THE CORNERSTONE: JESUS OR MUHAMMAD

Our world is a global village in which we rub shoulders with people from different religious backgrounds. Unfortunately there are some people who can't tolerate those with a different point of view. Nevertheless, most people realise we must respect one another's religious convictions while at the same time having the freedom to express our beliefs and test them against other faiths.

We hear of Muslims becoming Christians and visa versa. If you are a Christian considering Islam as a viable religious alternative I urge you to consider a special claim that Jesus Christ made alongside a similar one made by Muhammad. Both of these men claimed to fill a unique role in God's plan. Each claimed to be the true cornerstone, the key to saving mankind.

Muhammad stakes his claim to this title as follows; "Abu Hurairah narrated: Allah's messenger (pbuh) said, My similitude, in comparison with the other Prophets before me, is that of a man who has built a house nicely and beautifully, except for a place of one brick in a corner. The people go round about it and wonder at its beauty, but say: `Would that this brick be put in its place!' So I am that brick, and I am the last of the Prophets." (Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 4, Hadith No. 735)

In a similar way, many Muslims believe that Muhammad is the only person who will be able to intercede for people on the Day of Judgement. This exclusive role as mediator is in stark contrast to the Bible which says "there is one mediator between man and God, the man Christ Jesus." (1 Tim. 2:5)

Islam presents Muhammad as the pivotal person and seal of revelation to mankind but the Bible claims Jesus is the "cornerstone" and focal point of prophecy. Jesus said, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone." (Luke 20:17) Scripture says Jesus Christ is "the chief cornerstone" and elsewhere it is written about the Messiah, "See I lay in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." (Eph 2:20; 1 Pet 2:6-8).

Prophecies about the `cornerstone' and `capstone' portray this person as a Rescuer or Saviour. This is clear in Psalm 118:21. The psalmist acknowledges the "Lord is my salvation" and then adds, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone." This connection between `capstone' and `salvation' is seen in another scripture, "Christ is ... the stone you builders rejected which has become the capstone. Salvation is found in no one else ... for there is no other name by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:11-12).

The two phrases "no one else" and "no other name" confirm that this title belongs exclusively to one person. The two prefixes added to the word stone - `cap' and `corner' - do not imply different people. This is clear in 1 Peter 2:6&7. If we look at the role of a cornerstone in the construction of a house we see it fills a unique place that no ordinary stone can fill. The analogy shows it to be one of a kind. It is not possible, therefore, for Jesus and Muhammad to both be `the cornerstone'. Only one can be the true cornerstone. The other must have mistakenly been given this title or usurped it.

Rivalry and Debates

The rivalry generated by this belief has fuelled alienation and strife between Muslims and Christians over the centuries. It is acknowledged by many in both groups that a vital difference like this one, which strikes at core beliefs, can't have happened by coincidence. It is probably the work of a deceiver. Such a controversy will not be resolved by making dogmatic assertions. It requires mutual respect and patient dialogue as we listen to one another and express our heart felt convictions.

In a polarised situation like this one, our tendency is to immediately accuse the other side of being deceived by Satan. I doubt that this is the right place to start. Why can't we begin by recognising points where we agree - especially with regards to Jesus Christ. Perhaps exploring these will uncover some clues that can help us to distinguish truth from error.

Islam acknowledges that there are many features of Christ's life which make him an outstanding and 'exceptional' person. A Muslim scholar, M. Ali Merad has this to say;

"Prophet, Apostle of God, servant of God, these are titles which apply in the Qur'an to many other prophetic figures. But Christ is more than that. Everything in the Qur'an inclines us to represent him as being above the common condition of men ... an exceptional divine work, an exceptional messenger, favoured in all things by God, Christ witnesses to an exceptional divine concern. Through all that the Qur'an has to say about Jesus, we cannot fail to realise an unquestionable convergence: everything it gives leads to the declaration of Christ's surpassing greatness."¹

Jesus is Exceptional

Why does Merad repeatedly say Christ is "exceptional"? Islamic sources recognise some remarkable features in Christ's life which radiate a special aura of supernatural power. These include, the miraculous beginning of Christ's life, the angelic announcement, the virgin birth and the special name which was revealed through the angel (Surah 3.45).

