Jesus of Nazareth, or Isa ibn Maryam (Jesus, son of Mary) in Islam, is one of the most central and revered figures in the history of Abrahamic religions. He forms the cornerstone of Christian teachings and is recognized as a great prophet in Islam. Although both religions honor Jesus, there are striking differences in his theological status, the origins of beliefs about him, and the celebrations associated with him. This article will explore the Islamic and Christian perspectives on Jesus in a structured and in-depth manner, comparing theological and historical narratives, and examining primary sources and academic data to address key issues.
Theological Perspectives on Jesus
Islamic Perspective
In Islam, Jesus (Isa A.S., peace be upon him) is revered as one of the five great prophets (Ulul Azmi), the bearer of the Holy Gospel, and is mentioned over 90 times in the Holy Koran (Qur’an) with great respect. He is described as:
- The Messiah (Al-Masih).
- Born of the Virgin Mary.
- Performing various miracles.
- Not crucified, but raised by Allah.
- And destined to return to earth at the end of times as an upholder of truth.
Belief in the prophets, including Jesus, is one of the six pillars of faith in Islam. Denying Jesus’ prophethood is considered disbelief (kufr), as stated in chapter (surah) The Women (An-Nisa) in verse (ayah) 150:
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَكْفُرُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ وَيُرِيدُونَ أَن يُفَرِّقُوا۟ بَيْنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ وَيَقُولُونَ نُؤْمِنُ بِبَعْضٍۢ وَنَكْفُرُ بِبَعْضٍۢ وَيُرِيدُونَ أَن يَتَّخِذُوا۟ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ سَبِيلًا
Surely those who deny Allah and His messengers and wish to make a distinction between Allah and His messengers, saying, “We believe in some and disbelieve in others,” desiring to forge a compromise,
And in verse 151:
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ حَقًّۭا ۚ وَأَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ عَذَابًۭا مُّهِينًۭا
they are indeed the true disbelievers. And We have prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment.
This verse explains that those who differentiate between messengers (e.g., accepting the prophethood of Muhammad but rejecting Jesus) are considered disbelievers in the Islamic theological framework. In Islam, disbelief entails rejecting one or more fundamental aspects of faith, including the prophethood of Jesus.
This also applies to those who claim to believe in God (Allah) but reject some of His messengers, such as Jesus or Muhammad. Theologically, modern Christianity is seen as rejecting the prophethood of Muhammad, while Judaism rejects both Jesus and Muhammad. Thus, within the Islamic theological framework, both are categorized as non-Muslims, as they fall outside the boundaries of faith defined by the Holy Koran.
In terms of creed (aqidah), a disbeliever (kafir) is anyone who rejects or does not believe in one or more pillars of faith—such as disbelief in Allah, His books, or His messengers. Thus, those who do not believe that Jesus is a prophet and messenger of Allah (as described in the Holy Koran) fall into this category because they reject a core element of Islamic faith.
In Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), anyone who does not profess the two declarations of faith (shahada) and does not accept the core tenets of Islamic faith is terminologically considered a non-Muslim and generally falls under the category of kafir (in the context of faith, not as an insult or derogatory term). However, the Holy Koran also uses the term “People of the Book” (Ahlul Kitab) for Jews and Christians and commands Muslims to treat them justly and kindly, as long as they do not show hostility or wage war against Muslims.
Christian Perspective
In Christianity, Jesus is regarded as the Son of God and part of the Trinity, a concept officially affirmed at the Council of Nicaea (325 CE), was a pivotal event in the history of Christianity that established the doctrine that Jesus is “true God from true God” as part of the concept of the Trinity. However, this view is not an explicit teaching of Jesus himself. In the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke), Jesus never explicitly declares himself as God. He frequently refers to himself as the “Son of Man,” prays to God, and states that “the Father is greater than I ” (John 14:28).
Historians such as Bart D. Ehrman (a former evangelical Christian, now an agnostic) conclude that Jesus never explicitly claimed divinity. Titles such as “Son of God” or “Messiah” could be understood symbolically in a Jewish context (not automatically implying divinity). The concept of the Trinity developed later and was not directly taught by Jesus. Scholars like Elaine Pagels and Karen Armstrong (religious historians) also note that early Christianity was highly diverse—some groups viewed Jesus solely as a prophet or spiritual teacher, not God. Church councils (such as Nicaea in 325 CE) formally established the doctrine of Jesus’ divinity after theological conflicts.
For references:
- Ehrman, B. D. (2014). How Jesus Became God: The Exaltation of a Jewish Preacher from Galilee. HarperOne.
- Pagels, E. (1979). The Gnostic Gospels. Random House.
