Good morning friends. With everything going on in the world right now, and Christmas right around the corner, I thought that it would interest you to know that the virgin birth of Jesus is taught in the Qur’an as well as the Bible. I was surprised to learn this a few years ago from a Muslim friend. The Arabic name of Jesus in the Qur’an is Isa. Here are a few verses from the Qur’an pertaining to the miraculous virgin birth of Jesus.
“(And mention) when the angels said, ‘O Mary, indeed God gives you the good news of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and in the Hereafter, and of those who are near to God.’ ‘He will speak to the people in the cradle, and in old age, and he will be of the righteous.’ She said, ‘My Lord, how can I have a son when no man has touched me.’ He said, ‘So (it will be,) for God creates what He wants. When He decides something, He only says to it, ‘Be,’ and it is. And He will teach him the Book and wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel. And (will make him) a messenger to the Children of Israel (saying), ‘Indeed I have come to you with a sign from your Lord. I make for you out of clay the likeness of a bird, then breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by the permission of God. And I heal the blind and the leper, and I bring the dead to life by the permission of God. And I inform you of what you eat and what you store in your houses. Surely, there is a sign for you in that, if you are believers. And (I have come) confirming the Torah that was (revealed) before me, and to allow you some of what was forbidden to you. And I have come to you with a proof from your Lord, so fear God and obey me. Indeed, God is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. This is the straight path.” (Quran 3:45-51)
“And mention in the Book (the story of) Mary, when she withdrew from her family to an eastern place. And she placed a screen to seclude herself from them. Then We sent to her Our angel (Gabriel), and he took the form of a well-created man before her. She said, “Indeed I seek refuge with the Most Merciful from you, if you do fear God.” (The angel) said, ‘I am only the messenger of your Lord to give to you (the news of) a pure boy.’ She said, ‘How can I have a son, when no man has touched me (in marriage), and I am not a prostitute?’ He said, So your Lord said, ‘It is easy for Me. And We will make him a sign to people and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter (already) decided.’” (Quran 19:16-21)
Although Christians and Muslims would agree with the virgin birth of Jesus, Christians and Muslims would respond differently to Jesus’ question to His disciples in Mark 8:29, “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” My question to my Muslim brother was, “If Jesus was the only man ever born of a virgin wouldn’t you want to know more about who He was and what He taught?”
Over the next few weeks I’ll be studying and sharing a little bit about the similarities and differences between Christianity and Islam in regard to our Lord Jesus. I am by NO MEANS an expert in the Qur’an. I’m just trying to learn and share what I learn in case anyone is interested. Here is a video that does a nice job describing Jesus’ place in the Trinity.
Manna and Coffee 