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Jesus and Mohammed Mohammed ibn Abd Allah, also known as Mahomet or Muhammed, is known as the founder of Islam. Mohammed is regarded by Muslims as the prophet of God (Allah) and the last messenger. Jesus, Jesus of Nazareth, is the founder of Christianity and is regarded by Christians as the central figure in Christianity. The paper examines, compares and contrasts the lives of these important figures, Mohammed ibn Abd Allah and Jesus of Nazareth, correspondingly, in relation to each respective religion, Islam and Christianity, traces the lives historically, compares what affect the death of each person had, describes the ways each person was and is worshipped by the faithful, and explains how their messages are being carried out in the world today. Although it is quite difficult to compare the lives of such important figures in religion, as there are too many information, both biased and unbiased, the paper makes an effort to present an open-minded approach to the lives of, Mohammed ibn Abd Allah and Jesus of Nazareth. So, it is quite difficult to define the exact date of Jesus' birth, as there are no historical sources that confirm the date unanimously (Bouteneff, 2006).
However, according to the Gospels, and some ancient sources, as well as according to the lunar eclipse reported by the first-century historian Josephus soon before the Herod the Greats death, it is possible to make a conclusion that Jesus was born before the year 3 BC/BCE (Akers, 2000). As it is claimed by the Bible, Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Judea) by Mary, a virgin, by a miracle of the Holy Spirit. Jesus birth was indicated by the star referred to as the sign that the King of Jews was born, and the Wise Men (Magi) brought gifts to the newborn Jesus. What concerns the birth of Mohammed ibn Abd Allah, the historical sources claim that he was born ca. 570 CE in Arabia, in the city of Mecca.
No significant events or mystery accompanied his birth, and no strange and religious people showed interest in his birth. However, when Mohammed approached his maturity, at the age of 40, two monks foretold that Mohammed will be a great person (Brown, 2003). These prophecies were based on the shadow of the cloud, and on the vision of Mohammed standing under the special tree. St. John the Precurser foretold the faithful about the Saviour's arrival, told that the kingdom of God is near, and called to repent for the sins. At the same time, approximately one month before the Koran was godsend, the people have heard the voice coming from the stomach of the victim that was sacrificed to the pagan idol.
The voice told people about that forthcoming of the person who will proclaim that God is One, and there will be the man who will be the prophet and the messenger of that God (Esposito, 1998). Similar to Jesus' youth, little is known of Mohammed ibn Abd Allah during his young age, and, similar to the stories about Jesus, it is very difficult to separate the legend from the stories. However, it is known that in his early childhood Mohammed has lost his father and mother and became an orphan (Brown, 2003). Mohammed was brought up by his uncle, became a merchant, married and was happy in his marriage, and had several children. At the same time, there is no enough information about the childhood of Jesus Christ, except of few facts that his childhood home was the town of Nazareth in Galilee.
Unlike Mohammed, Jesus had some revelations before he matured, as, according to the Bible, he was once found in the temple and caught teaching people prophecies about God. Some sources claim that Jesus spent his first thirty years practicing carpentry with his father (Bouteneff, 2006). Jesus was baptized and started to serve God when he was 30. He was recognized by the faithful St. John the Precurser, who witnessed that Jesus is the Son of God. St.
John the Precurser witnessed this fact in public and in the daylight. At the same time, Mohammed, as we have already mentioned, received his first revelation from the angel Gabriel, who was claimed to start communicating with Mohammed in 610 and ordered Mohammed to recite these words: 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 (Surah 96: 1 - 5). Jesus of Nazareth first revealed his power when he turned water into wine, being at the marriage feast. This miracle occurred because Jesus mother asked Him to do it. Jesus obeyed His mother and made the miracle, although he told that his time didn't come yet (Bouteneff, 2006).
At the same time, Mohammed forbade his followers, who were drinking wine in pre-Islamic times, to drink wine. Mohammed told that one of his revelations he received from God forbade using wine and alcohol. Jesus of Nazareth continued to serve God, preached the Word of God, and cured people all over his country. Soon enough He was accompanied by His followers, adult men, known later as the Twelve Apostles. These men were considered His disciples. Unlike Jesus, Mohammed ibn Abd Allah preached the Word of God among his relatives, and the first men who believed in him, was a small ten-year-old boy (Brown, 2003).
