Jesus and Muhammad

Jesus and Muhammad

Jesus and Muhammad are central figures in the Christian and Muslim faiths. How do these two figures compare? How are they viewed within these two faiths? Jesus and Muhammad shared similar goals; to promote and strengthen their respective faith. The history, the lives and the deaths of these figures are very important to the believers of these faiths.

Jesus was born to the Virgin Mary; conceived by the Holy Spirit through Immaculate Conception. During the pregnancy Mary and her husband Joseph were told to travel to Bethlehem for a census. When they arrived in Bethlehem there were no beds available but the hay in a stable. Jesus was born in this stable surrounded by animals. The angels told the shepherds that Jesus was born and gifts were then brought to the Savior baby (Fisher, 2005).

At the age of twelve Jesus went with his parents to Jerusalem for Passover. Jesus was briefly lost; he was found by his parents in a temple discussing the Torah with Rabbis. Those who heard these discussions were amazed by Jesus’ knowledge and understanding. When he was approached by his parents he said”did you not know I must be in my father’s house” (Fisher, 2005, p. 289) This statement shows the personal connection Jesus shared with God who Jesus speaks to as Abba; a Hebrew term meaning Father.

When Jesus was thirty he requested Baptism from John the Baptist who was conducting Baptism in preparation for the Kingdom of God. John felt he should not baptize Jesus for he was sinless; Jesus insisted and John obliged. There are a couple of interpretations of this ceremony. It may have been a ceremony of his consecration to God as the Messiah, or it was for John to publicly announce that the Messiah had arrived (Fisher, 2005, p. 290). Directly after he was baptized, Jesus went into the desert for a forty day retreat; during this time he fasted. It has been said he was tempted by Satan to use his spiritual power; Jesus refused. Upon his return, Jesus began to...