What does the Qur'an say about Jesus? By: Huda, Your Guide to Islam.

In the Qur'an, stories about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ (called 'Isa in Arabic) are abundant. The Qur'an recalls his miraculous birth, his teachings, the miracles he performed by God's permission, and his life as a respected prophet of God. The Qur'an also repeatedly reminds that Jesus was a human prophet sent by God, not part of God Himself.

Below are some direct quotations from the Qur'an regarding his life and teachings:

“Behold! The angels said, 'Oh Mary! God gives you glad tidings of a Word from Him. His name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honour in this world and the Hereafter, and in (the company of) those nearest to God. He shall speak to the people in childhood and in maturity”. He shall be (in the company) of the righteous... And God will teach him the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel'" (3:45-48).

"He [Jesus] said: 'I am indeed a servant of God. He has given me revelation and made me a prophet; He has made me blessed wheresoever I be; and He has enjoined on me prayer and charity as long as I live. He has made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable. So peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life (again)!' Such was Jesus the son of Mary. It is a statement of truth, about which they (vainly) dispute. It is not befitting to (the majesty of) God that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! When He determines a matter, He only says to it, 'Be,' and it is" (19:30-35).

"When Jesus came with Clear Signs, he said: 'Now I have come to you with Wisdom, and in order to make clear to you some of the (points) on which you dispute. Therefore, fear God and obey me. God, He is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him -- this is a Straight Way.' But sects from among themselves fell into disagreement. So woe to the wrongdoers, from the penalty of a Grievous Day!" (43:63-65)

"And behold! God will say [i.e. on the Day of Judgment]: 'Oh Jesus, the son of Mary! Did you say unto men, worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of God?' He will say: 'Glory to Thee! Never could I say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, You would indeed have known it. You know what is in my heart, though I know not what is in Yours. For You know in full all that is hidden. Never did I say to them anything except what You commanded me to say: 'Worship God, my Lord and your Lord.' And I was a witness over them while I lived among them. When You took me up, You were the Watcher over them, and You are a witness to all things'" (5:116-117).

"Christ, the son of Mary, was no more than a messenger; many were the messengers that passed away before him. His mother was a woman of truth. They had both to eat their (daily) food. See how God makes His signs clear to them; yet see in what ways they are deluded away from the truth!" (5:75).

Reference: http://islam.about.com/cs/jesus/f/jesus_quran.htm

ISLAMIC FAITH/ By: Sultaninterino

The basic beliefs of Muslims fall into six main categories, which are known as the "Articles of Faith":

1 Faith in the unity of God
2 Faith in angels
3 Faith in prophets
4 Faith in books of revelation
5 Faith in an afterlife
6 Faith in destiny/divine decree

In Islam, faith and good works go hand-in-hand. A mere verbal declaration of faith is not enough, for belief in Allah makes obedience to Him a duty. According to the early scholars, faith should be Iqrar bi al-Qalb, and Qawl bi al-Lisan and ‘Amal bil al-Jawarih. The concept of worship in Islam is very broad. Muslims consider everything they do in life to be an act of worship, if it is done with good intention and according to Allah's guidance.

There are also five formal acts of worship which help strengthen a Muslim's faith and obedience. They are often called the "Five Pillars of Islam":

1 Testimony of faith (Kalima)
2 Prayer (Salat)
3 Almsgiving (Zakat)
4 Fasting (Sawm)
5 Pilgrimage (Hajj)

Muslims consider Islam to be the middle road. They do not live life with complete disregard for God or religious matters, but nor do they neglect the world to devote themselves solely to worship and prayer. They strike a balance by fulfilling their obligations and enjoying this life; they are always mindful of their duties to Allah and to others. They worship Allah and enjoin goodness and prevent bad and evil that cause harm to people and society.

LOVE FOR THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH/By: Sultaninterino

Muhammad Bin Abdullah (s.a.w.) is the last messenger of Allah for mankind. For a Muslim, Muhammad (s.a.w.) is the most respectable human being to have ever walked on this earth. The faithful believer considers every word of the Prophet (S.A.W.) as law. He obeys with full of honour and respect every command coming from authentic Hadith of the Prophet (S.A.W.). This is especially true of Muttaqin[1].

QUR’AN SAYS ABOUT THE PROPHET (S.A.W.):

1 Allah says: [وَماَ ءَآتاَكُمْ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوْهُ وَماَ نَهاَكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوا] “Take what the Messenger gives you and refrain from what he prohibits to you”. (Al-Hashr: 7).
2 The Qur’an Said: [لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فيِ رَسُولِ اللهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ] “Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah, you have an excellent example”. (Al-Ahzab: 21).
3 Allah says: [النَّبِيُّ أَوْلىَ بِالمُؤْمِنِيْنَ مِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ] “The Prophet is closer to the believers than their own selves”. (Al-Ahzab: 6).
4 Allah says Also: [فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُم ذُنُوْبَكُمْْ] “Follow me (Muhammad S.A.W.), Allah will love you and will forgive your sins”. (Al-‘Imran: 31).

Based on the aforementioned Qur’anic verses, a Muslim who has knowledge and Taqwa, Muhammad (S.A.W.) is not only the greatest teacher of humanity but also he is his greatest ideal in all matters (Uswah al-Hasanah), the exemplar. The mere mention of the Prophet’s name provides him a strong inspiration. Indeed, he loves the Prophet more than his own self. This could be clearly understood from the Hadith narrated by Bukhari and Muslim, from Anas (R.A.) that the Prophet (S.A.W.) said: "None of you truly believes until I am more beloved to him than his father, his child and all of mankind." Then Umar ibn al-Khattab (R.A.) said to Allah's Messenger: “O Messenger of Allah, you are more beloved to me than anything except my own self. “Allah's Messenger (S.A.W.) then told him, "No, by the One in Whose Hand is my soul, not, until I am more beloved to you than your own soul. “Umar then told him, "By Allah, now you are more beloved to me than my own soul”. “Allah's Messenger then told him that now he had the complete and correct faith”.

Ibn Rajab[2] says about the love of the Messenger (S.A.W.):
Love for the Messenger (S.A.W.) is at two levels.
The first level is obligatory: This is the love that requires one to accept whatever the Messenger brought from Allah and to receive it with love, pleasure, esteem and submission, without seeking guidance from any other source whatsoever. This is then followed by excellent following of him in whatever he conveyed from his Lord and to affirm whatever he has reported of obligations, to remain away from anything he has prohibited of forbidden acts, to give support for his religion and to strive against those who oppose him according to one's ability. All of these are necessary components that one must possess and a person's faith is not complete without them.

The second level is superior (Sunnah): This type of love requires following his example in an excellent way and fulfilling the following of his Sunnah with respect to his behaviour, manners, voluntary deeds, superogatory actions, eating, drinking, dressing, excellent behaviour with his wives and other aspects of his perfect manners and pure behaviour. It also includes learning about his life and days. It also includes the heart trembling when mentioning him, saying prayers and blessings upon him often out of what resides in the heart of love for him, esteem for him and respect for him. It also includes loving to listen to his words and preferring them over the words of others of the creation. And one of the greatest aspects of this love is to follow him in his abstinence of this world, his being suffices with a little and his turning to and desiring of the everlasting Hereafter.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

REFERENCE

[1] Abdussalam Shafi Puthige, Towards Performing Da’wah (U.K: ICII, 1997), p150.
[2] One of the early Muslim scholars who has gained popularity for his knowledge and writings.