The Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) Life
According to the historical sources, Mary was born at a time when the disorder mentioned earlier in the book was happening, when Roman oppression was real, and the Jews were impatiently awaiting the Messiah's (pbuh) arrival. She was a descendent of 'Imran, whose family had been made superior by Allah (Surah Al 'Imran, 33). Allah chose her from among them, purified her, and placed her above all other women, for as Allah reveals in the Qur'an:
And when the angels said: "Mary, Allah has chosen you and purified you. He has chosen you over all other women. Mary, obey your Lord and prostrate and bow with those who bow." (Surah Al 'Imran, 42-43)
One of Giovanni Bellini's masterworks depicting Mary (1481) on display in the Frari church.
The family of 'Imran was known to believe in Allah, to seek His good pleasure in whatever they do, and to always respect the limits that He has established. When Imran's wife learned of her pregnancy, she immediately turned to Allah in prayer and dedicated her unborn child to Allah. It is a sign of her true submission to Allah that she named her child Maryam (Mary in English), meaning "someone who is always worshipping Allah." This subject is revealed in the Qur'an:
Remember when the wife of 'Imran said: "My Lord, I have pledged to You what is in my womb, consecrated [for Your service]. Please accept my prayer. You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing." When she gave birth, she said: "My Lord! I have given birth to a girl"—and Allah knew very well what she had given birth to, male and female are not the same—"and I have named her Mary and placed her and her children in Your safekeeping from the accursed satan." (Surah Al 'Imran, 35-36)
Allah reveals that Mary's mother dedicated her to Allah, "consecrated for His service." The Arabic word used here, i.e., muharraran, means "one who is wholly preoccupied with the Hereafter, who has no business with the world, who worships Allah at all times, who is in the service of the House of Allah, who is sincere in his or her worship and, who has no worldly intentions in his or her worship." Imran's wife asked Allah to allow Mary to serve only Him, and for her to become totally devoted to His good pleasure rather than other people's.
When Mary was born, Imran's wife asked Allah to protect Mary and her descendents from the evil of satan. Allah answered her sincere prayer and gave Mary a superior morality. Allah reveals how carefully Mary was raised under Allah's protection:
Her Lord accepted her with approval and made her grow in health and beauty. And Zechariah became her guardian. (Surah Al 'Imran, 37)
Those with faith, those who are Jews, Christians, and Sabaeans, all who believe in Allah and the Last Day and act rightly, will have their reward with their Lord. (Surat al-Baqara, 62)
Allah states that Prophet Zechariah (pbuh) was a righteous servant who was favored over all beings, and one guided to a straight path as a Prophet. Allah praises him in the Qur'an and points out his impeccable character (Surat al-An'am, 85-87). The Prophet Zechariah (pbuh), who took on the responsibility of caring for Mary and thus witnessed many of her miracles, realized that she was Allah's chosen one.
For instance, whenever the Prophet Zechariah (pbuh) entered the presence of Mary, who always worshipped by herself, he found food with her. Allah states in the Qur'an:
A view of the Sea of Galilee.
Every time Zechariah visited her in the praying chamber, he found food with her. He said: "Mary, how did you come by this?" She said: "It is from Allah. Allah provides for whoever He wills without any reckoning." (Surah Al 'Imran, 37)
Mary became well known in her community as a member of her family who was dedicated wholeheartedly to Allah. Allah speaks of her chastity in particular, as follows in the Qur'an:
And Mary, the daughter of 'Imran, who guarded her chastity—We breathed Our Spirit into her, and she confirmed the Words of her Lord and His Book and was one of the obedient. (Surat at-Tahrim, 12)
Mary's Encounter with Gabriel
Van de Velde's (1851-52) Nazareth water painting, Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
Mary's life was full of miracles, one of which was her encounter with Gabriel. At a particular stage in her life, Mary left her community and family and secluded herself somewhere in the east. There, the Qur'an mentions that Gabriel appeared to her in the form of a man:
Mention Mary in the Book, how she withdrew from her people to an eastern place and veiled herself from them. Then We sent Our Spirit to her, and it took on for her the form of a handsome, well-built man. She [Mary] said: "I seek refuge from you with the All-Merciful if you guard against evil." (Surah Maryam, 16-18)
At first, she did not know that the unknown person was Gabriel. Thus, she immediately sought refuge with Allah when he approached and said that she was a God-fearing believer. Her words make it clear that she was a God-fearing and chaste servant. Gabriel introduced himself by stating that he was sent by Allah to give her the following good news:
He said [to Mary]: "I am only your Lord's messenger so that He can give you a pure boy." (Surah Maryam, 19)
hen the angels said: "Mary, your Lord gives you good news of a Word from Him. His name is the Messiah, Jesus , son of Mary, of high esteem in this world and the Hereafter, one of those brought near." (Surah Al 'Imran, 45)
… confirming the Torah that came before it, and as guidance and admonition for those who guard against evil. (Surat al-Ma'ida, 46)
Mary received this important news and asked Gabriel how she could have a child while she was still a virgin:
She said: "How can I have a boy when no man has touched me and I am not an unchaste woman?" He said: "It will be so, for your Lord says: 'That is easy for Me. It is so that We can make him a Sign for mankind and a mercy from Us.' It is a matter already decreed." So she conceived him and withdrew with him to a distant place. (Surah Maryam, 20-22)
She said: "My Lord, how can I have a son when no man has yet touched me?" He said: "It will be so." Allah creates whatever He wills. When He decides on something, He just says to it "Be!" and it is. (Surah Al 'Imran, 47)
Gabriel replied that Allah has the power to do anything and that He needs only to say "Be!" and it is. This is how Mary conceived Jesus (pbuh)—by the will of Allah and without ever being touched by a man. Her pregnancy was created independent of the worldly order in a miraculous way. As our Lord reveals, after receiving this good news, Mary withdrew to somewhere quiet. Allah supported her during that time in every way and provided all that a pregnant woman could wish for psychologically as well as materially. He made her withdraw from her people, who would not have been able to comprehend her situation, and thereby prevented the physical or spiritual damage that they could have caused her.
