Mary And Jesus In the Quran, The Message of Peace and Love
Dr
Asad Syed, New Age Islam
13 November 2023
The Quran's narrative of Mary and Jesus' life serves as a powerful spiritual teaching tool, fostering interfaith understanding and cooperation.This essay examines the importance of peace and loving kindness in the lives of Jesus and Maryam, emphasising how important they are for fostering compassion and harmony in a diverse community.
Main Points
· Sura Maryam, the 19th chapter of the Quran, tells the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus (pbuh) emphasizes the importance of faith, patience, and prayer in overcoming adversity and fostering peace.
· The Quran portrays Jesus as a compassionate prophet known for his teachings on mercy, forgiveness, and care for the marginalized, exemplified by his miraculous healings.
· The Quran's narrative of Jesus' miraculous defence of Mary underscores the significance of respecting and assisting women, bridging religious and cultural boundaries.
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In a world marked by diversity and differences, the message of peace and loving kindness holds a special place in fostering harmony and unity among communities. The Quran, the holy book of Islam, carries the beautiful chapter of Surah Maryam, dedicated to the story of Mary (Maryam in Arabic) and her son, Jesus (Isa in Arabic). The life of Jesus, as narrated in the Quran, conveys profound spiritual lessons and serves as a bridge for interfaith understanding and cooperation. This essay explores the themes of peace and loving kindness as exemplified in Surah Maryam and the life of Jesus, highlighting their relevance in promoting unity and compassion in a diverse community.
Surah Maryam, the 19th chapter of the Quran, revolves around the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus. This chapter emphasizes the importance of faith, patience, and prayer in the face of adversity, promoting peace of mind and heart due to unwavering trust in God. The story begins with Mary's devotion to God and her miraculous conception of Jesus. Her initial shock and anxiety are transformed into a state of peace and surrender when she receives God's assurance and support. Thus, Mary's experience highlights the value of patience, trust, and reliance on God, teaching us that peace can be found through faith, even in the most challenging circumstances. This message is universal and can resonate with people from various faith traditions.
The Quran portrays Jesus as a prophet and a messenger of God, filled with loving kindness and compassion. His teachings emphasize mercy, forgiveness, and care for the marginalized. The Quran mentions several miracles attributed to Jesus, such as healing the sick and bringing the dead back to life, demonstrating his profound love for humanity.
One of the most powerful stories in the Quran regarding Jesus' loving kindness is his ability to speak as an infant in defence of his mother, Mary, when people accused her of impropriety. This miracle underscores the importance of respecting and supporting women, a message that transcends religious and cultural boundaries and calls for loving kindness towards all.
In this holiday season, we turn to the wisdom of Muslim mystics, who draw from the profound teachings of the Quran to offer a message of hope, peace, and unity as we navigate the challenges and conflicts that persist in our world. The core message from these mystics is rooted in the principles of love, compassion, and understanding:
Mystics like Ibn Arabi (1165–1240) and Rumi (1207–1273), prominent figures in Islamic Sufism, characterised Jesus in ways that emphasized peace, love, and empathy. Their interpretations of Jesus align with the broader Sufi tradition, which focuses on religion’s inner, spiritual aspects and emphasizes the universal themes of love, compassion, and unity.
Sufi mystics often focus on religion’s inner, mystical dimension. They believed that the essence of Jesus' teachings went beyond external rituals and rules, emphasizing the importance of a personal and direct spiritual experience with the Divine. This emphasis on the inner experience of God fosters a sense of unity and connection among nations, as it transcends superficial differences.
Ibn Arabi is mainly known for his concept of the "Unity of Being" (Wahdat Al-Wujud), which suggests that everything in the universe manifests God's existence. This concept promotes the idea of interconnectedness and oneness, encouraging people to recognize the divine spark within themselves and others. Such a perspective can lead to greater unity and empathy among diverse communities.
The great Sufi ibn al Arabi wrote the following to describe Christ:” a spirit from none other than God so that he might raise the dead and bring forth birds from clay and become worthy to be associated with his Lord, by which he exerted significant influence both high and low. God purified him in body and made him transcendent in spirit, making him like himself in creation.
Rumi
was a renowned poet; his poetry often alluded to Jesus and the theme of love.
His timeless poems have been translated into various languages, making them
accessible to people of diverse backgrounds. Rumi's poetic expressions of love
and empathy profoundly foster a sense of unity and shared spirituality among
diverse nations.
"My heart has become capable of every form; it is a pasture for gazelles and a convent for Christian monks, a temple for idols and the pilgrim's Kaaba, and the tables of the Torah and the book of the Quran. I follow the religion of love; whatever way love's camels take, that is my religion and my faith." Ibn Arabi
The Quran teaches us that God is the most Compassionate and Most Merciful. Muslim mystics remind us that these divine attributes should serve as our guiding principles, extending our love and compassion to all beings, regardless of their faith, race, or nationality. In this universal love, we find the path to peace and unity.
As
we celebrate the holiday season and face the challenges and conflicts of our
time, let us remember the timeless teachings of the Quran and the wisdom of
Muslim mystics. We can collectively work towards a more peaceful, harmonious,
and united world by embracing universal love, fostering understanding, and
practicing compassion. Regardless of our backgrounds, faiths, and traditions,
these principles offer us a shared path towards a brighter future.
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Dr. Syed N. Asad, MD, FACP, served as a vice president and treasurer on the executive board of IMANA (Islamic Medical Association of North America) and a physician at Senior Friendship Health Centre, Naples, Florida. He graduated from high school in Hyderabad, India, with high honours, attended Osmania University Medical School, and completed his medical training in the United States. He taught medicine and nephrology at a New York state university for nearly twenty years before opening an independent practice. He is the author of a book, Selected Collections of the Holy Quran in English: A Companion for Young Muslims to Understand the Divine Messages of Prophet Mohammad.
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