A Scholarly Analysis of the Descent of Jesus (PBUH) in Islamic Thought: Insights from Said Nursi
Jesus’s Birth and Deification in Christianity
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A Scholarly Analysis of the Descent of Jesus (PBUH) in Islamic Thought: Insights from Said Nursi
Introduction
In Islamic tradition, Prophet Jesus (PBUH) holds a unique position as one of the Ulul-Azm prophets, a group of the most steadfast and resilient messengers of God, mentioned in the Quran. Like all other prophets, Jesus is considered a mortal being created by Allah. However, his miraculous birth without a father, akin to the creation of Adam (PBUH) from clay, sets him apart in the Islamic narrative. While Adam was created without parents, Jesus was born to his mother, Mary (PBUH), through the divine breath, marking a miraculous but fully human origin.
In contrast to Christian belief, which often elevates Jesus to divine status, Islam firmly rejects the notion of deifying him. Instead, Muslims believe that while Jesus performed miracles and was born of miraculous circumstances, he remains a human prophet. The Islamic perspective offers a balanced view of Jesus, emphasizing his humanity while acknowledging his prophetic role.
This article examines how the renowned Islamic scholar Bediüzzaman Said Nursi, a pivotal figure in late Ottoman and early Turkish Republican intellectual circles, engaged with the subject of Jesus, particularly regarding his miraculous birth, his role as a prophet, and his prophesied return to Earth (nuzul-i Isa). We explore how Nursi reconciled Islamic teachings with the complex theological issues surrounding Jesus’s life, death, and second coming, particularly in relation to Christian-Muslim dialogue.
Jesus’s Birth and Deification in Christianity
Christian theology places considerable emphasis on Jesus's divinity, particularly focusing on his death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven. According to Christian tradition, Jesus’s fatherless birth and his extraordinary life led many to regard him as the "Son of God" and the embodiment of God's Word. His perceived divinity stems from both his miraculous creation and his exalted status in Christian doctrine.
Bediüzzaman Said Nursi critiques this aspect of Christian belief, pointing out that the deification of Jesus arises from an excess of love and reverence, which leads to theological error. He references prophetic traditions where excessive love and enmity lead people astray, similar to how Christians, in their extreme devotion, elevated Jesus to divine status. According to Nursi, this form of excessive veneration is misguided and contradicts the true message of monotheism as taught by all prophets, including Jesus himself.
In Islamic theology, the miraculous nature of Jesus’s birth is recognized, but it is not taken as evidence of his divinity. Instead, it is viewed as a manifestation of Allah's power, much like Adam's creation without parents. Nursi reinforces this view by interpreting Quranic verses such as: "The similitude of Jesus in the sight of Allah is like that of Adam: He created him from dust, then said to him, 'Be,' and he was" (Quran 3:59). This verse, Nursi argues, illustrates the exceptional but fully human nature of Jesus's creation.
The Role of Miracles in the Life of Jesus
Jesus's life, as depicted in both Islamic and Christian traditions, is marked by numerous miracles. Healing the blind, curing leprosy, and even raising the dead are among the extraordinary acts attributed to him. Said Nursi acknowledges these miracles but situates them within the broader Islamic understanding of prophethood, where miracles serve not only as proofs of divine authority but also as inspirations for human advancement in science and ethics.
For instance, Nursi contends that Jesus’s healing powers, particularly his ability to cure incurable diseases, prefigured advancements in medical science. He highlights that the Quran describes Jesus as healing the blind and the leper and reviving the dead "by Allah’s permission" (Quran 3:49). According to Nursi, these miracles are not only signs of Jesus's prophetic mission but also hints at humanity’s potential to overcome significant physical challenges through scientific progress.
Nursi further argues that if one accepts Jesus’s miraculous powers during his life, it is logically consistent to accept the Islamic belief in his bodily ascension to heaven and his eventual return. To reject the latter while accepting the former, he contends, would be intellectually inconsistent.
The Ascension and Return of Jesus: A Central Debate
One of the most debated topics in Islamic theology is the ascension (ref’) and return of Jesus. Christian belief holds that Jesus was crucified, resurrected, and ascended bodily into heaven, where he now sits at the right hand of God. Islam, however, presents a different narrative: Jesus was neither killed nor crucified but was raised to the heavens by Allah (Quran 4:157-158).
Within the Islamic tradition, scholars have debated whether Jesus was taken up bodily or only spiritually. Some argue that Jesus died and was later resurrected, while others, including the majority of Islamic scholars, maintain that he was taken to heaven alive, both physically and spiritually. Nursi supports this latter view, arguing that Jesus is alive in a form of celestial existence and will return to Earth in the future.
Nursi explains that while Jesus’s current existence is beyond normal human experience, it is entirely within the scope of Allah’s power. Just as Jesus was created miraculously, so too can he exist in a unique state until his eventual return, which Nursi sees as both a physical and metaphysical reality.
The Function of Jesus's Return: Sociopolitical and Religious Implications
Nursi’s interpretation of Jesus’s return is deeply rooted in Islamic eschatology, where Jesus is expected to play a pivotal role in the end times. He will return not as a new prophet but as a follower of Islam, adhering to the laws of the final prophet, Muhammad (PBUH). Nursi interprets the prophetic traditions (hadiths) about Jesus’s return as both literal and symbolic, with Jesus’s second coming signifying the triumph of true monotheism over false beliefs and materialism.
One of the most significant tasks attributed to Jesus upon his return is the defeat of the Antichrist (Dajjal), a figure representing the forces of deception and immorality. Nursi sees this event not only as a personal confrontation but also as the culmination of a broader spiritual and ideological battle. In Nursi’s view, the return of Jesus will bring about a renewal of true religion, which he interprets as the purification of Christianity and its alignment with Islamic monotheism.
Nursi’s vision of Jesus’s role extends beyond religious reform to encompass sociopolitical change. He envisions a world where Christianity, cleansed of its distortions, will join forces with Islam to defeat materialism, atheism, and corruption. This alliance, according to Nursi, will restore justice, morality, and peace to the world, fulfilling the eschatological promise of Jesus’s return.
Conclusion
Bediüzzaman Said Nursi’s interpretation of the life, ascension, and return of Jesus offers a profound insight into how Islamic theology reconciles Jesus's miraculous birth and prophetic mission with the overarching principles of monotheism. Nursi challenges the Christian deification of Jesus, advocating instead for a balanced view that recognizes his extraordinary role without compromising the core Islamic belief in Allah’s singularity and omnipotence.
Through his analysis of Jesus’s miracles, ascension, and future role, Nursi provides a framework for understanding the theological and sociopolitical implications of Jesus’s return. His perspective not only reaffirms traditional Islamic eschatology but also opens the door for dialogue between Muslims and Christians, particularly in envisioning a future where both faiths might converge in their pursuit of truth and justice.
In the end, Nursi’s teachings remind us that while Jesus's life and mission hold great significance in both Islam and Christianity, the path to spiritual enlightenment lies in recognizing the humanity and prophetic mission of all God’s messengers, without falling into the error of deification.
