Was Jesus a Jew or a Christian or a Muslim? If he was a Jew, how do you reconcile that the "founder" of Christianity was a Jew? Muslims believe he was a "Muslim", but not in the way "Muslims" are traditionally viewed. As you strain your eyebrows over this claim, let me explain why.
Whereas many Muslim scholars would agree he was a Jew ethnically and he was considered a Jew based on his religious affiliation to the temple and the tradition of his family, he was a Muslim in the broad sense. One of the purpose of interfaith dialogue is to understand each others' perspective and I am sharing the Islamic perspective on Jesus with the intention and hopes of promoting Christian-Muslim understanding and harmony.
We have come to understand that a Muslim is someone who does the Shahada (Testimony of faith) by saying (and believing) "there is no god but God and Muhammad is His Prophet". This testimony also implies that a Muslim believes in ALL Biblical Prophets as Prophets from the same God who essentially brought the same simplified religion- viz a viz believing in One God, the angels, the Scriptures, the Last Day and doing the good work to serve the humanity.
Many hold this myth, including many "Muslims" that Muhammad PBUH was the "founder" of Islam. According to the teachings of the Qur'an, he actually completed Islam.
Contrary to the conventional definition of a Muslim, it is interesting to note that the Qur'an does not address the followers of Muhammad as "Muslims". Instead the phrase that is frequently used in the Qur'an to address them is, 'O who have believed' (Ya Ayyuhal Lazheena Aamanu). This "belief" is in reference to the belief in Muhammad and the Qur'an. This characterization occurs at least 89 times in the Qur'an when giving some kind of a command to them.
Conversely, many messengers before Muhammad's time are referred to as "Muslims".
It is worth pointing out that Islam means 'submission' (to the will of God). A Muslim is therefore a 'submitter' (to the will of God). Thus anyone who submits to God and adheres to some basic guidelines can be considered a Muslim and will get their reward from the Creator.
The word used for 'submit' above is "Muslaimoon" in the Qur'an.
Most people, including Muslims, have the misconception that Islam was "founded" by Muhammad. However according to the teachings of the Qur'an, all prophets – Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, David, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad brought the same basic religion, though the rituals, some laws ('sharia') and practices varied.
Both Injil and Gospel mean 'glad tidings' or 'good news'. According to the teachings of the Qur'an, the Injil is considered guidance and Nur (light) to the believers.
He was born of a miraculous birth, without a father. The Qur'an gives a parallel with Adam's birth.
He was a Prophet and a messenger of God. He was the word of God, the spirit of God, and the Messiah. All people in this world will (eventually) honor him, and he will be honored in the hereafter.
However, he was neither divine nor the Son of God.
Jesus preached the unity of God.
He performed many miracles, as noted below, all of them by the will of God, and thus the ultimate power and supremacy lies with God.
Jesus talks from the cradle: The newborn baby Jesus surprises everyone by speaking while still in the cradle and announcing his prophethood: a unique miracle that had never been described before (or since). The Gospels don't address Jesus speaking from the cradle. Though to the outside world, this was the first time Jesus spoke, but this seemingly is not the first time he did so. This is a passage following the one that describes the pains of childbirth for Mary.
Muslims consider Jesus the Messiah. It is based on the teachings of the Qur'an. In fact I have many Muslim friends named Isa and Masih (meaning Messiah).
One of his nicknames in the Qur'an is Ruh Allah, or "Spirit of God". The Spirit of God however does not denote the same meaning as the father, son and the Holy Spirit components in the doctrine of trinity. Jesus Christ was endowed with many unique miracles, reflecting some of God's attributes, the likes of which are not seen before, or after him. God bestowed these miracles upon him as a sign to prove his prophecy.
The Quran confirms that God strengthened Jesus with the Holy Spirit.
However this Holy Spirit is not the same as the Holy Ghost. The Qur'anic commentators believe that this refers to Archangel Gabriel, who is believed to be the angel who communicated God's message to Prophet Muhammad. The following verse is presented to support this claim.
Jesus's birth without a father. Annunciation accounts in the Qur'an and the Gospel of Luke are strikingly similar.
Jesus speaks as a newborn from his cradle to defend the honor of his mother, Mary, and to proclaim his prophethood. This is something not found in any of the Gospels.
He breathes life into clay and makes it into a bird.
He brings the dead back to life.
Unlike the Gospels, the Qur'an does not name the disciples or indicate their numbers but refers to them as believers and followers of Jesus Christ.
I hope that by sharing the Islamic views on Jesus, there will be better understanding among Christians and Muslims, though it is clear there are divergent viewpoints, some very significant. It is also my hope that rather than getting stuck in our differences, we will cherish our love for Jesus- the messiah.
Portions of the article are adapted from my book, The Three Abrahamic Testaments– How the Torah, Gospels, and Qur'an Hold the Keys for Healing Our Fears.