based on Islamic texts, while Maryam was in her journey to Bayt Lahm (Bethlehem), she experienced the pains of giving birth. Because of her helplessness, Allah provided her water to drink. For her food, she was instructed to shake a palm tree. Thereunder, fresh ripe dates fell down for her to eat. She drank and ate while being told to calm her mind. That same day, Maryam delivered a son named Isa.
After 40 days, Maryam, together with Isa, went back to Jerusalem. Allah commanded Maryam not to speak when they arrive in the Temple. However, when the temple leaders saw Maryam, they ridiculed her. They accused her of being a slut. She then pointed to the infant Isa. She did this for him to speak to them. However, the elders though that Maryam was mocking them. That moment, Isa spoke and said to all that are present that he was abd-Allah (Servant of Allah). Allah’s gave him the revelation. He is the blessed (Mubarak) wherever and whenever he is. Because of Allah’s loving-kindness to him, he will live in prayer, charity, humility. From the very start, Isa will live, die and resurrect in peace (Quran 19:30-33).
Based on Muslim texts, Isa was Allah’s chosen messenger (Rasul). He will preach Allah’s Will and monotheism to the house of Israel. Through Isa, he confirmed Allah’s truth as declared in the Zabur (Psalms) and Tawrat (Torah) as a guidance and admonition to humanity (Quran 3:17). Moreover, Isa, being a prophet, had received the Injil (Gospel) from Allah. Islamic texts regard the Injil as the scripture of piety and meekness for its followers (Quran 5:46-47).
Islamic manuscripts state that Isa had disciples (whose names were not mentioned). Isa taught his disciples about the previous writings and the new gospel. Although there were those who believe in the Islamic faith; there were also those who denied their belief in the him (Quran 3:52-53). In Quran 5:112-115, Isa performed a miracle as a proof that he preaches the true message from Allah. However, those who will still not believe his gospel were forewarned to suffer punishment.
Muslim scriptures deny categorically Isa’s death in the cross. The Quran states how Isa’s own people (Israelites) and Romans tried to killed him. It was only made like it occurred to them despite that they neither killed nor crucify him. For Muslim believers, they believe that Isa was not killed; instead, Allah made Isa’s body to ascend unto the heaven. Allah did this because he is wise and almighty (Quran 4:157-158).
According to Islamic texts, Isa is an Ummati (Muslim). During Isa’s second coming, he will abide by the Muslim teachings. His return will be near the end of times in the eastern part of Damascus. He will fight with the Mahdi (i.e., righteous) against the Dajjal (Antichrist) and his followers. Isa will kill the Antichrist, break the crucifix, abolish taxes, kill the pigs, and rule justly. Upon Isa’s request to Allah, Ya’juj and Ma’juj (i.e., Gog and Magog) will be exterminated. Every people will then believe in him. Later on, only one Islamic community will emerge in the process . However, Isa will only live for 40 years and then die. Muslims will perform the janazah (funeral prayer) for Isa. It will be in Medina City where Isa will be buried in the vacant grave left by Muhammad and others.
Muslim scriptures regard Isa as the upright messenger, prophet and gospel-bearer of Allah. However, Muslims believe that he is like all the Islamic prophets who cannot share divinity with Allah. Islam believers consider Isa not as Allah or the Son of Allah. For them, Allah has a Tawhid or Divine Oneness. Anyone who rejects this idea of monotheism is regarded as an unpardonable transgression among Muslims.
In Quran 5:17, 23, 33, it is a blasphemy to consider Ibn Maryam (son of Mary) as equal or being Allah himself. Likewise, Muslims do not believe in the Trinity or Oneness of Allah, Isa, and the Spirit. Isa is widely respected even in Islamic mystic and ascetic literature. Because of Isa’s concern for the poor, worship to Allah, self-denial and active self-restraint from worldly lusts, and numerous miracles, he is considered as the follower, messenger and prophet of Allah. Nonetheless, he is like any other mortal Muslim prophet.
Musa (Moses) and the Muslim Scriptures
Based on Islamic texts, Musa’s (Moses) forebears were Levites (one of the Israelite’s tribes), who were then under the Egyptian rulers (e.g., Pharaoh). Musa’s father was Imran (Amram). After Yusuf’s (Joseph) time and during the rule of a tyrant Pharaoh, Musa was born in Egypt. Because the Israelites are growing much in numbers, the Pharaoh ordered the killings of all male infants after each year. The reason for this advice to Pharaoh was to maintain Egypt’s economic power through its work force. Thus, both Musa and his brother Harun (Aaron) were spared.
The mother of Musa, according to Muslim scriptures, secretly suckled him during the infanticides. The Quran mentioned how Allah inspired Musa’s mother to place him inside a basket and let him to float (Quran 28:7). Then, Musa’s sister was instructed by their mother to look after him until such time that someone will fetch him. It was Asiya, Pharaoh’s wife, that discovered and adopted him. When amah (wet nurses) were ordered to breastfeed Musa, he refused. Musa’s sister later realized that Musa may have not been feed yet; hence, he informed Asiya that she knew a woman who could breastfeed Musa. Musa’s mother was summoned to feed the infant, which she did. From then on, she became the amah of Musa.
When Musa was already an adult, he witnessed two men fighting each other: an Egyptian and an Israelite. Musa tried to pacify the Egyptian brawler, but he became entangled in the dispute. Musa, because of his anger, struck dead the Egyptian. Musa asked for Allah’s forgiveness. However, there came another time when the same Israelite was again fighting with another Egyptian. Musa wanted to help, but was reminded by the Israelite how he killed the Egyptian. The incidences were reported to the Pharaoh who ordered the arrest and death of Musa.