(A voice called out to Mary:) "Shake the trunk of the palm toward you and fresh, ripe dates will drop down onto you. Eat and drink and delight your eyes…" (Surah Maryam, 25-26)
The Prophet Jesus' (Pbuh) Birth
In the Qur'an, Allah draws the attention to the fact that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was unique in every respect. First of all, he was born without a father. Through His angels, Allah revealed to Mary before The Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) birth that her son would be the Messiah (pbuh) and have many other Allah-given qualities as well. In fact, the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) had the honor of being called "Allah's Word":
The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only the Messenger of Allah and His Word, which He cast into Mary, and a Spirit from Him. (Surat an-Nisa', 171)
When the angels said: "Mary, your Lord gives you good news of a Word from Him. His name is the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, of high esteem in this world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near." (Surah Al 'Imran, 45)
(A voice called out to Mary:) "Shake the trunk of the palm toward you and fresh, ripe dates will drop down onto you. Eat and drink and delight your eyes…" (Surah Maryam, 25-26)
In the Qur'an, the expression "Allah's Word" is only used for the Prophet Jesus (pbuh). Allah revealed his name before his birth and named him "Messiah Jesus," as a Word from Him. This is another sign that The Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) creation differs from that of all other people.
A Peter Paul Rubens oil painting (1624) depicting people paying their respects to Mary following the birth of the Prophet Jesus. Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Antwerp, Belgium.
Allah sustained Mary in the best way during her pregnancy and the Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) birth, and also guided her. He made the environmental conditions favorable for her, for since she had removed herself from her family and community, she was all alone. With the help of Allah, Mary managed this difficult situation by herself and gave birth to her son without any complications. Allah reveals His grace for Mary in the following verses:
The pains of labor drove her to the trunk of a date-palm. She exclaimed: "Oh if only I had died before this time and was something discarded and forgotten!" A voice called out to her from under her: "Do not grieve. Your Lord has placed a small stream at your feet. Shake the trunk of the palm toward you, and fresh, ripe dates will drop down to you. Eat and drink and delight your eyes. If you should see anyone at all, just say: 'I have made a vow of abstinence to the All-Merciful, and today I will not speak to any human being.'" (Surah Maryam, 23-26)
As the verses tell, Allah helped Mary with revelation and told her not to lose heart. He revealed to her everything that she needed to know, and ensured that she would have an easy birth. Allah's grace and protection for her are shown in this event.
When Mary returned to her people together with the Prophet Jesus (pbuh), her people slandered her with ugly accusations based on speculation, even though they knew her and her dedication, as well as that of her family, to Allah, and her chastity. The circumstances of the Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) birth are, in reality, a miracle that Allah granted to Mary's people and proof of His existence. However, her people failed to understand this, and so made unfounded allegations against her and tried to make their slander stick:
She brought him to her people, carrying him. They exclaimed: "Mary! You have done an unthinkable thing! Sister of Aaron, your father was not an evil man nor was your mother an unchaste woman!" (Surah Maryam, 27-28)
In reality, Mary was being tried with these ugly allegations. For such a devout and chaste person to be slandered in this way is a test from Allah. When confronted this situation, she turned to Allah and placed her trust in Him, knowing that He would help her against her people's accusations. She sought only His help and support and received His favor and mercy.
Lorenzo Lotto'nun Hz.Meryem ve Azizleri tasvir eden tablosu. 1505-1506 yılına ait bu yağlıboya eser, Treviso yakınlarındaki SantaCristina al Tivarone Kilisesi'nde sergilenmektedir.
Allah helped His chosen servant in her time of trouble with another miracle: He revealed to her that she should not speak when her people wanted her to, but to point to the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) when they accuse her. Allah reveals this order in the following way:
"If you should see anyone at all, just say: 'I have made a vow of abstinence to the All-Merciful, and today I will not speak to any human being'." (Surah Maryam, 26)
When Allah gave her the good news of The Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) birth, He also revealed that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) would speak as a baby in the cradle. This miracle became a big help for Mary from the Lord:
"He will speak to people in the cradle, and also when fully grown, and will be one of the righteous." (Surah Al 'Imran, 46)
In a miraculous way, Allah made the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) give the explanation that was expected of Mary. By this miracle, He restored her good reputation and informed the Children of Israel of the Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) appointment as His Messenger to them:
She pointed toward him. They asked: "How can a baby in the cradle speak?" He [Jesus] said: "I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Book and made me a Prophet. He has made me blessed wherever I am, [has] directed me to perform prayer and give alms as long as I live, and to show devotion to my mother. He has not made me insolent or arrogant. Peace be upon me the day I was born, the day I die, and the day I am raised up again alive." (Surah Maryam, 29-33)
The Prophet Jesus (pbuh) declares that he is Allah's servant, that he has been given revelation, that he is a Prophet expected to call to faith when he reaches adulthood, that he must perform the prescribed prayers (salat) and give alms (zakat), that he must respect his mother's word, and that he will die and be resurrected on the Day of Judgment.
