Christians, aren't you at all interested to read the Qur'an and see what it says about Jesus, Mary etc.?

Question

The Qur'an mentions Mary more than the Bible does. There is also a lot about Jesus. Are you not at all interested to read any of it? Here is some:

'And (remember) when the angels said: "O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allah has chosen you, purified you (from polytheism and disbelief), and chosen you above the women of the 'Alamin (mankind and jinns) (of her lifetime)."

'O Mary! "Submit yourself with obedience to your Lord (Allah, by worshipping none but Him Alone) and prostrate yourself, and Irka'i (bow down etc.) along with Ar-Raki'un (those who bow down etc.)."

'This is a part of the news of the Ghaib (unseen, i.e. the news of the past nations of which you have no knowledge) which We inspire you with (O Muhammad SAW). You were not with them, when they cast lots with their pens as to which of them should be charged with the care of Maryam (Mary); nor were you with them when they disputed.'

'(Remember) when the angels said: "O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allah gives you the glad tidings of a Word ["Be!" - and he was! i.e. 'Iesa (Jesus) the son of Maryam (Mary)] from Him, his name will be the Messiah 'Iesa (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary), held in honour in this world and in the Hereafter, and will be one of those who are near to Allah." (Qur'an 3:42-45)

Answer 1

No, not at all interested, because it denies Jesus and elevates Muhammad, whom I have no belief or trust in. Sorry.

Answer 2

I read a decent amount of the Qur'an in an Islam class I took once. Much of it is very beautiful, and hearing some of the surahs chanted was definitely one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard. As you point out, the Qur'an speaks very beautifully of Jesus and Mary (not to mention other major actors in the Christian drama), and Christians should certainly read these passages in order to further dialogue between themselves and our Muslim brothers and sisters.

However, if I want information about the historical figures of Jesus and Mary, I'm probably better off consulting the earliest texts we have that talk about them. The synoptic Gospels were written within a century of Jesus's death, almost a full 600 years before the Qur'an.

So, yeah, as a (Catholic) Christian, I am interested in what the Qur'an says about Mary and Jesus for the purposes of learning to live and - as far as possible - worship with Muslims. But I'm not interested in it for the purposes of historical information.

Answer 3

I'm familiar with it.

Comparing its handling of the crucifixion and contradiction of a variety of basic tenets of the Christian faith, the incompatibility of the two texts is quite apparent.

Considering the two I find the claim that the Qur'an restores the lost message of a corrupted bible unconvincing.
The "substitution" of Judas is a clumsy device in the extreme, to make an account conform to desired theological wishes.

There are, however, definte connections with gnostic thought found in Greek philosophy predating both the Qur'an and the gospels.

Answer 4

I already know more or less what it says, but it doesn't change my (Catholic Christian) beliefs. I don't think it would hurt anyone to read it though. And I also think it says something positive about the muslim faith to recognize the importance of Mary.

My experience with Islam is that it is a beautiful religion. I spent some time in Egypt, and was very impressed.

Answer 5

I don't think she needed purifying of polytheism. Unbelief about aspects of God's revelation affects everyone, to varying degrees. Mind you, it would be hard to not believe in basic reality of God if one had received angelic visitation like her.

There is 1000s times more information on Jesus in the gospels and epistles of course than Mohammed's book, written 550+ years later. He denies what Jesus claimed about Himself. "I came that you might have life, life in all its abundance."

Answer 6

I am reading the Qu'ran. Some Muslims believe Mary is part of the Trinity, some believe she is without sin. Mary was human, chosen by God. She was not a part of the trinity.

Answer 7

They choose to remain ignorant of the world around themselves.
Most of them have not even read the bible so there is no way they will read the Quran.
Muslims dont believe in a Trinity like the joker above me says.
They believe only in God.

Answer 8

I read it and did a comparison with the Bible. See http://www.bcbsr.com/topics/islam.html

Unlike with the miracles of Jesus, the Koran provides no affirm evidence, and furthermore contradicts itself by claiming Jesus as a prophet while rejecting what he says about himself and about salvation.

Answer 9

The Quran was written more than 500 years after the last Aposle (who knew Jesus and Mary personally) had died.

What factual information could be gleened that is not available from the Apostles and the early church fathers who knew the Apostles?

Answer 10

If I believed the Qu'ran was inspired by God I might be interested. It contradicts the inspired Word of God and I am not interested, per se, what it says about Jesus and Mary.
The Qu'ran, however, has influenced millions (wrongfully, I believe) and is an historical document of interest.

Answer 11

With all respect: I have read in the Quram until I came to the part where it speaks in Surah about Christians, Jewish and Idolaters must be killed. (or so in the like),