Jakarta –
Many people, including Muslims, often compare Islam and Christianity, Prophet Muhammad and Prophet Isa, the Qur’an and the Bible (Bible), Gabriel and the Holy Spirit. A comparison like this might provide an explanation of the structure of Islam and Christianity as both religions of Allah. However, if examined more deeply the comparison is actually not symmetrical. According to SH Nasr, in fact the Qur’an cannot be paralleled with the Bible but more parallel with the Christ.
In the Islamic perspective, the Qur’an is often defined as the word of God (the Speech of God) revealed to the Prophet Muhammad SAW through Gabriel and we must respect when reading it (al-muta’abbd bi tilawatih). Because the book of the Qur’an is sacred, no one should touch it except in a state of purity, as stated in the Qur’an: “Do not touch it except the purified servants” (QS al-Waqi’ah/56: 79) . The existence of the Qur’an which uses the Arabic language becomes sacred because it is a tool to convey His instructions. The presence of Arabic in the Qur’an is also special, not only because it is used to express His instructions but also as a ritual language in Islam. For example, a person’s prayers are not valid if he uses a language other than Arabic. In any case, a translation of the Qur’an cannot be used in prayer. The theology of the Arabic language in the Qur’an will be discussed separately in a future article.
If in Islam the words of God (Kalam Allah) are the Qur’an, then in the Christian tradition it is Christ who is His words. The tool or medium used to convey His instructions is Maryam. While the instructions or His words are Christ. This view can be related to two verses in the Qur’an as follows: Verily the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, is the messenger of Allah and His words which He conveyed to Mary, and (with a breath) a spirit from Him. (Surat al-Nisa’/4:171). (Remember), when the Angels said: “O Maryam, indeed Allah delights you (with the birth of a son who was created) with a sentence (which comes) from Him, his name is Al Masih Isa, son of Maryam, a prominent person in this world and in the hereafter and including those who are brought closer (to Allah) (Surah Ali ‘Imran/3:45).
The two verses above declare the Messiah, ‘Isa ibn Maryam as His “Klimat” or Word. Compare it with Islam, whose Word is the Qur’an. If you follow the perception of the Christian tradition, the equivalent of the Qur’an is actually Christ, not the Bible, because Christ is His Word. The Prophet Muhammad is more accurately associated with Maryam. Prophet Muhammad is a medium or tool for the presence of the Qur’an and Maryam as well as a medium or tool for the presence of Christ. If in Islam it is perceived that the Prophet Muhammad must be illiterate (ummy) to eliminate the impression of the Qur’an as His word. Similarly, Mary must be perceived as a virgin to purify Christ as His word. When the Prophet Muhammad was an expert in reading and writing, it would raise doubts that the Qur’an was the creation of the Prophet Muhammad. At the same time, when Maryam is not a virgin, it can invalidate the holiness of Christ as His Word.
If the Hint is “human” (Christ) then its purity is symbolized by Mary’s virginity. If the instructions are in the form of something verbal (the Book) then its purity is symbolized by the illiteracy of the Prophet Muhammad. People should not underestimate the existence of the Prophet Muhammad as an illiterate (ummy) then from him the holy Qur’an was born, as is often done by orientalists. It is even more ironic that those who do that are Christians because it means doing the same thing to the Virgin Mary but being able to give birth to Christ. Logically, we cannot accept Mary as the Virgin but reject the existence of the Prophet Muhammad as illiterate.
This is the logic and theology behind the mystery of God’s Guidance. The ignorance of the Prophet Muhammad in accepting the Qur’an and the virginity of Mary conceiving Christ symbolizes that human beings are completely passive before Allah SWT. Human beings, both men and women, cannot reject God’s destiny no matter what their circumstances. This is the meaning of the verse: Maryam said: “My Lord! How could I have a son, when I have never been touched by a man.” Allah said (through Gabriel): “Thus Allah creates what He wills. When Allah wills to determine something, then Allah simply says to him:” Be “, then be he. (QS Ali ‘Imran/3: 47). The illiteracy of the Prophet Muhammad is described in the verse: (Namely) those who follow the Messenger, the illiterate Prophet (ummy) whose (name) they find written in the Torah and the Gospel that is with them, who enjoins them to do good and forbid they do evil, and make lawful for them all that is good, and forbid for them all that is evil, and remove from them their burdens and their fetters: so those who believe in Him, glorify Him, help them, and follow the light that the light sent down to him (the Qur’an), they are the successful ones. (QS al-A’raf/7: 157). (Continued).
Prof. Nasaruddin Umar
Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta
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