When The Muslims Tell You Jesus Was a Muslim

By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Former Pagan, Christian Conservative LDS Priest

When I first heard Muslims claim that Jesus was a Muslim, I was still deeply involved in Islamic leadership. It was an assertion that Muslims all over the world use, one that seems to bolster Islamic supremacy by co-opting one of the most beloved figures in human history. However, the more I delved into Christianity and the authentic teachings of Jesus, the more I realized how disingenuous and ahistorical this claim was.

Let's start with some basic context. Islam was founded in the 7th century by Muhammad, a man born over six centuries after Jesus Christ had already lived, died, and risen from the dead. To say that Jesus was a Muslim requires a complete disregard for historical context and the original message that Jesus preached. Jesus was born in Judea, and His ministry was steeped in Jewish customs, beliefs, and prophecy. To claim Jesus as a Muslim is, in essence, to erase His Jewish identity and reshape Him into the image that suits Islamic narratives.

In Islamic theology, the claim that Jesus (or 'Isa, as they call Him) was a Muslim stems from a reinterpretation that all prophets preached "Islam," which means submission to God. But what the Quran and Islamic scholars fail to acknowledge is that Jesus' message wasn't about submission in the way that Islam presents it. Jesus preached love, redemption, and a personal relationship with God—concepts that sharply contrast with the authoritarian and legalistic approach of Islam.

The Jesus of the Bible spoke of turning the other cheek, of loving one's enemies, and of offering forgiveness. These teachings are difficult to reconcile with the Islamic doctrines found in the Quran and Hadith, which are replete with exhortations for violence against non-believers, second-class status for women, and harsh punishments for those who dare leave the faith. The Jesus of Christianity is a savior who gives us freedom through grace, not an enforcer of legal codes that bind followers in fear.

In my time as an Islamic leader, I was encouraged to push the narrative that Jesus was essentially a forerunner to Muhammad. The Quran presents Jesus as merely another prophet, one whose message was supposedly corrupted by His followers to justify doctrines like the Trinity and His divine nature. Yet, there is no evidence to support the Quran's claims of corruption—the New Testament is one of the most well-documented historical texts in existence, with thousands of manuscripts corroborating its authenticity.

Moreover, if Jesus had truly been a Muslim, why do His teachings diverge so significantly from those of Muhammad? Jesus never called for forced conversions, never led armies into battle, and never sought political power. He stated, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36), a stark contrast to Muhammad, who sought to establish an earthly caliphate through warfare and conquest.

It took me years of questioning and soul-searching to understand that the Islamic portrayal of Jesus was a mere tool—an attempt to appropriate and diminish the profound impact of Christianity. By claiming Jesus as a Muslim, Islam seeks legitimacy and an unbroken prophetic lineage, while disregarding the true essence of Jesus' message.

I eventually found my way to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where I truly came to understand Jesus Christ as my Savior. In Christianity, Jesus is not just another prophet—He is the Son of God, the divine Redeemer of mankind. The love, grace, and freedom I found in Christ were things that Islam could never offer, despite its attempts to claim Him as one of its own.

To those who are told by Muslims that Jesus was a Muslim, I urge you to seek the truth for yourself. Read the Gospels, study Jesus' words, and compare them with the Quran. The differences are stark, and the truth of Jesus' divine mission will become evident. Jesus was not a Muslim—He is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and the Savior of all who choose to follow Him.

Citations:

1. The Holy Bible, John 18:36.

2. Brown, Raymond E. An Introduction to the New Testament. Yale University Press, 1997.

3. Wright, N.T. Jesus and the Victory of God. Fortress Press, 1996.

4. Guillaume, Alfred. The Life of Muhammad: A Translation of Ibn Ishaq's Sirat Rasul Allah. Oxford University Press, 1955.

5. Al-Bukhari, Sahih. Hadith Collection.