In a recent gathering, brothers from Iera Ghana had the opportunity to engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Benjamin, who holds the belief that Jesus is God. The brothers took this chance to share the Islamic perspective on Jesus, highlighting his importance as a prophet and messenger of God.
The discussion started with Benjamin expressing his views on Jesus, stating that he believes Jesus is the son of God and part of the Holy Trinity. The Iera Ghana brothers listened attentively, acknowledging the sincerity of Benjamin’s beliefs.
The brothers gently explained that in Islam, Jesus (known as Isa in Arabic) is considered a revered prophet and messenger of God, born to the Virgin Mary (Maryam in Arabic). They emphasized that Jesus was a human being, chosen by God to convey His message to the people.
The brothers highlighted the following key points about Jesus in Islam:
- Prophethood: Jesus was a prophet and messenger, sent to guide the Israelites and call them to the worship of one God.
- Miracles: Jesus performed miracles, such as healing the sick and raising the dead, by the permission of God.
- Virgin Birth: Jesus was born to Mary, a pious and chaste woman, through a miraculous birth.
- Not Divine: Jesus is not considered divine or the son of God in Islam. He was a human being, created by God and subject to His will.
To support their explanation, the brothers referenced several Quranic verses and Hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad):
And mention in the Book, Mary, when she withdrew from her family to an eastern place.” (Quran 19:16)
The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of God and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him.” (Quran 4:171)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, ‘Jesus, the son of Mary, is a prophet and a servant of God. (Hadith, Sahih Bukhari)
As the brothers shared their insights, Benjamin listened intently, asking thoughtful questions and seeking clarification on certain points. He expressed appreciation for the Islamic perspective on Jesus, acknowledging the similarities between Christianity and Islam in revering Jesus as a prophet and messenger.
The conversation concluded with the Iera Ghana brothers and Benjamin exchanging contact information, hoping to continue the dialogue and explore more topics related to faith and spirituality.
This encounter serves as a beautiful example of interfaith dialogue and understanding. By sharing the Islamic perspective on Jesus, the Iera Ghana brothers aimed to promote mutual respect and appreciation for the shared values and prophets revered in both Christianity and Islam.
