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What the Koran Says
about Jesus Use the Koran as a bridge to open
friendly discussion with Muslims about Christ |
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The Koran
Book
of Al-Imran
3:42-55
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Significance
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42 And (remember) when the angels said: “O Maryam! Verily, Allah has chosen you, purified you, and
chosen you above the women of the ‘Alamin
(mankind and jinns of her generation).” |
Mary was chosen by God to bear Jesus into the world. |
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43 “O Mary! Submit yourself with obedience to your Lord
(Allah, by worshipping none but Him alone) and prostrate yourself, and Irka’i (bow down, etc.) along with the Ar-Raki’un (i.e. those who bow down). 44 This is a part of the news of the Ghaib
(angels) which We inspire you with. You were not with them, when they cast
lots with their pens as to which of them should be charged with the care of Maryam; nor were you with them when they disputed. |
At a dark moment in the history of the world, Allah did something
very unusual. Allah spoke thorough an angel to a young virgin woman
named Maryam, He told her that He had chosen her for an unusual role. |
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45 (Remember) when the angels said: “O Maryam!
Verily, Allah gives you the glad tidings of a Word [“Be!” – and he was! (Jesus) the son of Maryam]
from Him, his name will be the Messiah ‘Isa (Jesus), the son of Maryam, held in honor in this world and in the Hereafter,
and will be one of those who are near to Allah. 3:42-43
At a dark moment in the
history of the world, Allah did something very unusual. Allah spoke
thorough an angel to a young virgin woman named Maryam, He told her that He had chosen her for an unusual
role. |
Allah said that He would put his Word into Maryam.
“Word” is also the word for ‘breath’ or ‘spirit of Allah.’ (If necessary you
can reference Koran 4:171 “… speak the truth; the Messiah, ‘Isa son of Maryam is only an apostle of Allah and his Word which He
communicated to Maryam and a spirit from Him.”) So
the Koran teaches us that ‘Isa Rohullah means “Jesus the Spirit of
Allah.” Also commonly used is, “Isa Kalamtullah” which means “Jesus
the Word of Allah.” Allah’s Word” (Rohullah) would become flesh
in the form of a baby. Allah told Maryam to name
the baby ‘Isa Masih. Masih
means, “The Anointed or Promised One” Isa
would be honored by all people in this world and forever in heaven.
Finally, Allah said that Isa would be one of those nearest to Himself. Isa is
the Word of God. |
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46 “He will
speak to the people in the cradle and in manhood, and he will be one of the
righteous.” |
Isa is
righteous (holy). |
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47 She said: “O may Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has
touched me?” He said: “So (it will be) for Allah creates what He wills. When
he has decreed something, He says to it only: “Be!” and it is. |
Maryam was shocked by the news that Allah had
given. How could she have a baby? No man had ever touched her.
Allah explained to her that He could anything He wanted. All He has to
do is say “Be!” and it is so. What is the significance of being born
without an earthly father?” Adam, before he committed his sin in the garden
and became evil, walked with God in the garden. Adam could walk and live with
God because he did not have any sin. Adam, at first, was righteous and holy
but once Adam committed sin by disobeying Allah, he and all of his
descendants became unholy and could no longer live together with the holy
God. |
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48 And He (Allah) will teach him (‘Isa) the Book and Al-Hikmah (i.e. the Sunnah or
faultless teachings of the Prophets, wisdom, etc.), (and) the Taurat (Taurat or Old
Testament) and the Injil (Gospel). 49
And will make him (‘Isa) a Messenger to
the Children of Israel (saying): “I have come to you with a sign from your
Lord, that I design for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird,
and breathe into it , and it becomes a bird by
Allah’s leave; and I heal him who was born blind, and the leper, and I bring
the dead to life by Allah’s leave. And I inform you of what you eat, and what
you store in your houses. Surely therein is a sign for you, if you believe.” |
Isa created
life and did miracles. |
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50 And I have come confirming that which was before me of Taurat (Taurat or Old
Testament) and to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden to you, and I
have come to you with a proof from your Lord. So fear Allah and obey me. 51 Truly! Allah is
my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him (Alone). This is the Straight Path. 52 Then when ‘Isa (Jesus) came to know of their disbelief, he
said “Who will be my helpers in Allah’s Cause?” Al-Hawariun (the disciples) said: “We are the helpers of
Allah; we believe in Allah, and bear witness that we are Muslims (i.e. those
who submit to Allah).” 53 Our Lord! We believe in what You have sent down, and we
follow the Messenger [‘Isa (Jesus)]; so write us down among those who bear
witness (to the truth i.e. there is no God but Allah). 54 And they
(disbelievers) plotted [to kill ‘Isa (Jesus)], and Allah planned too. And
Allah is the best of the planners. 55 And (remember)
when Allah said: “O ‘Isa (Jesus)! I will take you and raise you to Myself and
clear you of those who disbelieve, and I will
make those who follow you superior to those who disbelieve till the Day of
Resurrection. Then you will return to Me and I will judge between you in the
matters in which you used to dispute. |
Isa knows the
way and is the way to heaven and eternal life. |