The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 140
Seal of the Prophets - Volume I 140 and might have had the opportunity to hear its teachings as well. Therefore, naturally the heart of Muḥammad sa may have developed impressions with respect to the merits and demerits of Christianity. However, it is definitely erroneous and baseless to deduce the notion that the prophethood and teachings of the Holy Prophet sa are a direct result of those impressions. Firstly, it cannot be firmly established that Muḥammad sa met any Christian prior to his prophethood in a manner that might have left very deep and permanent impressions on his nature. If hypothetically there was any influence upon the Prophet sa in regards to Christianity, it was, most definitely an unfavourable one. Every individual is well aware of the fact that the teachings brought by the Holy Prophet sa completely differ from Christianity on many fundamental issues. For example, at the present time the religion of Christianity is primarily based upon the doctrine of the divinity of Jesus as , trinity and atonement. However, even a child knows well that the Holy Qur’ān has expressed strong aversion to these three basic concepts. So much so that while alluding to the ‘supposed’ Godship and sonship of the Messiah, the words used are that, this doctrine is such that due to this belief the heavens and the earth should burst. 1 It is nothing more than a desperate and futile attempt to falsely associate the teachings of Islām with Christianity. The matter which remains is that the Holy Qur’ān has praised the Messiah. This fact does not serve as argumentation in support either. Firstly, the praise bestowed upon the Messiah is rendered whilst acknowledging him as a prophet and not the son of God nor God himself as the Christian faith asserts. Secondly, this praise is not exclusive to the Messiah alone. The Holy Qur’ān has praised all the prophets of the past and has declared them to be righteous and respectable personalities. As a matter of fact, the Holy Qur’ān has stressed the point that prophets of God were sent to every nation of the world. 2 By doing so, the Qur’ān has firmly established a sense of respect in the hearts of all Muslims for the saints of every nation. However, it is an apparent fact that the god-ship of the Messiah and other principles of Christianity have been firmly rejected by Islām. Moreover, the Messiah has not been given a rank higher than that of a man and a prophet who went through the days of his life and passed away, as did the prophets before him. Hence, the allegation that Islām was influenced by Christianity is absolutely false and futile. 1 Maryam (19:91) 2 Fāṭir (35:25)