Skip to main content

What is Islam? What Muslims believe about Jesus and how to share the gospel

Nervous about talking with a Muslim friend about Jesus? Maybe you worry that you don't know enough about Islam, or that you'll say something offensive. You don't need to be an expert on Islam to have a meaningful conversation - you just need to understand the basics, listen well, and point to Jesus with love.

Islam is a monotheistic religion that began in 7th century Arabia through the preaching of Muhammad, whom Muslims regard as God's final prophet. Muslims believe in one God, angels, prophets, divine revelation, a final resurrection and judgment, and eternal life, but reject the Christian doctrines of the Trinity and the deity of Jesus. Islam teaches that Jesus was a prophet, but not God incarnate or the Son of God.

For the Christian talking to a Muslim, the deeper question to generally ask is "Who is Jesus really - a human prophet sent by God, or God the Son who became man, died for our sins and rose again?"

This page explains what Muslims believe about God, Muhammad, the Quran and Jesus, then gives you practical guidance, questions to ask, and gentle answers to common objections.

Key facts​

Muhammad was born in Mecca around 570 AD into the Quraysh tribe, specifically the Banu Hashim clan. At the time, Mecca was an important religious and commercial center in a predominantly polytheistic Arabian environment, with the Kaaba associated with the worship of numerous Arabian deities. Muhammad was orphaned at a young age and was subsequently cared for by his paternal uncle, Abu Talib.

Muhammad is regarded by Muslims as the final prophet. His authority is foundational to Islamic belief because accepting his prophetic status is part of the Shahada.

Please see the appendix section for the Muhammad's life and revelation

Overview​

History​

Islam is a monotheistic Abrahamic religion that arose in seventh-century Arabia through the preaching of Muhammad (c. 613 AD onwards), whom Muslims regard as God's final prophet. According to Islamic tradition, Muhammad began receiving revelations from a spirit around 610 AD, which were eventually collected into the Quran, Islam's central and authoritative scripture. Also see the appendix section on the history and origins of the Quran as well as how the final text version was created.

Islam developed in a religious environment that included Arabian polytheism, Judaism and Christianity. Muhammad preached the worship of one God, calling people to abandon idolatry and submit themselves to God. The early Muslim community was established in Mecca and later grew significantly after Muhammad's migration to Medina in AD 622, an event known as the Hijra that marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar.

After Muhammad's death, Islam spread rapidly throughout the Middle East and beyond. Muslim communities and political states developed across the Middle East, North Africa, Persia, Central Asia and eventually parts of Europe and South and Southeast Asia. Over subsequent centuries, Islamic scholars developed extensive traditions of theology, law, philosophy and Quranic interpretation.

What do Muslims believe?​

Islam is fundamentally monotheistic, teaching that there is one God, known in Arabic as Allah. A central Islamic doctrine is tawhid - the absolute oneness and uniqueness of God. God is understood as the creator, sustainer and judge of all creation and as perfectly powerful, wise and merciful.

Muslims believe that God has revealed his will through a succession of prophets and messengers. These include figures also found in the Bible, such as Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David and Jesus (Isa). Muslims regard Muhammad as the final prophet, and the Quran as God's final and authoritative revelation. Submission to Allah means obedience to all of Muhammad's decisions i.e., all of the Hadith as well as the Quran.

Islamic religious practice is commonly summarized through the Five Pillars:

  1. Shahada - Confessing that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is Allah's messenger. It must be held till death, and repudiation nullifies any hope of salvation.
  2. Salah - Performing the five daily prayers facing Mecca, preceded by ceremonial washing.
  3. Zakat - Giving prescribed charitable contributions to the poor to purify remaining wealth.
  4. Sawm - Fasting during the lunar month of Ramadan - to remember the Quran being given to Muhammad. Feasting is permitted when the sun is down.
  5. Hajj - Making the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once if physically and financially able. Part of this is a walk around the Kabbah (shrine of the black rock) seven times.

Islam places strong emphasis on submission to Allah, obedience, prayer, charity, repentance and righteous conduct. The Quran and the Sunnah - the traditions concerning Muhammad's words and example provide the primary foundations for Islamic belief and practice, while Islamic scholars have developed systems of law and interpretation from these sources.

Jesus (Isa) occupies an important place in Islam. Muslims believe that Jesus was born miraculously to Mary (Maryam), performed miracles by God's permission and was a major prophet and messenger. However, Islam does not regard Jesus as divine or as the Son of God.

Muslims believe that human beings will ultimately be resurrected and judged by God. Salvation is associated with faith in God, obedience and righteous deeds in accordance with the Five Pillars, while God's mercy remains essential. Islamic understandings of judgment, salvation and the afterlife vary in detail between traditions and schools of thought.

What attracts people to Islam?​

Islam offers a clear vision of life centered on one god i.e., Allah, submission, worship, moral responsibility and community. It provides a comprehensive framework intended to shape not only private belief but also daily habits, family life, ethics, charity and community relationships.

People may be drawn to Islam because of its strong emphasis on Allah, disciplined religious practice and a clear sense of purpose. The regular rhythm of prayer, fasting, charity and worship can provide structure and a strong awareness of god in everyday life.

Others may be attracted by the strong sense of community and belonging found in Muslim life. Shared practices such as Ramadan, Friday prayers, Eid celebrations and pilgrimage create a strong communal identity that connects Muslims across different cultures and countries.

Islam can also appeal to people seeking a faith that combines spirituality with practical obedience. Its emphasis on prayer, generosity, modesty, family responsibility, self-discipline and care for others gives religious belief a direct expression in everyday life.

Sharing the Gospel with Muslims​

These beliefs provide natural starting points for Gospel conversations with Muslims. Christianity and Islam share some important vocabulary and beliefs about God, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, prayer, morality and judgment, but they understand these things very differently.

The goal is not to attack Muhammad, insult Islam, or win an argument, but instead it is to lovingly point people to Jesus.

Start by listening. Ask what the person actually believes rather than assuming every Muslim believes exactly the same thing. Muslims come from many different cultures and traditions, and their personal understanding of Islam can vary considerably.

