The topic of finding out how the Quran views Jesus a very interesting topic. The Quran teaches some interesting views on who Jesus was, how He was born and what He taught. The Quran also talks about Jesus' death. Writing about what the Quran tells us about Jesus is a very broad topic that cannot be written in a short article like this, so this article can only discuss the names of Jesus in the Quran.
By looking at the names of Jesus in the Quran we will be able to see Jesus' glory and superiority over any other spoken of in the Quran. My other purpose is to offer some knowledge and information about "Jesus in Islam" for those who want to work among Muslims and for Muslims who are seeking the truth.
About 25 people in the Quran have been mentioned as prophets, there are many prophets in Islam but only 25 named. From these 25 prophets five of them are seen as the greatest of prophets in Islam, seen in Islamic belief as the greatest people in all humankind. Since these 25 are the greatest prophets in the history of humanity, the Quran gives a title to each one of them. First I will name these five, then I will discuss each one's title.
1. Noah is one of the greatest prophets in Islam. "Indeed, We sent Noah to his people, [saying], "Warn your people before there comes to them a painful punishment." (The Quran 71:1).
2. Abraham "And mention in the Book [the story of] Abraham. Indeed, he was a man of truth and a prophet." (The Quran 19:41).
3. Moses encounters God with fire from a bush. "But when he came to it, he was called from the right side of the valley in a blessed spot - from the tree, ' O Moses, indeed I am Allah, Lord of the worlds.'" (The Quran 28:30).
4. Jesus is one of the greatest prophets in Islam.
5. Muhammad is one of the five greatest prophets in Islam.
Titles
Each one of these five greatest prophets in Islam has a title. The titles of these prophets are very important for us to study. The title of each person in the Quran shows the position of the person. This position includes the relationship of the person with God and also his authority. We will look at each title and will focus on Jesus and compare His title with the other ones.
Noah
Noah, being one of the greatest prophets in Islam, has been titled as the prophet of God. نبی الله ( Nabi ullah). This title shows that Noah was a prophet chosen by God and sent by Him. "Indeed, Allah chose Adam and Noah and the family of Abraham and the family of 'Imran over the worlds" (The Quran 3:33).
Abraham: Abraham title in the Quran is " The friend of God" خلیل الله (Kahalilullah). "And who is better in religion than one who submits himself to Allah while being a doer of good and follows the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth? And Allah took Abraham as an intimate friend." (The Quran 4:125)
We also know a similar title for Abraham in the Bible. "And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. " (James 2:23)
This title in Quran given to Abraham is due to his strong faith and obedience to God. This shows his intimate relationship with God.
3. Moses: Moses's title in the Quran is the converser with God, someone who spoke with God, کلیم الله (Kalim Allah).
Jesus: Jesus has several titles in the Quran, such as The Messiah, servant, messenger, word of God and The spirit of God. We will be focusing more on the last two titles on Him in this article.
5. Muhammad: lastly, the last great prophet in Islam is Muhamad. His title in Quran is the messenger of God رسول الله (Rasul Allah)
Looking at these five greatest prophets in the Quran and studying their titles are very important. It reveals some truth about who Jesus is and it shows a very significant difference between Jesus and the rest of the great prophets.
Jesus has been given great honour and has been mentioned with significant respect in the Quran. He is mentioned twenty five times in the Quran, interestingly he is mentioned in the Quran more than Muhammad has been mentioned, Muhammad has been mentioned in the Quran only five times.
Jesus as the Messiah
Jesus has been mentioned as Messiah in Quran many times. "When the angels said, "O Mary, indeed Allah gives you good tidings of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary - distinguished in this world and the Hereafter and among those brought near [to Allah" (The Quran 3:45)
Jesus as the servant of God
Jesus has been called the servant of God in the Quran several ways directly and indirectly. "[Jesus] said, 'Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet.'" (The Quran 19:30).
Jesus as the messenger
Jesus has also been mentioned as a messenger and apostle of God in the Quran several times.
"And We did certainly give Moses the Torah and followed up after him with messengers. And We gave Jesus, the son of Mary, clear proofs and supported him with the Pure Spirit. But is it [not] that every time a messenger came to you, [O Children of Israel], with what your souls did not desire, you were arrogant? And a party [of messengers] you denied and another party, you killed." (The Quran 2:87)
Jesus as the word of God
One of the significant titles of Jesus in the Quran is calling him as the word of God. "O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers....." ( The Quran 4:171).
This title is very significant because it is a very good connection to John 1 verse 1. By accepting that Jesus is the word of God the door opens to relate this title with Jesus being the word of God in the Bible. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." ( John 1 verse 1). This opens a very good opportunity to talk, think and discuss the deity of Jesus with a Muslim.
Jesus as the Spirit of God
Lastly one of the other titles that Jesus has in the Quran is the Spirit of God روح الله ( Ruh allah).
As we mentioned there are five greatest prophets in Islam. Jesus is one of these five. When we study the titles given to these five greatest prophets in Islam, we find out that Jesus has the greatest title among them. No one else in the Quran has the same amount of titles that Jesus has. The rest of the four greatest prophets in Islam cannot compare with Jesus. Noah is a prophet of God. Abraham is the friend of God. Moses is the one who talked with God. Even Muhammad is only a messenger of God, but Jesus, He is a prophet, messenger, servant, not just a prophet and messenger He is the word of God and he is the spirit of God.
No one else in the Quran has these titles and authorities. Yet, Jesus is way second to Mohammed in Islam and its world view and that is for another article.
Mumim Faizy is a young Christian from the Middle East (Islamic world) and his interest research areas are philosophy and religious studies.
Mumim Faizy's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mumin-faizy.html