Islamic ideology about Jesus & Christianity

I would like to say my heartiest greetings to all Christian friends and pray that they have a blessed and wonderful day.

I find this opportunity to share some facts with are often misinterpreted about Muslims. The religion of Islam requires belief in not only the Prophethood of Muhammad(pbuh), but all the prophets of God, including Jesus(as) (The Holy Quran 2:137). Mary is described as a pious and righteous woman who symbolizes righteous believers blessed with Divine inspiration. Islam then affirms the fatherless birth of Jesus and rejects outright the opposing claim that his birth was illegitimate. Islam heightens the respect of Jesus and Mary by presenting them as pious beings.

Furthermore, the immaculate conception of Jesus is not interpreted to mean that he was in some way a Divine Being. He was still a human being, (Holy Qur’an 19:31) He was undoubtedly called the son of God, but this title has only been employed metaphorically and in fact is used for all the chosen ones of God (Matt 5:9, Exodus 4:22). Jesus always referred to himself as having been sent by God, meaning that he was a Divine messenger. For instance;

“I can of my own self do nothing, as I hear I judge and my judgement is just; because I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father which has sent me.” (John 5:30)

“And the Father Himself, which has sent me, has borne witness of me.” (John 5:37)

It is clear, therefore, that Jesus consistently put himself forward as one who had been sent by God, as a messenger of God.

Ahmadi Muslims hold the unique belief that Jesus (peace be upon him) survived the crucifixion and travelled towards India to continue his ministry among the Lost Tribes of Israel. Furthermore, they claim that his tomb, containing his body, has been recently re-discovered in India where it can be seen to this day. Ahmadi Muslims also assert that this belief is not only upheld by the Holy Quran and the Sayings of Muhammad (pbuh), but even by the Holy Bible itself.

The disbelievers of Jesus wished to bring about his death upon the cross for the purpose of calling him accursed in accordance with the pronouncement in Deut 21:23 which declares, “he that is hanged is accursed by God.” His death on the cross would thus confirm him as a false Messiah. Islam contradicts the assertion that Jesus died an accursed death on the cross.

According to Islam, Jesus did not preach salvation through atonement of sins by his death on the cross. This philosophy of someone atoning for the sins of another is emphatically rejected in the Old Testament as well (Deut. 24:16, Ezekiel 18:2 and 20).

The presence of Jesus in India is recorded in the ancient Indian literature, and records of Kashmir. Jesus came to Kashmir from the Holy Land during the reign of Raja Gopadatta (49-109 AD) to proclaim his prophethood to the Israelites. He was known as Yusu (Jesus) of the children of Israel. It is recorded that great number of people recognized his holiness and piety and became his disciples.

According to Ahmadi Muslims, Jesus’ mission was completed. He died a natural death at the approximate age of 120 in Kashmir, India. (Hadith: Kanzul Imal) The tomb of Jesus, known as the tomb of Prophet Yus Asaf, still exists in the Khanyar quarter of the city of Srinagar, Kashmir. It has been venerated for centuries. The local inhabitants refer to the tomb as Rauzabal, meaning “The Honored Tomb”.