I'll best most western Christians don't realize that Mary and Jesus are spoken of with reverence in the Qur'an. The verses in the photo above are inscribed on the minaret at Jam (Afghanistan). As explained at
Dark Roasted Blend...
The minaret displays an incredibly intricate baked-brick work, stucco
and glazed tile ornamentation (containing Kufic and Naskhi calligraphy
and verses from the Qur'an, relating to Mary, the mother of Jesus).
Dan Cruickshank, who visited the place, writes
about the carvings: "This chapter, called Maryam, tells of the Virgin
Mary and Jesus, both venerated in Islam, and of prophets such as Abraham
and Isaac. It's a text that emphasises what Judaism, Christianity and Islam have in common, rather than their differences. It seems the
Ghorids placed the text here to appeal for harmony and tolerance in the
land, a message that is more relevant now than ever."
More about the minaret at the links, via
Neatorama.
Mary (Miriam) and Jesus (Isa) are spoken of in the Quran; But the stories come from both Jewish folklore and biblical texts.
ReplyDeleteThe folklore (such as Isa speaking immediately out of the womb) contradicts biblical scripture (such as Jesus having to grow and learn as any other person) is the reason Middle Eastern Christians do not accept "Isa" as being the same person as the Jewish "Jesus".
They believe "Isa" is either a different person, or the stories are fabricated.
The Christians in this area refer to him as "Yesu" instead of "Isa".
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/bookshow/stories/2011/3197530.htm
ReplyDeletecheck out the above URL for the full discussion:
"In another part, the Qur'an lists no less than 18 earlier prophets, including Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Zachariah, John, and Jesus. Then it says to Muhammad, 'These are the people God has guided,' that is, to the belief in the one God, 'these are people that God has guided. Follow the guidance they followed.' That is why the Qur'an calls on the People of the Book—that is, the Christians and Jews—to uphold the revelation that came down to them. God says in the Qur'an, 'We have sent down the Torah with guidance and light. We have given Jesus the Gospel, in which there is guidance and light. Let the people of the Torah and the Gospel judge according to what God has sent down to them.' And it addresses the Christians and Jews, saying, 'People of the Book, you have no ground to stand on until you uphold the Torah, the Gospel, and what has been sent down to you from your Lord.'"
I have often found it hard to understand why Christians embrace the Jews who utterly resist Christ, yet resist the Muslims who greatly venerate Him.
ReplyDeleteAs for KINGDOM STUDIES, it is NOT talking about another person. Rather, that is the Islamic perception of Jesus, based, no doubt, on Gnostic readings. No Christian would claim that Muslims believe the same things about Jesus...but the fact that they respect Him just might be a bridge between us.