Jesus is a prophet, not God
“Respecting someone is not by saying they become God.”
Islam honors Jesus as a mighty messenger and miracle-born prophet who taught monotheism, announced Muhammad, and will return, so Muslims should correct misconceptions while embodying his compassion and justice.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Introduces Jesus’ life under Roman occupation and his concern for oppressed people and Al-Aqsa.
- Presents the Quranic correction that Jesus is Allah’s messenger, not divine or part of a Trinity.
- Explains Jesus’ miracles and mission to restore monotheism, spirituality, compassion, and integrity.
- Describes Jesus’ opposition to injustice, clerical corruption, legal loopholes, and sectarian division.
- Connects Jesus to Muhammad through prophecy, his protection from crucifixion, and his future return as a just ruler.
- Urges Muslims to honor Jesus and recognize shared roots with sincere Christians, illustrated by Najashi’s response.
In the khateeb's words
“That every single miracle he performed was in fact from the glory of Allah and His permission.”
“But sometimes the trick of the shaitan is to get you so much into the details by the book. that you begin to lose your compassion.”
“The greatest role of Isa alayhis salaam was actually to herald the coming of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.”
“Respecting someone is not by saying they become God. This is actually insulting them. Because Allah SWT says He is only one God.”
For the dinner table
The khutbah teaches that Muslims deeply honor Jesus, or Isa, as a prophet and messenger of the one God, not as God Himself. It describes his miraculous birth, speech as a baby, healing, and call to sincere worship, compassion, and justice. Jesus also prepared people for the coming of Prophet Muhammad, and Islamic teachings say he will return as a just follower of Muhammad. The speaker encourages Muslims to learn and speak about Jesus respectfully, especially when Christmas brings the subject close. He also reminds us to reject religious arrogance and legal loopholes, care for suffering people, and recognize goodness and shared roots among sincere Christians.
- What does it mean to respect Jesus without worshipping him?
- How can we keep religious rules from making us less compassionate?
- What can we learn from the Christian king who welcomed the early Muslims?
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