WHO JESUS WAS?

Altamash Tanweer
Jesus Christ represents the common link between the two religions having the most followers on the earth today, Christianity and Islam. The following quotation based on this link . However, for us to accurately identify the true identity of Jesus Christ, an objective point of view must be maintained throughout the course of our research. We should not allow our emotions to cloud our vision and thereby blind us from the truth.

Altamash Tanweer Tikyapara Jamiat Ahle Hadis 51/2 Bashiruddin Munshi Lane,Howrah-711101 altamashtanweer@gmail. com

Who Jesus Was?

A Man

The Messiah, Son of Mary, was no more than a messenger and many messengers passed away before him. His mother was exceedingly truthful, and they both ate food. See how I have made the signs clear for them, yet see how they are deluded. (Al-Maidah 5:75) Gospel of Matthew 19:16-17 M't:19:16: And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? M't:19:17: And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. *If he rejected being called good, and stated that only God is truly good, he clearly implies that he is not God. Gospel of John 14:28 Joh:14:28: Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. *By stating that the Father is greater than himself, Jesus distinguishes himself from God. Gospel of John 20:17 Joh:20:17: Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. *Jesus reference to God as my Father and your Father further emphasizes the distinction between himself and God. Furthermore, by referring to God as his God, he left no room for anyone to intelligently claim that he was God.

A Messenger

And (remember) when Jesus, son of Mary, said: O Children of Israel! I am the messenger of Allah sent to you, confirming the Torah (which came) before me. (As-Saff 61:6) Gospel of Matthew 21:11 M't:21:11: And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. Gospel of Mark 6:4 M'r:6:4: But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. *In the following verse, Jesus is referred to as having been sent as a messenger is sent. Gospel of John 5:30 Joh:5:30: I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. Gospel of John 17:3 Joh:17:3: And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. Gospel of John 4:34 Joh:4:34: Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Gospel of John 14:24 Joh:14:24: He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

An Immaculate* Conception

When the angels said: O Mary! Indeed Allah gives you glad tidings of a Word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary. He will be honored in this world and the next and will be of those close to Allah. (Al-Imran 3:45)

She said: O my Lord, how can I have a son when no man has touched me? He said: Even so- Allah creates what He wishes. When He decrees something, He only has to say to it: Be! and it is. (Al-Imran 3:47 ) However, the Quran clarifies that Jesus virgin birth did not change the state of his humanity. His creation like the creation of Adam, who had neither father nor mother.

Surely, the example of Jesus, in Allahs sight, is like that of Adam. He created him from dust and said: Be! and he was. (Al-Imran 3:59) *Perfectly clean, free from mistakes

The Miracles
The Quranic account of Jesus ministry confirms most of his miracles mentioned in the Bible and identifies some not mentioned in the Bible.

(When) she pointed to him, they said, How can we talk to a child in the cradle? He (Jesus) said: Indeed, I am a servant of Allah. He gave me the scripture and made me a prophet. (Maryam19:29-30) Jesus fed 5000 people with five loaves of bread and two fishes Jesus healed lepers Jesus caused the blind to see Jesus raised the dead Elisha fed 100 people with twenty barley loaves and a few ears of corn. (II Kings 4:44) Elisha cured Naaman the leper (II Kings 5:14) Elisha caused the blind to see(II Kings 6:17&20) Elijah did the same (I Kings 17:22). So did Elisha (II Kings 4:34). Even Elishas bones could restore the dead (II Kings 13:21) Jesus walk on water Moses and his people crossed the dead sea (Exodus 14:22) *Unfortunately, those who claim divinity for Jesus, usually hold up his miracles as evidence. However, other prophets were recorded to have done the same or similar miracles in the Old Testament. There also texts in the New Testament which confirm that Jesus did not act on his own. John 5:30 I can of my own self do nothing..

The Divine Jesus

1.The Son of God Book of Exodus 4:23 Ex:4:22: And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: God promised to make Prophet David His son Book of Psalms 89:26-27 Psalms:89:26: He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation. Psalms:89:27: Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth. Angels are referred to as sons of God Book of Job 1:6 Job:1:6: Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. In the New Testament there are many references to sons of God other than Jesus. Gospel of Luke 3:38 Lu:3:38: Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God. Gospel of Matthew 5:9 M't:5:9: Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Begotten son of God Book of Psalms 2:7 Psalms:2:7: I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

2. I and the Father are one Gospel of John 10:24-35 Joh:10:24: Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Joh:10:25: Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. Joh:10:26: But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. Joh:10:27: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: Joh:10:28: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. Joh:10:29: My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. Joh:10:30: I and my Father are one. Joh:10:31: Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Joh:10:32: Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? Joh:10:33: The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. Joh:10:34: Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? Joh:10:35: If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Gospel of John 14:20 Joh:14:20: At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. Gospel of John 17:20-21 Joh:17:20: Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; Joh:17:21: That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. *The symbolic statement means oneness of purpose and not oneness of essence.

3.In the beginning was the Word Gospel of John 1:1&14 Joh:1:1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Joh:1:14: And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. The Greek word for God used in the phrase and the Word was with God, is the definite form hotheos, meaning The God. However, in the second phrase and the Word was God, the Greek word used for God is the indefinite form tontheos, which means a god. Consequently, John 1:1, should more accurately be translated, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god. Therefore, if the Word was a god in the the literal sense, it would mean that there were two Gods and not one. However, in Biblical language, the term god is used metaphorically to indicate power. For example, Paul referred to the devil as god in 2nd Corinthians 4:4, In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the likeness of God. Moses is also referred to as god in Exodus 7:1 Ex:7:1: And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. 4.The Alpha and Omega Book of Revelation 1:8 Re:1:8: I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. *In Revised Standard Version, biblical scholars corrected the translation and wrote: I am the Alpha and Omega, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. A correction was also made in the New American Bible produced by Catholics. The Lord God says: I am the Alpha and the Omega, the one who is and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty., *With these corrections, it becomes evident that this was a statement of God and not of Prophet Jesus.

5.He Acceptd Worship Gospel of Matthew 2:2 M't:2:2: Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. *However in the New American Bible (Catholic Press,1970), the text reads: Where is he new born king of the Jews? We observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage. Gospel of John 9:37-38 Joh:9:37: And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. Joh:9:38: And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him. *In the American Bible, the scholarly translators added a footnote which read: 9:38 This verse, omitted in important MSS (manuscripts), may be an addition for a baptismal liturgy. 6.The Pre-exixtence of Christ Gospel of John 8:58 Joh:8:58: Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Book of Jermiah 1:4-5 Jer:1:4: Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jer:1:5: Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Book of Proversb 8:23-27 Proverb:8:20: I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: Proverb:8:21: That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures. Proverb:8:22: The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. Proverb:8:23: I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. Proverb:8:24: When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Proverb:8:25: Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:

Proverb:8:26: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. Proverb:8:27: When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: God informed man existed in the spiritual form befor the creationof the physical world.

When your Lord gathered all of Adams descendants (before creation) and made them bear witness for themselves, saying: Am I not you Lord? They all replied: Yes indeed, we bear witness. (That was) so you could not say on the Day of Judgement: we were unaware of this. (Al-Araf 7:172)

The Massage of Jesus

1.Submission

Truly, the religion in the sighy of Allah is Islam (submission). (Al-Imran 3:19) Gospel of Matthew 7:21 M't:7:21: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven Gospel of John 5:30 Joh:5:30: I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

*Submission to Gods will in Arabic is expressed by word Islam.

2.Mission Gospel of Matthew 10:5-6 M't:10:5: These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: M't:10:6: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Gospel of Mattew 15:24 M't:15:24: But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 3.The Law

Indeed, I did reveal the Torah in which was guidance and light, by which the prophets, who submitted to Gods will, judged (the Jews) and whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed is a disbeliver, Gospel of Matthew 19:16-17 M't:19:16: And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? M't:19:17: And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. Gospel of Matthew 5:19 M't:5:19: Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. *Jesus confirm the laws of Torah in his Message

And in their footsteps, I sint Jesus, son of Mary, confirming the Torah that had come before him, and I gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and lighth and confirmation of the Torah that had come before it, (Al-Maidah 5:46)

Gospel of Matthew 5:17-18 M't:5:17: Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. M't:5:18: For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. *However, Pual, who claimed to be a disciple of Jesus, sysytematically cancelled the laws. Book of Romans 7:6 Ro:7:6: But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. 4.Unitarianism

Surely, I have sent every nation a messenger (saying): Worship Allah and avoid false gods. (an-Nahl 16:36)

Gospel of Luke 4:8 Lu:4:8: And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Gospel of Mark 14:32 M'r:14:32: And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. Gspel of Luke 5:16 Lu:5:16: And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed. 5.Images Book of Exodus 20:4 Ex:20:4: Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 6.Prophesy

(Remember ) when Jesus, son of Mary, said, O Children of Israel, I am the Messenger of Allah sent to you, confirming the Torah came before me, and giving glad tidings of a Messenger coming after me, whose name will be Ahmed. (as-Saf 61:6) Gospel of John 14:16 Joh:14:16: And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Gospel of John 16:7 Joh:16:7: Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. *The term Comforter could not be referring to the Holy Spirit here, because according to the Gospels the Holy Spirit was already present in the world prior to Jesus birth(Luke 1:15, 1:41, 1:67), as well as during his ministry(Luke2:26, 3:22). This verse implies that the Comforter had not already come.

Jesus Way
Gospel of John 14:6 Joh:14:6: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Gospel of Matthew 5:17 M't:5:17: Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 1.Pork Book of Leviticus 11:7-8 Le:11:7: And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. Le:11:8: Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you. 2.Alcohol Books of Numbers 6:14 Nu:6:1: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Nu:6:2: Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the LORD: Nu:6:3: He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried. Nu:6:4: All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk.

3.Veiling Book of Genesis 24:64-65 Ge:24:65: For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself.

1st Book of Corinthians 1Co:11:5: But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. 1Co:11:6: For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. 4.Greetings

When those who believe in my signs come to you, greet them: Peace be upon you. (al-Anam 6:54) Gospel of John 20:19 Joh:20:19: Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 1st Book of Samuel 25:6 1Sa:25:6: And thus shall ye say to him that liveth in prosperity, Peace be both to thee, and peace be to thine house, and peace be unto all that thou hast.

5.Fasting

O you who belive! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, in order that you become pious. (al-Baqarah 2:138) Gospel of Matthew 4:2 M't:4:2: And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

6.Adultery Gospel of Matthew 5:27-28 M't:5:27: Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: M't:5:28: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Jesus Return
Gospel of Matthew 7:22-23 M't:7:22: Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? M't:7:23: And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. *To whom Jesus will say this to Hindus, to Muslims or to the Christians ?

Conclusion

Surely, they have disbelieved who say: Allah is the Messiah (Jesus), son of Mary. But the Messiah (Jesus) said: O Children of Israel! Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. Verily, whosoever sets up partners in worship with Allah, then Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Zalimun (polytheists and wrongdoers) there are no helpers. (al-Maida 5:72)