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Christians’ belief in ‘Eesaa (Jesus), may Allaah exalt his mention

Question

I heard a Christian saying that Prophet ‘Eesaa (Jesus), may Allaah exalt his mention, is in a middle state between Prophethood and Divinity. Will you please elaborate on this? Is this acceptable [as a principle] to Christians?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Him, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him pointed out that Christians have varied and contradictory understandings of ‘Eesaa  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention. Instead of holding reasonable, unanimous and authoritative opinions on this matter, they are divided into different deviant sects, each stigmatizing the other with disbelief. Their opinions are extremely muddled, so much so that if ten Christians meet, they would express as many opinions. This is because the doctrine of Trinity and pantheism, as stated in their scriptures, has no mention in the Books their Prophets came with.

Ibn Taymiyyah  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him explained their views, but did not refer to the one you mentioned, dear brother. Therefore, it may not be an acceptable belief to them, because the majority upholds the divinity of ‘Eesaa  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention even if they posit different opinions about its exact nature.

Praise be to Allaah The Almighty, Who has guided us [Muslims] to the truth and He indeed guides whomever He wills to the straight path. Our creed in ‘Eesaa  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention and the other Prophets is clear. We believe all of them are Messengers of Allaah The Almighty, Whom He sent to preach the message and educate people, beyond the excuse of ignorance or doubt.

Allaah Knows best.

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