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Essay on Christianity and Islam
The Muslim Jesus" lists more than 300 sayings or stories about Jesus from Islamic lore, dating from the earliest days of Islam until about the 18th century of the Christian era. The Koran records the birth of John the Baptist, who Christians believe prepared the way for Jesus, and repeats the Gospel story of Jesus' virgin birth, announced to Mary by an angel. Later, Mary remembers, "in the days I was pregnant with Jesus, whenever there was someone in my house speaking with me, I would hear Jesus praising God inside me. Whenever I was alone and there was no one with me, I would converse with him and he with me" (Abu al-Quasim ibn Asakir).
The Koran also says that Allah "raised him (Jesus) up to himself" and that the coming of Jesus was a sign of the pending Judgment Day. But the Koran strongly warns against calling Jesus divine or believing that God is at the same time Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and directly addresses Christians on the subject. "O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: Nor say of Allah aught but the truth.( Grunebaum, G. E. von. 1962.) Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) an apostle of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him: so believe in Allah and His apostles. Say not `Trinity': desist: it will be better for you: for Allah is one Allah.
Glory be to Him: (far exalted is He) is above having a son" (Koran, Chapter 4:171). Some of the sayings, like verses in the Christian Gospels and the Psalms revered by both Christians and Jews, stress the importance of putting God first. Says one, "God revealed to Jesus: `Make me your sole concern. Make me as your treasure for your afterlife. Trust in me and I shall suffice you.......
