Q&A: Do Non-Muslim Sources Prove Jesus Was Muslim? | Dr. Shabir Ally

Let the Quran Speak

16 Aug 202103:21

Summary

TLDRIn this video, Dr. Shabir answers a viewer's question about the strongest arguments that Jesus was a Muslim based on early non-Islamic data. He explains that modern scholarship portrays Jesus as a human prophet who likely never claimed to be God. By defining 'Muslim' as one who submits to God, Dr. Shabir argues that Jesus fits this description, citing instances from the Gospels where Jesus prayed and submitted to God. He concludes that the historical Jesus aligns more with the concept of a Muslim prophet than later theological views that depict Jesus as divine or part of the Holy Trinity.

Takeaways

📖 The discussion is about the historical Jesus and whether he can be considered a Muslim based on non-Islamic data.
🔍 Modern scholarship aims to understand the historical figure of Jesus as a human being, not as divine.
🙏 The term 'Muslim' is defined as one who submits to God, which can be applied to Jesus based on the scriptural accounts of his actions and prayers.
🌿 Jesus is likened to a Hebrew prophet from the Old Testament, emphasizing his human nature and role as a messenger of God.
🙏🏻 In the Gospels, Jesus is depicted as praying and submitting to God, especially in the Garden of Gethsemane as described in Matthew 26:39.
📜 The Gospel of Luke and John also show Jesus praying, with John presenting a more developed theology of Jesus as an intermediary but still subordinate to God.
🛐 John 17:3 specifically mentions Jesus praying to the 'only true God', indicating his submission and recognizing a higher divine authority.
🔑 The video suggests a distinction between the historical Jesus and the later theological interpretations that deified him.
💭 It is argued that Jesus himself could not have conceived of himself as part of the Holy Trinity or as God incarnate, based on historical context.
🕊 The historical Jesus is proposed to be more aligned with the concept of a Muslim prophet, a human messenger of God, than with later divine claims.
📝 The video concludes by asserting that, based on historical analysis, Jesus can be confidently considered a Muslim in the sense of submitting to God.

Q & A

What is the main argument presented in the script regarding Jesus' identity?
-The script argues that Jesus was a human being who likely did not claim to be God, and is more accurately described as a Hebrew prophet, similar to those in the Old Testament. It suggests that by the definition of 'Muslim' as one who submits to God, Jesus can be seen as a Muslim, especially in the context of his prayers and actions as depicted in the Gospels.
How does modern scholarship view Jesus in the historical context?
-Modern scholarship tends to retrace the steps to find the historical Jesus, often presenting him as a human who would not have claimed divinity, and more likely a prophet in the tradition of the Old Testament.
What is the script's definition of a 'Muslim' in the context of Jesus?
-The script defines a 'Muslim' as one who submits to God, and uses this definition to argue that Jesus, as depicted in the Gospels, was a Muslim because he submitted to God in his prayers and actions.
What does the script suggest about the Gospel of Matthew's portrayal of Jesus praying?
-According to the script, Matthew chapter 26 verse 39 depicts Jesus praying to God, showing him as a submitter to God, which aligns with the definition of a Muslim.
How does the Gospel of Luke portray Jesus' prayer according to the script?
-The script mentions that the Gospel of Luke describes Jesus praying on his knees, looking up to heaven, which again illustrates his submission to God.
What is the developed theology in the Gospel of John as per the script?
-The script describes the Gospel of John as having the most developed theology, presenting Jesus as an intermediary between man and God, and even akin to a second God or the begotten God in some ancient manuscripts.
What does Jesus pray in John 17:3 as mentioned in the script?
-In John 17:3, as per the script, Jesus prays that people may know God as the only true God and acknowledges himself as God's messenger, the Christ.
What dichotomy does the script refer to in the understanding of Jesus?
-The script refers to a dichotomy between the 'Jesus of history' and the 'Jesus of faith,' suggesting that while historical Jesus was likely a human prophet, later faith developments have presented him as divine.
How does the script differentiate between the historical Jesus and the theological Jesus?
-The script suggests that the historical Jesus was more likely a human prophet, while the theological Jesus has been developed to include concepts of divinity and being part of the Holy Trinity.
What conclusion does the speaker reach about Jesus' identity based on historical analysis?
-The speaker concludes that based on historical analysis, Jesus was more like a Muslim prophet, a human being and a messenger of God, which is closer to the original understanding than later theological developments.
What does the script suggest about the relationship between Jesus and the concept of the Holy Trinity?
-The script implies that while some theological perspectives present Jesus as the second person of the Holy Trinity, the historical Jesus likely did not identify with such concepts.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 Exploring Jesus' Identity as a Muslim Prophet

