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' ReturnContinued
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 CrucifixionNon-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