Know Jesus, Know Islam

I have seen this bumper sticker on a number of cars while driving and I always assume that the owner of the vehicle is Christian and that I wish I could have a conversation with them about it. At first, I was mildly offended but then it occurred to me one day that I agree with the message of the bumper sticker.

You will be tested in your wealth and in yourselves and you will hear many abusive words from those given the Book before you and from those who are idolaters. But if you are steadfast and are godfearing, that is the most resolute course to take. [Ale Imran 3/186]

A Muslim must know, love, and accept Jesus alayhis salaam in order to be fully considered a Muslim. And that in knowing and following the true message of Jesus alayhis salaam is true peace and contentment found.

When the angels said, Maryam, Allah gives you the good news of a Word from Him. His name is the Messiah, Isa, son of Maryam, of high esteem in this world and in the Next World, and of those brought near.

He will speak to the people in the cradle, and also when fully grown, and will be one of the righteous, she said, ‘My Lord! How can I have a son when no man has ever touched me?’ He said, ‘It will be so.’ Allah creates whatever He wills.

He will teach him the Book and Wisdom, and the Torah and the Injil, as a Messenger to the tribe of Israel, saying: ‘I have brought you a Sign from your Lord. I will create the shape of a bird out of clay for you and then breathe into it and it will be a bird by Allah’s permission.

I will heal the blind and the lepers, and bring the dead to life, by Allah’s permission. I will tell you what you eat and what you store up in your homes. There is a Sign for you in that if you are believers.

I come confirming the Torah I find already there, and to make lawful for you some of what was previously forbidden to you. I have brought you a Sign from your Lord. So have taqwa of Allah and obey me.

Allah is my Lord and your Lord so worship Him. That is the straight path.’

When Isa sensed unbelief on their part, he said, ‘Who will be my helpers to Allah?’ The disciples said, ‘We are Allah’s helpers. We believe in Allah. Bear witness that we are Muslims.

Our Lord, we believe in what You have sent down and followed the Messenger, so write us down among the witnesses.’ [Ale Imran 3/45-53]

It is no coincidence that Islam the submission to Allah azza wa jal comes from the root word of peace. And President Bush is fond of saying that, “Islam is a religion of peace” so the bumper sticker even if not the intention of the person who created it is really quite apt.

The likeness of Isa in Allah’s sight is the same as Adam. He created him from earth and then he said to him, ‘Be!’ and he was.

It is the truth from your Lord so do not be among the doubters. [Ale Imran 3/59-60]

Say, ‘People of the Book! Come to a proposition which is the same for us and you – that we should worship none but Allah and not associate any partners with Him and not take one another as lords beside Allah.’ If they turn away, say, ‘Bear witness that we are Muslims.’ [Ale Imran 3/64]

The day it occurred to me that I agreed with this bumper sticker I was listening to Surah Ale Imran in the car driving behind a person with this sticker on their bumper. Allah subhanahu wa ta ala addresses the people of the book, the Jews and Christians directly in many places in this surah.

It is not right for any human being that Allah should give him the Book and Judgment and Prophethood, and then that he should say to people, ‘Be worshippers of me rather than Allah.’ Rather he will say, ‘Be people of the Lord because of your knowledge of the Book and because you study.’

He would never command you to take the angels and Prophets as Lords. Would He command you to disbelieve after being Muslims? [Ale Imran 3/79-80]

Say, ‘We believe in Allah and what has been sent down to us and what was sent down to Ibrahim, Isma’il, and Ishaq and Ya’qub and the Tribes, and what Musa and Isa and all the Prophets were given by their Lord. We do not differentiate between any of them. We are Muslims submitted to Him.’

If anyone desires anything other than Islam as a deen, it will not be accepted from him, and in the Next World he will be among the losers. [Ale Imran 3/84-85]

And indeed, Allah subhana wa ta ala has spoken the truth.