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For They Killed Him Not |
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A Muslim portrayal of Jesus |
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Jesus Virgin Birth Jesus’ creation is a miracle in itself, but it is not the only of its kind. Jesus was created from only a female, without a biological father. Adam, the ancestor of all mankind, was created from neither male nor female by the sheer command of God. Eve, Adam’s wife, was created from only the male, without a biological mother. With the rest of humans originating from both a male and a female through normal procreation, we thus have four distinct types of creation.
“The likeness of Jesus is as the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust, then He said to him: Be! and he is.” (Qur’an chapter 3, verse 59).
The rarity of a miraculous birth meant, of course, that it was difficult, if not impossible, for people to accept. Mary was born into the devout and respected household of Levites, the Jewish tribe which was given the honour of raising their religious leaders. She was brought up and looked after by Zachariah, a pious man of high standing. To be with child without having been married was unspeakable.
Mary herself found it hard to believe when she was told by the angel Gabriel, also referred to as the Holy Spirit, that she was going to give birth to a son. “She said: My Lord! How can I have a child when no mortal has touched me?
He said: So (it will be). Allah creates what he will. If He decrees a thing, He says to it only: Be! and it is.” (Qur’an chapter 3, verse 47).
To avoid being questioned and bringing shame upon her family, she leaves:
“And she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place.” (Qur’an chapter 19, verse 22).
When about to give birth, she is still troubled with the thought of having to present a child to her people without having been married:
“And the pangs of childbirth drove her to the trunk of the palm-tree. She said: Oh, would that I had died before this and had become a thing of nothing, forgotten!” (Qur’an chapter 19, verse 23).
She decides to observe a fast from speaking to avoid being challenged:
“Then she brought him to her own people, carrying him They said: O Mary! You have come with an amazing thing. O sister of Aaron! Your father was not a wicked man nor was your mother a harlot. Then she pointed to him. They said: How can we talk to one who is in the cradle, a young boy?” (Qur’an chapter 19, verses 27-29).
Jesus’ miraculous birth is followed by other miracles from the moment he was born. As his mother points at him in the midst of her people’s allegations,
“He spoke: I am the slave of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and has appointed me as a prophet.” (Qur’an chapter 19, verse 30).
When confronted with such miracles, many people ascribed them to Jesus in person instead of to the greater power of God, who had given him those signs. They associated divinity directly with Jesus, whereas Jesus himself only ever claimed to have been a true servant and prophet of God.
Next : Jesus - The Prophet of Allah |
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