This situation proved to the Children of Israel that they had encountered an extraordinary event: the birth of the Messiah (pbuh). Allah reveals:
… and she [Mary], who protected her chastity. We breathed into her some of Our Spirit and made her and her son a Sign for all the worlds. (Surat al-Anbiya, 91)
It is also revealed in the verses that those people who continue to slander Mary (pbuh) will be punished (Surat an-Nisa', 156-157).
The Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) Life
According to the historical records of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) lived approximately 2,000 years ago. He was a chosen messenger of Alllah and is held in honor both in the world and the Hereafter. The Gospel of Mathew states that he was born either during the reign of Herod l or in a period of the regime change (4 bce). According to the Gospel of Luke, he was born during the reign of Emperor Augustus (27 bce-14 ce) when a census was being conducted in Judea (6 ce). Such information cannot be verified. However, experts analyzing various sources believe that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was born around 7-6 bce.
Alessandro Boticelli's painting (1470-74) depicting respects being paid to the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) and Mary. The painting is on display in London's National Gallery.
The true religion brought by the Prophet Jesus (pbuh), Allah's chosen Messenger who was rewarded with Paradise and special gifts, exists today. However, it does so in name only, for it has been corrupted. Likewise, the revelation given to the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) by Allah exists only in name and certainly not in its original, for the Christian scriptures have been tampered with and altered. As we cannot acquire any true knowledge about the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) from this source, we turn to the only source that can provide true information: the Qur'an, which Allah promised to protect until the Last Day, and the hadith of our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). In the Qur'an, Allah reveals much about The Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) birth, life, examples of his encounters with other people, the situation of those living around him, and many other subjects. It also provides many examples of his efforts to invite the Jewish people to faith. Allah relates the following words of the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) in the Qur'an:
"I come confirming the Torah I find already there, and to make lawful for you some of what was previously forbidden to you. I have brought you a Sign from your Lord. So heed Allah and obey me. Allah is my Lord and your Lord so worship Him. That is a straight path." (Surah Al 'Imran, 50-51)
Only a few Jews answered his call and became his followers. Allah reveals in the Qur'an the existence of these devout believers as follows:
When Jesus sensed unbelief on their part, he asked: "Who will be my helpers for [the cause of] Allah?" The disciples said: "We are Allah's helpers. We believe in Allah. Bear witness that we are Muslims. Our Lord, we believe in what You have sent down and have followed the Messenger, so write us down among the witnesses." (Surah Al 'Imran, 52-53)
According to the Gospel, the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) traveled to all corners of Palestine with his 12 disciples to call people to faith. On this journey, Allah allowed him to perform many miracles. He healed the sick and disabled, cured people suffering from leprosy, brought sight to those who had been blind from birth, and raised the dead. In the Qur'an, Allah reveals these miracles in the verses below:
"I have brought you a Sign from your Lord. I will create the shape of a bird out of clay for you and then breathe into it, and it will be a bird by Allah's permission. I will heal the blind and the leper and bring the dead to life, by Allah's permission. I will tell you what you eat and what you store up in your homes. There is a Sign for you in that if you believe." (Surah Al 'Imran, 49)
Remember when Allah said: "Jesus, son of Mary, remember My blessing to you and to your mother when I reinforced you with the Purest Spirit so that you could speak to people in the cradle and when you were fully grown; and when I taught you the Book and Wisdom, and the Torah and the Gospel; and when you created a bird-shape out of clay by My permission, and then breathed into it and it became a bird by My permission; and healed the blind and the leper by My permission; when you brought forth the dead by My permission; and when I held back the Children of Israel from you, when you brought them the Clear Signs and those who did not believe said: 'This is nothing but downright magic.'" (Surat al-Ma'ida, 110)
The Prophet Jesus (pbuh), by Allah's will, performed great miracles, and many people were impressed by them. However, he always stated that these miracles happened only by the will of Allah and, according to the Bible, he always told the people he healed: "Your faith has saved you." In response, the people praised the Lord when they saw the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) miracles:
Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and laid them at his feet. And he healed them. The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel. (Matthew 15:29-31)
Despite the increasing obstacles and, in particular among the people who suffered from oppression and cruelty, the number of believers began to rise. At the time, the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) and his disciples had wandered through all of the towns and cities in the land. Meanwhile, the priests and teachers of the law (scribes) began to scheme and plot against the Prophet Jesus (pbuh), who had been telling them of the wrongs inherent in the traditions that they had promoted for years, reminding them of the deviations in the order they had established and calling them to believe only in Allah and to live only for Him. (Luke 22:1-2, John 11:47-53)
Giotto di Bondone's fresco, "Christ Disputing with the Elders" (1302-1305) in the Scrovegni Chapel, Padua, Italy. This famous painting depicts the respect of the elders for the Prophet Jesus (pbuh).
However, Allah protected the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) from these snares.
