LiverpoolFanatic
27 Mar 2006, 09:50 PM
I know that Muslims believe Jesus was a teacher. Do they believe in his parables? ie The reap what you sow parable.
Is there a passage in the Koran that parallels the New Testament pasasage, and therefore parallels the karma idea of eastern religions?
Thanks in advance. If anyone knows the passage and can quote it, that would be great.
Sapphire
30 Mar 2006, 01:33 AM
Since no one else has answered you, I will try, although my knowledge is limited, and perhaps other posters will be able to amend or correct me.
My understanding is that muslims recognize Jesus as one of the prophets of God (others are Moses, Abraham, David -- there are many mentioned by name in the Qur'an and others in muslim tradition). Significantly, in Islam, Muhammad is believed to be the final prophet; and, Jesus is not divine, the son of God, or resurrected, although he performs miracles and serves as a prophet of God.
The Qur'an specifically talks about Jesus being given revelations by God, here and in other places:
"When Isa (Jesus) came with Clear Signs, he said: 'Now I have come to you with Wisdom, and in order to make clear to you some of the points on which you dispute. Therefore, fear God and obey me. God, He is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him -- this is a Straight Way.' But sects from among themselves fell into disagreement. . . " (Qur'an 43:63-65)
One problem is that mainstream muslim theology rejects current versions of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament as the word of God. The books were given to the people from God, but then corrupted over time, as the words and books were literally changed -- through translation, addition and omission, through political agenda of the church, etc. So, in muslim belief, Jesus had valid messages for people from God, but they don't survive to the modern day, and further the Qur'an doesn't recount them.
So, if there is a "reap what you sow" idea in the Qur'an, it doesn't come from Jesus per se. Here are a couple of quotes from the Qur'an that might address this sort of karmic idea separate from the idea of Jesus:
"Mischief has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned, that Allah may give them a taste of some of their deeds: in order that they may turn back [from evil]." (Qur'an, 30:41)
"No soul bears the sins of another soul. Every human being is responsible for his own works." (Qur'an, 53:38-39)
Say, "You are not responsible for our crimes, nor are we responsible for what you do." (Qur'an, 34:25)
Hope this helps you out a bit.