FEBRUARY 9 Christianity and Islam

In the classical literature of Islam, there are many appreciative references to Christ and Christianity. The Quran calls Christ the ‘Spirit of God’ (4:171) and of Mary says: ‘We breathed into her of Our spirit, and made her and her son a Sign to all men.’ (21:91) Of Christ and his followers the Quran says: ‘We gave Christ the Gospel and put compassion and mercy in the hearts of his followers.’ (57:27) In another chapter the Quran states: ‘The nearest in affection to the Muslims are those who say: “We are Christians.” That is because there are priests and monks among them; and because they are free from pride.’ (5:82-83). In conclusion, here is a hadith of Sahih Muslim or saying of the Prophet Muhammad which demonstrates the Muslims’ positive evaluation of Christians. Mustaurid, a companion of the Prophet, reported that the Prophet said: “The Day of Judgement will not come until the Christians outnumber all other people.” Amr ibn al A’as, a senior companion of the Prophet, endorsed this: “You are indeed right. The Christians have four characteristics. They are the most forbearing in times of adversity; they do not allow their spirits to be broken, but promptly recover from every setback; they are the first to charge again after retreat; and they are the best of all in caring for the deprived, downtrodden and the weak. Amr then added that there is a fifth feature, which is the best of all. It is that they restrain their kings from perpetrating injustice and oppression.”