Christ in Islam and Christianity

By Neal Robinson

Paperback : 9780791405598, 248 pages, July 1991
Hardcover : 9780791405581, 248 pages, August 1991

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Table of contents

Preface

Introduction

1. Jesus In The Qur'an

Introduction
The Qur'anic Jesus: A Composite Picture
Discussion

2. 'Isa Through Christian Eyes

The Polemical Perspective
Christian Apologetic
Discussion

3. 'Isa And The Church Historian

Eastern Christianity and its Penetration of Arabia
Parallels to the Qur'anic Material in Ancient Christian Writings Discussion

4. Muhammad And The Christians

Traditions about Muhammad's Dealings with Christians
The Chronology of the Revelations
Synthesis
Discussion

5. Muhammad And Jesus

The Structure of the Qur'anic Discourse
The Similarity of 'Isa and Muhammad
The Alleged Arithmetical Composition of the Suras
Discussion

6. Currents And Encounters

Internal Power Struggles and the Expansion of Islam
Speculative Theology
Muslim Historians
Muslim Polemic
Muslim Apologetics
Discussion

7. Shi'ites And Sufis

Shi'ism
The Ghulat Sects
Sufism
'Intoxicated' Sufis and the Impact of Al-Hallaj
The Brethren of Purity
Ibn Al-'Arabi
Discussion

8. Classical Exegesis

The Chains of Guarantors
The Named Early Authorities
The Ahadith
The Asbab Al-Nuzul
Explanatory Glosses on Rare Words
Citations of Poetry
Anecdotal Material
Explanations of the Qur'an in the Light of the Qur'an
Variant Readings
The Classical Commentators
Discussion

9. Jesus' Return: Qur'an 4:159

Tabari
Zamakhshari, Razi and Baydawi
Ibn Kathir
Discussion

10. Jesus' Return—Continued

Knowledge for the Hour
Muhammad's Encounter with Jesus
Jesus' Return and the Release of Gog and Magog
Islam will Prevail Over All Other Religions
Jesus will Speak to Mankind When of Mature Age
Discussion

11. The Crucifixion—Non-Muslim Approaches

Christian Polemic
Christian Apologetic
Sectarian Christian Parallels
Muhammad and the Christians
Muhammad and Jesus
Discussion

12. The Meaning Of The Verb Tawaffa

Qur'anic Usage
Three Traditional Interpretations
A Supposed Example of al-taqdim wa 'l-takhir
The Interpretation Favoured by Zamakhshari, Razi and Baydawi
Five Further Interpretations
Discussion

13. Muslim Interpretation Of Shubbiha La-Hum

Tabari
Zamakhshari
Razi
Baydawi
Ibn Kathir
Discussion

14. Creating Birds From Clay And Raising The Dead To Life

Some Non-Muslim Responses to the Qur'anic Miracles of Jesus
The Classical Sunni Commentators and the Miracle of the Birds
Traditions about Raising the Dead which are Cited in this Context
Further Traditions about Jesus' Raising the Dead
The Meaning of the Qur'anic Proviso
Other Relevant Considerations
Discussion

15. The Virginal Conception

The Sectarian Christian Background
'A'isha and Mary
Classical Exegesis of 19:17-22
Discussion

16. The Representation Of Jesus In The Shi'ite Commentaries

The Shi'ite Commentaries
Jesus' Return
The Crucifixion
The Miracles
The Virginal Conception
Discussion

17. The Representation Of Jesus In The Sufi Commentaries

The Sufi Commentaries
Jesus' Return
The Crucifixion
The Miracles
The Virginal Conception
Discussion

Postscript

Notes

Bibliography

Indexes

Description

Christ in Islam and Christianity is an analysis of the different Christian approaches to Jesus in the Qur'an and in the classical Muslim commentaries. The author presents controversial suggestions about the relevance of the Qur'anic representation of Jesus and Mary to Muhammad and his menage. Included are extensive translations of extracts from classical Muslim commentaries including Sunni, Mu'tazilite, Shia, and Sufi. Much of the Muslim material which the author translates has not previously been translated into English.

Neal Robinson is Senior Lecturer in Religious Studies, The College of St. Paul and St. Mary, England.

Reviews

"I think this must be the first work of the sort which takes the extremely important commentary tradition into account. It presents the complexity of the subject, the great diversity of interpretations, the input from Christian polemics and apologetics, and the common ground of Muslim beliefs. There is a general interest in the topic and this book fills a very important gap. " -- William C. Chittick, State University of New York at Stony Brook