Remember: this is a guide, not a script. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide the conversation.

Have a conversation, not a presentation. Be respectful, patient and willing to listen. Speak the truth, but speak it in love.

Start with their personal story​

A simple conversation about faith can begin with genuine curiosity:

"Can I ask you about your faith?"

"How did you become a Muslim?"

"What do you believe about God?"

"What do you believe about Jesus?"

"What do you find most meaningful about Islam?"

"Is there anything about Islam that you find difficult?"

"What do you think Christians misunderstand about Islam?"

Listen carefully. Don't immediately correct everything they say. You may discover that what they personally believe is quite different from what you expected.

A helpful principle is to ask → listen → clarify → respond.

For example:

"When you say Jesus was a prophet, what do you mean by that?"

This gives them an opportunity to explain their own position before you respond.

Start with Jesus​

Jesus is one of the most natural bridges between Christianity and Islam. Muslims generally honor Jesus (Isa) as a great prophet. They also believe in His miraculous birth and His miracles. This gives Christians an opportunity to begin with something they already have in common.

You might ask:

"What do you believe about Jesus?"

"Who was Jesus?"

"Why do you think Jesus is called the Messiah?"

"What do you think Jesus came to do?"

"What do you think Jesus taught about Himself?"

Then listen. The conversation can gradually move from what Islam says about Jesus to what Jesus Himself said and what His earliest followers testified about Him.

"Would you be willing to look at what the earliest Christians actually believed about Jesus?"

This is an important distinction. Rather than simply saying, "The Quran is wrong," which makes them defensive, it is far better that they examine the Scripture and let it speak to their hearts.

What do Muslims believe about Jesus?​

The decisive difference between Christianity and Islam is not simply that Christians and Muslims have different religious practices. It is who Jesus is. Islam honors Jesus as a prophet but rejects His deity and His divine Sonship.

Muslims believe that prophets cannot lie (Quran 53:3–4, Quran 69:44–46, Quran 10:15), so this gives you an open door. Start by asking:

"According to the Quran, are prophets allowed to lie?"

Then listen. John begins his Gospel by saying, "The Word was God" (Joh 1:1)

And then, "The Word became flesh" (Joh 1:14)

You could ask:

"If Jesus is only a prophet, how do you understand the things He said and did?"

"Why does John describe Jesus as the Word who was with God and was God?"

"Why did Jesus allow people to worship Him?"

"Why did Jesus forgive sins?"

"Who do you think Jesus believed He was? More so because prophets cannot lie"

For more on this topic also see Did Jesus claim to be God or was He just a prophet?

The goal is not to overwhelm someone with verses. Take one passage at a time and allow the person to think about what it actually says.

The earliest testimony about Jesus​

This is where the conversation can become historical rather than merely theological. The New Testament documents were written by the earliest followers of Jesus and preserve their testimony about His life, death and resurrection. Christianity stands or falls on what happened to Jesus.

You can ask:

"What do you think the earliest Christians believed happened to Jesus?"

"Do you think the first Christians believed Jesus actually died?"

"If the earliest Christians believed Jesus was crucified, what evidence would we need to overturn their testimony?"

This leads naturally to the central question:

"Why should we believe a revelation that appeared centuries later if it contradicts the testimony of the people who knew Jesus and the earliest Christian communities?"

This is not an attack on Muhammad personally. It is a historical question about competing claims of revelation. Muslims claim the bible has been corrupted, but had this been the case in the 7th century (almost 600+ years after the eyewitness accounts, the Roman testimony, the Greek testimony of Jesus and so on.), Allah didn't know anything about it nor is it written in the Quran. The Quran affirms the Gospel, the Tanakh, the books of he prophets as true and a previous revelation from God.

Quran 5:47 - One verse from the Quran, every Christian needs to know

There is no evidence that the Biblical claims are incorrect. The Quran in fact says:

"So let the people of the Gospel (Christians) judge by what Allah has revealed in it. And those who do not judge by what Allah has revealed are truly the rebellious" (Quran 5:47) i.e., we as Christians ought to know the Gospel and what it says about anything contradictory.

Do Muslims believe Jesus died on the cross?​

The crucifixion is one of the most important differences between Christianity and Islam.

Quran 4:157 - Another verse from the Quran, every Christian needs to know
وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ وَمَا صَلَبُوهُ وَلَٰكِن شُبِّهَ لَهُمْ

Wa mā qatalūhu wa mā ṣalabūhu wa lakin shubbiha lahum

"And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, **but it was made to resemble [another] for them.**"

Islam therefore rejects the Christian understanding that Jesus was crucified and died on the cross. Christianity teaches the opposite. Jesus really died. He died voluntarily for our sins. He was buried. He physically rose from the dead. This is not a secondary disagreement. The death and resurrection of Jesus are at the center of the Gospel.

You could ask:

"What do you believe happened to Jesus at the cross?"

"Why do you think the Quran denies the crucifixion?"

"What evidence do we have for what happened to Jesus?"

"Why would the earliest Christians proclaim Jesus' death if they knew it had not happened?"

"If Jesus really died and rose again, would that change your understanding of Him?"

The point is not to mock the Islamic explanation. Instead, invite the person to consider the evidence and compare the competing accounts.

The bigger issue here is how does one know what is real

The bigger problem here is that if one is to take this as truth, that would mean Allah did this deception intentionally, so how do we know that he is not doing that now or at any point in the future? If he did it once, it is possible he did it again.

This stands in stark contrast to the Bible where God is unchanging and His Word stands forever Isa 40:8, Mat 24:35, Psa 119:89, Jam 1:17, Heb 13:8, Num 23:19.

Do Muslims believe the Bible has been corrupted?​

Another important conversation concerns the Islamic claim that the earlier Scriptures have been corrupted. Be careful here. Muslims may mean different things by "corrupted." Rather than beginning with an accusation, ask:

"When you say the Bible was corrupted, what exactly do you mean? What is the evidence?"

"When do you believe the Bible was corrupted?"

"Do you believe the Gospel was already corrupted when Muhammad lived?"

This raises an important question about the Quran's relationship to the earlier Scriptures.

