JESUS (Peace Be Upon Him) THE SON OF MARY

JESUS (Peace Be Upon Him) THE SON OF MARY

عيـــــــــسى عليه الســــــــلام ابن مـــريم

The Church maintains that Jesus (Peace Be Upon Him) is the "Only-begotten Son" of God, and also God Himself, since the doctrine of Trinity considers God as the Son, as the Father and as the "Holy Ghost" all at the same time! Catholics further emphasize the divinity of Mary as the "Mother of God". Islam rejects all these concepts in totality. Allah says in the Noble Qur’an (Which is translated as follows);

"Surely, they have disbelieved who say: "Allah is the Messiah [‘Iesa (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary)", But the Messiah [‘Iesa (Jesus)] said; "O Children of Israel! worship Allah, My Lord and your Lord."

"Verily, whosoever setup partners in worship with Allah, then Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Polytheist and wrong-doers there are no helpers",

"Surely, disbelievers are those who said: "Allah is the third of the three (in a Trinity)", But there is no Ilah (God) (none who has the right to be worshipped) but One Ilah (God --- Allah). And if they cease not from what they say, verily, painful torment will befall the disbelievers among them",

"Will they not repent to Allah and ask His forgiveness? For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful", "The Messiah [‘Iesa (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary), was no more than a Messenger; Many were the Messengers that passed away before him. His mother [Maryam (Mary)] was a Siddiqah [i.e. she believed in the words of Allah and His Books]. They both used to eat food (as any other human being, while Allah does not eat). Look how We make the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lesson, signs, revelations, etc.) clear to them, yet look how they are deluded away (from the truth)".

[Chapter 5: verses 72-75 ]

The Muslims rather contend that the miraculous birth of Jesus (Peace Be Upon Him) without a father does not make him a God or a "begotten" son of God. Allah said in the Noble Qur’an (Which is translated as follows);

"And they (Jews, Christians and pagans) say: Allah has begotten a son (Children or offspring). Glory be to Him (Exalted be He above all that they associate with Him). Nay, to Him belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth, and all surrender with obedience (in worship) to Him", "The Originator of the heavens and the earth. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it: "Be!"  and it is".

[Chapter 2: verses 116-17]

Further Allah says in the Noble Qur’an (Which is translated as follows);

"Say  (O Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him)) "He is Allah, (the)  One",  "Allah-us-Samad (The Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, He neither eats nor drinks)", "He begets not, nor was He begotten", "And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him". [Chapter 112 verses 1-4]

The birth of Jesus (Peace Be Upon Him)was not any more supernatural than the creation of our father Adam. Allah said in the Noble Qur’an (Which is translated as follows);

"Verily, the likeness of ‘Iesa (Jesus) before Allah is the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust, then (He) said to him: "Be!"--- and he was". [Chapter 3: verse 59]

MISSION OF JESUS (Peace Be Upon Him):

Our creator sent Prophets to set mankind on the right path. Jesus (Peace Be Upon Him) was similarly one of the Messengers of God, he was prepared by God to be sent to the Jews (children of Israel) who had deviated from the teachings of prophet Moses (Peace Be Upon Him) He (Allah) taught him the Book, the wisdom, the Torah, the Gospel and supported him with numerous miracles to prove that he was a Messenger from Allah. In the Noble Qur’an Allah says (Which is translated as follows);

"(Remember) when the angels said: "O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allah gives you the glad tidings of a Word ["Be!" -- and he was! i.e. ‘Iesa (Jesus) the son of Maryam (Mary)] from him, his name will be the Messiah ‘Iesah (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary), held in honour in this world and in the Hereafter, and will be one of those who are near to Allah",

"He will speak to the people in the cradle and in manhood, and he will be one of the righteous", "She said: "O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me",

He said: "So (it will be) for Allah creates what He wills. When He has decreed something, He says to it only: "Be!"---and it is" "And He (Allah) will teach him [‘Iesa (Jesus)] the Book and Al-Hikmah (i.e. the Sunnah, the faultless speech of the Prophets, wisdom, etc.), (and) the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)",

