Jesus & Muhammad: Declarations and Deeds

Even trained conservative clergypersons admit having difficulties explaining what our Lord Jesus Christ meant when he said “…I did not come to bring peace, but a sword…” (Mt. 10:34b) in light of Jesus’ ‘lovey-dovey’ general behavior in the New Testament.

No Muslim, even the most moderate or conservative, is in doubt about the meaning of the Holy prophet Muhammad’s statement “I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them.” (Surah 8.12, M.H. Shakir’s translation). The clarity of this statement from or through the holy Prophet is in light of his general behavior as reflected in the Qur’an and the Hadith (the lifestyle traditions of Muhammad).

The lifestyle of our Lord is the supreme behavioural model for serious Christians and the lifestyle of the Holy prophet Muhammad functions similarly for serious Muslims.

It makes a fascinating study in comparison/contrast then to examine the declarations and deeds of both men as recorded in the orthodox texts of both religions. Here are a few.

Jesus said, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” (Mt. 7:12, KJV)

Muhammad said, “None of you will have faith till he likes for his [Muslim] brother what he likes for himself.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 1, book 2, no. 13).

Jesus said, “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.” (Mt. 10:14, KJV)

Muhammad said, “And kill them [unbelievers] wherever you find them, and drive them out from whence they drove you out…” (Surah 2.191).

There is no hint in the New Testament that Jesus was ever married.  Muhammad though, had several wives and when, in addition to his other wives, he desired Zeinab, a gorgeous woman and the only wife of his adopted son Zaid, the dutiful adopted son eventually divorced his wife to accommodate the prophet’s desire and Allah said through his prophet “…But when Zaid had accomplished his want of her [Zeinab], We gave her to you as a wife, so that there should be no difficulty for the believers in respect of the wives of their adopted sons, when they have accomplished their want of them…” (Surah 33.37)

Muslims and Christians deserve the description ‘serious Muslim or Christian’ if and only if they reflect in their lives adherence to the declarations and deeds of their respective supreme role model.

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