Equally awesome are the miraculous healings Jesus performed. One of these miracles shows an exceptional display of power - raising the dead. The way Christ's earthly life came to a conclusion is also exceptional - he was raised up to God. Furthermore, he will return to earth as he himself predicted "with power and great glory" (Luke 21:27). Mr. Merad speaks of Christ's "surpassing greatness", so also did Jesus. He consistently claimed to be greater than the prophets, whereas Muhammad did not make such claims.

Jesus said he is greater than Solomon and Jonah.

"The Queen of the South will rise at the judgement with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgement with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here."

Jesus claimed to be greater than Abraham.

"I tell you the truth" Jesus said, "if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death."

At this, the Jews exclaimed, "Now we know that you are demon possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that if anyone keeps your word, he will never taste death. Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?" Jesus replied, "If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing ... Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad."

"You are not yet 50 years old," the Jews said to him, "and you have seen Abraham!"

"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born I am!" (John 8:51-58).

Jesus claimed to be greater than Moses.

John chapter 6 records a conversation between Jesus and the Jews about bread, because they had seen him miraculously multiply five loaves and two fish. The Jews commented to Jesus how Moses brought manna to the Israelites. Jesus replied by emphasising that it is God "who gives the true bread from heaven". He went on to explain that he himself is "the bread of God that gives life to the world." Jesus made it clear he is greater than Moses, saying, "Your fathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died but here is the bread that comes down from heaven which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that comes down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread he will live forever." (John 6:26-51)

Jesus claimed to be greater than John the Baptist (Yahya).

Jesus said, "John was a lamp that burned and gave light and you chose for a time to enjoy his light. I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me. ... I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." (John 5:35-36, 8:12)

John the Baptist regarded Jesus as greater than himself, for he said that Jesus "is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie." (John 1:27).

Great, Greater ... Greatest?

Muhammad never claimed greatness like Jesus did. Indeed to the contrary, he denied anyone could be greater than Jonah.

In the Hadith we find two emphatic statements made by Muhammad: "Allah's apostle said, `Nobody has the right to be better than Jonah Bin Matta ...'" and again, "The prophet said, `He who says that I am better than Jonah Bin Matta tells a lie.'" (Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 6, Hadith 328,29)

If greatness can be gaged by comparing oneself with other prophets Jesus succeeded. When Jesus said he was greater than Jonah he was not lying, notwithstanding Muhammad's protestations to the contrary. But the crucial question is this, `Was Jesus the greatest?'

Was the Messiah the chief cornerstone? Was God really going to bring salvation through him? Did Jesus have a right to claim, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me"? Jesus also claimed to be "the First and the Last". Were these presumptuous statements? Did he claim what he no right to? Was Jesus usurping a title that was meant for Muhammad? [Muhammad claimed for himself the title "the Last"] (John 14:6; Rev 1:17).

The scriptures - before and after Christ - gave the title "cornerstone" to the Messiah. However, someone who is critical of the Bible might suppose that this title was cunningly inserted by Christians. It is impossible, however, for any Christian to have inserted it into the Old Testament. These scriptures were written before Christians came on the scene. Isaiah 28:16 (which ascribes this title to Messiah) has always been accepted by Jews as genuine. Furthermore, the entire book of Isaiah (as found in the Dead Sea Scrolls) has been shown conclusively to predate Jesus Christ.²

The title "cornerstone" is closely linked with God's plan to heal and save men. Acts chapter 3&4 tells of a paralysed man who was healed by the power of Jesus' name. The apostle Peter explains that this man was cured through faith in the name Jesus Christ and then capped his sermon with a significant Old Testament prophecy, "the stone you builders rejected has become the capstone." The idea of a capstone is linked with salvation as we see in the next sentence, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

Muslims and Christians know the value of choosing appropriate names. We have books listing names and their meanings, which help us in selecting names for babies. The Qur'an and the Bible describe how baby Jesus received a special name from God. (Surah 3:45; Luke 2) This remarkable event is worth pondering.