"And will make him [‘Iesa (Jesus)] a Messenger to the children of Israel (saying): "I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, that I design for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah’s Leave; and I heal him who was born blind, and the leper, and I bring the dead to life by Allah’s Leave. And I inform you of what you eat, and what you store in your houses. Surely, there in is a sign for you, if you believe",

" And I have to confirm that which was before me of the Taurat (Torah), and to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden to you, and I have come to you with a proof from your Lord. So fear Allah and obey me". [Chapter 3: verse 45-50]

It should be mentioned that while Muslims believe that Jesus (Peace Be Upon Him) was given God’s "Good news" they do not recognize the present "Four Gospels" as the utterances of Jesus (Peace Be Upon Him).

Even the church agrees that the "Four Gospels" were written by four different men, but they maintain that they were divinely inspired. This idea is rejected by us. It can be agreed that if the four writers were divinely inspired, then why are there so many serious discrepancies and omissions in their individual accounts of the life of Jesus (Peace Be Upon Him)? Another mission of Jesus (Peace Be Upon Him) was to tell the people about the coming of the final Prophet after him. The Almighty God said in the Noble Qur’an (Which is translated as follows);

"And (remember) when ‘Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), said: "O Children of Israel! I am the Messenger of Allah unto you confirming the Taurat [Torah which came] before me, and giving glad tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmed . But when he (Ahmed i.e. Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) came to them with clear proofs, they said: "This is plain magic". [Chapter 6: verse 61]

The New Testament speaks of the coming of a "Comforter" after the ministry of Jesus. Some Christians believe or were made to believe that the promised "Comforter" is the "Holy Spirit", but this view cannot be maintained because the "Holy Spirit" was already present during Jesus (Peace Be Upon Him) ministry, and its coming was not a future event. The Muslims, therefore, believe that the term "Comforter" of necessity refers to a Prophet.

He was Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) the unlearned Prophet , the sole Prophet who brought with him a complete, comprehensive revelation from God which has been preserved as it was revealed to him originally, challenging the whole world to come up with one chapter like it, yet unsuccessfully challenged till present day. It is the Miracle of Miracles, the Last Testament of faith addressed to the whole world embodying complete light and guidance as well as the reprove of sin.

JESUS (Peace Be Upon Him) WAS RAISED TO HEAVEN :

Jesus (Peace Be Upon Him) was followed by a few disciples who were inspired byGod to support him. Not only that, but the non-believers plotted to kill Jesus (Peace Be Upon Him), but God had a better plan for him and his followers as the Noble Qur’an tells us in the following verses (Which is translated as follows);

"Then when ‘Iesa (Jesus) came to know of their disbelief, he said: "Who will be my helpers in Allah’s Cause?" Al-Hawariun (the disciples) said: "We are the helpers of Allah; we believe in Allah, and bear witness that we are Muslims (i.e. we submit to Allah)",

"Our Lord! We believed in what You have sent down, and we follow the Messenger [‘Iesa (Jesus)]; so write us down among those who bear witness (to the truth i.e. La Ilaha Ill-Allah -- none has the right to be worshipped but Allah)",

"And they (disbelievers) plotted [to kill ‘Iesa (Jesus)], and Allah planned too. And Allah is the best of the planners",

"And (remember) when Allah said: "O ‘Iesa (Jesus)! I will take you and raise you to Myself and clear you [of the forged statement that ‘Iesa (Jesus) is Allah’s son] of those who disbelieve, and I will make those who follow you (Monotheist, who worship none but Allah) superior to those who disbelieve [in the Oneness of Allah, or disbelieve in some of His Messengers, e.g. Mohammed, ‘Iesa (Jesus), Musa (Moses), etc. (Peace Be Upon Him), or in His Holy Books, e.g. the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel), The Qur’an] till the Day of Resurrection. Then you will return to Me and I will judge between you in the matters in which you used to dispute",