Like all other Prophets, the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) called his people to believe in Allah, to submit wholeheartedly to Him, to live for His good pleasure, to refrain from sin and evil, and to do good. He reminded them of life's impermanence and of death's proximity, and told them that they would have to answer for all of their deeds in the Hereafter. He called them to worship Allah alone and to fear and mind only Him. The Bible also contains much advice and educational material (mashal) in this respect. According to the Gospel, the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) advised those who had "little faith" (Matthew 8:26), brought them the good news that "the kingdom of God is near" (Mark 1:15) and asked them to seek Allah's forgiveness. This dominion is the rule which the Jews expected to be established when the Messiah (pbuh) arrived, a rule that would bring them renewed faith and deliverance.
The Prophet Jesus (pbuh) stated that he was sent by Allah to complete what was revelaed to the Prophet Moses (pbuh), remained true to the Mosaic law (the commandments of the Torah) and reprimanded some of the Jews for straying from them or their hypocritical practice. According to the Gospel, he told them: "If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me" (John 5:46). The Prophet Jesus (pbuh) called people to return to the essence of Torah. The Gospel of Matthew reveals that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was sent to complete what is revealed to the Prophet Moses (pbuh):
I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. (Matthew 5:17)
Ayone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the Sight of God, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the Sight of God. (Matthew 5:19)
Allah says the following about the Prophet Jesus (pbuh):
[Jesus said,] "I come confirming the Torah I find already there, and to make lawful for you some of what was previously forbidden to you. I have brought you a Sign from your Lord. So heed Allah and obey me." (Surah Al 'Imran, 50)
The Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) Struggle
As we saw earlier, during the Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) lifetime there were a number of Jewish sects, each of which interpreted religion in its own way. The Jews had strayed from the true religion brought by the Prophet Moses, and therefore false beliefs and superstitious traditions had taken root. Furthermore, the pagan Hellenistic culture was being promoted and encouraged, and some Jewish sects had forsaken their monotheistic faith for the symbols and statues of this false belief.
The Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was sent to his people as aguide, and so had to fight many groups to realize the ultimate goal of bringing his people back to Allah. We can deduce from the Qur'an that he was providing guidance to people who were engaged in disputes over religion. From the Gospel, we gather that he primarily called upon false priests, those who denied Allah by ascribing partners to Him and who misled people by religious pretence, to abandon their wrongdoing and believe wholeheartedly in Allah. The Pharisees and the Sadducees, who are often mentioned in the Gospel, are therefore of relevance in this respect. These two opposing sects agreed on one thing only: Their strong discontent with the revelation with which Allah had entrusted to the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) for his people. According to the Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) true religion, the Sadducees had gone astray because of their materialistic worldview, and the Pharisees were on the wrong path because they had lost their faith by getting bogged down in myths and pretence. These groups turned against the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) as soon as they realized where they stood with him. Allah says in the Qur'an:
And when Jesus came with the Clear Signs, he said: "I have come to you with Wisdom and to clarify for you some of the things about which you have differed. Therefore, heed Allah and obey me."(Surat az-Zukhruf, 63)
Giotto di Bondone's fresco, "Christ Disputing with the Elders" (1302-1305) in the Scrovegni Chapel, Padua, Italy. This famous painting depicts the respect of the elders for the Prophet Jesus (pbuh).
As both the Pharisees and the majority of Sadducees had a vested interest in the existing system, and thus a great many of them would not obey the Prophet Jesus (pbuh). They had great authority over the Jewish people and, as priests, enjoyed great respect among them. The false system that they had created had become an institution that was making them rich. They had entered into a close working relationship with the Roman governor, and an important section of Sadducees in particular sought to reduce the tensions between Rome and the people of Judea, and thus were granted many privileges in return. Bearing these circumstances in mind, it becomes quite understandable why The Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) teachings caused some priests such discomfort: The Prophet Jesus (pbuh), like all other Prophets, targeted the wrongness of the established order, which considered all kinds of evil legitimate. He wanted people to abandon injustice, unfairness, immorality, and idolatrous religious beliefs and to replace them with a life dedicated to serving Allah. He advised people to fear and love Allah in equal measures, to submit to Him, to distance themselves from superstitious rules and dogmatic practices, to worship Allah alone, and to turn only to Him for success in their undertakings. The miracles he performed by Allah's will showed clearly that he was a valued Prophet chosen above all people by Allah, Who supported him with power and superior knowledge. His depth of faith, high morality, superior awareness, and explanations full of insight were greatly admired by the people.
According to the Gospel, the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was teaching and rekindling people's faith at the same time by saying that deliverance was nigh for the people and that Allah's rule was imminent. All of this was disturbing news for those who had adopted the pagan culture introduced by Rome and the priests, who had a vested interest in the established order.
The Gospel says that these circles never missed an opportunity to hinder the Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) message, but that they were disappointed each time. Some so-called priests became increasingly irritated by his subtle answers, which invalidated their claims, and also by his insightful teachings. His statements about them were their biggest concern, and this became one of the decisive factors that led them to scheme against him. According the Gospel of Luke, the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) exposed their frauds to the public:
"Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely." (Luke 20:46-47)
Some Jewish priests in the past had altered Torah's commandments and added new ones to serve their own interest. The Prophet Jesus (pbuh) invalidated these false commandments in his quest to eradicate the erroneous traditions, myths, and man-made rules and laws that had, in effect, caused the commandments revealed to the Prophet Moses(pbuh) to be ignored. According to the Gospel of Mark, the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) specifically mentioned this to the Pharisees:
He replied [to the Pharisees and the teachers of the law]: "…You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men. … Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that." (Mark 7:6-13)
The Pharisees believed that they had to pledge one-tenth of their income to Allah and abided by this rule. But it had become a tradition, whereas before it had been an act of worship. The Gospel of Luke records the Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) reprimand:
"Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone. Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without knowing it." (Luke 11:42-44)
"... And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them." (Luke 11:46)
"Woe to you experts in law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering." (Luke 11:52)
Such public warnings and the so-called priests' public humiliation because of their immorality increased their unwise hostility toward the Prophet Jesus (pbuh). According to Luke, the Pharisees and the religious scholars began to oppose him fiercely after Jesus (pbuh) said the words recorded above (Luke 11:53-54).
