Jesus and Muhammad

Jesus and Muhammad

Kenneth G. Mobley

Western International University

HUM127, Religions of the World

Aretta-Rie Johnson

February 10, 2007

Jesus and Muhammad

Jesus the Christ and Muhammad no two single men have touched more lives. They founded two related yet separate religions that today have 1.8 billion and 1.1 billion adherents respectively (Fisher, 2005). In the year, 0 B.C. near the town of Bethlehem Jesus was born. Almost 600 years later in the town of Mecca the Prophet Muhammad was born. These two events changed the course of history for all humankind.

Jesus life, ministry and death.

Much of the early life of Jesus Christ is a mystery. The preponderance of information on or about his life is found in the four gospels of the New Testaments. Jesus was born to the Virgin Mary in the year 0 B.C. near the town of Bethlehem in the manger outside of an inn. This humble beginning was the foreshadowing of a life of humility and service. At the age of 12 Jesus was seen in the temple talking with, listening to and teaching many learned men. It was then that Jesus declared that he was the Son of God with a divine purpose here on earth. Jesus lived a traditional Jewish life as a simple carpenter (Jesus-Institute, 2006). At the age of 30, Jesus was baptized and recognized by John the Baptist; it was now that he began his earthly ministry (Fisher, 2005). The main points of Jesus’ teaching were that God loves you and is with you, to love one another, of the immense value of each person, The Good News: kingdom of God has come to earth, The reality of judgment to heaven or hell and that God forgives those who ask (Jesus-Institute, 2006). One aspect of his teaching that brought adverse attention to him was his repeated assertion that he was the Son of God sent to the Earth to redeem humankind. This was in direct violation of Jewish law. For this he was condemned to die. Betrayed by one of his apostles, Judas, Jesus did not resist his imprisonment he saw it as the fulfillment of his purpose. Brutally tortured and beaten Jesus was crucified on a cross at the top of Mount Golgotha. In his last words we see all that he taught “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). After he was dead Jesus body was transferred to a tomb, a large stone and a guard were placed at the opening of his tomb to keep his loyal followers and friends from taking his body. At this point, it could all have ended, but this was not to be. After the Sabbath two of Jesus female disciples approached the tomb to anoint Jesus, after discovering that his body was not at the tomb they were told by angels that he was risen (Fisher, 2005). Many witnesses state that he walked, talked and preached for 40 days after he rose from the dead.

Muhammad life, ministry and death.

Muhammad the Prophet of Islam was born in the year 570 B.C. (Fisher, 2005). Born into affluent family he would lose both of his parents by the age of six (Fisher, 2005). Muhammad became a camel driver traveling between Syria and Arabia, later he would become a caravan manager for wealthy merchants (Religion Facts, 2006). This lead him to meat his wife Khadija, 15 years his senior she was his only wife until her death 24 years later (Religion Facts, 2006).

Muhammad would often seek solitude at Mount Hira near Mecca. In this cave in the year 610 the angel Gabriel who, after much resistance from Muhammad, commanded him to recite the following verse

Proclaim! (or read!) in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created- Created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood: Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful,- He Who taught (the use of) the pen,- Taught man that which he knew not

Immediately after this, he told his wife of these miraculous events. He declared to her that he was either insane or a prophet of God and receiving her support he decided to preach among the people of Mecca. Three years later, he had gained only 40 followers (Religion Facts, 2006). Despite of his small following his teachings gained attention from the leaders of Mecca in that he taught against their way of life. After increasing persecution in Mecca a delegation from Yathrib appealed to Muhammad to become their leader and in return they pledged their worship and lives to him and Allah (Fisher, 2005). Hearing of his impending escape leaders of Mecca attempted to kill him before he could leave. He and his close friend Abu Bakr made it to Yathrib, later known as Medina. This event is known as the Hijrah it occurred in the year 622 B.C. and it marks the