"As to those who disbelieve, I will punish them with a severe torment in this world and in the Hereafter, and they will have no helpers". [Chapter 3: verses 52-56]

As the above verses indicate Jesus was raised to heaven before he died. This means that according to the Noble Qur’an he was not crucified. It was the plan of the enemies of Jesus (Peace Be Upon Him) to put him to death on the cross, but God saved him and somebody else was crucified. This plot and the false accusation about Mary are considered by the Noble Qur’an to be some of the sins of the non-believing Jews. All of this is made clear in the following verses (Which is translated as follows);

"And because of their (Jews) disbelief and uttering against Maryam (Mary) a grave false charge (that she has committed illegal sexual intercourse)", "And because of their saying (in boast), "We killed Messiah ‘Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), the Messenger of Allah," -- but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but the resemblance of ‘Iesa (Jesus) was put over another man (and they killed that man), and those who differ therein are full of doubts.

They have no (certain) knowledge, they follow nothing but conjecture. For surely; they killed him not [i.e. ‘Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam [Mary]", "But Allah raised him [‘Iesa (Jesus)] up (with his body and soul) unto Himself (and he (Peace Be Upon Him) is in the heaven).

And Allah is ever All-Powerful, All-Wise", "And there is none of the people of the scripture (Jews and Christians), but must believe in him [‘Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), as only a Messenger of Allah and a human being], before his [‘Iesa (Jesus) or a Jews or a Christian’s] death (at the time of the appearance of the angel of death). And on the Day of Resurrection, he [‘Iesa (Jesus)] will be a witness against them". [Chapter 4: verses 156-159]

Finally, we testify that there is no God except Allah and there is none worthy of worship except Him, He has no partners, Mohammed is His slave and His Messenger, and that ‘Iesa (Jesus) son of Mary is Allah’s slave, His Messenger, His word (Be! and he was) which he bestowed on Mary and a spirit created by Him. We believe that all Prophets are brothers no different between their religion, which is one religion "Al-Islam". We attest that the Paradise is true, the Hell-fire is true, and God will Resurrect mankind from graves. Allah says in The Noble Qur’an (Which is translated as follows);

"He (Allah) has ordained for you the same religion (Islam) which He ordained for Nuh (Noah), and that which We have inspired in you (O Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him)) and that which We ordained for Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses) and ‘Iesa (Jesus) saying you should establish religion (i.e. to do what it orders you to do practically), and make no divisions in it (religion) (i.e. various sects in religion). Intolerable for the Polytheist, pagans and idolaters is that to which you (O Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) ) call them. Allah chooses for Himself who He wills, and guides unto Himself who turns to Him in repentance and in obedience". [Chapter 42: verse 13]

This is our message and we will be witnesses against you in the day of Judgment that we conveyed the message of TRUTH and left it up to you, to follow the TRUTH or stay in darkness. The Almighty Allah said in the Noble Qur’an (Which is translated as follows);

"Allah! La Ilaha Illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Ever Living, the One Who Sustains and protects all that exists. Neither slumber, nor sleep overtake him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His Permission? He knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter. And they will never compass anything of His Knowledge except that which He wills. His Kursi (a footstool or chair) extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them.

And He is the Most High, the Most Great." "There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in worship other than the real God (Allah), and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower".

[Chapter 2: verses 255-56.]

TEN MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT ISLAM

TOP TEN MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT ISLAM

10 معتقدات خاطئة حول الإسلام

MISCONCEPTION (1) :

Muslims are violent, terrorists and/or extremists.

This is the biggest misconception in Islam, no doubt resulting from the constant stereotyping and bashing the media gives Islam.  When a gunman attacks a mosque in the name of Judaism, a Catholic IRA guerrilla sets off a bomb in an urban area, or Serbian Orthodox militiamen rape and kill innocent Muslim civilians, these acts are not used to stereotype an entire faith. Never are these acts attributed to the religion of the perpetrators. Yet how many times have we heard the words 'Islamic, Muslim fundamentalist. etc.' linked with violence.