As Allah makes clear in the Qur'an, the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) called the Children of Israel to return to the Mosaic law and to believe in Allah wholeheartedly. The Gospel of Matthew and the Qur'an contain some strikingly similar words about the unbelievers, "They have hearts with which they do not understand. They have eyes with which they do not see. They have ears with which they do not hear" (Surat al-A'raf, 179). In the Gospel of Matthew, we read the following words that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) said about some Jews:
"You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them." (Matthew 13:14-15)
Prophets fulfilled their duty given by Allah in the best possible way and used all of their resources and energy to invite their people to the path of guidance. The Prophet Jesus (pbuh) displayed extraordinary patience in the face of all the conspiracies and attacks directed against him. He trusted in Allah and continued communicating His message and, even though he had only a few supporters, he defeated his opponents every time. He tried many things in order to return religion to its original purity, to rid it of all the myths and false practices that had entered it over time. By means of the insight and superior understanding Allah gave to him, he was a very effective public speaker and was able to give guiding examples.
İncil'de Akdeniz'den Batı Avrupa'ya kadar birçok bölgenin ve şehrin adı geçmektedir. Bu haritada İncil açıklamalarında geçen bazı yerler gösterilmektedir.
The Prophet Jesus (pbuh) called his people to worship Allah alone; brought the good news of the rule of religious morality; fought against false beliefs, myths, and idolatry; and explained that this worldly life is a test. He made every conceivable effort to correct his people's flawed sense of morality and was himself a role model of high character. However, these activities only made his enemies fiercer and led them to plot his death.
The Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) Superior Character
The hadith literature reveals many important truths about the Prophet Jesus (pbuh). Some hadiths inform us that he was of medium height, had white skin with a hue of red, straight hair, and was very handsome. He had shoulder-length hair and wore a woolen cloak and sandals made of bark. He often removed himself from this world, had a strong desire for the Hereafter, and spent much time worshipping Allah.6 Other hadiths describe this astonishingly handsome and holy man as follows:
While I was asleep, I saw myself (in a dream) making tawaf (circling) around the Ka'bah. I saw a brown-skinned man with straight hair being supported by two men, and with water dripping from his head. I asked: "Who is this?" They said: "The son of Mary." (Sahih Bukhari)
When you see him, you will recognize him. He is of medium height, and his coloring is reddish-white. He will be wearing two garments, and his hair will look wet although no water will have wet it. (Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Musnad)
And when Jesus came with the Clear Signs, he said: "I have come to you with Wisdom and to clarify for you some of the things about which you have differed. Therefore, fear Allah and obey me". (Surat az-Zukhruf, 63)
Like every chosen and sent Prophet, the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) had the highest form of character. One of his most distinguishing features was his high standard of morals and noble personality, which had an immediate effect on people. In addition, he had a strong personality due to his complete trust, reliance, and faith in Allah; was decisive and courageous; and could not be manipulated by society. His superiority is revealed in the following verses:
This is the argument We gave to Abraham against his people. We raise in rank anyone We will. Your Lord is All-Wise, All-Knowing. We gave him Isaac and Jacob, each of whom We guided. And before him We had guided Noah. And among his descendants were David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses, and Aaron. That is how We recompense the good-doers. And Zechariah, John, Jesus, and Elias. All of them were among the righteous. And Ishmael, Elisha, Jonah, and Lot. All of them We favored over all beings. And some of their forebears, descendants, and brothers; We chose them and guided them to a straight path. That is Allah's guidance. He guides by it those of His servants He wills ... (Surat al-An'am, 83-88)
The Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was also a just, modest, compassionate, sincere, honest, selfless person and a chosen Prophet. In one verse, Allah says the following about him:
These Messengers: We favored some of them over others. Allah spoke directly to some of them and raised up some of them in rank. We gave Clear Signs to Jesus, son of Mary, and reinforced him with the Purest Spirit. (Surat al-Baqara, 253)
When we look at the Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) life, we can see his high morality. First of all, he was a discerning leader who taught the true religion to his people. He was the most obedient to Allah's commandments and recommendations, and was a guide who rid people of myths. In the Qur'an Allah reveals that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was diligently fulfilling all of the requirements of worship and morality:
He [Jesus] said: "I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Book and made me a Prophet. He has made me blessed wherever I am, directed me to perform prayer and give alms as long as I live, and to show devotion to my mother." (Surah Maryam, 30-32)
Throughout his life, the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) spoke wisely and effectively and knew right from wrong. He replied with insight and reason to all of his enemies' questions posed to so-called catch him and defeated all of their attempts they made with their shallow minds. He remained true to Allah, irrespective of his people's attitude toward him, drew strength from his strong faith and devotion, and explained Allah's existence in the most effective way.
