-Comparing: Islam and Christianity #3 -The Virgin Birth of Jesus

Surprisingly both Islam and Christianity believe in the virgin birth of Jesus.

1. Christians look at the virgin birth as a sign and demonstration of his divinity:

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (God with Us).  –Is. 7:14

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  –Is. 9:6

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.  –Lk 1:34-35

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.  –John 3:16-17

2.  Islam teaches that the virgin birth was ordered by Allah but accomplished by the angel.  Jesus is merely a creation, a man who will die like other men, but a prophet-the last prophet sent to Israel. Also Muslims teach that there is a curse upon all those who believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ:

Mary said: “O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man hath touched me?” He (angel)said: “Even so; Allah creates what he wills.”  -Surah 3:47

And He will teach him the Book and the wisdom and the Tavrat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel).  And (appoint him) an messenger to the children of Israel.  -Surah 3:48-49

The similitude of Jesus before Allah is as that of Adam; He created him from dust, then said to him: ‘Be’: And he was.  -Surah 3:59

And the Jews say: Uzair is the son of Allah; and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah; these are the words of their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before; may Allah destroy them; how they are turned away!  -Sura 9:30

Comments:  Both Islam and Christianity believe in the virgin birth of Jesus.  However, for Christians, Jesus is the Son of God sent to save the world; but for Muslims he was just the final prophet sent to his people Israel.

For Christians, the baby Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and was the Only Begotten Son of God the Father.  According to Muslim tradition, Mary became pregnant when the angel Gabriel blew up her dress, and the child was merely a prophet and a man like any other.  Also the Koran teaches that Jesus was equal to other prophets except Muhammad who was greater.

Fellow Christians: Praise God the Father, that he sent his Son Jesus into the world to save us and give us eternal life.  For Muslims:  The teaching of Muhammad gives you no assurance that you will spend eternity in Paradise.

References:  “Islam and The Bible: Why Two Faiths Collide”, By David Goldmann (Chicago: Moody Pub., 2004, 174 pgs.) Pg. 36;

“Unveiling Islam”, by Ergun Mehmet Caner & Emir Fethi Caner (Grandrapids, MI: Kregel Pub., 2002, 256 pgs.) Pg. 215-217;

“Differences: The Bible and The Koran”, by Ben J. Smith (Nashville, TN: Cumberland House Pub., 2002, 157 pgs.) Pgs. 65-70, 79-80;

“The Religion of Islam”, by Maulana Muhammad Ali (Dublin, Ohio:The Ahmadiyya Anjuman Isha’At Islam, 1990, 617 pgs.) Pg. 169;

“The Qur’an” English Translation, by M.H. Shakir (Elmhurst,NY: Tahrike Tarsile Qur’an, Inc., 15th edition, 2005)

“The Holy Bible, English Standard Version” (Wheaton, Ill.: Good News Pub., 2001)