The Quran speaks positively about the Gospel and tells the people of the Gospel to judge according to what God revealed in it (Quran 5:47). You could therefore ask:

"If the Gospel had already been completely corrupted, why would the Quran tell Christians to judge by it?"

"What Gospel was the Quran referring to?"

"If the Gospel available in the seventh century was trustworthy enough to judge by, what happened to it?"

Then explain why this matters. If the Gospel available in the 1st century teaches that Jesus was crucified, died and rose again, then a later revelation denying those things has a serious historical problem.

At the core of it the question here is not simply, "Do you trust the Quran or the Bible?" but "Which revelation has the strongest historical claim to truth about Jesus?" What does the evidence say?

For more on this topic also see:

How to explain the Trinity to a Muslim​

The Trinity is another area where Christians and Muslims often misunderstand one another. Islam strongly emphasizes that God is one and rejects the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. Christians agree that there is only one God and not three. Rather, Christianity teaches that the one God eternally exists as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

It is important to begin by recognizing that Christianity does not reject Jewish monotheism. Judaism is monotheistic, and Christianity arose from that same Jewish context. The Christian claim is not that there are three gods, but that the one God revealed in the Scriptures has a complexity of personal distinction that is ultimately expressed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

An illustration through conversation​

Georges Houssney, How to Explain the Trinity to Muslims

The following section is adapted and substantially condensed from Georges Houssney, “How to Explain the Trinity to Muslims,” Biblical Missiology, June 14, 2011.

The section below has been reworked, condensed, and combined with additional biblical and theological material for teaching purposes.

Rather than beginning with complicated theological terminology, start with common ground:

"Did you know Christians do not believe in three gods?"

"Would you be willing to look at what the Bible actually teaches about the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?"

A useful starting point is the Shema:

"Where did the Shahada get the idea of one God from?"

That comes from the Shema: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one" Deuteronomy 6:4. The Ten Commandments likewise says, "You shall have no other gods before Me" Deuteronomy 5:7.

Jesus himself reaffirmed this same commitment to the one God. When asked about the greatest commandment, he pointed back to the Shema: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One" (Mar 12:28–31). He then summarized the commandments as loving God and loving one's neighbor. Ask:

Does "God is one" necessarily mean that God's existence cannot involve any distinction of persons?

That is where the discussion can move from a general statement about monotheism to the question of what the biblical Scriptures actually reveal about God's identity. You can then look at passages where Scripture simultaneously maintains God's uniqueness while presenting distinctions involving the Father, the Son, and the Spirit.

In an Islamic context, this can be particularly useful because the Quran speaks positively about previous revelations, including the Torah (Tawrat) and Gospel (Injil), and repeatedly presents the previous Scriptures as part of God's revealed history. Therefore, rather than immediately debating Christian theology, ask what the earlier Jewish Scriptures actually reveal about God's identity.

Then say:

"Christianity does not teach three Gods. We believe in one God. The question is how this one God has revealed himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."

Explain the difference between God and humanity. God is invisible and beyond our understanding, while we are physical and limited. Ask practically:

"If God wants to communicate with human beings, how can he do that?"

Muslims are well versed in this, so more than likely you will get a response of prophets or similar. So reply:

"God communicated through people such as Abraham, Moses, and the prophets. Consider Moses. God spoke to him through the burning bush and communicated in a way Moses could understand."

And:

"Hebrews 1:1–3 says that God spoke through the prophets, but ultimately spoke through his Son, who is "the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being."

That means Jesus is a greater revelation from God. God is invisible, but he has made himself known to us through Jesus.

Then say:

"The Scripture speaks of the Word who was with God, was God, and became flesh (Joh 1:1, Joh 1:14).

Analogy of our thoughts

Think about your own words. Before you speak, you have a thought in your mind. Your words make that invisible thought known to others.

In a limited way, this helps us understand how Christ, the Word, makes the invisible God known to us.

Then explain that we as humans are trying to understand heavenly realities with limited human minds. Jesus himself acknowledged this difficulty in John 3:12–13.

The sun as an illustration

Think about the sun. We cannot approach the sun itself, yet its light reaches us and allows us to experience its presence.

Jesus said in John 9:5, "I am the light of the world." The light comes from the sun and makes the sun's presence known to us. In a similar way, the Son makes the Father known to us.

And like the light, we experience heat from the sun - that gives us a limited picture of the Holy Spirit as God's presence and power at work.

God is simply beyond human understanding (1 Cor 2:14). Say:

"We can explain what Scripture teaches, but ultimately God must reveal himself to us. If you genuinely want to understand, ask Him to open your eyes."

In Matthew 16:13–17, Jesus asked his disciples who they believed he was. Peter answered, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' Jesus told him that this had not been revealed by man, but by the Father in heaven.

"If God revealed this truth to Peter, he can reveal it to you as well. Do you want to ask God to reveal Himself to you?"

Then listen and follow on where it leads.

How do Muslims believe they are saved?​

Christianity and Islam also have fundamentally different understandings of salvation. Islam places great emphasis on repentance, obedience, good works and God's mercy. Christianity teaches that we have all sinned and cannot make ourselves righteous before God. You could ask:

"Do you believe you have ever sinned against God?"

"What happens to our sins when we stand before God?"

"How do you know that God will forgive you?"

"Can you ever know with certainty that you have done enough?"

"If God is perfectly just, how can He simply overlook our sins?"

These questions should not be asked as traps. The goal is to understand how the person thinks forgiveness and justice work. Then explain the Christian hope:

"The amazing thing about Christianity is that I don't have to earn God's forgiveness. Jesus came to do for me what I could never do for myself."

Jesus lived without sin. Jesus died for sinners. Jesus rose from the dead. And Jesus offers forgiveness and reconciliation with God to those who repent and trust in Him.

For more on this topic also see Can good people go to heaven without Jesus?

Justice and mercy in God's character​

One of the most beautiful places to talk about the Gospel is the relationship between God's justice and mercy. Imagine a judge whose own law has been broken. If the judge simply ignores the crime, we would not call that justice. But what if the judge himself provided the payment required by the law?