Politics in so called  "Muslim countries" may or may not have any Islamic basis.  Often dictators and politicians will use the name of Islam for their own purposes. One should remember to go to the source of Islam and separate what the true religion of Islam says from what is portrayed in the media. Islam literally means 'submission to God' and is derived from a root word meaning 'peace'. 

Islam may seem exotic or even extreme in the modern world. Perhaps this is because religion doesn't dominate everyday life in the West, whereas Islam is considered a 'way of life' for Muslims and they make no division between secular and sacred in their lives.   Like Christianity, Islam permits fighting in self-defense, in defense of religion, or on the part of those who have been expelled forcibly from their homes.  It lays down strict rules of combat which include prohibitions against harming civilians and against destroying crops, trees and  livestock.

NOWHERE DOES ISLAM ENJOIN THE KILLING OF INNOCENTS..

The Quran says:

"Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not transgress limits.  God  does not love transgressors." (Quran 2:190).

"If they seek peace, then seek you peace.  And trust in God for He is the One that heareth  and knoweth all things." (Quran 8:61) War, therefore, is the last resort, and is subject to the rigorous conditions laid down by the  sacred law.  The term 'jihad' literally means 'struggle'.  Muslims believe that there are two kinds of  jihad.

The other 'jihad' is the inner struggle of the soul which everyone wages against egotistic  desires for the sake of attaining inner peace.

MISCONCEPTION (2) :

Islam oppresses women.

The image of the typical Muslim woman wearing the veil and forced to stay home and forbidden to drive is all too common  in most peoples thoughts. Although some Muslim countries may  have laws that oppress women, this should not be seen as coming  from Islam.  Many of these countries do not rule by  any kind of Shari'ah (Islamic law) and introduce their own cultural standpoints on the issue of  gender equity.         

Islam on the other hand gives men and women different roles and equity between the two  is laid down in the Quran and the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Islam sees a woman, whether   single or married, as an individual in her own right, with the right to own and dispose of her property  and earnings.  A marriage gift is given by the groom to the bride for her own personal use, and  she keeps her own family name rather than taking her husband's. Both men and women are expected to dress in a way that is modest and dignified. The Messenger of God (peace be upon him) said: "The most perfect in faith amongst  believers is he who is best in manner and kindest to his wife." 

Violence of any kind towards women and forcing them against their will for anything is not allowed. A Muslim marriage is a simple, legal agreement in which either partner is free to include  conditions. Marriage customs thus vary widely from country to country.  Divorce is not common,  although it is acceptable as a last resort.  According to Islam, a Muslim girl cannot be forced to  marry against her will : her parents simply suggest young men they think may be suitable.

MISCONCEPTION (3) :

Muslims worship a different God.

Allah is simply the Arabic word for God. Allah for Muslims is  the greatest and most inclusive of the Names of God, it is an Arabic word of rich meaning, denoting the one and only God and ascribing no partners to Him. It is exactly the same word which the Jews, in Hebrew, use for God (eloh), the word which Jesus Christ used in Aramaic when he prayed to God. God has an identical name in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; Allah is the same God worshiped by Muslims, Christians and Jews.  Muslims believe that Allah's sovereignty is to be acknowledged in worship and in the pledge to obey His teaching and commandments, conveyed through His messengers and prophets who were sent at various times and in many places throughout history. However, it should be noted that God in Islam is One and Only. He, the Exalted, does not get tired, does not have a son ie Jesus or have associates, nor does He have human-like attributions as found in other faiths.

MISCONCEPTION (4) :

Islam was spread by the sword and intolerant of other faiths.