Like all other Prophets, the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) used plain, clear, and intelligible language when preaching. His allegories moved people's conscience, and encouraged them to reflect deeply and to behave according to Allah's good pleasure. The Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) love for Allah, as well as his exuberant faith and diligence in following Allah's orders, is evident from his teachings. His method of preaching shows clearly that Allah chose him above all other people.
The Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) Ministry
The Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) life was full of miracles that our Lord willed for him from the moment of his birth until the day he was raised to Allah's Presence. In the Qur'an Allah reveals some of the miracles, all of which he performed by the will of Him:
Remember when Allah said: "Jesus, son of Mary, remember My blessing to you and to your mother when I reinforced you with the Purest Spirit so that you could speak to people in the cradle and when you were fully grown; and when I taught you the Book and Wisdom, and the Torah and the Gospel." (Surat al-Ma'ida, 110)
As a Messenger to the Children of Israel, saying: "I have brought you a Sign from your Lord. I will create the shape of a bird out of clay for you and then breathe into it, and it will be a bird by Allah's permission. I will heal the blind and the leper, and bring the dead to life, by Allah's permission. I will tell you what you eat and what you store up in your homes. There is a Sign for you in that if you are believers." (Surah Al 'Imran, 49)
Giotto di Bondone's fresco, "Christ Disputing with the Elders" (1302-1305) in the Scrovegni Chapel, Padua, Italy. This famous painting depicts the respect of the elders for the Prophet Jesus (pbuh).
Allah reveals in the Qur'an several of the miracles associated with the Prophet Jesus (pbuh). These miracles took place by our Lord’s Will. He was conceived without a father, spoke in the cradle, had full knowledge of Allah's holy books (the Torah, the Gospel, and the Qur'an), made a likeness of a bird out of mud and enabled it to fly away by breathing into it, healed the blind from birth and the leper, raised the dead, knew what people ate and what they saved, and foretold our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) by the name "Ahmad."
Despite these miracles and his efforts to teach Allah's revelation, most of his people continued to deny him. Like the other nations mentioned in the Qur'an, these unbelievers unwisely said that he was only doing magic tricks because he was no more than a magician:
And when Jesus son of Mary said: "O Children of Israel, I am the Messenger of Allah to you, confirming the Torah that came before me and giving you the good news of a Messenger after me, whose name is Ahmad." When he brought them the Clear Signs, they said: "This is downright magic." (Surat as-Saff, 6)
Allah reveals in the Qur'an that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) did not come to wipe out Judaism, but to affirm and purify religion of the myths that had crept in over the centuries and to return it to its original purity. Allah also sent him to resolve the issues disputed over by the various Jewish sects, which we examined earlier in the book. Allah says:
[Jesus said:] "I come confirming the Torah I find already here, and to make lawful for you some of what was previously forbidden to you. I have brought you a Sign from your Lord. So have fear [and awe] of Allah and obey me." (Surah Al 'Imran, 50)
And when Jesus came with the Clear Signs, he said: "I have come to you with Wisdom and to clarify for you some of the things about which you have differed. Therefore, heed Allah and obey me." (Surat az-Zukhruf, 63)
The Prophet Jesus (pbuh) confirmed the matters of faith mentioned in the Torah and also brought the Gospel, Allah's last revelation to humanity, to guide and advise his people.
And We sent Jesus son of Mary following in their [the Prophets'] footsteps, confirming the Torah that came before him. We gave him the Gospel containing guidance and light, confirming the Torah that came before it, and as guidance and admonition for those who guard against evil. The people of the Gospel should judge by what Allah sent down in it. Those who do not judge by what Allah has sent down, such people are deviators. (Surat al-Ma'ida, 46-47)
He has sent down the Book to you with truth, confirming what was there before it. And He sent down the Torah and the Gospel.
