:Question
The Christian belief that – Jesus (PBUH) is the Son of God – has created an obvious problem. In addition to the fact that the majority of Christians have come to accept Jesus as the Son of God, the idea of absolute intercession by Jesus has attracted many to this faith. However, when the issue of Allah’s (SWT) justice is simply presented in Islam, non-Muslims find it hard to accpet the issue. How does Islam view Prophet Jesus (PBUH) and the rest of mankind? (For example, Christianity believes that all people are born sinners.)
:Answer
According to the Islamic doctrine, Prophet Jesus (PBUH) is considered as a close servant of Allah (SWT) and one of the highest ranked prophets. As a matter of fact it is mandatory upon all Muslims to testify all the prophets before the final Prophet – Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP). However, contrary to the Christian belief that Prophet Jesus was crucified, Muslims believe something else. As stated in the Holy Quran (4:157), Prophet Jesus (PBUH) was not crucified nor killed (1), rather Allah (SWT) protected him and he will continue to live until the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (PBUH), when he will help Imam Mahdi (PBUH).
Islam does hold the concept of intercession under certain conditions; and this power is given to the ones chosen by Allah (SWT), such as the Prophets like Prophet Jesus (PBUH). However, the authority to intercede is limited, and is not independent from the will of Allah (SWT): the Holy Quran (34:23) (2) (20:109) (3).
According to Islam, not only is a new born baby sinless, but also Allah (SWT) has gifted him/her with the ability to recognize the realities. The Holy Quran calls this capability within all new born babies, as Fitrah (4). Thus, every human being is born sinless and has the tendency towards the truth. People however in this world are divided into two groups: some neglect and ignore their Fitrah, while others develop this talent further.
In Islam, the value of individuals depend upon his/her faith and obedience to the divine laws (those of the obligations and prohibitions), which is referred to as piety in the Holy Quran: “… the most honorable of you with Allah is the most pious one among you …” (5). Thus, in Islam race, language and nationality does not give superiority over another person.