Perhaps you are one who has accepted a name change because of converting to Islam. Let me speak very personally with you. I find it amazing that you regard Islam as the most enlightened and perfected form of religion yet the Qur'an gives Muslims no explanation why Allah chose to reveal the name Jesus. The Muslim scripture admits the name Jesus (Isa) was given by God but it doesn't explain the meaning of this special name. The Bible, on the other hand, makes it clear. It explains that "you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)

The name Jesus is seen to be all the more meaningful when we see how it fits hand in glove with what the prophets predicted. They prophesied that the Messiah would bring God's salvation. The prophet Isaiah foretold that Messiah will "bring salvation to the ends of the earth". (Isaiah 49:6 see also Zechariah 9:9-10) In light of this, it is not surprising to find that the name Jesus means "God's salvation" (or `the Lord saves'). It seems wise and fitting that God should imprint His purpose on the life of Messiah at the time of his birth by giving him a name which confirms that purpose.

Others foresaw that Messiah would bring salvation, but what about Jesus himself? Did he regard himself as Saviour? We can answer this with an emphatic "yes". We read in Luke 19 how Jesus encountered a notorious swindler named Zacchaeus. Christ's influence caused this man to confess his sin publicly and turn his life completely around. In the face of this resounding transformation Christ's words have a profound ring of truth, "The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." (Luke 19:10) On another occasion Jesus said that he "did not come to judge the world but to save it." (John 12:47, also John 4:42) We see, in conclusion, that the name Jesus makes perfect sense and it also fits the metaphor we've been painting regarding the cornerstone.

We have carefully pieced together a mosaic of various truths - all of which point to Jesus as the focal point of God's saving work. If he is the Saviour of the world why are you turning to Islam for salvation?

The Messiah is someone you can put your full confidence in. His life isn't blemished or stained in any way by sin. You can be confident of his intercession and mediation for you. Jesus never sinned (not even once) so he doesn't need to request God for the forgiveness of his own sins.

Muhammad, on the other hand, is not sinless. The Qur'an says he needs to be forgiven for his own sins (Surah 47.19). How can you rely on such a person when you know there's a true Saviour - one who has withstood every test and temptation of the devil? God assures you, "See I lay in Zion a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed." (Isaiah 28:16)

Compulsion and Persecution?

It is not easy to change one's allegiance. There are many pressures that fellow Muslims can use to `influence' their brothers to stay in Islam. On one occasion I was in the home of a Muslim who showed strong interest in Christ. A senior member of the family vented their fury, threatening to kill him if he should convert to Christianity.

In Islamic nations it is not uncommon to hear of Christians being martyred because they actively introduce Muslims to the Messiah. There are, however, a few Muslims who don't use force to prevent their brothers from converting to Christ. The Qur'an says, "Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out Clear from Error." (Surah 2.256)

The Qur'an seems to say that the wisest way to ensure Muslims stay loyal to Islam is not by threatening them with death but by reasoning with them and showing them how "truth stands out clear from error". If one resorts to compulsion and force to keep Muslims in the ummah it only discredits Islam.

Are you fearful of possible repercussions if you should turn to Christ? I could offer some encouragement by saying that your fellow Muslims should respect your right to think through the issues and come to your own conclusion. Unfortunately, what should happen and what actually happens are often quite different.

The strongest and most effective encouragement I can offer you comes from Christ himself. He experienced hatred and persecution from the Jews and he knew they would also mistreat his followers so he instructed his followers to brace themselves.

He alerted them to what would happen, saying, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you ... I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart I have overcome the world."⁴ (John 15:18-19, 16:33) It is also very encouraging to remind ourselves that Jesus is "a tested stone ... a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed".

Realising what you know now, you stand at the brink of eternity. You feel drawn to the Saviour, however, you also feel fear holding you back. You can accept or reject Jesus as the cornerstone of salvation. A wrong conclusion will lead to a horrifying consequence throughout eternity. While you are weighing this decision in the balance, listen to this warning.

Christ claimed to be "the capstone" in verse 17 of Luke chapter 20. The very next words of Jesus read as follows, "Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed." I urge you to ponder a question from Hebrews 2:3 "how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?"

Your questions or feedback are most welcome — contact the author.

Articles by Roland Clarke
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