Many Christians have no idea that Muslims unquestionably love Jesus and his mother, Mary, and Islam holds them in the highest esteem. In fact, Jesus is mentioned in fifteen chapters of the Qur'an, and more verses in the Qur'an mention Mary than in the New Testament. While Christians may address Jesus simply as "Jesus," Muslims almost always use an honorific phrase, 'unto him be peace, ' after his name. So, what's behind the Muslim love and reverence for Jesus ('Esa in Arabic) and Mary (Maryam)? This book sets out to answer this vital question while comparing the Jesus of Islam with the Jesus of Christianity and the Jesus of history. Despite the adoring view of Jesus on the part of Muslims and their benevolent sentiments toward his followers, Islam and Christianity have been at odds for fourteen centuries. Notwithstanding the occasional cooperation between Christians and Muslims, theological polemics and the vexed legacy of the Crusades have dominated their relations. This book will take a step toward reconciliation, I hope, between the two great religions and their followers. The Jesus of Islam and Christianity have many commonalities, just as they have differences. What may surprise the reader is that the historical Jesus and the Islamic Jesus seem to be much closer than may have been imagined. Given their shared love for Jesus, one would expect both Muslim and Christian communities to regard him as a unifying figure. The love of Jesus should lead us to worship one God with all our hearts and to love our neighbors as ourselves. After all, Jesus called these the greatest commandments. Jesus was an activist who passionately defended the oppressed and spoke truth to power. Perhaps these conversations about Jesus will encourage Christians and Muslims to collaborate, rather than fight, on issues close to Jesus' heart.
