Christianity and Islam

When the patriarchs heard this statement, confirming the Message of the Evangel, they were pleasantly surprised and said: ‘These words must have sprung from the same fountainhead from which the words of our master Jesus Christ have sprung.’ The Negus then said, ‘What you have just recited and that which was revealed to Moses must have both issued from the same source. Go forth into my kingdom; I shall not extradite you at all.’ The Muslims found under his protection the peace and security they sought, and lived in his country until they found cause to return, while Muhammad (may peace be upon him) was still in Makkah. (The Encyclopedia of Seerah, Vol VIII, p 702-3.) In the classical literature of Islam, Christ and Christianity are mentioned in many forms. Christ has been called ‘Spirit of God’ (Quran, 4:171) Of Mary, the Quran has this to say: ‘We breathed into her of Our spirit, and made her and her son a sign to all men.’ (21:91) Regarding the Christians in general, the Quran, referring to Christ and his followers, 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.’ (Quran, 5:82) I would like to conclude with a hadith recorded in Sahih Muslim, which is regarded as the most authentic collection of traditions after Sahih Bukhari. Mustaurid, a companion of the Prophet, reported that