Christianity says something even greater has happened. God does not simply pretend our sin never happened. At the cross, God deals with sin while extending mercy to sinners. You could ask:

"Do you think God is perfectly just?"

"Do you think God is perfectly merciful?"

"How can God be completely just and completely merciful at the same time?"

"What would it take for God to forgive our sins without simply ignoring justice?"

Then bring the conversation back to Jesus:

"That's why the cross is so important. Jesus didn't simply tell us to be better people. He came to deal with our sin."

The resurrection​

The resurrection is the heart of the Christian message. Paul says that if Christ has not been raised, Christian faith is empty (1 Cor 15:14). This gives Christians an opportunity to move beyond abstract arguments about religion.

Ask:

"What do you believe happened after Jesus died?"

"Do you believe Jesus physically rose from the dead?"

"Why do you think the first Christians were so convinced that Jesus had risen?"

"What would you expect the disciples to have done if they knew Jesus was still dead?"

"If Jesus really rose from the dead, what would that mean about who He is?"

For more on this topic also see:

Use this historical evidence from the Roman and Greek records. Hostile and neutral non-Christian historians such as Romans Tacitus and Josephus confirm this. Even skeptical scholars overwhelmingly accept Jesus' crucifixion as historical fact because the evidence is so strong.

The question ultimately becomes personal.

"If Jesus really died and rose again, what does that mean for you?"

Muhammad and prophetic authority​

If the conversation turns to Muhammad, keep the discussion respectful. You do not need to insult Muhammad or make personal attacks. Instead, ask how we can know that a later prophet truly spoke for God.

"How do you know Muhammad was a prophet of God?"

"What evidence convinced you?"

"How should we evaluate a later revelation that contradicts what the earliest followers of Jesus taught?"

"If Muhammad's teaching about Jesus contradicts the earliest Christian testimony, why should we believe Muhammad rather than the people who personally followed Jesus?"

This keeps the discussion focused on evidence and truth, rather than personalities.

The central question then is objective "How do we know that Muhammad was speaking for God when his teaching about Jesus contradicts the testimony of Jesus' earliest followers?"

When difficult passages come up​

Conversations about Islam can sometimes move into difficult passages concerning warfare, treatment of non-Muslims, women, apostasy or religious minorities. Discuss the actual text and its interpretation. For example, if Quran 9:29 comes up, "Fight those who do not believe in Allah and the Last Day, nor comply with what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden, nor embrace the religion of truth from among those who were given the Scripture, until they pay the tax, willingly submitting, fully humbled," you can ask:

"How do you understand this passage?"

"Who is it talking about?"

"How do different Muslim scholars understand it?"

Don't use suffering as a reason to hate Muslims. Christians should be able to condemn injustice while continuing to love Muslim people. The Gospel calls us to love our neighbor, including the person with whom we deeply disagree.

Keep the focus on Jesus​

It is easy for a conversation about Christianity and Islam to become a never-ending debate about secondary issues. You don't need to answer every objection immediately. If the conversation becomes:

"What about this verse?"

"What about that historical event?"

"What about Christians behaving badly?"

You can respectfully answer where appropriate, but eventually return to the central question:

"Those are important questions. But can we come back to Jesus for a moment?"

Then ask:

"Who do you believe Jesus was?"

"What do you believe happened to Him?"

"Why do you think His earliest followers believed He died and rose again?"

"If Jesus really is the Son of God, what would that mean for you?"

Christianity ultimately does not rest on Christians being better people than Muslims. It rests on Jesus Christ. He is the center of the Gospel.

A simple Gospel bridge​

If the conversation is going well, you can explain the Gospel simply:

"Can I tell you why Jesus is so important to me?"

Then:

"God created us to know Him. But we have all sinned and rebelled against God. We cannot make ourselves righteous by being good enough. Jesus came into the world, lived without sin, died for our sins on the cross, and physically rose from the dead. Because of what Jesus has done, God offers forgiveness and reconciliation to us as a gift. We respond by turning away from our sin and trusting in Jesus."

You could then ask:

"What do you think about that?"

And then stop and listen. You don't need to force a decision.

Give the person room to think, ask questions and respond honestly.

Questions to ask a Muslim​

About Islam​

  • How did you become a Muslim?
  • What convinced you that Islam is true?
  • What do you find most meaningful about Islam?
  • What do you believe about God?
  • Is there anything about Islam you struggle with?
  • What do you think Christians misunderstand about Islam?
  • What do you think Christianity gets right?

About God​

  • What is God like?
  • What does it mean for God to be just?
  • What does it mean for God to be merciful?
  • Can God forgive sin without compromising justice?
  • How can we know what God has revealed?

About Jesus​

  • Who do you believe Jesus was?
  • Why is Jesus called the Messiah?
  • What do you believe Jesus came to do?
  • Did Jesus claim to be more than a prophet?
  • Why did Jesus perform miracles?
  • Why did Jesus forgive sins?
  • Why do Christians worship Jesus?
  • What do you believe happened to Jesus?

About the crucifixion​

  • Do you believe Jesus was crucified?
  • If not, what do you believe happened?
  • What evidence do you think supports that view?
  • What did the earliest Christians believe happened?
  • Why would the earliest Christians proclaim the crucifixion if Jesus had not died?
  • If Jesus really died and rose again, would that change your understanding of Him?

About the Bible and Gospel​

  • When do you believe the Bible was corrupted?
  • What do you mean by "corrupted"?
  • Do you believe the Gospel was already corrupted in Muhammad's time?
  • What Gospel does the Quran refer to?
  • Why does the Quran tell the people of the Gospel to judge by it?
  • How should we evaluate two revelations that contradict each other?

About Muhammad​

  • What convinced you Muhammad was a prophet?
  • How do you know his revelation came from God?
  • What evidence would you expect for a genuine prophet?
  • How should we evaluate a later revelation?
  • What should we do when a later revelation contradicts an earlier one?
  • Why should we trust Muhammad's account of Jesus over the earliest Christian testimony?