- Armstrong, K. (1993). A History of God: The 4000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Ballantine Books.
The Historical Jesus and His Teachings
Did Jesus Teach Christianity?
Based on historical studies and Gospel texts, Jesus never explicitly used the term “Christian” or established a new religion called Christianity. The term “Christian” (Xριστιανóς) first appeared in Acts 11:26, long after Jesus’ death. In Matthew 15:24, Jesus states, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” indicating that his mission focused on reforming Judaism or was specific to the Jewish people. He lived as a Jew, was circumcised (Luke 2:21), followed the Torah, and taught in synagogues. In Matthew 5:17, he affirms, “I have not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it.”
The Role of Paul in Shaping Christianity
Paul of Tarsus, who never met Jesus in person, was initially an opponent of Jesus and a persecutor of his followers before claiming conversion after a spiritual vision of Jesus. He is considered the primary architect of modern Christianity. Through his epistles, Paul emphasized:
- The divinity of Jesus (Colossians 2:9).
- Salvation through faith in Christ, not through adherence to the Torah.
- The spread of Jesus’ teachings to non-Jews (Gentiles).
Paul transformed Jesus’ Jewish-exclusive teachings into a universal message acceptable to the Roman world and beyond, separating Christianity from Judaism. This marked a significant shift from the teachings of a prophet to the establishment of a new religion. Paul declared that the Torah was no longer binding and that salvation was attained through faith in Jesus as the Christ (Messiah and Son of God), not through adherence to Jewish law.
Circumcision: Jesus’ Practice and Islamic-Christian Perspectives
Circumcision in Jesus’ Life
Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day in accordance with Jewish law (Luke 2:21), as a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham (Ibrahim A.S.) (Genesis 17:10–14). However, many modern Christians, particularly in Europe and the West, no longer view circumcision as a spiritual obligation, considering it merely a medical or cultural practice.
Circumcision in Islam
In Islam, circumcision is mandatory for males as part of natural disposition and purity (fitrah), although it is not explicitly mentioned in the Holy Koran. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated: “The fitrah consists of five things: circumcision, shaving pubic hair, plucking underarm hair, cutting nails, and trimming the mustache” (Hadith, Bukhari and Muslim). Thus, Islam aligns more closely with Jesus’ practice of circumcision.
Medical Benefits of Circumcision
Medically, circumcision offers benefits such as:
- Reducing the risk of urinary tract infections.
- Decreasing the likelihood of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.
- Preventing inflammations such as balanitis and phimosis.
- Lowering the risk of penile cancer.
Organizations like the WHO and CDC acknowledge these benefits, though the practice remains subject to individual and cultural preferences.
Symbolic Treatment and Reverence for Jesus
In Islam
In Islam, depicting prophets, including Jesus, visually is prohibited or strongly discouraged as a form of reverence. The name Isa is commonly used for children as an expression of love. Muslims react strongly to insults against prophets, including Jesus, as denying prophethood is considered disbelief.
In Christianity
In the West, where Christianity is predominant, Jesus is often depicted in paintings, films, and even parodies, which some Muslims and certain Christians consider highly disrespectful. Christians tend to be more permissive of insults or mockery of Jesus, often citing “freedom of expression.” This creates the impression that Muslims are more protective and respectful of Jesus in terms of symbolic treatment and decorum.
The Birth of Jesus and Christmas Celebrations
Was Jesus Born on December 25?
There is no evidence that Jesus was born on December 25. The Bible does not record his birth date, and some clues suggest he was not born in winter:
- Luke 2:8 mentions shepherds tending their flocks at night, which is uncommon in Palestine during winter.
- Studies of the Jewish calendar and Elizabeth’s pregnancy (the mother of John the Baptist, known as prophet Yahya ibn Zakariya in Islam) suggest Jesus was likely born in autumn or spring.
The date of December 25 was established by the Catholic Church in the 4th century to replace the Roman pagan festival of Sol Invictus (the Unconquered Sun), celebrated during the winter solstice. In the 4th century, the Catholic Church strategically adopted this date to celebrate Christ’s birth, aiming to Christianize the Roman populace. Thus, the date of Christmas does not originate from sacred texts but from the acculturation of Roman pagan traditions.
Pagan Roots in Christmas Celebrations
Many elements of modern Christmas celebrations stem from pagan traditions:
- December 25: Coincides with Sol Invictus, a Roman festival established by Emperor Aurelian in 274 CE.
- Christmas Tree: Originates from Germanic and Norse pagan rituals symbolizing fertility and eternal life.
