Jesus Not God, Jesus is a Prophet
In Islamic belief, Jesus (known as 'Isa in Arabic) is considered a prophet and a devout servant of Allah. The assertion that Jesus was a Muslim stems from the definition of the term "Muslim" itself, which means one who submits to the will of Allah. Jesus never claimed divinity nor instructed his followers to worship him. Instead, he emphasized the oneness of God and lived a life in submission to Allah's will, thus fitting the Islamic definition of a Muslim.
Jesus' Teachings on Monotheism
Throughout his ministry, Jesus preached about the oneness of God. The Quran confirms this by quoting Jesus saying:
"Indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is the straight path." (Quran 3:51)
This aligns with the Islamic principle of Tawhid, the oneness of God.
In the Bible, Jesus also emphasizes the importance of worshipping one God,
as seen in the Shema Yisrael: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God,
the Lord is one." (Mark 12:29).
[Shema Yisrael is a Jewish prayer that serves as a centerpiece of the morning and evening Jewish prayer services.
Its first verse encapsulates the monotheistic essence of Judaism: "Hear, O Israel.."]
The Aramaic Term 'Elaha'
Jesus spoke Aramaic, and in this language, he referred to God as 'Elaha', which is closely related to the Arabic word 'Allah'. This linguistic similarity underscores the continuity of the monotheistic message in Abrahamic religions. The term 'Elaha' used by Jesus emphasizes the singularity and supremacy of God, a central tenet in Islam.
"I Am the Way"
When Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6), he was emphasizing that his teachings were the path to salvation for the children of Israel. His message was meant to guide them back to the true worship of one God, which had been distorted over time. This statement reflects the importance of following the prophet's guidance to attain spiritual success, a concept also present in Islam.
Prophecies of Muhammad
Jesus also foretold the coming of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the final messenger. In the Gospel of John, Jesus mentions the coming of the "Paraclete," which many Islamic scholars interpret as a reference to Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Quran supports this prophecy:
"And [mention] when Jesus, the son of Mary, said, 'O children of Israel, indeed I am the messenger of Allah to you confirming what came before me of the Torah and bringing good tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name is Ahmad.'" (Quran 61:6)
This prophecy signifies the continuation and culmination of the monotheistic message through the final prophet, Muhammad (peace be upon him) .
Conclsion
In summary, Jesus is considered a Muslim in Islamic belief because he submitted to the will of Allah and preached monotheism. He did not claim divinity, but rather emphasized the worship of one God. His use of the term 'Elaha', his teacings, and his prophecies about the coming of Muhammad (peace be upon him) all align with the core principles of Islam. Understanding Jesus from his perspective offers a deeper appreciation of his role as a prophet and a servant of Allah.