About sin​

  • Do you believe human beings are sinful?
  • What happens to our sins before God?
  • How do you know God will forgive you?
  • Can you know that you have done enough?
  • Can good deeds remove guilt?
  • How can justice and mercy both be satisfied?

About salvation​

  • How do you know you will be accepted by God?
  • What gives you confidence about eternal life?
  • Is salvation something we earn?
  • What happens if we fail?
  • What does God's mercy mean to you?
  • If God offered forgiveness as a gift, would you want to receive it?

About the resurrection​

  • Do you believe Jesus physically rose from the dead?
  • What do you think happened to the disciples?
  • Why were the earliest Christians convinced Jesus had risen?
  • What would Jesus' resurrection prove if it really happened?
  • If Jesus rose from the dead, what would that mean about who He is?

About Jesus personally​

  • What do you think Jesus wants from you?
  • What do you think Jesus would say to you?
  • If Jesus really is the Son of God, would you follow Him?
  • If Jesus really died for your sins, what would that mean for you?
  • If Jesus really rose from the dead, what will you do with Him?
The most important question

"If Jesus really is who He claimed to be, would you be willing to follow Him?"

The Christian's goal is not to defeat a Muslim in an argument. It is to faithfully proclaim Christ. We can respect Muslims without agreeing with Islam. We can speak honestly about serious differences without insulting Muhammad or Muslims. And we can disagree deeply while still treating the person in front of us with dignity, patience and love.

The conversation should ultimately come back to Jesus:

  • Who is He?
  • What happened to Him?
  • Did He really die?
  • Did He really rise again?

And if He did:

"What does Jesus mean for you?"

Common questions and objections​

Keep these answers conversational rather than turning them into apologetics seminars. The aim is not to win an argument, but to listen, answer briefly and bring the conversation back to Jesus.

Christians believe in three gods​

The Trinity can sound like Christians believe in three gods, but that is not what Christians mean. Christianity teaches that there is one God, who eternally exists as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. You could ask "Did you know Christians don't believe there are three gods?"

Then explain simply "Christians believe there is one God, but the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are distinct persons who share the one divine nature." Refer to the section above for a detailed explanation and illustrations and then bring the conversation back to Jesus. You could ask "Would you be willing to look at the passages Christians use to understand the Trinity?," "What does the Bible teach about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit?," "Would you be willing to look at what Jesus says about His relationship with the Father?"

Jesus was only a prophet​

Muslims rightly honor Jesus as a prophet. Christianity agrees that Jesus was a prophet, but says He is far more than a prophet. John describes Jesus as the Word who was with God and was God, and then says that the Word became flesh (Joh 1:1, Joh 1:14).

You could ask "If Jesus was only a prophet, how do you explain the authority He claimed for Himself?" "Why did Jesus forgive sins?" "Why did people worship Jesus?" "Who do you think Jesus believed He was?" The question isn't whether Jesus was a prophet. The question is whether He was only a prophet.

Also see:

God cannot have a son​

When Muslims hear Christians call Jesus the "Son of God," they may understandably think Christians mean that God physically fathered a child. That's not what Christians mean. Jesus is not God's biological son. "Son of God" speaks about His unique relationship with the Father and His divine identity.

You could say "Christians don't believe God had a wife or physically fathered Jesus. When we call Jesus the Son of God, we're talking about who He is, not about physical reproduction." Then ask: "Would you be willing to look at what Jesus meant when He called God His Father?" The question is ultimately whether Jesus is truly divine, not whether God physically fathered a child.

The Bible has been corrupted​

This is one of the most important objections to handle carefully. Start by asking what the person means: _"When you say the Bible has been corrupted, what exactly do you mean,?" "When do you believe it was corrupted? and what is the evidence of that?"

You can then ask, "Do you believe the Gospel was already corrupted when Muhammad lived?" The Quran speaks of the Gospel and tells the people of the Gospel to judge according to what God revealed in it (Quran 5:47). "So if the Gospel had already been corrupted, why would the Quran tell Christians to judge by it?"

The conversation can then move toward the manuscripts and early Christian writings that preserve the New Testament text and, most importantly, what those early sources say about Jesus.

Also see:

The Trinity isn't in the Bible​

It is true that the word "Trinity" does not appear in the Bible. But Christians don't believe something simply because the word appears in the Bible. It is a summary of what Christians believe the Bible teaches about the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The Trinity can sound like Christians believe in three gods, but that is not what Christians mean. Christianity teaches that there is one God, who eternally exists as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. You could ask "Did you know Christians don't believe there are three gods?"

Then explain simply "Christians believe there is one God, but the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are distinct persons who share the one divine nature." Refer to the section above for a detailed explanation and illustrations and then bring the conversation back to Jesus. You could ask "Would you be willing to look at the passages Christians use to understand the Trinity?," "What does the Bible teach about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit?," "Would you be willing to look at what Jesus says about His relationship with the Father?"

Jesus prayed to God, so He can't be God​

This is a very natural question. Jesus' prayers demonstrate that He is genuinely human and that He has a real relationship with the Father. Christianity does not teach that Jesus is the Father. The Father and Son are distinct persons. You could say "I agree that Jesus prayed to the Father. Christians believe the Father and Son are distinct. But that doesn't answer the question of whether the Son is divine." Then ask: "If Jesus is God the Son who became human, would you expect Him to pray to the Father?"

The question then becomes what the whole New Testament says about Jesus, rather than isolating one passage.

If Jesus is God's Son, why does He say the Father is greater?​

Jesus says in John 14:28, "The Father is greater than I." This can sound difficult if we assume Christianity teaches that Jesus and the Father are the same person or that Jesus was never genuinely human. Christianity teaches neither. Jesus became genuinely human. During His earthly ministry He willingly humbled Himself and submitted to the Father. You could ask: "Could Jesus be speaking about His position in His earthly mission rather than saying He isn't divine?" Then look at the wider testimony of Scripture rather than building an entire doctrine around one verse. Don't answer one difficult verse with another difficult verse. Look at the whole picture of who Jesus is.

