6 of 6

You issued a fatwa some years ago sentencing the U.S. author of the "blasphemous" play Corpus Christi to death. What do you think of Christ?

In Islam, Jesus is called Al-Masih 'Isa [the Messiah Jesus]. He is a Messenger of Allah, miraculously born of the Virgin Mary. He spoke in the cradle, defended the message of previous prophets—Noah, Abraham, Moses, etc., preached the oneness of God, predicted the coming of a prophet called Ahmed [i.e., Muhammad], he denied the Trinity and being Son of God.

He will return before the Day of Judgment, and will be a Sign of the Hour. He will judge between Muslims and Christians, abolish jihad because his presence will be the point of conflict with the Dajjal [Antichrist], who will fight, allied with Jews and false Christians, against the Mahdi [Rightly-Guided one expected in Islamic eschatology] and Jesus.

The fatwa against the author of Corpus Christi was because it was an attack on Jesus, which is the same as an attack on Muhammad and God. Muslims have a duty to defend Jesus.

Copyright © 2005 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Jay Smith's papers on Is the Qur'an the Word of God?, The Bible And The Qur'an, Qur'anic Interpretation, The Qur'an, and Uncomfortable Questions for the Qur'an are available from the Muslim/Christian Debate Website.

AnsweringIslam has articles and information about Islam from a Christian perspective. It includes questions about the Bible and the Qur'an, Muhammad, Jesus, and includes conversion stories.

Recent news about Sheikh Omar includes:

Islamic cleric 'incitement' probe | Scotland Yard are investigating alleged remarks by Muslim cleric Sheikh Omar Bakri Muhammad that could have broken terror or racism legislation. (BBC, January 18, 2005)

UK charity transferred cash to Hamas | British money paid families of Palestinian suicide bombers (WorldNetDaily, January 24, 2005)

More Christianity Today articles on Islam include:

In Perspective: What's the Difference Between Shi'ah and Sunni? | With a history of persecution and belief in martyrdom, the Shi'ite Muslim majority in Iraq may be more receptive to Christianity. (April 30, 2003)

Doors into Islam | September 11 has only intensified the dangers and rewards of Muslim evangelism. (Aug. 19, 2002)

Outpaced by Islam? | The Muslim challenge is growing faster than our Christian outreach. (Feb. 4, 2002)

Is the God of Muhammad the Father of Jesus? | The answer to this question reveals the heart of our faith. (Feb. 1, 2002)

Is Islam a Religion of Peace? | The controversy reveals a struggle for the soul of Islam. (Dec. 28, 2000)

A Many Splintered Thing | Though Muslims shared allegiance to Muhammad and to the Qur'an, Islam faced division as soon as the prophet died. (Dec. 28, 2000)

In 2000, Christianity Today focused on Muslim-Christian relations in a series by Wendy Murray Zoba. Articles included:

Islam, U.S.A. | Are Christians prepared for Muslims in the mainstream?

Islamic Fundamentals | Christians have a responsibility to understand our Muslim neighbors and their beliefs.

How Muslims See Christianity | Many Muslims don't understand Christianity—especially the idea of salvation by grace through faith.

Our sister publication, Christian History & Biography, dedicated an issue to Islam.

first page |  6 of 6

share this page

February (Web-only) 2005, Vol. 49