Christmas and the Qur'an

Karl-Josef Kuschel is Professor Emeritus of Catholic Theology at the University of Tubingen, Germany. He taught the theology of culture and inter-religious dialogue and was the deputy director of Institute of Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Studies. He was a member of the advisory board of Theology and Literature (London). From 1995 to 2009 he was vice president of the Stiftung Weltethos, working closely with his doctoral supervisor and founding president of Weltethos Hans Kung.

'The depiction of Jesus and indeed of Mary in the Qur'an is a subject of great importance for a more intelligent dialogue between Islam and the Christian tradition. Too many people know little or nothing about it, and it is a pleasure to welcome the English translation of this book from a seasoned and creative scholar.- Rowan Williams, Master of Magdalene College and former Archbishop of Canterbury; 'This is a most interesting and informative book; it is equally valuable for scholars and a wider readership. [...] Professor Kuschel has highlighted very clearly the joint heritage of Christianity and Islam at a time when mutual understanding between these two religious traditions is so vital.' - Prof. Carole Hillenbrand, University of St Andrews; 'Shows convincingly that the beliefs of Christians and Muslims are entwined in unexpected and profound ways' -Daily Telegraph

• Foreword to the English edition xiii PROLOGUE: CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS MEET AT CHRISTMAS 1 I. THE BIRTH OF JESUS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT 71. The primary sources 8God’s peace on Earth: the story according to Luke 9A child of the Holy Spirit: the story according to Matthew 172. How the birth stories differ 21Christmas Oratorios: Heinrich Schütz and Johann Sebastian Bach 22Different settings 24Different chronology 25The differing roles of John the Baptist 29Differing versions of the birth of Jesus 303. The primary message 34Nothing is impossible for God 35Disruption: the power of the spirit of God 37A signal to Israel and the Gentiles 424. No world peace without world justice 45A Messiah in the manger 45What sets Jesus apart from Buddha and Lao-tzu 48Roman domination seen from Bethlehem 49Jerusalem’s hegemony from the perspective ofthe babe in the manger 53 II. THE BIRTH OF MUHAMMAD 581. How Muslims read the New Testament 59Muslims criticise Christian contradictions 59Contra the missionary propagandists 642. The origins of the Prophet 65The first biography of the Prophet 65Miraculous signs during the conception andpregnancy 67Miraculous signs during and after the birth 72Muhammad – a historic event 74Muslim ‘Christmas’ 76III. THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST IN THE QUR’AN 801. The ‘John’ sura in Mecca: 19:2–15 81The primary message of the Qur’an 82John’s miraculous birth 86Comparing John in Luke’s Gospel and the Qur’an 882. The ‘case of John’ – a new interpretation inMedina: Sura 3 92Conflict with the Jews in Medina 93Comparing the ‘John’ suras 943. Comparing John in the New Testament and the Qur’an 96Not a ‘forerunner’ but a parallel figure to Jesus 97A demonstration of the power of the Creator 98 IV. MARY, GOD’S CHOSEN ONE 1011. Mary as the mother of Jesus: Sura 19 101The spirit of God appears to Mary 103Comparing the birth stories in Luke and the Qur’an 104Mary’s withdrawal – making herself available for God 106Spiritual, rather than sexual, conception 111Palm-tree and stream: Mary in Egypt? 114Re-enacting the fate of Hagar 1162. Mary’s birth and childhood: Sura 3 120Mary as a means of criticising the Jews 121Early Christian parallels 124Mary’s election by God 127Spiritual conception and virgin birth 130The only woman mentioned by name in the Qur’an 1323. The cult of Mary in Islam 134Reflecting on Mary with Muslims 134The legendary House of Mary at Ephesus 136A place of pilgrimage for Christians and Muslims 138Benedict XVI’s visit to the House of Mary in 2006 141How modern Muslim women see Mary 143 V. THE BIRTH OF JESUS IN THE QUR’AN 1461. The birth of Jesus as a ‘sign of God’: Mecca, Sura 19 147Conceived by God’s creative power 147Consoling words from the new-born baby to its mother 148What is meant by Jesus being ‘a servant of God’? 150Not ‘domineering or graceless’ 154It would not befit God to have a child 157An heir to the great Prophets 1612. Controversy about Jesus: Medina, Sura 3 162What the angels tell Mary about Jesus 162How the Qur’an interprets Jesus’ miracles 164A short summary of the Qur’an’s representation of Jesus 1683. Comparing the birth stories 172What the New Testament and the Qur’an have in common 172Where the New Testament and the Qur’an differ 176 VI. A CALL FOR DIALOGUE 1831. A common word 184The key passage in the Qur’an: Sura 3:64 184A model of understanding 1862. The Document of the 138 188Conclusions for Muslims and Christians 189Suspicions about the document 192Critical questions 195Consensus about Jesus? 1983. Christians and Islam’s Holy Night 201Common tasks for the future 202The Night of Decree 204Exchanging messages of peace 205EPILOGUE: THE ‘MARY’ SURA AND THEEXAMPLE OF ETHIOPIA 207References 215BIBLIOGRAPHY 216NOTES 221