In this video segment, the speaker addresses the question of whether Jesus can be considered a Muslim based on the earliest non-Islamic data. The speaker argues that modern scholarship tends to view Jesus as a human being and a Hebrew prophet, not as a divine figure. The term 'Muslim' is defined as one who submits to God, and Jesus is portrayed as such in the Gospels, particularly in his prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. Despite the theological developments that present Jesus as an intermediary or even a divine being, the historical Jesus is more accurately seen as a prophet, a human messenger of God, similar to the Old Testament prophets. The speaker emphasizes the distinction between the historical Jesus and the later theological interpretations that deified him, suggesting that the historical Jesus was closer to the concept of a Muslim prophet than to the divine identity ascribed to him in some Christian doctrines.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Muslim

The term 'Muslim' in the context of the video refers to someone who submits to God, which is the fundamental principle of the Islamic faith. It is used to describe the historical Jesus as a 'submitter to God,' aligning with the video's theme that Jesus was a Muslim in the sense that he was a prophet who submitted to the will of God, as seen in his prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane.

💡Jesus

Jesus is the central figure in the video, discussed in relation to his identity and beliefs. The script suggests that historical Jesus was a human being and a prophet, similar to the Old Testament prophets, and not a divine entity, which challenges traditional Christian doctrines.

💡Modern Scholarship

Modern scholarship is presented as the effort to understand the historical Jesus, separate from later theological interpretations. It is used in the script to support the argument that Jesus was a human being who would not have claimed to be God, which is a key point in the video's discussion.

💡Hebrew Prophet

A 'Hebrew Prophet' is a figure from the Old Testament who conveyed messages from God to the people. The video uses this term to draw a parallel between Jesus and the prophets of the Old Testament, suggesting that Jesus was a similar type of religious figure, not divine.

💡Gospels

The 'Gospels' are the four narratives in the New Testament that describe the life, teachings, and works of Jesus. The script references specific verses from the Gospels of Matthew, Luke, and John to illustrate Jesus' submission to God and his role as a messenger.

💡Garden of Gethsemane

The 'Garden of Gethsemane' is the location where Jesus is said to have prayed before his arrest. The video cites this as an example of Jesus' submission to God, showing his human side and reliance on divine will.

💡Intermediary

An 'intermediary' is a person who acts as a link or connection between two parties. In the context of the video, Jesus is described as an intermediary between man and God, which is a nuanced role that does not equate to divinity.

💡Trinity

The 'Trinity' refers to the Christian doctrine of the three-in-one nature of God, which includes the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. The video challenges this concept by suggesting that Jesus himself would not have identified with such a theological construct.

💡Christ

'Christ' is derived from the Greek word 'Christos,' meaning 'anointed one.' In the video, Jesus is referred to as the Messiah or Christ, emphasizing his role as a prophetic figure rather than a divine person.

💡Dichotomy

A 'dichotomy' is a division or contrast between two things. The video uses this term to describe the difference between the historical Jesus and the later Christian beliefs about him, highlighting the distinction between the man and the theological figure.

💡Old Testament

The 'Old Testament' is the first part of the Christian Bible and the Hebrew Bible, containing the sacred scriptures of Judaism. The video refers to the Old Testament prophets to draw parallels with Jesus, suggesting that he was a similar type of religious leader.

Highlights

The strongest argument for Jesus being a Muslim is based on modern scholarship's reevaluation of his historical identity as a human being rather than a divine figure.

Modern scholars view Jesus as similar to Hebrew prophets of the Old Testament, which aligns with the concept of a Muslim as a submitter to God.

The term 'Muslim' is defined as one who submits to God, which can be applied to Jesus based on his actions and prayers in the Gospels.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is depicted praying to God in the Garden of Gethsemane, showing his submission.

The Gospel of Luke describes Jesus praying on his knees, further emphasizing his dependence on God.

The Gospel of John presents Jesus as an intermediary but also as a human being who prays to God, maintaining his role as a messenger of God.

John 17:3 highlights Jesus praying for people to know God as the only true God and himself as the messenger, reinforcing his submission to God.

There is a historical dichotomy between the original Jesus and the later theological developments that declared him divine.

The early Jesus is more closely aligned with the concept of a Muslim prophet, a human being and a messenger of God.

The speaker asserts that the historical Jesus is closer to the modern understanding of a Muslim than theologies that present him as part of the Holy Trinity.

The video encourages viewers to consider the historical Jesus as a Muslim prophet, distinct from later theological interpretations.

The speaker emphasizes that while not all aspects of Jesus' life can be historically reconstructed, the evidence points to him being a Muslim in the sense of submission to God.

The video invites viewers to engage with the content by liking, subscribing, and donating to support the work of Quranspeaks.com.

The discussion is aimed at providing a fresh perspective on Jesus' identity, challenging traditional Christian doctrines.

The video suggests that the historical Jesus' teachings and actions are more consistent with Islamic monotheism than with later Christian trinitarian beliefs.

The speaker concludes by confidently asserting that Jesus was a Muslim, based on the historical evidence and its alignment with the definition of a Muslim.