The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, has urged Muslims to learn about Christian culture. This appeal, diplomatic as it is, is based on the assumption that Muslims are ignorant of Christianity, or at least know very little about it.
To begin with, we should welcome, and even accept any invitation to further our knowledge because, for the respectable and wise, it is a perpetual pursuit. Moreover, God has urged Muslims to know other peoples and nations, and interact with them. This is explicit in the following verse of the Qur’an: “Oh mankind! We created you male and female, and divided you into tribes and nations, so that you may come to know each other.” Global human acquaintance and interaction is something endorsed by the Qur’an, and learning of the cultures of other nations is a primary asset among others.
At the beginning of this commentary, we present to the Archbishop a supreme truth that knowledge of Jesus son of Mary and belief in him are integral to the Islamic faith, since they are pillars of the faith, and a Muslim’s faith is considered incomplete without this knowledge.
It is mentioned in the Qur’an: “And say we believe in God, the revelation given to us, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, as well as what was revealed to Moses and Jesus and all messengers of God. We draw no distinction between them and we submit to God.” As the verse states, belief in God and His Holy Books is contingent on belief in Jesus and his Bible. It is also mentioned in the Hadith that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever believes in One Allah and that He has no partner, and that Muhammad is His servant and prophet, and that Jesus is His servant and prophet and His Word spoken unto Mary, and that God sent the Holy Ghost to him, and that Heaven is true and Hell is true; Allah will admit him into Heaven for whatever good deeds he has done.” As a result of this, Muslims possess broad and profound knowledge of Jesus and Christianity. This knowledge incorporates the belief that Jesus Christ (peace be upon him) preached a system of values, concepts, ethics, virtues, and teachings and tenaciously pursued its instillation in society and in human conscience.
The following are examples of these principles, concepts, and values that Muslims learn from the Qur’an:
(1) Mercy — which is the primary and most salient of Jesus’ qualities as well as his mission. The Qur’an states, “And we shall make him a miracle among men and a mercy to them, and so it has been decreed.” Furthermore, Jesus himself was keenly aware of this attribute, thus he renounced tyranny, the antithesis of which is mercy. The Qur’an states, “And he has made me kind to my mother, far from being a wretched oppressor.”
(2) Peace — The Qur’an teaches Muslims that Jesus was an advocate of peace and more precisely that he embodied peace from the day he was born till the Last Judgment, as is mentioned in the Qur’an: “So peace be upon me on my birthday, the day I die, and on Judgment Day.”
(3) True Faith — The Qur’an mentions, “But Christ said: ‘0’ Children of Israel! Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. And whoever worships other gods with Allah will be forbidden from Heaven, and Hell will be his abode.’”
And while the discussion heats up, a torrent of extensive and authentic knowledge of Christ and his faith cascades. We learn that Muslims know of his miraculous birth. The Qur’an states, “And she brought the child to her people, carrying him in her arms. They said: ‘Mary! This deed of yours is scandalous and unprecedented. 0’ Sister of Aaron! Your father was not a sinful man, nor your mother a wanton woman.’ But Mary pointed to the child and they said: ‘How can we talk to a child in the cradle?’ Then Jesus (the infant) said: ‘I am indeed a servant of God. He has given me a revelation and made me-His messenger. And He has made me blessed wherever I roam and has enjoined on me prayer and charity as long as I live. He has made me kind to my mother, far from being a wretched oppressor. So peace be upon me on my birthday, the day I die, and on Judgment Day.’”
Muslims also know of Christ’s sublime and illustrious character. The Qur’an states, “And the angels said: ‘0’ Mary! God has given you glad tidings of a Word from him: his name will be Jesus Christ, the son of Mary. He shall be exalted in this world and in the Hereafter, and of those nearest to God.’” The Qur’an also speaks about his revelation and the Bible, “And after them we sent Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming the Torah revealed prior to him; and we sent him the Bible: therein was guidance, light, and an admonition to those who fear God.”
<> — Zeinul Abideen Al-Rikabi is an Islamic scholar based in Riyadh.