Being informed of the impending punishment, Musa ran away to the desert quickly. He then arrived in Midian where he saw two lady shepherds warding off the sheep to a well. He approached and inquired concerning their shepherd’s work. When he heard their stories, especially, their old father, Musa provided water to their flocks. The two women returned home and told to their father regarding the incidence and about Musa. He was thus invited to have a feast with the family. During the occasion, the old man asked Musa to work for him for ten years. After that period, Musa can choose which one of the old man’s daughter she would marry. Moses agreed on the terms.
In one of the stories in the Islamic tradition, while Musa was near Mount Tur (Sinai), he saw a fire. When Musa came to the Tuwa Valley, Allah called him out. Allah commanded Musa to take way his footwear because he was on a blessed ground. Allah then appointed Musa as His prophet for the people of Israel. As proof of Musa’s prophethood, Allah ordered him to throw his rod to make it into a serpent. When Musa has held it again, it return to a rod again. Allah also told Musa to put, inside his clothing his hand – it then glowed brightly. With these signs from Allah, Musa was commanded to go back to Pharaoh and free the Israelites. Musa told Allah about his speech defect. Allah informed Musa to make Harun his helper. However, both Musa and Harun were afraid of Pharaoh, but Allah’s word of assurance made them to depart and confront the Egyptian Ruler.
In front of the Pharaoh, Musa and Harun announced their prophethood to all those who are present. The Pharaoh, nevertheless, questioned Musa who this god whom he follows. He told the Pharaoh that he follows Allah who created and guided everything (Quran 20:50). He then asked Musa a follow up question about the case of previous generations (Quran 20:51). Musa retorted that Allah has knowledge of the record – He “neither errs nor forget” (Quran 20:52).
He ask other questions to Musa including his former life in Egypt and how he killed an Egyptian. Musa admitted his past wrongdoing, that is, it was done out of ignorance. He then asserted that Allah had forgiven – and now guides him. The Pharaoh said that Musa had gone crazy. If Musa will insist that the Pharaoh was not the genuine god, he will order him to be killed. However, Musa informed the Pharaoh about his signs from Allah. The Pharaoh ordered Musa to show the signs.
Musa did everything Allah told him to do. His rod turned into a snake and his hand glowed brightly. In response, the Pharaoh summoned his best sorcerers. During the appointed day, Musa gave the sorcerers to do their trick first. Spectators were bewitched and were terrified. When it was Musa’s turn to show Allah’s sign, Musa’s snake guttled all the magicians’ serpents. The Pharaoh did not believe Musa and Allah; instead, he accused Musa and the magicians as conspirators against him.
Although the Pharaoh loses against Musa’s “miracles,” he continues to plot against Musa and the Israelites. He convened his princes, ministers, and priests. He ordered Haman to build for him a tower where he can look at Musa’s Allah. He even called Allah a liar (Quran 28:38). The Pharaoh feared that Musa would turn the people against him for not being the true god. He then decided to kill Musa.
Even when the Pharaoh was forewarned against other imminent disasters, he did not let the Israelites go. Thus, Allah punished him, his family and the people under him. There were floods, pestilences and other disasters (e.g., all waters turned into blood) that caused him and Egypt great misfortunes and losses. Even when the Pharaoh was humiliated, the more he became defiant. Allah instructed Musa to free the Israelites and travel away from Egypt. He was informed beforehand that Pharaoh would pursue them. Despite the ten signs given to Pharaoh through Musa, he chased them. Because of the Pharaoh’s stubbornness, Allah drowned them in the sea (Quran 7:136) when Musa used his waved hi staff and the sea closed.
As Musa and the Israelites traveled for the Promised Land, Allah provided manna and quail to them. After some time, the Israelites asked Musa to make supplication so that Allah will provide them alternative sustenance such as cucumbers, onions, herbs and lentils from the earth. When they have no water during their journey, Allah ordered Musa to strike upon a stone for water to gush forth (Quran 2:60).
When the Israelites reached Canaan, The Promised Land, they spied first on the residents of the land. However, the spies’ heart fainted because they observed that the inhabitants of the land have tyrannical strengths. Some of the Israelites who heard the spies’ words were discouraged to enter the land. However, Allah told them to believe in him and then enter by the gate for them to predominate the residents. Still, they were overcome by fear and decided rather to stay behind and let Musa and Allah do the fight. Because of their unfaithfulness and disobedience, Allah decreed that the Israelites will instead be wanderers throughout the land for 40 years (Quran 5:22-26).
There are other events that occurred during Musa’s time. When Musa asked Allah to appear before him, a mountain was leveled to the ground (Quran 7:143). In addition, the Ten Commandments as well as the Tawrat was given to the Israelites in Mount Tur. While Musa was up in Tur with Allah, the Israelites worship a Golden Calf. Moses and Aaron asked Allah’s forgiveness. There are also other stories about Musa such as the Israelites and the cow (Quran 2:68), meeting with Kidr (Quran 18:66), among many other events.
References
The Quran. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://quran.com/
USC: Center for Muslim-Jewish Engagement. (n.d.). The Book Pertaining to the Turmoil and Portents of the Last Hour (Kitab Al-Fitan wa Ashrat As-Sa`ah). University of Southern California. Retrieved from USC: Center for Muslim-Jewish Engagement - A Partnership between the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Omar Ibn Al Khattab Foundation, & USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture: http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religious-texts/hadith/muslim/041-smt.php#041.7023