Jesus was often met with suspicion, hostility, and aversion to His words. However, He never asked for help and continued to preach the Word. At the same time, Mohammed long enough was under protection of his wife and his uncle, and when he was unable to protect his followers from the malicious attacks of the elders, Mohammed ibn Abd Allah helped them to escape to Ethiopia (Brown, 2003). Jesus of Nazareth exorcised the demons. Mohammed ibn Abd Allah told many stories about the genies, and told people about the hell in details. Jesus praised the Lord with some caution, as He avoided telling the name of the Lord with no reason (Akers, 2000).
At the same time, Mohammed praised the Lord an endless number of times, with no special reason for that (Brown, 2003). Jesus was not recognized by the foremen; He preferred the Jews and told that the Jews were the elected by God. Jesus was often followed by simple people, who liked Him, believed in Him, and listened to His revelations. In doing so, Jesus never asked His followers to swear solemnly that they are loyal to Him. At the same time, when Mohammed wasn't recognized by the foremen and was mocked by them, forced the Ansarians to swear that they will support him and will fight for him readily. When somebody asked Jesus a question, He answered immediately.
At the same time, when somebody asked Mohammed a question, Mohammed waited until the angel Gabriel gives an answer (this could take up to fifteen days) (Brown, 2003). Jesus never asked for advice when he was asked about the adultery. At the same time, when Mohammed was asked about the adultery, he discussed the question with the wisest people, who were the experts in the Torah. Jesus rescued a woman who was claimed to commit adultery, and never condemned her.
Mohammed convicted two persons in committing adultery and sentenced them to death. Jesus never went back on His word, while Mohammed canceled many ayahs that were godsend to him. Jesus of Nazareth was unarmed, and when he went to Jerusalem to be crucified, He went at the front of His Apostles, scantily dressed in a coat. At the same time, when Mohammed commanded a battle, he always was behind his army and was dressed in two chain armors. Jesus never made contracts with people, He never asked for payment for making miracles and healing, and never incurred debts. At the same time, Mohammed was negotiating with various people about various things, but sometimes failed to comply with his promises; he borrowed money from the Jews, and forced those, who adopted Islam, to pay certain taxes (Esposito, 1998).
Jesus was betrayed and sentenced to death. He was crucified at Calvary, Golgotha. When he died, the sky has darkened from 12 to 3 that afternoon, and there was an earthquake (Bouteneff, 2006). Mohammed died in 632, when he fell ill and suffered for a few days with weakness and head pain. He succumbed on Monday, and was buried in a tomb. Both Jesus and Mohammed are worshipped by their followers.
The Bible refers to Jesus as the Son of God and the Savior, while the Q " an refers to Mohammed as a mercy to the worlds and the greatest prophet (Brown, 2003). Muslims firmly believe that Mohammed is the last in a line of prophets of God, and believe that his mission was to restore the original monotheistic faith of the prophets of Islam (Adam, Abraham and others), who had become altered by people. Mohammed considered to be the "Seal of the Prophets", Apostle of God, and the last prophet (Esposito, 1998). At the same time, Jesus is considered by the Christians to be the Messiah, prophesied in the Old Testament.
Christians believe that the mission of Jesus, through His life, death and resurrection was to restore the communion between the people and God in the blood of the New Covenant. Jesus death is considered to be the redemptive sacrifice and the source of salvation for all people, and the atonement for sin. Jesus is considered to be the Lord, the only Son of God, and the Eternal Word, as the Christians believe that Jesus became the man in the incarnation, and therefore, those who believe in Jesus, will have eternal life. References Akers, K. (2000). The Lost Religion of Jesus. Lantern.
Bouteneff, P. C. (2006). Sweeter Than Honey: Orthodox Thinking on Dogma and Truth. Crestwood: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press. Brown, D. (2003).
A New Introduction to Islam. Blackwell Publishing Professional. Esposito, J. (1998). Islam: The Straight Path.
Oxford: Oxford University Press.
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