Many social studies textbooks for students show the image of an Arab horseman carrying  a sword in one hand and the Quran in the other conquering and forcibly converting. This, though, is not a correct portrayal of history.  Islam has always given respect and  freedom of religion to all faiths. The Quran says: "God forbids you not, with regards to those who fight you not for [your]  faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them; for God loveth those  who are just. 60:8)           

Freedom of religion is laid down in the Quran itself: "There is no compulsion (or coercion)  in the religion (Islam).  The right direction is distinctly clear from error". (2:256) Christian missionary, T.W. Arnold had this opinion on his study of the question of the  spread of Islam: ".. of any organized attempt to force the acceptance of Islam on the non-Muslim  population, or of any systematic persecution intended to stamp out the Christian religion, we hear  nothing. Had the caliphs chosen to adopt either course of action, they might have swept away  Christianity as easily as Ferdinand and Isabella drove Islam out of Spain, or Louis XIV made Protestanism ..."

It is a function of Islamic law to protect the privileged status of minorities, and this is why  non-Muslim places of worship have flourished all over the Islamic world.  History provides many examples of Muslim tolerance towards other faiths : when the caliph Omar entered Jerusalem in the  year 634, Islam granted freedom of worship to all religious communities in the city.   Proclaiming to the inhabitants that their lives, and property were safe, and that their places of  worship would never be taken from them, he asked the Christian patriarch Sophronius to  accompany him on a visit to all the holy places.  Islamic law also permits non-Muslim minorities to set up their own courts, which  implement family laws drawn up by the minorities themselves. The life and property of all citizens in an Islamic state are considered sacred whether the  person is Muslim or not.

Racism is not a part of Islam, the Quran speaks only of human equality and how all  peoples are equal in the sight of God.   "O mankind! We created you from a single soul, male and  female, and made you into nations and tribes, so that you may come to know one another.  Truly, the most honored of you in God's sight is the greatest of you in piety.  God is All-Knowing, All- Aware. (49:13)

MISCONCEPTION (5) :

All Muslims are Arabs

The Muslim population of the world is around 1.2 billion.  1 out of 5 people in the world is a  Muslim.  They are a vast range of races, nationalities, and cultures from around the globe--from the Phillipines to Nigeria--they are united by their common Islamic faith.

Only about 18% live  in the  Arab world and the largest Muslim community is in Indonesia.  Most Muslims live east of Pakistan.   30% of Muslims live in the Indian subcontinent, 20% in Sub-Saharan Africa, 17% in Southeast  Asia, 18% in the Arab world, and 10% in the Soviet Union and China.  Turkey, Iran and  Afghanistan make up 10% of the non-Arab Middle East.  Although there are Muslim minorities in  almost every area, including Latin America and Australia, they are most numerous in Russia and  its newly independent states, India and central Africa.  There are about 6 million Muslims in the  United States.

MISCONCEPTION (6) :

The Nation of Islam is a Muslim group.

Islam and the so called  "Nation of Islam'" are two different religions.  NOI is more of a political organization since its members are not limited to a single faith. Muslims consider this group to be just one of many cults using the name of Islam for their own gain. 

The only thing  common between them is the jargon, the language used by both. "The Nation of Islam" is a misnomer; this religion should be called Farrakhanism, after the name of its propogator, Louis Farrakhan. 

Islam and Farakhanism differ in many fundamental ways. For example, Farakhan followers  believe in racism and that the 'black man' was the original man and therefore superior, while in  Islam there is no racism and everyone is considered equal in the sight of God, the only difference  being in one's piety. There are many other theological examples that show the 'Nation's teachings  have little to do with true Islam. There are many groups in America who claim to represent Islam and call their adherents Muslims.  

