Islam_in_Focus_text

Christians as well as to non-Christians. But just where does
Islam sland? Can Islam offer any interpretation to settle
these perplexing questions?
Before anything can be said, three points must be made
clear. First, a Muslim is quite at ease as far as the attitude of
Islam tovvards Jesus is concerned; his mind is settled, his
conscience is clear, and his belief is sound. Secondly, a
Muslims concept of God, religion, prophethood, Revelation
and humanity inakes him accept Jesus not only as a histori-
cal fact but also as one of the most distinguished Apostles of
God. It should be remembered here that acceptance of Jesus
by Muslims is a fundamental article of Faith in Islam, and
that a Muslim can never think of Jesus in any derogatory
terms. A Muslim is happily denied the liberty of defaming
Jesus or any other prophet of God.
Thirdly, whatever will be mentioned here is vvhat the
Qur'an says and teaches. Although very unpopular arnong
the Christians, the Islamic beliefs about Jesus do not intend
1) There is no agreement on anything significant in Jesus' life: how,
when, and where he was bom, lived, received his message, died, and was
buried; whether he really performed "miracies" and what kind; whether,
when, and how he rose from the dead. Lack of space and the blasphemous
defamatory character of the arguments force us to limit our discussion of
these provocalive questions. For a critical survey and an excel3ent
bibliography, see Qazi Muhammad Barakatullah, Jesus Son of Mary,
FallacY and Factuality. (Philadelphia; Dorrance & Companv), 1973.