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CONGRUITIES AND INCONGRUITIES BETWEEN THE BIBLE AND THE QUR'AN |
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The message of Jesus begins with his baptism by St. John the Baptist, son of Zacharias. He was six months Jesus' senior. He had first served the cause of the Old Testament, and afterwards, had lent wings to the New Testament. He, like his father, ended up by being victimized by his people. Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water… (Matthew 3/13-17)
The Sacrament of Baptism foreseen by Jesus had become a symbol of belief in God. This ritual was performed by water. The circumcision ceremony among the Jews and Muslims found its counterpart in the Baptism among the Christians. This ritual used to be performed at the beginning in the name of Jesus during his lifetime and the lifetime of his apostles was to be replaced, in the succeeding centuries, by its performance in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
The Apostles
The apostles were fishermen. They had unshakeable belief in God, and in his prophet Jesus. They had upheld the cause of God's messenger with all their spiritual and material energy. They were to travel long distances after Christ's preaching his message. Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. (Mark 1/16-18) Jesus had thus chosen his helpers whose names were: Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him (Matthew 10/2-4) And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach. And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils. (Mark 3/13-15)
The apostles are praiseworthy personages according to the Qur'an: O ye who believe! Be ye helpers of Allah. As said Jesus the son of Mary to the Disciples, "Who will be my helpers to (the work of) Allah." Said the disciples, "We are Allah.s helpers!" then a portion of the Children of Israel believed, and a portion disbelieved: But We gave power to those who believed, against their enemies, and they became the ones that prevailed (Saf 61/ 14).
Blessed are the peacemakers
Jesus left Nazareth of Galilee where his childhood has passed and began preaching on the banks of the lake Gennasareth. He transmitted the messages he had received all over Palestine and attracted the attention of multitudes. He healed the sick and worked miracles. His fame was spread as far as Syria.
Having seen the gathering of huge crowds, he went up the hill along with his apostles and spoke thus: Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5/3-10)
The Kingdom of Heaven, also mentioned as God's Kingdom, is according to the Qur'an justice and sovereignty, both on earth and in the afterlife. According to the Christian creed, with Jesus's birth, the Kingdom of Heaven had come upon the earth. It would come to an end when he would go back accompanied by the angels. According to the belief of the Jews, a Messiah would come from among David's descendants to whom the scepter would be given, and who would mediate for their salvation.
Innate evil in man
Jesus addressed the crowd saying that evil was innate in man. There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. (Mark 7/15-22)
The Savior King, the lineal descendant of David, Jesus Christ preached that Israel that had been in distress for centuries would at last be saved as His Kingdom would soon come, and heartened them. He strengthened their belief. People believed that he was a descendant of David and that He was Messiah, the Savior. He was identified with the savior king who would establish God's Kingdom upon the earth. David was the cherished king of Israel. He had been amongst the chosen of God who had awarded him the Psalms. Jesus Christ, prophet, was to be chosen as an object of divine mercy and favor just like his ancestor David and would save his people from cruelties inflicted upon them. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. (Matthew 21/9-11)
Forgive your brother and you will be pardoned
The following was the message to the people that had assembled there: Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? (Luke 6/37-41).
MIRACLES PERFORMED BY JESUS