(Surah Al 'Imran, 3)
Very few people answered the Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) call at the beginning, for his call sought to abolish the privileges of the priestly class, which profited from the myths and traditions that had been established many years ago, and also those members of the ruling class who did not recognize Allah's sovereignty. The pressure they applied, when combined with their threats, scared the majority of the common people and prevented them from approaching the Prophet Jesus (pbuh). When the Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) teachings began to spread and the number of his followers increased, the number of his opponents increased accordingly. In their own way, more cowardly traps were prepared and more plans were made to discredit and defeat him. Such plots were nothing new, for all Prophets encountered such hostility. Allah reveals in the Qur'an the unbelievers' maliciousness toward the Messengers in the following terms:
Why then, whenever a Messenger came to you with something your lower selves did not desire, did you grow arrogant and deny some of them and murder others? (Surat al-Baqara, 87)
Society began to be divided by those who believed in the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) and those who denied him, and the difference between the two groups became more and more apparent. On the one side was Allah's Messenger, who was teaching the true religion and calling people to believe in the one and only Allah, and on the other side was a group of people who had decided not to believe in him regardless of his miracles or proofs, even if they saw them with their own eyes. His enemies revealed themselves clearly. Probably there were people who were with him and heard him, but who later denied him. Allah reveals such a situation in the following verse:
"The various factions among them differed..." (Surat az-Zukhruf, 65)
For this reason, the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) chose his disciples from those believers whom he could really trust. Allah reveals:
When Jesus sensed unbelief on their part, he asked: "Who will be my helpers for [the cause of] Allah?" The disciples said: "We are Allah's helpers. We believe in Allah. Bear witness that we are Muslims." (Surah Al 'Imran, 52)
Do they feel secure against Allah's devising? No one feels secure against Allah's devising except for those who are lost. (Surat al-A'raf, 99)
Allah reveals in the Qur'an that the unbelievers devised a plot to take the Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) life. According to some sources, a group of bigoted priests bribed Judas Iscariot, one of the disciples, to betray him, after which they would arrest the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) and hand him over to the Romans. According to the same sources, the priests did not have the power to sentence someone to death and so had to make another plan to agitate the Roman regime. Thus, they portrayed the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) as being hostile to the Roman leadership, for the Romans were highly sensitive and ruthless when confronted with dissidents. But these priests failed, for the Qur'an relates:
They [unbelievers] planned and Allah planned. But Allah is the best of planners. (Surah Al 'Imran, 54)
As revealed in the verses, they plotted and moved to kill the Prophet Jesus (pbuh). However, their plot failed and they ended up killing a look-alike. During this event, Allah raised the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) up to His Presence:
And [on account of] their saying: "We killed the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, Messenger of Allah." They did not kill him and they did not crucify him, but it was made to seem so to them. Those who argue about him are in doubt about it. They have no real knowledge of it, just conjecture. But they certainly did not kill him. (Srat an-Nisa', 157)
Many people believe in the widespread hypothesis that the Romans crucified the Prophet Jesus (pbuh). That Roman soldiers and Jewish priests who arrested the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) killed him on the cross is a widespread fallacy. The majority of Christians believes this fallacy, as well as that he was resurrected three days later and, after several brief meetings with his disciples and others, ascended into the heavens. The fact is, however, the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) did not die or was martyred. Indeed, Allah reveals this in the Qur'an. The reality revealed in the verses is clear. The Romans, abetted by Jewish agitation, attempted to kill the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) but did not succeed. The expression "but it was made to seem so to them" reveals this fact. Allah showed them a look-alike and raised the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) up to His presence. Our Lord also reveals that those who made that claim had no knowledge of the truth.
They [unbelievers] planned and Allah planned. But Allah is the best of planners. (Surah Al 'Imran, 54)
In the early years of Christianity, several views on the Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) destiny emerged. In the subsequent centuries and until the articles of faith were fully formulated at the Council of Nicea (325), these ideological differences continued to persist, and movements that claimed that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) had not been crucified were accused of heresy and its members were persecuted.
The Qur'anic Account of the Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) Ascent to Allah's Presence
Examining the words used in the narratives relating how the Prophets died and the verses dealing with the Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) ascent to Allah's Presence reveals an important fact: The Prophet Jesus (pbuh) did not die like the other prophets did, nor was he murdered by the unbelievers. Rather, our Lord took him up to His Presence. In this chapter, we will examine the Arabic words used to express how the Prophets died and how Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was raised up to Allah's Presence, and investigate how the Qur'an uses them.
As we will see in greater detail later on, the Qur'an uses qataloohu (to kill), maata (to die), halaka (to perish), salaboohu (they crucified him), or some other special expressions to describe the death or murder of the Prophets. In the case of the Prophet Jesus (pbuh), Allah clearly states that he was not killed in any of those ways, for: "They did not kill him (wa ma qataloohu) and did not crucify him (wa ma salaboohu)." Allah reveals that people were shown a look-alike and that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was raised up to His Presence, as follows:
When Allah said: "Jesus, I will take you back (mutawaffeeka) and raise you up (wa raafi'uka) to Me and purify you of those who are unbelievers. And I will place the people who follow you above those who are unbelievers until the Day of Resurrection..." (Surah Al 'Imran, 55)
The following are the ways in which the words referring to death in the Qur'an and the word tawaffa in Surah Al 'Imran are used:
1) Tawaffa: To Cause To Die, To Take in One's Sleep, or To Take Back
The word
tawaffa used in Surah Al 'Imran 3 and translated as "taking back" here and "causing to die" in some Qur'an translations, has various connotations. Examining the Arabic verses clearly reveals that these connotations of the word should be considered while applying it to the Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) situation. Allah describes his being taken back to Allah in the words that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) will say on the Day of Judgment:
[Jesus said], "I said to them nothing but what You ordered me to say: 'Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.' I was a witness against them as long as I remained among them, but when You took me back to You (tawaffa), You were the One watching over them. You are the Witness of all things." (Surat al-Ma'ida, 117)
In Arabic the word that is translated in some translations of this verse as "You have caused me to die" is tawaffa and comes from the root wafa—to fulfil. Tawaffa does not actually mean "death" but the act of "taking the self back" either in sleep, in death or as in the case of the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) being taken back into the Presence of Allah. From the Qur'an again, we understand that "taking the self back" does not necessarily mean death. For instance, it can mean "taking back the self while one is asleep," as indicated in the following verse:
It is He Who takes you back to Himself (yatawaffaakum) at night, while knowing the things you perpetrate by day, and then wakes you up again, so that a specified term may be fulfilled. (Surat al-An'am, 60)
The word used for "take back" in this verse is the same as the one used in Surah Al 'Imran 55. In other words, in the verse above, the word tawaffa is used and it is obvious that one does not die in one's sleep. Therefore, what is meant here is, again, "taking the self back." In the following verse, the same word is used like this:
Allah takes back people's selves (yatawaffaa) when their death (mawtihaa) arrives and those who have not yet died, while they are asleep (lam tamut). He keeps hold of those whose death (mawt) has been decreed and sends the others back for a specified term. (Surat az-Zumar, 42)
As this verse clarifies, Allah takes back the self of the one who is asleep, yet He sends back the selves of those whose deaths have yet not been decreed. In this context, in one's sleep one does not die, in the sense in which we perceive death. Only for a temporary period, the self leaves the body and remains in another dimension. When we wake up, the self returns to the body.
