Who is Jesus?

In Islam, Jesus (`Isa in Arabic) is considered one of the greatest prophets sent by God to mankind. In the Qur'an, Jesus is referred to as `Isa ibn Maryam, or Jesus son of Mary. The story of Mary and Jesus is best described in the Qur'an primarily in the surahs of Aal `Imran and Maryam.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, is described in the Qur'an as being special. She is born into the pious household of Aal `Imran, and her childhood is marked by a unique piety that everyone around her could sense.

The uniqueness of Mary was spelled out to her by the angels:

*{Behold! The angels said: "O Mary! Allah hath chosen thee and purified thee — chosen thee above the women of all nations. O Mary! Worship thy Lord devoutly: Prostrate thyself, and bow down (in prayer) with those who bow down."}* (Aal `Imran 3:42-43)

The Prophet Muhammad had also related in a hadith reported byAl- Bukhari that Mary was one of the best of the women Allah had created.

The Birth of Jesus

In relating the story of Jesus, the Qur'an describes how Mary, the mother of Jesus, was approached by an angel from God, bringing her tidings she had never imagined: that she would give birth to a son, a Messiah, who would be of the righteous and would be a prophet of God, calling the Children of Israel (the Israelites) to the straight path of God.

*{(And remember) when the angels said: O Mary! Lo! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a word from him, whose name is the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, illustrious in the world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near (unto Allah). He will speak unto mankind in his cradle and in his manhood, and he is of the righteous.}* (Aal `Imran 3:45-46)

Naturally, for the chaste Mary, this news was both strange and seemingly impossible.

*{She said: My Lord! How can I have a child when no mortal hath touched me? He said: So (it will be). Allah createth what He will. If He decreeth a thing, He saith unto it only: Be! and it is. And He will teach him the Scripture and wisdom, and the Torah and the Gospel.}* (Aal `Imran 3:47-48)

The very nature of Jesus's birth is so special that God compares the uniqueness of his creation to that of the first man and prophet, Adam.

*{Lo! The likeness of Jesus with Allah is as the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust, then He said unto him: Be! and he is.}* (Aal `Imran 3:59)

However, we are told in the Qur'an of a miracle that Jesus performed when he was a baby.

When Mary carried the baby Jesus to her people, they questioned her; and as a baby in her arms, Jesus gave them the answer. The Qur'an describes this scene in detail:

*{He said: "I am indeed a servant of Allah: He hath given me revelation and made me a prophet; And He hath made me blessed wheresoever I be, and hath enjoined on me Prayer and Charity as long as I live; (He) hath made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable; So peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life (again)!"}* (Maryam 19:26-33)

And so the baby Jesus defended his mother from any accusations of adultery, and in a nutshell, explained who he was and why he was sent by God.

Jesus and His Miracles

Jesus was sent to the Children of Israel in order to confirm the teachings of his predecessor, the Prophet Moses. Jesus's birth was a miracle, and, like all prophets of God, he was granted several miracles. He approached his people, telling them —

*{Lo! I come unto you with a sign from your Lord. Lo! I fashion for you out of clay the likeness of a bird, and I breathe into it and it is a bird, by Allah's leave. I heal him who was born blind, and the leper, and I raise the dead, by Allah's leave. And I announce unto you what ye eat and what ye store up in your houses. Lo! herein verily is a portent for you, if ye are to be believers.

And (I come) confirming that which was before me of the Torah, and to make lawful some of that which was forbidden unto you. I come unto you with a sign from your Lord, so keep your duty to Allah and obey me.

Lo! Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is a straight path.}* (Aal `Imran 3:49-51)

In another incident, after which an entire surah of the Qur'an is named, the disciples of Jesus asked him for another miracle.

*{Behold! the disciples, said: "O Jesus the son of Mary! can thy Lord send down to us a table set (with viands) from heaven?" Jesus said: "Fear Allah, if ye have faith."

They said: "We only wish to eat thereof and satisfy our hearts, and to know that thou hast indeed told us the truth; and that we ourselves may be witnesses to the miracle."

Jesus the son of Mary said: "O Allah our Lord! Send us from heaven a table set (with viands), that there may be for us — for the first and the last of us — a solemn festival and a sign from Thee; and provide for our sustenance, for Thou art the best Sustainer (of our needs)."}* (Al-Ma'idah 5:112-114)

God sent them the table they had asked for, but not without a warning.

*{Allah said: "I will send it down unto you: But if any of you after that resisteth faith, I will punish him with a penalty such as I have not inflicted on any one among all the peoples."}* (Al-Ma'idah 5:115)

The End of the Story?

