Muslims have a unique perspective on God (Allah) and Jesus (Isa). Here's a breakdown of their beliefs:
God (Allah):
* One and Only God (Tawhid): The central tenet of Islam is the absolute oneness of God (Allah). Muslims believe Allah is unique, without partners, equals, or offspring. He is the sole creator, sustainer, and judge of the universe. This is often summarized as *Tawhid*, the indivisible oneness of God.
* Transcendent and Immanent: Allah is both transcendent (beyond human comprehension and existence) and immanent (present in all things and aware of everything).
* 99 Names: Muslims believe Allah has 99 names, each reflecting a different attribute or quality, such as "The Most Merciful," "The All-Knowing," "The Just," and "The Creator." These names are considered attributes of God, not separate entities.
* Not Incarnate: Muslims firmly reject any concept of God incarnating as a human being or any other form. This directly contrasts with the Christian belief in the Trinity and Jesus being the Son of God.
* Direct Relationship: Muslims believe that each individual has a direct relationship with God and can pray to Him directly without the need for intermediaries.
Jesus (Isa):
* Prophet of God: Muslims revere Jesus as one of the most important prophets of God, sent to guide humanity. He is mentioned frequently in the Quran, often with honorific titles.
* Born of the Virgin Mary (Maryam): Muslims believe in the virgin birth of Jesus by Mary. The Quran describes Mary as a pious and righteous woman, chosen by God for this miracle.
* Messenger of God: Jesus is considered a messenger of God, bringing a message of love, compassion, and submission to God's will.
* Performed Miracles: Muslims believe Jesus performed miracles, such as healing the sick and raising the dead, through the power of God.
* Not Divine: A crucial point of divergence from Christian theology is that Muslims do *not* believe Jesus is divine, the Son of God, or part of a Trinity. To Muslims, this would be considered *shirk*, the sin of associating partners with God, which is the greatest sin in Islam.
* Not Crucified: The Quran has a different account of Jesus's fate. It states that Jesus was not crucified but was raised up to God. Muslims believe someone else was made to look like Jesus and was crucified in his place. (Quran 4:157-158). There are different interpretations of this verse; the general consensus is that Jesus did not die on the cross.
* Will Return: Muslims believe that Jesus will return to Earth before the Day of Judgment to defeat the Antichrist (Dajjal) and establish justice. He will then die a natural death and be buried.
* Emphasis on Message: Muslims emphasize the message Jesus preached, which they believe was the same message of submission to God as taught by all prophets. They see the Gospels as having been altered over time, leading to theological differences.
Key Differences with Christianity:
* Divinity of Jesus: The most significant difference is the belief in Jesus's divinity. Christians believe Jesus is God incarnate, while Muslims believe he is a prophet, not divine.
* Trinity: Islam rejects the Christian concept of the Trinity (God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
* Crucifixion and Atonement: Muslims do not believe Jesus was crucified or that his death atoned for the sins of humanity. Instead, they believe each individual is responsible for their own actions and will be judged accordingly.
In Summary:
Muslims hold Jesus in high esteem as a prophet of God, born of the Virgin Mary and a bringer of miracles. However, they fundamentally disagree with the Christian belief in his divinity, the Trinity, and the crucifixion narrative. They view Jesus as a messenger who called people to worship the one true God, Allah, and to live according to His will.