Crusader,

The disappearance of Jesus (pbuh), regardless of the Quranic story is complex and confusing. It gets more confusing the more you research it. Early Christians (and old gospels) had different theories on Jesus and the wisdom of his disappearance.

Jesus story in the Quran does not confirm or deny his death. Islamic philosophy on prophets is that they are all mortals and they all die. How did Jesus leave the earth is not a ‘faith matter’ in Islam. The Quran is concerned with the commandments and contextual wisdom of prophet’s stories but all interpretations cannot break the commandments.

When you say the Quran addresses people of the book because the prophet Mohamed (pbuh) was challenged by the people of the book at the time.

Benjamin,

Obviousley you never read the Quran.
Mary is the only woman mentioned by name in the Quran and have a full chapter on the virgin birth of Jesus (pbuh).The Quran describes people of the book, especially Christians with caring and loving words. God asked them ‘not to exagerrate’ their faith by taking a concept that questions their monotheism.

http://www.musliminsight.blogspot.com

Peace,

"Jesus story in the Quran does not confirm or deny his death"

Fellow_human, what do you think of the part of surah 4.157 which reads, "they did not kill him [Jesus/Isa] nor did they crucify him, but it appeared to them so (like Isa)"? This is at least a denial of the gospel account of Jesus death, even if it does not deny that he died in some other way.

Crusader,

It’s a little more complex than that. There are 33 references for Jesus story in the Holy Quran. The way Jesus died or was lifted up in the Quran is and remains a mystery. Ahmad Deedat, a Muslim scholar developed a theory that he (Jesus) maybe was on the cross but God lifted him up from there (‘and they did not slay him for certain’). The how, when and why Jesus left the earth is a reserved right to the creator.

None of the above is a faith related issue for Muslims. Jesus is clearly mentioned as the word of God, his messenger and spirit of mercy and tolerance and no Muslim is or should argue that because it is part of the faith. The Christian faith stretches it further into the son of God and Jesus is God type of beliefs which is inconsistent with the first commandment in the Torah. If the Torah prophesised the Trinity there should be no more Jewish people then.

Peace,

Somewhat belatedly, happy Saturnalia to you all, kids. Really. Just because my good wishes are historically accurate doesn't mean they're less genuine.