Any serious student of Islam has a duty to investigate  and find the true Islam. The only two authentic sources which bind every Muslim are 1. the Quran and 2. authentic or sound Hadith. Any teachings under the label of "Islam" which contradict or at variance with the direct understanding of fundamental beliefs and practices of Islam form the Quran and authentic Hadith should be rejected and such a religion should be considered a Pseudo-Islamic Cult. In America there are many pseudo-Islamic cults, Farrakhanism being one of them. An honest attitude on the  part of such cults should be not to call themselves Muslims and their religion Islam. such an  example of honesty is Bahaism which is an off-shoot of Islam but Bahais do not call themselves  Muslims nor their religion, Islam. In fact Bahaism is not Islam just as Farrakhanism is not Islam.

MISCONCEPTION (7) :

All Muslim men marry four wives.

The religion of Islam was revealed for all societies and all times and so accommodates widely differing social requirements.  Circumstances may warrant the taking of another wife but the  right is granted, according to the Quran, only on condition that the husband is scrupulously fair. No woman can be forced into this kind of marriage if they do not wish it, and they also have the  right to exclude it in their marriage contract. 

Polygamy is neither mandatory, nor encouraged, but  merely permitted. Images of "sheikhs with harems" are not consistent with Islam, as a man is  only allowed at most four wives only if he can fulfill the stringent conditions of treating each fairly  and providing each with separate housing etc.  Permission to practice polygamy is not associated  with mere satisfaction of passion.  It is rather associated with compassion toward widows and  orphans. It was the Quran that limited and put conditions on the practice of polygamy among the  Arabs, who had as many as ten or more wives and considered them "property". 

It is both honest and accurate to say that it is Islam that regulated this practice, limited  it, made it more humane, and instituted equal rights and status for all wives. What the Qur'anic  decrees amount to, taken together is discouragement of polygamy unless necessity for it exists. It is also evident that the general rule in Islam is monogamy and not polygamy. It is a very  tiny percentage of Muslims that practice it over the world. However, permission to practice limited polygamy is only consistent with Islam's realistic view of the nature of man and woman and of  various social needs, problems and cultural variations.

The question is, however far more than the inherent flexibility of Islam; it also is the frank  and straightforward approach of Islam in dealing with practical problems.  Rather than requiring  hypocritical and superficial compliance, Islam delves deeper into the problems of individuals and  societies, and provides for legitimate and clean solutions which are far more beneficial than would  be the case if they were ignored. There is no doubt that the second wife legally married and treated  kindly is better off than a mistress without any legal rights or expermanence.

MISCONCEPTION (8) :

Muslims are a barbaric, backward people.

Among the reasons for the rapid and peaceful spread of Islam was the simplicity of its  doctrine-Islam calls for  faith  in  only  one  God  worthy of worship.  It  also  repeatedly instructs man  to  use  his   powers  of intelligence and observation. Within a few years, great civilizations and universities were flourishing, for according to the Prophet (pbuh), 'seeking knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim man and woman'. 

The  synthesis of Eastern and Western ideas and of new thought with old, brought about great  advances in medicine, mathematics, physics, astronomy, geography, architecture, art, literature,  and history. Many crucial systems such as algebra, the Arabic numerals, and also the concept of  the zero (vital to the advancement of  mathematics),  were transmitted  to medieval  Europe from   Islam.     Sophisticated instruments which were to make possible the European voyages of discovery  were developed, including the astrolabe, the quadrant and good navigational maps.

MISCONCEPTION (9) :

Muhammad was the founder of Islam and Muslims worship him.

Muhammad(pbuh) was born in Mecca in the year 570.   Since his father died before his  birth, and his mother shortly afterwards, he was raised by his uncle from the respected tribe of  Quraysh.  As he grew up, he became known for his truthfulness, generosity and sincerity, so that  he was sought after for his ability to arbitrate in disputes.

The historians describe him as calm and  meditative. Muhammad (pbuh) was of a deeply religious nature, and had long detested the decadence of his society. 

It became his habit to meditate from time to time in the Cave of Hira near Mecca. At the age of 40, while engaged in a meditative retreat, Muhammad(pbuh) received his first  revelation from God through the Angel Gabriel.  This revelation, which continued for 23 years is known as the Quran. As soon as he began to recite the words he heard from Gabriel, and to preach the truth  which God had revealed to him, he and his small group of followers suffered bitter persecution, which grew so fierce that in the year 622 God gave them the command to emigrate. 

