Jesus and Muhammad
HUM/130

Jesus and Muhammad

Jesus and Muhammad were both incredibly important prophets during their time who spoke of God and taught about living a good life by doing good deeds. They were born in separate times, but shared the same calling. Each man is known for the roles they played in establishing Islam and Christianity and setting firm roots for each religion. While there are many similarities about each man, there are also many differences in the lives and callings of these individuals. According to Biblical accounts, Jesus was born in a manger in a town called Bethlehem. At Jesus’ birth, there was an angel who came down from the heavens and praised God for the birth of Jesus. He was born the son of a carpenter and had a humble childhood, and there are no stories of his life prior to the age of 12 when he went to Jerusalem for Passover. The story tells that he was left behind on accident and was found to be discussing the Torah with the rabbis who were amazed at his understanding of the Torah and his answers to their questions. Jesus was reprimanded for his actions and reportedly told his father, “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49). This story is to illustrate how early on Jesus knew of his calling. It was not until the age of 30 that Jesus began teaching. He went to John to be baptized, in which John felt uncomfortable baptizing Jesus, as Christians feel that Jesus is sinless. Jesus insisted that John baptize him, so John did. This act has been interpreted as Jesus’ consecration to God as the Messiah (Fisher, 2014). After his baptism, Jesus began to gather his first disciples, Simon-Peter, Andrew, James, and John, all who recognized Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus advised that they would need to leave all worldly possessions and attachments behind them to ensure that they were focused on the spirit and not on wealth and comfort. During his three years of teaching, Jesus walked on water, healed the sick, and fed thousands of people with two fish and five loaves of bread. Jesus talked to everyone, regardless of social status, and because of this, he was able to bring his teachings to many and gained many followers. This began to make the Pharisees, Sadducees, and the scribes very nervous. With the growing mass of followers from all different classes, Jesus continued to spread his teachings that God was a friendly, loving God and that all those who repent their sins can be forgiven. While many people appreciated his teachings, there were just as many who did not. Those who opposed him called him a liar and called for his punishment. This did not stop Jesus from continuing down his path toward his calling, he continued to teach and preach to anyone who would hear what he would have to say. Jesus was eventually captured by the Romans, handed over to the military guard, beaten, and crucified. “…Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the Third day he rose again, ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father,” (excerpt from the Apostles Creed). Three days after the death of Jesus, he was resurrected and seen by many of his followers. It is said that his resurrection caused many non-believers to convert to Christianity and help to spread the religion. Jesus is said to be the son of God, and the savior of all man-kind who stated, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6). Muhammad was born during what the Muslims call “the age of ignorance” (Fisher, p. 379, 2014). He was born into the Hasism clan of the Quraysh tribe, which his great-grandfather had been the clan chief and caretaker of the Ka’bah (a polytheist sanctuary and sight of pilgrimage for people prior to the dawn of Islam). His family fell upon hard times when Muhammad’s father died on a trade journey before he was born. When he was sent to another woman to be wet-nursed, only a very poor woman took him in. Under this circumstance, Muhammad grew up in poverty. At the age of six, Muhammad’s mother passed away and he became the ward of his uncle who put him to work as a shepherd. The early influences of his life helped him to have a greater understanding and sympathies later in his life. Throughout his youth, Muhammad was known for his thoughtful and trustworthy character (Fisher, p. 380, 2014), and these characteristics followed him through all of his life. At one point in his life, Muhammad managed trading caravans for a woman named Khadijah, who would later become his wife. She understood the importance of his mission and supported him from very early on. Not uncommon for his family, he spent a great deal of time in solitary retreat. These retreats provided opportunities for deep thought away from the rest of the world and other distractions. It was during one of these retreats that Muhammad received a revelation from Gabriel. During the month of Ramadan, when he was 40 years old. Muhammad made a spiritual retreat and during this retreat he received a visit from the angel Gabriel who requested that he recite. Muhammad refuted stating that he could not as he was unable to read or write. Gabriel then made Muhammad repeat after him, and those words ultimately became the Qur’an. (Fisher, p. 380, 2014). After this, Muhammad returned home, noticeably shaken and was comforted by Khadijah. She consoled him and advised him not to worry. It was at this time, that Muhammad knew he was meant to be the prophet and to spread God’s word. Three years after receiving the visit from Gabriel, Muhammad began to preach publicly. He always advised that he was as servant to God and that he was just like anyone else. Muhammad spoke of how only one God is to be worshiped and there are no other pathways to God. He spoke of many things as he received the revelations from God. While he had garnered a large group of followers, he was still largely criticized by those who did not believe he was a prophet. At the age of 50, Muhammad entered his “Year of Sorrows.” During this time he lost his wife, Khadijah, and his uncle; his two biggest supporters. With the passing of his two biggest supporters, the persecution of Muhammad increased. It became so stressful for him, that it is said that during the height of his trials, he experienced the “Night of Ascension” (Fisher, p. 382, 2014). During this night, tradition holds that Muhammad traveled through the seven heavens to the far limits of the cosmos, and into the Divine Proximity. It was during this ascension that he is said to have met Jesus, Adam (of Adam and Eve), saw paradise and hell, and received blessings from the Divine Presence (Fisher, p. 382, 2014). After this night, he began to be seen as the Prophet. Muhammad passed away in the year 632 CE. His closest friend, Abu Bakr was elected the first caliph, with another successor being ‘Ali, the Prophet’s cousin and husband and father to his favourite daughter, Fatima. Throughout Muhammad’s life, he showed us that living by example and deed has a far greater return than living life with the focus on material gains. Like Jesus, Muhammad was raised in simple surroundings and became revered as a prophet as he grew older, wiser, and stronger within the faith. While Jesus was born and revered as the Son of God, Muhammad spoke that for one to reach God, one must contact God directly. There are similarities as well with the teachings of how one is to live their life in accordance to how one wishes to be treated. I firmly believe that while the religions are vastly different, the core beliefs are the important part.

References
Fisher, M. P. (2014). Living Religions (9th ed.) Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection.