TRUE PASSIONS OF THE CHRIST

A Quranic Perspective

Mel Gibson’s movie "The Passion of the Christ" has prompted many to ask questions about the life, death, and message of Jesus.

Jesus Christ was a messenger of God (4:171). His birth, his life, and his death were all miraculous. I have not seen the movie that’s stirring up such controversy so I cannot comment on the movie itself. I have heard several people comment that a movie about Jesus should concentrate on his life and his message rather than his death, and I wholeheartedly agree. The message he delivered was to worship God ALONE, the same message delivered by all the messengers—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Muhammad, and so many others.

The disciples were well aware of the message. When Jesus asked them who supported him, they replied that they supported God.

O you who believe, be God’s supporters, like the disciples of Jesus, son of Mary. When he said to them, "Who are my supporters towards God," they said, "We are God’s supporters." Thus, a group from the Children of Israel believed, and another group disbelieved. We helped those who believed against their enemy, until they won. (61:14)

The Quran, God’s final scripture to the world, is full of beautiful passages about the birth and life of Jesus. He was different from other messengers because his birth was a miracle. Mary was a righteous,

virtuous woman and God gave her the news of her pregnancy.

She said, "How can I have a son, when no man has touched me; I have never been unchaste." He said, "Thus said your Lord, “It is easy for Me. We will render him a sign for the people, and mercy from us. This is a predestined matter.""(19:20-1)

The story of Jesus’ birth is told in several places in the Quran. The most detailed is in Sura 19, verses 22-35, which includes the fact that Jesus spoke as an infant—

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