Why would God need to die?​

This objection often comes from misunderstanding what Christians mean by the cross. Christians don't believe God stopped existing, nor that the Father died. Jesus, the Son of God, genuinely experienced human death. The cross was not God being defeated. It was Jesus voluntarily giving His life for sinners. You could ask: "If God wanted to forgive sinners, do you think He could provide forgiveness while still dealing seriously with sin and justice?"

You can use actual illustrations as well. Imagine someone commits a serious crime and then says, "But I've done lots of good things too." A judge wouldn't say, "That's fine. The good things cancel out the crime." There is still a penalty to pay.

Then explain, "Christians believe that's what God did at the cross. Jesus willingly took our place and bore the consequences of sin." The cross therefore isn't a weakness in Christianity. It is at the center of God's love, justice and mercy.

Why would God need a sacrifice? Couldn't He just forgive?​

God certainly can forgive. The deeper question is what forgiveness means in relation to justice. If someone commits a serious crime, forgiveness does not make the crime cease to have happened. Someone still bears the cost. Christianity says that God does not simply ignore our sin. At the cross, God Himself provides the sacrifice. You could ask "If God is perfectly just, should He simply ignore evil?," "If God is perfectly merciful, how can He forgive sinners?"

Then explain "The Christian answer is the cross. God doesn't pretend our sin doesn't matter. Jesus bears the cost Himself so that God can be both just and merciful." This moves the conversation naturally toward the Gospel rather than merely debating religious rules.

Good people go to heaven​

Islam places considerable emphasis on faith, repentance, obedience and good works, so the conversation can easily become about whether someone is a "good person." Instead, ask: "How good is good enough?," "How do you know when you've done enough?," "What happens to the wrong things you've already done?"

Christianity teaches that none of us can stand before God claiming that our good deeds outweigh our sins. Paul writes "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23) The Gospel isn't "Try harder and maybe God will accept you." It is "You cannot save yourself, but Jesus can save you."

Good works matter deeply in Christianity, but they are the fruit of a changed life rather than the price we pay to purchase salvation.

Also see:

We worship the same God, so why argue?​

Christians and Muslims both speak about one Creator God, but they do not mean exactly the same thing by God. Christianity teaches that God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit and that Jesus is God incarnate. Islam rejects the Trinity and rejects the deity of Jesus. So it is possible to acknowledge genuine similarities while still recognizing that there are fundamental contradictions between the two faiths.

You could say "I agree that we both believe in one Creator God. But I don't think we believe exactly the same thing about who God is." Then bring it back to Jesus "The biggest question isn't whether Christians and Muslims use some of the same words. It's who Jesus actually is."

Also see:

Helpful Bible passages​

  • John 1:1–18 Useful when discussing the deity of Jesus, the Word becoming flesh and the identity of the Son of God.

  • John 5:17–23 Useful when discussing Jesus' relationship with the Father and His divine authority.

  • John 8:48–59 Useful when discussing Jesus' identity and His statement concerning Abraham.

  • John 10:27–39 Useful when discussing Jesus' relationship with the Father and His claim to divine identity.

  • John 14:6–11 Useful when discussing the uniqueness of Jesus and His relationship with the Father.

  • John 14:25–26 Useful when discussing the Holy Spirit.

  • Matthew 28:18–20 Useful when discussing Jesus' authority and the Father, Son and Holy Spirit together.

  • Romans 3:21–26 Useful when explaining sin, grace, justification and how God's justice and mercy meet in Christ.

  • Ephesians 2:8–10 Useful when explaining that salvation is God's gift while good works remain important in the Christian life.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:1–8 Useful when discussing the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus and the early Christian testimony.

  • 1 Peter 3:15–16 Useful as a reminder of how Christians should conduct apologetic conversations - with gentleness and respect.

A challenge for Christians​

Muslim conversations can expose some uncomfortable things in us - and this can be good.

A Muslim may take prayer seriously. A Muslim may be disciplined in fasting. A Muslim may have a strong desire to honor God. A Muslim may take morality, modesty, generosity and devotion seriously. But do we?

A Christian can know all the right answers about the Trinity and still not love God deeply.

A Christian can defend the deity of Jesus and still refuse to obey Jesus.

A Christian can argue that salvation is by grace and still treat other people with pride.

A Christian can talk about Jesus' command to love our enemies and still be unwilling to forgive someone who has hurt them.

Would someone who watched my life see the character of Christ? Jesus didn't call us merely to win arguments about Him. He called us to follow Him. "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another" (Joh 13:35)

Appendix​

The life of Muhammad: Early years, timeline, and revelations​

Muhammad's life unfolded across three interconnected phases that shaped the foundation and expansion of Islam:

Spiritual: Beginning around 610 AD, Muhammad reported receiving revelations in Mecca, which he understood as messages from a spirit. while in a cave. Early Meccan revelations focused on submission to Allah, judgment, repentance, morality, and care for the poor, while challenging the polytheistic order surrounding the Kaaba. As his preaching became more confrontational, opposition from the Quraysh (a prominent mercantile Arab tribe that controlled Mecca and guarded the sacred Kaaba before Islam) increased, leading some followers to flee to Abyssinia to escape persecution.

Political: After migrating to Medina in 622 AD, Muhammad's movement developed into an organized political community, with him as its religious, judicial, diplomatic and political leader. Agreements such as the Constitution of Medina initially established relationships among Muslims, Jewish groups and other tribes, but Muhammad's authority and the community's conflicts increasingly produced political and military rules concerning enemies, warfare, marriage, inheritance and social organization. The Quran's character also changed - compared with the predominantly theological and moral Meccan revelations, the Medinan revelations contain substantially more material on political authority, warfare, relations with enemies, and regulation of the community.

Military: Muhammad's Medinan community became a military power, conducting raids against Meccan trade caravans and fighting major campaigns including Badr, Uhud and the Battle of the Trench, followed by the conquest of Mecca in 630 AD. Warfare became increasingly integrated with the religious and political structure of the movement, with the Quran and later Islamic tradition establishing rules concerning warfare, captives, including enslaved women, and the distribution of spoils.

How did Muhammad die: Examining Islamic sources​

Muhammad died in Medina in 632 AD, shortly after completing what became known as his Farewell Pilgrimage. By the time of his death, much of the Arabian Peninsula had either accepted Islam or entered into political relationships with the Muslim community.

