“Glad Tidings” from Allah!
Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim
Assalamu’ Aleikum
Truly even one word from Allah would be glad tidings! How grateful people ought to be to receive anything from Allah. He is so merciful and kind to be concerned with mankind. The Honored Qur’an tells us that He sent us a “Word” from Himself; His name was Christ Jesus (Isa al-Masih).
“Behold! the angels said: ‘O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honour in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to Allah.’” Sura 3.45 Aal-E-Imran.
Surely these are indeed “glad tidings.” That the great Allah, Maker of the universe, would even stoop to communicate to fallen man is a wonder to consider! This could only be because of the deepest love and infinite pity that He has for each and every one of us! Allah is so concerned for us that in mercy He chose to send Someone who is held in honor— One nearest to Himself.
Sura 5.46 Al-Maeda continues the “glad tidings,” twice telling us that Jesus (Isa al-Masih Ibn Maryam) was sent from Allah to confirm the Law (Taurat ). It says Heaven also sent the Gospel (Injeel) to us through Jesus. “Therein is guidance and light.” Sura 5.48 Al-Maeda adds the fact that the Scripture (Bible) was “guarded.” Thus it appears that the Honored Qur’an is directing seekers of truth to the Word from Allah, the Bible Scriptures.
Nearest to Allah!
To this guidance and light I also point the reader. The Injeel says in Hebrews 1:3 that Isa al-Masih (Christ the Messiah) “is the express image of His [Allah’s] Person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power, …sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” How true that Isa al-Masih (Christ the Messiah), after living here on earth, sat down at the right hand of God [Allah] and is “nearest to Allah.” Sura 3.45 Aal-E-Imran. We are fallen, sinful beings. In our sinful condition we cannot see Allah and yet live. Nevertheless, we need to have an understanding of what Allah is like, in order to believe in Him and love Him. In the Injeel, John 1:18 tells us that “no man hath seen God [Allah] at any time.” It tells us that only Christ (Isa al-Masih), “which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” Mortals cannot look upon Allah in His glory and live, yet Allah in His Mercy sent One who was “in the bosom” of Himself and who is closest to Himself. He was sent as the “express image” of the character of Allah.
How privileged we are to be able to see for ourselves what Allah is like. In the life of Isa al-Masih we may behold the kindness and compassion of Allah’s love towards humanity expressed most fully. Isa’s own words in the Injeel were, “If ye have seen me, ye have seen the Father.” John 14:9. We can understand what Allah is like from the life of Isa al-Masih.
A Remarkable Man
Is it any wonder that the Honored Qur’an has in itself more than 90 ayats which speak directly about Isa (Christ the Messiah)? Fifteen suras in the Honored Qur’an also speak of Him. It appears that Mohammed must have been directed as to the importance of understanding who Isa al-Masih (Christ) is, or he would not have spoken of Him in so many suras in the Honored Qur’an. We should be considered most blessed if we spend time to become acquainted with this remarkable Man, whose life is recorded in the Injeel (Gospel). There we may read how Isa al-Masih went about healing diseases and sickness of every sort. Even those with dreadful leprosy were made whole. He healed old and young-- men, women and children. The blind received sight; the deaf were made to hear again; and the crippled were given ability to walk. The dead were even brought back to life. What rejoicing this caused among men of that day! As Isa al-Masih walked the dusty paths of village after village, His compassion for fallen man was clearly seen. As He said, He had come to reveal what Allah is like. In Isa al-Masih (Christ the Messiah) we see a picture of Allah which had never before been revealed in such depth. The Honored Qur’an continues to tell us that those who follow Christ (Isa al-Masih Ibn Maryam), Allah will make “superior to those who reject faith.” Sura 3.55 Aal-E-Imran.
Friends, is it not important then to research into the life of this Man sent by Allah? If the Honored Qur’an says that those who follow Isa al-Masih will be made “superior to those who reject faith,” then it is most proper for us to know about Isa (Christ Jesus) and also be a follower of Him.
With assurance, the Honored Qur’an states that those who are the disciples (followers) of Isa (Christ the Messiah), helpers of Allah, would be called “Muslims.” Sura 3.52 Aal-E-Imran. We all know that a “Muslim” is someone who is surrendered and submitted to Allah. This submission is to be without question or reservation on our part. This submission must also be to the Word (Isa al-Masih) sent to us from Allah. If you recall, Sura 3.45 Aal-E-Imran tells us that Allah sent “a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus.” Allah, the Holy One, would not have done all that was necessary to send His Word to us in the person and life of Isa al-Masih if it were not important for us to receive Him.