- Candles and Lights: Symbolize the expulsion of winter darkness, as in the Yule and Saturnalia festivals.
- Santa Claus: A fusion of St. Nicholas, a generous bishop from Myra, and Odin, a bearded Norse god who rode a flying horse and gave gifts. The tradition of hanging stockings and flying reindeer derives from Scandinavian pagan legends.
- Saturnalia: A Roman festival (December 17–23) involving feasting, gift-giving, and home decorations, which was transformed into Christmas celebrations.
Although these elements were integrated into a Christian framework by the church since the 4th century, this explanation is not merely an accusation but is grounded in historical, archaeological, and cultural evidence of religious transformation in the Roman era.
Historically, Christmas is a result of the assimilation of Christian beliefs with Roman-European pagan traditions. While not entirely “illegitimate” spiritually for Christians, the celebration does not originate directly from Jesus’ teachings.
Why Is the Islamic Perspective Considered More Consistent?
The Islamic view of Jesus to be more consistent because:
- Monotheism: Islam upholds absolute monotheism (tawhid) without the concept of the Trinity.
- Historical Alignment: The Islamic view aligns with the historical portrayal of Jesus as a Jewish prophet in modern scholarship.
- Rationality: Islam honors Jesus as a great prophet without elevating him to an object of worship.
- Revealed Source: The Qur’an explicitly rejects Jesus’ divinity while maintaining his honor as a messenger of Allah.
Islam portrays Jesus as a prophet who taught monotheism, lived a simple life, did not establish a new religion, did not claim to be God.
This perspective aligns with modern historical scholarship and maintains the purity of monotheism, avoiding the transition from prophet to “Son of God” or God. Islam holds Jesus in high esteem without deifying him, thus avoiding associating partners with God (shirk).
Conclusion
The study of Jesus from Islamic and Christian perspectives opens a wide space for reflection. From historical, textual, and logical perspectives of faith, Islam’s view of Jesus is considered closer to the historical reality of a Jewish prophet who called for monotheism and repentance. Nevertheless, it is essential to respect each faith’s beliefs and foster dialogue based on knowledge rather than assumptions. Understanding Jesus honestly and deeply can strengthen interfaith relations and offer sincere reverence to one of the greatest spiritual figures in human history.
- Islam reveres Jesus (Isa) as one of the five great prophets (Ulul Azmi), born of the Virgin Mary, performing miracles, not crucified but raised by Allah, and destined to return at the end of times.
- Belief in Jesus’ prophethood is a pillar of Islamic faith; denying it is considered disbelief (kufr), as stated in Qur’an 4:150–151.
- Christianity views Jesus as the Son of God and part of the Trinity, formalized at the Council of Nicaea (325 CE), though Jesus never explicitly claimed divinity in the Synoptic Gospels.
- Jesus did not explicitly establish Christianity or use the term “Christian”; his mission focused on reforming Judaism, as seen in Matthew 15:24 and 5:17.
- Paul of Tarsus shaped modern Christianity by emphasizing Jesus’ divinity, salvation through faith, and spreading teachings to non-Jews, transforming Jesus’ Jewish-focused message into a universal religion.
- Jesus was circumcised per Jewish law (Luke 2:21); Islam mandates circumcision as part of fitrah, aligning with Jesus’ practice, while many modern Christians view it as non-obligatory.
- Circumcision offers medical benefits, including reduced risks of infections, sexually transmitted diseases, and penile cancer, as recognized by WHO and CDC.
- Islam prohibits or discourages visual depictions of prophets, including Jesus, and considers insults to them as disbelief; Muslims often use the name Isa for children as a sign of reverence.
- In Christianity, Jesus is depicted in art and media, sometimes in ways considered disrespectful by Muslims and some Christians, with greater tolerance for such portrayals in the West.
- No evidence supports Jesus’ birth on December 25; biblical clues suggest a non-winter birth, and the date was adopted in the 4th century to replace the Roman pagan festival Sol Invictus.
- Christmas incorporates pagan elements like the Christmas tree, lights, and Santa Claus, rooted in Roman and Norse traditions, though integrated into a Christian framework.
- Islam’s view of Jesus as a prophet teaching monotheism aligns with historical scholarship, avoids the Trinity, and maintains reverence without deification, seen as more consistent by some scholars.
- Understanding Jesus’ role fosters interfaith dialogue, emphasizing respect for both Islamic and Christian perspectives while acknowledging historical and theological differences.
Theological Perspectives on Jesus
Historical Jesus and His Teachings
Circumcision: Jesus’ Practice and Perspectives
Symbolic Treatment and Reverence
Birth of Jesus and Christmas
Consistency of Islamic Perspective