One of the most interesting traditions concerning his death concerns the poisoning at Khaybar. According to Islamic tradition, after the conquest of Khaybar, a Jewish woman named Zaynab bint al-Harith prepared poisoned meat for Muhammad. Some accounts say that she explained that she wanted to test whether he really was a prophet: if he were a genuine prophet, God would reveal the poison to him. Muhammad ate some of the food but survived the immediate poisoning. According to a report in Sahih al-Bukhari 4428, during the illness in which he died, Muhammad told Aisha that he continued to feel the pain caused by the food he had eaten at Khaybar and described the sensation as though his aorta were being cut by the poison.

This account has attracted particular attention because of a passage in Quran 69:44–46:

"And if Muhammad had made up about Us some [false] sayings, We would have seized him by the right hand; then We would have cut from him the aorta."

The similarity between the Quranic reference to the cutting of Muhammad's aorta and the later hadith describing his final illness in the Quranic passage appears almost self-fulfilling. From a historical perspective, however, it is safer to present this as an argument made by critics rather than as an established historical conclusion.

History and origins of the Quran: How it was compiled​

According to Islamic tradition, Muhammad is described in the Quran as أُمِّي (ummī), commonly understood as unlettered or unable to read and write (Quran 7:157, Quran 29:48). Therefore, Muhammad would not himself have been able to read and independently compare the revelations he received with the earlier Jewish and Christian Scriptures. This raises an important question concerning the origin and authenticity of his message: how could Muhammad himself have verified that the supernatural message he received was consistent with God's previous revelation?

The New Testament provides a specific standard for testing claims of supernatural revelation. Paul writes in Galatians 1:8 that "even if an angel from heaven were to proclaim a gospel contrary to what had already been received, that message was to be rejected." Similarly, 2 Corinthians 11:14 warns that "Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light." Thus, within the New Testament's framework, (which was available to Muhammad given that it predates Islam for a little over 500 years), the supernatural appearance of a messenger is not sufficient evidence of divine authority. A claimed revelation must also be examined in light of God's previously revealed truth.

This is particularly relevant to the traditional account of Muhammad's first revelation. In Ibn Ishaq's Sīrat Rasūl Allāh (Life of the messenger of Allah), Muhammad is portrayed as initially being deeply troubled by his experience. After the encounter, he feared that he might be a poet or a man possessed:

Ibn Ishaq, Sīrat Rasūl Allāh, trans. Alfred Guillaume, p. 106.

"Now none of God's creatures was more hateful to me than an (ecstatic) poet or a man possessed: I could not even look at them. I thought, Woe is me poet or possessed … I will go to the top of the mountain and throw myself down that I may kill myself and gain rest."

The Arabic wording associated with the passage is:

وَيْلِي شَاعِرٌ أَوْ مَجْنُونٌ

Waylī shāʿirun aw majnūnun

"Woe to me! [Am I] a poet or possessed?"

Ibn Ishaq's account highlights Muhammad as initially uncertain about the nature and source of his experience. This is significant because the experience itself did not automatically establish its divine origin. Even Muhammad's own initial reaction was one of fear and uncertainty.

How the Quran was written down after Muhammad died​

The traditional account also describes the Quran as being transmitted initially through recitation rather than through Muhammad reading a completed written text. Muhammad received the revelation, recited what he had received to his followers, and those revelations were memorized by some and written down in portions by scribes. The University of Birmingham likewise summarizes the traditional account as saying that the revelations were preserved in the memories of Muhammad's followers, while portions were written on materials including parchment, stone, palm leaves, and other writing surfaces.

This distinction is important. Muhammad was not presented with a completed manuscript of the Quran that he could examine, compare with the Torah and Gospel, and independently verify. Rather, the revelation was received orally, recited by Muhammad, memorized and transmitted by his followers, and subsequently collected into written form.

The subsequent history of the Quranic text also raises important questions concerning its transmission. Early Islamic sources describe differences in recitation and the existence of competing written codices. According to the traditional account, shortly after Muhammad died in 632 AD, the first Caliph, Abu Bakr, ordered the collection of all written fragments and verified them against the memories of those who had memorized the text. The third Caliph Uthmān ibn Affan, subsequently ordered a standardized text to be produced and instructed that other written copies be destroyed (Sahih al-Bukhari 4987). This is also confirmed by Marijn van Putten in 2021 in his paper, "The Grace of God: The Quran and Its Textual History," Religions 12, no. 11. This text was finalized as the Quran, and distributed to major centers of the Islamic world. Later, under the Umayyad governor of Iraq. Al-Ḥajjāj ibn Yūsuf changed how Arabic was written to stop people from mispronouncing the Quran and altering its meaning.

Military expansion and the spread of Islam: A historical overview​

Muhammad's final years​

The final years of Muhammad's life were characterized by extensive military and political expansion. He became not only the religious head of Islam but also its chief political and military leader. The Muslim community established at Medina developed into a military and political power capable of conquering territory, defeating rival tribes and imposing its authority across much of Arabia.

The military campaigns of this period included Badr, Uhud, the Battle of the Trench, the campaign against Khaybar, the conquest of Mecca, and the battles of Hunayn and al-Ta'if. He personally participated in and led 27 campaigns, known as ghazwat, out of roughly 100 total military expeditions recorded during his lifetime.

The conquest of Mecca in 630 AD was one of the decisive moments of Muhammad's career. After years of conflict with the Quraysh, Muhammad entered the city with a large force. Mecca surrendered with relatively little fighting, and the Kaaba was subsequently cleansed of its idols. Muhammad's authority was now firmly established in his former home city. The victory at Mecca was followed by further military campaigns, alliances and submissions. Tribes throughout Arabia increasingly came under Muhammad's authority, either through military defeat, negotiated agreements or allegiance to the emerging Muslim state. By the time of Muhammad's death in 632 AD, Islam was therefore not simply a religious movement but the center of a growing political and military state.

