The History of Jesus and Muhammad

hum130
March 20, 2011
Michael Emmart

The History of Jesus and Muhammad
The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."
--Luke 2:10-11
The religion Christianity was founded on the life and teachings Of Jesus Christ. Around or just before the Common Era, about 2000 years ago Jesus was born in a small town called Bethlehem. Jesus was born unto a devout Jewess by the name of Mary and a carpenter named Joseph. Jesus was conceived by a miracle of the Holy Spirit before Mary and Joseph had any sexual relationship. Jesus was born in Bethlehem because the Roman emperor stated that all families register for a census in their ancestral hometowns. Joseph and Mary made the long difficult trip to Bethlehem, only to find that all the inns were full, with no inns to stay at, Mary gave birth to Jesus in a stable among the animals. The Gospels do not talk a lot about Jesus’ early life, but some information can be traced back to some references elsewhere. Jesus was from a town called Nazareth, where he probably worked with his father and trained to be a carpenter. At the age of twelve Jesus wander away from his parents into Jerusalem to discuss religion in the temple; the rabbis were very impressed on the knowledge, understanding and answers when discussing the Torah. When his parents finally found him, Jesus asked, “Didn’t you know I would be in my Father’s house?” This tale indicates some sense of Jesus mission, his knowledge of the Jewish tradition, and his own personal connection with God.
Then we don’t know anything else about Jesus, until around the age of thirty, where the four gospels agree that Jesus’ first act was to be baptized by John the Baptist. There are a couple of translations as to why Jesus wanted to be Baptist, one is that Jesus was baptized on behalf of all sinful humans, the other was so that John the Baptist could begin his ministry and to announce that the messiah is here amongst us. This event marked the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, some theorize that it was this moment the Human Jesus became the divine.
After Jesus was baptized he went on a forty-day fasting period in the desert, while in the desert Jesus was tempted by Satan to use his spiritual powers, Jesus refused (Fisher). After returning from the fasting in the desert, Jesus began to gather his disciples (12), those who saw him as the Messiah. Jesus gathered his disciples and told them to leave all worldly possessions, human attachments behind and to follow him, to give more attention to the life of the spirit. Jesus then spent one to three years teaching and working miracles among his disciples and large crowds. As Jesus traveled it is told that he performed many miracles, his miracles included turning water into wine, walking on water, healing the sick, taking a small meal and turning it into enough to feed a large crowd of hungry people, casting out demons, and raising a man from the dead. The primary teachings of Jesus focused on love for the “the kingdom of god”, two of his greatest commandments are: to love God and to love your fellow man (love your neighbor as yourself). The commandment Love God means that one should put no other God or Gods before him, to live your life for God and not for material possessions. To love thy neighbor as you love yourself means: to love and help everyone as you would yourself.
In Jesus’ teachings he said that God will forgive those that repent their sins and were sincere, will be forgiven and be allowed to enter heaven. Jesus and his teachings quickly became popular and grew quickly, but so did opposition from local leaders. Roman rulers were uncomfortable with the perception that he was the Messiah, which would free the Jews from Roman rule. Some government officials and prominent Jews were becoming suspicious Of Jesus and his teachings. The leader of Galilee felt that Jesus was causing a uprising against the Romans, the Jewish leaders were not happy by Jesus’ interpretations of Jewish law, and his power with the people.
In the Gospels Jesus suggested to his disciples many times that the end was near, but his disciples did not understand or want to accept the idea. This is represented by the “Last Supper” that took place on the night before his death. On this night Jesus also predicted that one of his disciples would betray him. Judas Iscariot one of Jesus’ disciples led the Roman soldiers to Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. As he was being arrested his disciple, Peter defended him with his sword, Jesus instructed him to put the sword away, and said for all who draw the sword will die by the sword, and Jesus was led away to be questioned by the high priest.
Once he arrived before the high priest, he was asked: Are you the Messiah? He said very little but affirmed he was the Messiah. He was judged worthy of death for blasphemy, and was sent to Roman governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate. At first Pilate ordered Jesus to be wiped and set free, but this angered the crowd, so to please the crowd he sentenced Jesus to death by crucifixion. Jesus was beaten, clothed in a mock-royal purple robe and crown of thorns, and then executed by crucifixion at Golgotha. After hanging there for six hours Jesus’ cried out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me” and took his last breath.
Jesus’ body was removed from cross by Joseph of Arimathea and placed in a tomb that was carved into a rock, then a large stone was placed covering the entrance. His mother and a couple of others were the only ones present. Those same women came to his tomb the following Sunday to cover his body with spices, only to find the large stone moved and the tomb empty. After Jesus’ resurrection, he appeared before his disciples, where he passed through a locked door to show them, yet he was not a ghost by allowing them to touch his flesh and ate with them. The resurrection of Jesus, made non-believers into believers, and made those who once believed to believe again. For many of his followers by what they had witnessed believe that Jesus had been God in human form.