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Imam al-Qurtubi makes clear that there are three meanings to the term wafat which is from the same root as tawaffa:the wafat of death, the wafat of sleep, and last, the wafat of being raised up to Allah, as in the case of the Prophet Jesus (pbuh).
2) Qatala: To Kill
The Qur'an uses qatala to mean "to kill," as in the following verse:
Pharaoh said: "Let me kill (aqtulu) Moses and let him call upon his Lord! I am afraid that he may change your religion and bring about corruption in the land." (Surah Ghafir, 26)
In Arabic, "let me kill Moses" is aqtulu Musa, a phrase that is derived from the verb qatala. In another verse, the same word is used in the following way:
... [That was because they] killed (yaqtuloona) the Prophets without any right to do so. (Surat al-Baqara, 61)
The expression yaqtuloona (they killed) is also derived from qatala. The translation is clearly "to kill."
The verses below speak of the deaths of the Prophets, and the usage of the verb
qatala is marked. All words in brackets are derivatives of this verb.
We will write down what they said and their killing (wa qatlahum) of the Prophets without any right to do so. (Surah Al 'Imran, 181)
Say: "Why, then, if you are believers, did you previously kill (taqtuloona) the Prophets of Allah?" (Surat al-Baqara, 91)
As for those who reject Allah's Signs, and kill (yaqtuloona) the Prophets without any right to do so, and kill (yaqtuloona) those who command justice... (Surah Al 'Imran, 21)
"Kill (uqtuloo) Joseph or expel him to some land." (Surah Yusuf, 9)
..."Moses, the Council is conspiring to kill you (li yaqtulooka)." (Surat al-Qasas, 20)
The only answer of his [Abraham's] people was to say: "Kill (uqtuloohu) him or burn him!" (Surat an-Nur, 24)
3) Halaka: To Perish
Another word used to denote the act of killing is halaka. It also is used to mean "to perish, to be destroyed, or to die," as in the verse given below:
... when he [Joseph] died (halaka), you said: "Allah will never send another Messenger after him." (Surah Ghafir, 34)
The phrase idha halaka is translated as "when he died." meaning "to die."
4) Mawt: Death
Another word used to relate a Prophet's death is mawt, a noun derived from the verb maata (to die), as follows:
Then when We decreed that he [Prophet Solomon] should die (mawt), nothing divulged his death (mawtihi) to them except the worm that ate his staff. (Surah Saba', 14)
In the following verse, another form of the verb is used:
Peace be upon him [Prophet John] the day he was born, the day he dies (yamootu), and the day he is raised up again alive. (Surah Maryam, 15)
The word yamootu is translated here as "they day he dies," and the same word is used (in the form of a noun) to relate the Prophet Jacob's death:
Or were you present when death (mawt) came to Jacob? (Surat al Baqara, 133)
In another verse, the verbs qatala (in the passive form qutila) and maata are used together:
Muhammad is only a Messenger, and he has been preceded by other Messengers. If he were to die (maata) or be killed (qutila), would you turn on your heels? (Surah Al 'Imran, 4)
Other forms of the verb are used in other verses to denote the death of Prophets:
She exclaimed: "Oh if only I had died (mittu) before this time and was something discarded and forgotten!" (Surah Maryam, 23)
We did not give any human being before you immortality (khuld). And if you die (mitta), will they then be immortal? (Surat al- Anbiya', 34)
"He Who will cause my death (yumeetunee), then give me life." (Surat ash-Shura, 81)
5) Khalid: Immortal
The word khalid means immortality, permanence, and continued existence, as in the following verse:
We did not give them bodies that did not eat food, nor were they immortal (khalideena). (Surat al-Anbiya', 8)
6) Salaba: To Crucify
Another word used in the Qur'an to relate death is salaba (to crucify). This verb has various meanings (e.g., to hang, to crucify, to execute) and is used in the following ways:
They did not kill him and they did not crucify him (wa maa salaboohu). (Surat an-Nisa', 157)
[Joseph said:] "One of you will serve his lord with wine, the other of you will be crucified (yuslabu)." (Surah Yusuf, 41)
They should be killed or crucified (yusallaboo). (Surat al-Ma'ida, 33)
[Pharaoh said:] "I will cut off your alternate hands and feet, and then I will crucify (la usallibannakum) every one of you." (Surat al-A'raf, 124)
As the verses show, the words used to express the Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) situation are altogether different to those used to describe the deaths of the other Prophets. Allah states that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was neither killed nor crucified, that a look-alike was killed in his place, and that he was taken back (in other words that his soul was taken) and raised up to His Presence. When talking of the Prophet Jesus'(pbuh), the Qur'an uses tawaffa (to take the soul) whereas when talking of the other Prophets, it uses qataloohu or maata (and its derivatives) to mean "death" in the conventional sense. This information shows us yet again that the Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) situation was extraordinary.