The story of Jesus never really ends in the Qur'an, as we are told that Jesus was not killed, but that rather, God raised His beloved prophet up to Him.

*{Behold! Allah said: "O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself and clear thee (of the falsehoods) of those who blaspheme; I will make those who follow thee superior to those who reject faith, to the Day of Resurrection: Then shall ye all return unto Me, and I will judge between you of the matters wherein ye dispute.}* (Aal `Imran 3:53)

The Qur'an also points out that Jesus was neither killed nor crucified. Speaking of the Children of Israel, Allah faults their accusations against Mary as well as their claim that they killed Jesus.

*{That they rejected Faith; that they uttered against Mary a grave false charge;

And because of their saying: We slew the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, Allah's messenger — they slew him not nor crucified him, but it appeared so unto them; and lo! Those who disagree concerning it are in doubt thereof; they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture; they slew him not for certain.

Nay, Allah raised him up unto Himself; and Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.}* (An-Nisaa' 4:156-158)

The Qur'an confirms that Jesus was raised up by God, and the Prophet Muhammad reassured us that Jesus will be sent down to earth once again before the Day of Judgment in order to re-establish justice and the proper worship of the one Creator.

A good question Anthony.

Jesus is not a messenger. He is God. How do we know? He said so, then performed hundreds of miracles to prove it. In the Torah, God has given over 200 prophecies to describe His messiah (means "anointed one"). The Jews of Jesus' day understood what He was claiming and tried to stone Him to death several times.

The final proof was when He rose from the dead after His crucifixion and was seen by over 400 witnesses. Those who opposed Him had no answer to this. These conversations are recorded in several historical records - including the Bible.

In the koran, Mohammad did not claim any miracles by his own hand. Some appear to be added in later years (according to Muslim scholars), but not in the koran.

Hope this helps you understand the Christian view. If you're looking for a detailed answer, I'll refer you to this web site where Jesus' own words are documented with Biblical references: http://www.everystudent.com/wires/whodoyousay.html

Jesus was God come down to us in the flesh because not one of us could see him and live. So he sent his only begotten son, Jeshua, to us. John 3:16 For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son so that those who believeth in him should not die but have everlasting life. Also, to fulfill what God spoke to Satan in Genesis that the seed of the woman would crush the head of the serpent. The seed of woman was Jeshua our Messiah and the serpent was Satan. Most people who will live eternally in hell is because they can't understand that Jeshua shed his blood for all of us and every sin past, present and future are covered. All you have to do is accept that he came and died and rose and Jeshua sits on the right hand side of the father and together are one. They will come and abide in you through the Holy Spirit and you will be set free. It is a free gift giving unto us from our heavenly father. Unbelief in our Jeshua is a miserable way to live on this earth and if you are going to live that way it will always be a miserable existence for you. If Jeshua isn't real then ask him into your heart and soul and see what happens and if I am wrong then you have lost nothing but if I am telling you the truth you have gained not only a true friend but salvation.

Jesus is God. Not "a" god because there is only ONE God...

And you're asking Christians to confirm their belief in this through a book muslims don't read or follow.

Islam and Christianity are total opposite religions.

correction Yeshua/Jesus isn't a god he is The God...

to explain the trinity simply i will say this...

God made us in his image right? well then just like him we are a trinity...

we have a body - God's is Yeshua/Jesus

we have a mind - God's is God the Father

we have a spirit - God's is The holy Spirit

all 3 are separate but they are all equally the same being...

or you can look at it like a square... a square is a rectangle but a rectangle isn't a square.

also go to this site for a bunch of scripture that supports the divinity of God. http://www.jimfeeney.org/deityofjesuschrist.html

Because He said He was.

God promised to send Him, and then He came. He preached God's word and did lots of wonderful miracles in God's name, then He died to take the punishment for all our sins and then He BEAT DEATH so it would not have a hold on us if we believe in Him!

Jesus is the centre of our faith - we believe when He tells us He is God, and there is sufficient proof for us in the stories of His life!

Jesus was God incarnate, sort of God on Earth, but in human form, able to go through everything other humans go through good and bad.

I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I believe that He is one part of the Trinity. He is perfect. He is Salvation for the souls of men. He is amazing. He is God. He is my Savior. He is my Friend.

He came hear as God's son to die for us and show us that we can be resurected again and return to God again. yes Jesus is a god because he created this earth by the command of God and Jesus can do anything but he chooses to follow God.

Jesus is the son of God sent on earth to redeem us with his blood.

Whether you like it or not there is only ONE God...and that is God Himself. He is the father, the son and the holy spirit.

And with your friend being a Christian as I am ask him for advice as well.