This event,  the Hijra 'migration', in which they left Mecca for the city of Medina, marks the beginning of the  Muslim calendar.  After several years, the Prophet and his followers were able to return to Mecca, where they forgave their enemies and established Islam definitively. Before the Prophet saw dies at the age of 63, the greater part of Arabia was Muslim, and within a century of his death Islam had spread to Spain in the West and as far East as China. He died with less than 5 possessions to his name.

While Muhammad (pbuh) was chosen to deliver the message, he is not considered the  "founder" of Islam, since Muslims consider Islam to be the same divine guidance sent to all peoples before.  Muslims believe all the prophets from Adam, Noah, Moses, Jesus etc. were all sent with divine guidance for their peoples.  Every prophet was sent to his own people, but Muhammad (pbuh) was sent to all of mankind.  Muhammad is the last and final messenger sent to deliver the message of Islam.

Muslims revere and honor him (pbuh) for all he went through and his dedication, but they do not worship him.  "O Prophet, verily We have sent you as a witness and a bearer of glad tidings and a warner and as one who invites unto God by His leave and as an illuminating lamp."(33:45-6)

MISCONCEPTION (10) :

Muslims don't believe in Jesus or any other prophets.

Muslims respect and revere Jesus, upon him be peace, and await his Second Coming.   They consider him one of the greatest of God's messengers to mankind.  A Muslim never refers to him simply as 'Jesus', but always adds the phrase 'upon him be peace' (abbreviated as (u) here).   The Quran confirms his virgin birth (a chapter of the Quran is entitled 'Mary'), and Mary is considered the purest woman in all creation.  The Quran describes the Annunciation as follows :

"Behold!" the Angel said, "God has chosen you, and purified you, and chosen you above the women of all nations.  O Mary, God gives you good news of a word from Him whose name shall be the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, honored in this world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near to God.  He shall speak to the people from his cradle and in maturity, and shall be of the righteous." She said: "O my Lord!

How shall I have a son when no man has touched me?" He said:  "Even so; God creates what He will.  When He decrees a thing, He says to it, "Be!" and it is"  (Quran 3:42-47)

Jesus (u) was born miraculously through the same power, which had brought Adam (u) into being without a father: "Truly, the likeness of Jesus with God is as the likeness of Adam.  He created him of dust, and then said to him, 'Be!' and he was." (3:59) During his prophetic mission Jesus (u) performed many miracles. The Quran tells us that he said: " I have come to you with a sign from your Lord:  I make for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breath into it and it becomes a bird by God's leave.  And I heal the blind, and the lepers, and I raise the dead by God's leave." (3:49) Neither Muhammad (pbuh) not Jesus (u) came to change the basic doctrine of the brief in One God brought by earlier prophets, but to confirm and renew it. 

In the Quran Jesus (u) is reported as saying that he came: "To attest the law which was before me.  And to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden you; I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so fear God and obey Me. (3:50) The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said : "Whoever believes there is no god but God, alone without partner, that Muhammad (pbuh) is His messenger, that Jesus is the servant and messenger of God, His word breathed into Mary and a spirit emanating from Him, and that Paradise and Hell are true, shall be received by God into Heaven. "(Hadith related by Bukhari).

Sources :

(Islam: A Brief Introduction, Islamic Circle of North America, Jamaica, New York)

(Understanding Islam and the Muslims, The Islamic Affairs Department, The Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Washington DC, 1989.)

(Badawi, Jamal, Polygamy in Islamic Law, The Muslim Students, Association of the United States & Canada,)

(Islam and Farrakhanism Compared, The Institute of Islamic Information and Education, Chicago, Illinois)

(Jihad Explained, The Institute of Islamic Information & Education, Chicago, Illinois)