Expert: Jamshaid Zubairee - 3/29/2008

Question
Why did GOD end His revelations with Muhammad and not with Jesus?

Answer
Hi Hadia
First of all I want to tell you that we Muslims believe that Jesus peace be upon him was GOD's Messenger to the people of Israel.  We also believe that Jesus had the entire truth from GOD Almighty and was capable to reveal it all to his people, but they were not capable enough to receive it !.  They were hard in their hearts, hard in their heads and had so much problems among themselves.  That is why they tried to crucify Jesus on the cross.  For this reason Jesus had predicted for the "spirit of truth and the most praised" (Ahmed or Muhammad in Arabic) to come after him and to reveal what hasn't been revealed yet to all of mankind.

Previous revelations have been corrupted and deprived of their spiritual value by their followers' vain controversies and disputes. It was possible to settle such disputes under the flag, but Allah's Plan was to revive and rejuvenate His Message through Islam, amongst a newer and younger people, unhampered by the burden of age-old prejudices.

There is always in human affairs the conflict between the old and the new, the worn out system of our ancestors, and the fresh living spring of Allah's inspiration fitting in with new times and new surroundings. The advocates of the former look upon this latter not only with intellectual doubt but with moral suspicion, as did the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) upon Islam, with its fresh outlook and vigorous realistic way of looking at things.

Before drawing any conclusion one must look at the facts about the true mission of Jesus' (peace be upon him) according to Noble Quran and bible.

Noble Qur'aan defines the mission of Jesus (peace be upon him), as follows:

a.. To confirm (the laws) that already existed even before his arrival, from the Torah (in the Old Testament) ; (Noble Quran 61:6)
b.. To give the good news (the gospel) of the arrival of a messenger, who comes after him, whose name will be 'Ahmad' (another name of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). (Noble Quran 61:6)
c.. To teach the Children of Israel, unto whom he was sent, matters of wisdom ; (Noble Quran 43:63)
d.. To clarify certain matters in which they (Jews) differed ; (Noble Quran 43:63) and
e.. To legitimize certain things that were earlier banned for them. (Noble Quran 3:50) Jesus (peace be upon him) upheld the laws that existed in those days in the Torah, the book of laws given to Prophet Moses (peace be upon him), except for:

a.. clarifying certain matters in which the Children of Israel differed, which Jesus necessarily had to; and
b.. legitimizing certain things, by the command of Allaah, those were earlier banned for them by Allaah as a punishment for their misdeeds.  Jesus (peace be upon him) says in the Bible: (Matthew 5:17) "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."
Therefore, Jesus (peace be upon him) brought no new religion.  Jesus believed in One God and preached God's unity. Jesus was a messenger of God and he did not claim to be anything else. Jesus has said, addressing The Lord: (John 17:3) "... that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent."  

In other words, Jesus says to the Lord: You are the only true God and You have sent me, i.e. I am Your messenger.   Since all the people did not believe in him, those who did not believe in him as another prophet and messenger of God were "disbelievers in Jesus Christ" and those who believed in him could be called "Christians".  Therefore, true " Christians " would be those, who:
a.. Believe in One God.
b.. Believe in Jesus Christ as a messenger of God.
c.. Accept and implement the laws that already existed in the Torah.
d.. Follow the matters of wisdom taught by Jesus.
e.. Look to The Prophet, (Prophet Muhammed), who was foretold by Jesus, to guide them on all matters, as per the gospel - the good news - brought by him.
There have been many prophets of God who were sent without any book or revelation. Jesus was sent to people of Israel or Jews like Moses (peace be upon them).  Contrary to that Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) was sent to mankind, which was God's plan since Adam. From Adam to Muhammed (peace be upon them) message has been the same. Let us look into some more facts:

Noble Qur'aan teaches us that all the prophets and messengers sent by Allaah were mortal men and His slaves, like all people. Muslims have not deviated from the Islaamic teaching that Muhammad (peace be upon him) too is a slave of Allaah and His messenger. Muslims testify this fact at least nine times during their five daily prayers and without uttering this fact, the prayers are incomplete and unacceptable.

Likewise, Noble Qur'aan teaches us that Jesus (peace be upon him) too was a slave of Allaah and His messenger. Allaah says in the Noble Qur'aan: 43:59 about Jesus (peace be upon him): "He is nothing but a slave on whom We bestowed favor, and We made him a pattern for the Children of Israel."

Jesus (peace be upon him) indeed is a slave of Allaah. His various utterances and actions manifest the truth. Jesus (peace be upon him) confirms in John 5:30: " I can of mine own self do nothing."

Someone, who can of his own self do nothing, is a slave. But his special position among slaves like us is that he was a messenger of Allaah.

I Timothy 2:5 calls Jesus ".... the man Christ Jesus."

It is said in Bible, Luke 24:19: " Jesus of Nazareth ... was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people."

In spite of these clear teachings of Bible that he was a man and a prophet, Jesus is often sought to be projected as god.

Jesus says is Matthew 15:7 & 15:9:
7. [Ye] hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
9. But in vain they do worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.   

Jesus is quoted in Noble Qur'aan: 61:6 "And when Jesus said: O children of Israel! Indeed I am messenger of Allaah unto you..."

Jesus was a messenger of Allaah unto the children of Israel.

Let us see how Bible quotes the same words of Jesus (peace be upon him):

" I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. " (Matthew 15:24). In simpler words: Jesus says that he was sent (he is a messenger) only unto the house of Israel.

And who sent him? There are many (15 verses) of the Bible, Jesus says: "the Father who hath sent me..." the Father sent him, or in other words, he is a messenger of The God. (Ref. John 5:30, 5:36, 5:37, 6:39, 6:44, 6:57, 8:16, 8:18, 8:29, 8:42, 12:49, 14:24, 17:21, 17:25, 20:21)

Jesus (peace be upon him) has clearly said that he was not sent but unto the house of Israel. On the contrary, Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Islaam, God's religion in its entirety, given through him is meant for the whole of mankind. Allaah tells Muhammed (peace be upon him)) in Noble Qur'aan: (34:28) "And We have not sent you (O Muhammad) but as a bringer of good tidings and a Warner unto all mankind; but most of mankind know not."  

Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) brought the perfect book Noble Qur'aan which is a miracle itself with complete ceremonial laws and laws of life. See the contrast between bible (OT & NT combined) and Noble Qur'aan:

Bible(s) (OT & NT) are not filled with intelligence, justice, purity, honesty, mercy and the spirit of liberty? If it is where?  

BUT NOBLE QUR'AAN DOES.READING IS BELIEVING!

Bible(s) (OT & NT) are not opposed to strife and war, to slavery and lust, to ignorance, credulity and superstition?

BUT NOBLE QUR'AAN DOES.READING IS BELIEVING!

Bible(s) (OT & NT) does not develop the brain and civilize the heart?

BUT NOBLE QUR'AAN DOES.READING IS BELIEVING!

Bible's (OT & NT)) morality is not the highest, the purest?

BUT NOBLE QUR'AAN'S MORALITY IS *THE HIGHEST AND PUREST.READ YOURSELF TO FIND OUT!

Bible(s) (OT with very smaller degree. NT, not at all) does not have laws and regulations for the control of conduct to be just, wise, perfect, and perfectly adapted to the accomplishment of the ends desired?

BUT NOBLE QUR'AAN DOES.READING IS BELIEVING!"