Comparative Study: Jesus' Role in Islam and Christian Theology

This essay examines the Muslim perspective on Jesus, referred to as Isa in the Quran, and explores whether Muslims believe he is the Messiah. It summarizes findings from three sources, including Quranic verses and interpretations by Muslim scholars. The analysis reveals that Jesus is highly respected in Islam as a prophet, messenger of God, and the Messiah (Al-Masih), born of the Virgin Mary. While Muslims do not believe in original sin or that Jesus is the savior in the same way as Christians, they acknowledge his divine status and anticipate his return to Earth. The essay concludes that Jesus holds a unique and revered position in the Muslim faith, as evidenced by his frequent mention in the Quran and the attribution of divine qualities to him. Desklib provides access to this essay and many other resources for students.

Running head: HUMANITIES
Humanities
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1HUMANITIES
Question
Do Muslims believe Jesus is the Messiah?
Summary of results from source one
In the Quran, the mention of Jesus has been found around 25 times. The name of Jesus
has been transformed into Isa in the Holy Quran. In Quran, it has also been mentioned that Jesus
Christ was born from Virgin Mary. Therefore, Jesus Christ has been highly honored in the
current and next world to be precise (Farina). Muslims were of the opinion that Jesus Christ was
a prophet who delivered special messages to be conveyed to all the people. This special message
was considered as injil in Quran whereas it is Gospel in the Bible. The Muslims believed that this
message was conveyed in Torah and this message would also be conveyed in the coming times
by Prophet Muhammad (Farina). Thus it is very clear that Jesus Christ played a unique role in
the Muslim faith of that time. The Quran has also said that Jesus Christ taken into heaven before
actual death occurred to him. According to some Christian texts, it is quite clear that Jesus Christ
will return on Judgment Day to punish ad-dajjal or all impostors. Muslim do not believe Jesus to
be a savior or ‘messiah’ as they do not have faith in original sin (Farina).
Summary of results from source two
The second source also describes the belief of Muslims about the existence of Jesus
Christ. Quran has depicted Christ and hold him in high honor (Cbn.com). The name Jesus has
not been used in Quran to describe him. Rather Isa has been used to depict what He was and
what he had done for human beings and divinity. Many times he has been called ‘Al-Masih’ or
Messiah that means savior in form of human. On the other hand several terms have been applied
to Jesus Christ stating him as the Word of God’ or ‘the Word of Truth’. He is also considered as

2HUMANITIES
‘Prophet of God’ or ‘Messenger of God’ in certain Muslim texts (Cbn.com). Therefore, it is
quite clear that Jesus Christ has been one of the central figures in composing Quran or including
values and beliefs about Him. This source suggests that Jesus Christ has been held in high
respects in Muslim faith and in Quran (Cbn.com). As per Muslim traditions, it has also been said
that Jesus Christ will come back to earth again to eradicate all the sins and punishing the guilty
people. Therefore, he will die as a Muslim and go back to heaven.
Summary of results from source three
Quran is the primary text of Muslims and the regard for him is really high indeed. In this
context, it must be said and quoted from Holy Quran that ‘….his name is al-masih, Isa, son of
Maryam’ (Q-3:45). The term ‘messiah’ has been used in Quran as more as 11 times. It has been
also stated that ‘he was only a messenger’ (Network.crcna.org). It has been stated in Quran as it
can be quoted ‘….Isa, son of Maryam, was only a messenger of Allah.’ (Q. 4:171). Therefore, it
is very clear by analyzing Quran that Jesus Christ has held a very precious position in the
Muslim faith (Network.crcna.org). In the Muslim faith or Quran, it has been said that Jesus
Christ is believed or regarded as al-masih or Messiah because both his feet were flat and there
were no hollows to the soles. This signified that he was no ordinary person and he had some
divine blessings indeed (Network.crcna.org). Muslims believed that he was pure from all sins
and he was blessed indeed.
Summary of findings
In the final section of the paper, it can be said that Jesus Christ was indeed the Messiah
for Muslims. Muslims believed that Jesus Christ was a true savior of human beings from their
sins (Zahniser). Jesus Christ was hanged in the cross and this symbolized his sacrifice for entire

3HUMANITIES
mankind. In this context, it is quite clear that Jesus Christ did many things that could only be
done only by people having divine blessings. The mention of Isa and Maryam has been found
several times that is the symbol of Jesus Christ and His mother Virgin Mary (Martin). The term
al-masih in Quran definitely signifies that Jesus had a special place in the minds of Muslims. SO,
Jesus Can surely be compared as messiah or savior. Muslims honor Allah as their true divine
being and Jesus have been revered through as a prophet conveying meaningful advises for His
disciples.

4HUMANITIES
Reference List
Cbn.com. "What Do Muslims Believe About Jesus?". CBN.Com - The Christian Broadcasting
Network, 2019, http://www1.cbn.com/onlinediscipleship/what-do-muslims-believe-
about-jesus%3F.
Farina, Marianne. "What Do Muslims Think Of Jesus?". Uscatholic.Org, 2016,
http://www.uscatholic.org/articles/201609/what-do-muslims-think-jesus-30772.
Martin, Raymond. The elusive Messiah: A philosophical overview of the quest for the historical
Jesus. Routledge, 2018.
Network.crcna.org. "Who Is The Messiah In Islam?". The Network, 2018,
https://network.crcna.org/ecumenical-interfaith/who-messiah-islam.
Parrinder, Geoffrey. Jesus in the Qur'an. Oneworld Publications, 2013.
Zahniser, AH Mathias. The mission and death of Jesus in Islam and Christianity. Wipf and Stock
Publishers, 2017.