The History of Muhammad

Muhammad was born in Mecca in 570 AD, shortly after his birth his father passed away and he lost his mother at the age of six. Muhammad was then raised by his uncle, where he worked as a shepherd. At the age of nine he accompanied his uncle on a trip to Syria and Arabia. While on this trip with his uncle, a Christian monk noticed marks on Muhammad’s body, and indicated he was a prophet. At the age of 25, Muhammad married his wealthy employer Khadija from Mecca, a widow for 15 years, and remained his wife until her death 24 years later.
When Muhammad reached his late thirties, Muhammad would make regular visits to a cave in Mount Hira, to be alone and to contemplate. At the age of forty Muhammad received his first revelation from God. He returned from a visit to the cave, and told his wife (Khadija) he was going mad or he really is a prophet, because he had been visited by an angel. The angel (Gabriel) approached Muhammad and said “Proclaim” but because he was a reluctant prophet, he said I am not a proclaimer. The angel insisted that he proclaim, finally Muhammad gave in and cried out what shall I proclaim. With this the angel began to announcing the first words which became the Qur’an.
During many visits and additional visits from Gabriel, Muhammad believed that he indeed had been chosen as the messenger of God and proclaimed as he had been commanded by God, to preach to the people what he had learned: that God is one (Allah). In the three years of revelations, Muhammad only gained forty followers. Muhammad and his followers faced heavy persecution, and later turned into open violence. Some of the members were stoned, covered in dirt while praying, beaten and put into prisons. Later Muhammad got the news that he had gained followers in a city called Yathrib, 280 miles north of Mecca.
Muhammad and his followers were banned from the city of Mecca for three years, but later returned to Mecca, to face more persecution. At the age of 51, the height of Muhammad’s suffering due to the loss of his wife and uncle, it is said that he passed through the seven heavens into the Divine Proximity. Muhammad was recognized as a prophet, by the pilgrims from Mecca from Medina and invited him and his followers to come to their city. Once Muhammad and his followers moved to Medina, Muhammad’s view changed from persecution to appreciation.
After he established himself in Medina, the people of Medina went to war with the city of Mecca. The first battle with the Meccans was won by Muhammad and his followers in 624; this was a sign that God was on their side. Later another battle Muhammad and his followers were not victorious and Muhammad was wounded. Then in 627, the Meccans attacked the city of Medina and won. In 630 C.E. Muhammad attacked the city Mecca, and defeated them, here he rededicated the Ka’ba temple to Allah.
Muhammad and his followers returned to Mecca, and many of the Meccans heeded the warning of those who tried to thwart God’s prophets and converted to Islam. After returning to Medina, Muhammad became very ill, and gave his final instructions and promised to meet them in paradise, Muhammad passed away in 632 C.E.

The Impact of Death

For Christianity, the death of Jesus had a great impact on their religion. Jesus died for all the sins of mankind and to save humanity. Jesus teachings were about love despite that he was questioned and persecuted. The resurrection of god made believers from non-believers, Jesus’ teachings were questioned because of proof, but with his resurrection showed that he was God in human form.

There were many that tried to take Muhammad place after his death, but none were successful as Muhammad. This made Muhammad’s life and teachings more appreciated and cherished, and making an impact on the Islam religion. Muhammad’s life is very important to the Muslims, so much that they copy his qualities in order to become a good Muslims. Muhammad taught that being selflessness and kindness create a just moral order, as it embodies God’s commandments.
Christians worship include, public services, sermons, reading the Bible out loud, offerings, and prayer. Most worship is done in a church, Baptism, communion, Eucharist, penance and confession of sins, holy orders and matrimony are all sacraments of their worship.
Muslims pray five times a day, reciting a series of prayers from the Qur’an; they perform ritual ablutions using water, dirt or sand. Fasting, pilgrimage to Mecca is also a form of common practice.

Reference
Religion Facts. (n.d.). The life of Jesus. Retrieved from http://www.religionfact.com/christianity/hisory/jesus.htm
Lewis, J. F., & Travis, W. G. (1991). Religious Traditions of the World. Grand Rapids, MI: Publishing House Academic and Professional Books.
Religion Facts. (n.d.). Life of the Prophet Muhammad. Retrieved from http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/history/prophet.htm
Religion Facts. (n.d.). The life of Jesus. Retrieved from http://www.religionfact.com/christianity/hisory/jesus.htm
Wikipedia. (2008). Christianity. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity
Wikipedia. (2008). Jesus. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus