Daanish Malik, Student, Jamia Ahmadiyya Canada
What do Muslims think about Jesusas? Unbeknownst to many, the Holy Quran strongly requires one to love, respect, and honour him. God Almighty has given him a revered and honoured status in the Quran:
“When the angels said, ‘O Mary, Allah gives thee glad tidings of a word from Him; his name [shall be] the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, honoured in this world and in the next, and of those who are granted nearness [to God].” (Surah Al-e-Imran, Ch.3: V.46)
But taking it one step further, can Muslims be considered his most devout lovers? Imitation can be seen as the sincerest form of affection, so here are five ways Muslims emulate Jesusas, proving their love for him.
Same declaration of faith
Throughout the life of Prophet Jesusas, we find that he taught his disciples the creed of worshipping one God. In the Gospels, it is recorded that he said, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3)
And what is the Muslim declaration of faith? The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa declared, “Verily, Islam is founded on five (pillars): testifying the fact that there is no god but Allah, establishment of prayer, payment of Zakat, the fasts of Ramadan and pilgrimage to the House.” (Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Iman, Hadith 16d)
The first step in becoming a Muslim is believing in the one true God, just as Prophet Jesusas taught. In Islam, one must sincerely declare his faith in one God to enter the fold of the religion. Over a billion Muslims around the world follow the underlying message Jesusas shared to his disciples. They proudly express the same declaration he taught his followers.
Semblance in the method of worship
Similarly, we find in the Bible that Jesus’as way of praying is strikingly similar to that of Muslims.
Leading up to the Crucifixion, Jesusas was with some of his closest disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane. After gathering them, the Bible narrates that, “And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:39)
The act of falling on the face while praying is prostration.
This resembles how the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa taught Muslims to pray. This description of Jesus’as prayer perfectly matches the sujood position of Islamic prayer. Muslims, from their childhood, pray in this exact manner. Today we find that Muslims are at the forefront of keeping his blessed tradition of praying like this alive and well.
Same diet
It is a well-known fact amongst theologians, historians, and Christians alike that Jesusas never ate pork. He strictly adhered to the Mosaic Law which forbade the consumption of swine.
In the same manner, the Holy Quran declares, “Forbidden to you is [the flesh of an animal] which dies of itself, and blood and the flesh of swine; and that on which is invoked the name of one other than Allah […]” (Surah al-Maidah, Ch.5: V.4)
Acting upon this instruction, all practicing Muslims strictly avoid consuming pork. Just as Prophet Jesusas did.
Same greeting
One lesser-known fact about Jesusas relates to his greeting.
In the Bible, there are many instances when he comes to his disciples and greets them by saying “Peace be with you”.
For example, after the Crucifixion, it is narrated, “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.” (John 20:19)
Similarly, Prophet Muhammadsa repeatedly instructed his companions to spread the greeting of السلام عليكم meaning “Peace be upon you”.
On one occasion he said, “O people, exchange greetings of peace (say: peace be upon you to one another), feed people, strengthen the ties of kinship, and be in prayer when others are asleep, you will enter Jannah in peace.” (Riyad as-Salihin, Kitab as-Salaam, Hadith 848)
In another narration we find that he said, “When you enter your house, say assalamu ‘alaikum (peace be upon you) to your family, for it will be a blessing both to you and to your family.” (Riyad as-Salihin, Kitab as-Salaam, Hadith 861)
Every Muslim today continues Jesus’as tradition of spreading the greeting of “peace be with you” to each other. This is a divine practice taught to us by the prophets and continued in this age by the Muslims.
Recognise the fulfillment of grand prophecy
Finally, before his departure, Prophet Jesusas left his disciples with a grand prophecy to give glad tidings of another to come and complete the faith. He said, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” (John 16:12-13)
Here, Prophet Jesusas is beautifully telling his disciples of the advent of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa. He was titled as-Sadiq meaning “the Truthful”. He came to complete the faith just like Jesusas said he would. He spoke not on his own but transmitted that which was revealed to him by God, as the Holy Quran states:
“Nor does he speak out of [his own] desire. It is nothing but [pure] revelation [that has been] revealed [by God].” (Surah an-Najm, Ch.53: V.4-5)
He made countless prophecies, many of which we see being fulfilled in this era.
Muslims believing in the truthfulness of Prophet Jesusas, accept this great prophecy to have been fulfilled. They recognise that his prophecies, especially regarding the advent of an even greater prophet, came into being. Muslims out of their immense obedience of the One who sent Jesusas, accepted the one whose advent he prophesied 2,000 years ago.
Conclusion
These examples constitute five of the numerous ways through which Muslims manifest their reverence for Prophet Jesusas. There is a well-known proverb that “Actions speak louder than words”. We can all claim to love someone, but the true lover is he who not only professes his love, but in his every action displays it. A true lover shows their inspiration in their very conduct. Who else besides Muslims can say they believed, worshipped, ate, and spoke just as Jesusas did?