Spoils of war, captives and slavery​

Warfare was closely connected with the economic and social structure of the early Muslim community. Islamic sources describe rules governing the distribution of spoils captured during warfare. Captives could include women and children, and slavery remained an accepted institution. The Quran contains passages concerning female captives and slaves. Quran 23:5–6 and 4:24 distinguish between wives and those "whom their right hands possess," while Quran 33:50 discusses women whom Muhammad was permitted to marry or possess under the rules presented in the text.

The Islamic tradition consequently developed a legal framework governing war captives, slavery and concubinage. Slavery was not unique to Islam; it was widespread throughout the ancient and late-antique world. Nevertheless, slavery and the treatment of captives were incorporated into Islamic law and remained significant institutions in many Muslim societies for centuries.

The conquests after Muhammad​

Muhammad's death in 632 did not end the military expansion of the Muslim state. Instead, the political and military system established during his lifetime continued under the Caliphs who succeeded him. The first successor, Abu Bakr, faced rebellions and attempts by Arabian tribes to withdraw from the Muslim political community. These conflicts, known as the Ridda Wars, restored Muslim political control over much of Arabia. Once this process was underway, Muslim armies turned outward and began one of the most rapid periods of territorial expansion in late-antique history.

Within a relatively short period, Muslim rule extended across enormous territories. Beginning in the 630s, Arab-Muslim armies attacked the Byzantine and Sasanian empires. Syria and Iraq were among the first major regions conquered. The Byzantine Empire suffered a decisive defeat at the Battle of Yarmuk in 636 AD, while the Persian Sasanian Empire was defeated in a series of campaigns, including the Battle of al-Qadisiyyah. Egypt was conquered in the following years (c. 641 AD) and Iran in 654 AD and much of North Africa between the seventh and early eighth centuries, and Spain beginning in 711 AD.

Thus, within roughly a century of Muhammad's death, the Islamic world had expanded from the Arabian Peninsula across the Middle East, Persia, North Africa and into the Iberian Peninsula. At its greatest extent, the early Islamic caliphates controlled territory stretching from Spain in the west to Central and South Asia in the east.

Conquered peoples, conversion and the Jizya tax in Islamic expansion​

The expansion of Islam cannot be understood simply as the peaceful spread of a religious idea. In its first centuries, Islam expanded alongside a rapidly expanding political and military empire. Muslim armies conquered large territories, defeated existing rulers, captured cities and populations, imposed new political authority, and extracted taxes and tribute. There was considerable bloodshed in this process, and military force was an essential part of the creation of the early Islamic empire.

Islamic expansion was not peaceful missionary activity

The scale of this expansion makes it misleading to describe the early spread of Islam simply as peaceful missionary activity. Military conquest was one of the principal mechanisms by which Muslim political rule expanded, particularly during the first century of the caliphates.

The treatment of conquered populations varied according to circumstances, period, location, religion and the terms under which a particular city or people surrendered. In some cases, cities that resisted conquest experienced severe violence, including killings, enslavement and the taking of captives. In other cases, communities negotiated surrender and were allowed to retain their property and religious institutions under specified conditions. Warfare in this period could therefore produce very different outcomes depending upon whether a population resisted, surrendered, negotiated a treaty or was defeated in battle.

For Jews and Christians, who were generally classified as People of the Book, Islamic law developed the concept of non-Muslim subjects, or dhimmis. Such populations could, retain their religion, but this protection came with a subordinate legal and political status and the payment of a tax called jizya. They could therefore continue to worship within an Islamic state, but were second class citizens and not the equals of Muslims.

FAQ - Islam and Christianity​

What do Muslims believe about Jesus?

Muslims honor Jesus (Isa) as a major prophet and messenger. They believe He was born miraculously to Mary and performed miracles by God's permission. However, Islam does not regard Jesus as divine or as the Son of God, and it denies that He was crucified. For Christians, the real question is not whether Jesus was a prophet, but whether He was only a prophet.

Do Muslims believe Jesus died on the cross?

No. The Quran says, 'they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but it was made to resemble [another] for them' (Quran 4:157). Christianity teaches that Jesus really died for our sins, was buried and physically rose again. This is not a secondary disagreement - the death and resurrection of Jesus are at the center of the gospel, and even skeptical scholars accept the crucifixion as historical.

Do Christians and Muslims worship the same God?

Christians and Muslims both speak about one Creator God, but they don't mean exactly the same thing by God. Christianity teaches that the one God exists as Father, Son and Holy Spirit and that Jesus is God incarnate, while Islam rejects both the Trinity and the deity of Jesus. You can acknowledge real similarities while recognizing that the biggest difference is who Jesus actually is.

How do Muslims believe they are saved?

In Islam, salvation depends on a person's good deeds outweighing their bad deeds on judgment day, balanced against the mercy of Allah. Because no one knows whether their deeds are enough, full assurance isn't possible - Islamic texts record even Muhammad saying he did not know what Allah would do with him. The gospel offers forgiveness as a gift through Jesus, who did for us what we could never do for ourselves.

How do I share the gospel with a Muslim friend?

Start by listening. Ask what your friend personally believes, since Muslims come from many cultures and traditions. Jesus is a natural bridge because Muslims already honor Him as a prophet, so ask what they believe about Him, then look together at what Jesus said about Himself. Be respectful and patient, don't attack Muhammad or try to win an argument, and ask the Holy Spirit to guide the conversation.

How do you explain the Trinity to a Muslim?

Begin by making clear that Christians do not believe in three gods. Christianity affirms that God is one (Deuteronomy 6:4) and teaches that the one God eternally exists as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Simple illustrations can help, such as how our words make our invisible thoughts known, or how sunlight makes the sun known to us. Ultimately, invite your friend to ask God to reveal Himself.

Do Muslims believe the Bible has been corrupted?

Many Muslims believe the earlier Scriptures were genuine but later corrupted or misunderstood. Rather than accusing, ask what they mean and when they believe it happened. The Quran itself tells the people of the Gospel to judge by what God revealed in it (Quran 5:47), which raises a fair question: if the Gospel was trustworthy in Muhammad's time, what happened to it? No uncorrupted alternative text has ever been produced.

Last updated on