Suppose you should be so honored that the king of a country sends a representative of himself to you—someone who is very near the king. When this representative arrives and seeks to speak with you, what would happen if you should ignore this individual? Would it not terribly insult the king? Listen, dear friend of Allah. In a similar way, the God of Heaven and earth has indeed sent His Word to us, in the form of Isa-al Masih (Christ Jesus). He was not just any person. The Word (Isa al-Masih) is nearest to Allah and comes from the “bosom” or “heart” of the Father (Allah). We must pay special attention to Someone so important, so loved by the Father, and from the very heart of Allah, or we will be found to have greatly insulted Allah.
Allah Himself Has Instructed Man
When Isa-al Masih was baptized at the river Jordan as an example for us, the Scriptures tell us “and lo, a voice from heaven”—the voice of Allah Himself-- was heard, saying “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Injeel) Matthew 3:17. Some years later, Allah again spoke to mortal man about Isa al-Masih. “A voice out of the cloud” said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” Matthew 17:5. Those last three words—“hear ye him”-- how important that we listen to what Allah has said to us through Isa al-Masih!
The Gospel (Injeel), which the Honored Qur’an in Sura 3.3 Aal-E-Imran says was sent down from Allah, contains passages of Scripture which repeat some of the same thoughts as found in Sura 3.45 Aal-E-Imran. That sura speaks of Isa al-Masih (Christ the Messiah) as “the Word from Allah.” Notice what it is says in Injeel John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God [Allah], and the Word was God [Allah].” The verse continues, telling us that “the Word was made flesh and dwelt [lived] among us” (verse 14). It is this Word who showed us what Allah is really like. He was clothed in human flesh, His divinity hidden, so that we could see and have a better understanding of the character of Allah and the principles of the kingdom of heaven.
Isa al-Masih is not a physical son from Allah, as men today have children. No, no, for that could not be. Yet for the Word to dwell among men, He had to become one with them. Therefore, He was born of a virgin, who had never known or been touched by a man. Remember, nothing is too difficult for Allah! He can simply speak and it appears. Read again Sura 3.46 Aal-E-Imran: Zabur Psalms tells us, “For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.” Allah needs only to speak, and it comes to pass. There is power in His Word.
God’s (Allah’s) Son?
You may have heard someone being called a “son of the road.” Does the road have a son? No, of course not. That saying refers to a person who is a traveler. So do not be discouraged when you hear the phrase “Christ, the Son of God.” It does not mean that God (Allah) had a son in the way humans conceive and bear children, for this cannot be. Rather, Allah inspired the writers of the Scriptures to use the word “Son” to convey to humans, in a way humans could understand, the close relationship that exists between the “Son” and Allah, the Father. Therefore, it is through Isa (Christ), living in human form here on earth, that Allah’s character has been revealed the best. No one could possibly represent Allah better than One so close to Him. And the clearest and best way for Allah to communicate to mankind is through Someone who is like us! Therefore He sent Isa al-Masih ibn Maryam, the Word from Allah. “Hear ye Him.”
The Burning Bush
Dear friend, do not think for a moment that Allah is limited and cannot do this. Remember the story of Moses and the bush that burned, yet the bush was not consumed? Allah spoke to Moses from the fire:
“But when he [Moses] came to the (Fire), a voice was heard from the right bank of the valley, from a tree in hallowed ground: ‘O Moses! Verily I am Allah, the Lord of the Worlds....’” Sura 28.30 Al-Qasas. If Allah can come in the form of a bush on fire, can He not also come in the form of man and reveal Himself to us and speak to us? Most assuredly, nothing is too difficult for Allah!
May Allah bless you abundantly as you seek to do His will and as you choose to submit to what He has revealed to you. Truly the Word from Allah in Christ the Messiah is “glad tidings.” “Hear ye Him!”
Before opening the pages of the Holy Books, always ask Allah to teach you the correct understanding as you read. Allah blesses those who sincerely are learners and seekers for righteousness. Jeremiah 29:13 says, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Those who seek Allah must seek with all the heart.
“O ye who believe! seek help with patient Perseverance and Prayer; for Allah is with those who patiently persevere.” Sura 2.153 Al-Baqara.
Text Copied from DivineIslam's Qur'an Viewer software v2.913. Bible Texts from the King James Version.
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“Glad Tidings from
Allah”
Sura 3.45
Aal-E-Imran
R. M. Harnisch
Series no. 03