Abu al-Qasim Muhammad was born in Mecca, approximately 570 BCE. He belonged to the Hashemite branch of the Quraysh tribe. The Hashemites were merchants who resided in the Arabian Peninsula. They were pagans who controlled Mecca and the sacred pagan shrine of Kaaba. Eventually Muhammad was expelled from the tribe because of his belief in monotheism.
The Hashemites believed in unity, justice and working with others. Their belief in working with others lead to a great deal of trading amongst the other Semitic tribes Arab, Christian and Jew alike.
Up until the time he was forty years old, when he had his first revelation, Muhammad was a caravan driver. Likely during his travels and business dealings he gleaned information from followers of Christianity.
The sacred writings of Islam, found in the Quran, contain many references to Jesus. Indeed, the Prophet Muhammad gives Jesus a prominent place in Islam. However, the place Jesus holds in Islam is entirely different that his place in Christianity.
The Virgin Birth of Jesus
Both Christians and Muslims believe in a virgin birth, and both believe that the Angel Gabriel paid Mary (Maryam) a visit. Gabriel tells her that she will give birth. She questions this; after all she is a pure woman.
Only the Gospel of Luke directly refers to the birth of Jesus. It is claimed in Luke that Jesus was born in Bethlehem in a manger. In the Quran Maryam gives birth under a palm tree. After Jesus (Isa or Eesa) is born, she returns to her parent's home. Joseph, the carpenter, who in the Christian story raised Jesus as his own, isn’t mentioned anywhere in the Quran.
Maryam's family is shocked to see the baby. At this point, Isa performs his first miracle when he speaks from the cradle. From the Quran:
But she [Maryam] pointed to the baby. They said: ‘How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?’ He [Isa] said: ‘I am indeed a servant of Allah; he hath given me revelation and made me a prophet’. (19: 29-33)
Oh Jesus, son of Mary, remember my grace upon you and upon your mother, how I strengthened you with the Holy Spirit, so you could speak to the people in the cradle and as an old man, how I taught you the Book, the Wisdom, the Torah and the Gospel. (5:110)
Jesus as Part of the Trinity
Followers of Islam don't believe in the trinity. Christians are mistaken. God is not limited to three things. God is everything. Jesus was not the Son of God.
In Islamic tenants, Jesus was a prophet. According to the Quran there were twenty-five prophets, the first was Adam and the last was Muhammad. Amongst the prophets, some are greater than others. Abraham, Noah, Moses, Muhammad and Isa are the most important. Isa is subordinate to Muhammad. Muhammad is the final messenger.
Allah gives Isa the ability to perform many miracles. God sent the prophet Isa to the Jews because they were no longer following the Torah. Those who felt threatened made up stories about how he claimed to be King of the Jews and the Son of God. However, Isa never said these things.
Crucifixion and Resurrection
Isa was not crucified. And so, he could not have been resurrected. God saved him from his enemies and took him to heaven where he awaits the end of times. Jesus is the Messiah, but there is a false Messiah whose name is Dajjal, he is the Anti-Christ.
God created both Christ and the Anti-Christ. Most people will chose to follow the Anti-Christ. Most of the world will fall under the influence of Dajjal, but he will not be able to penetrate Mecca or Medina. Giving up the fight for these cities Dajjal will turn his attention to Jerusalem.
It is in Jerusalem that Isa will descend from the heavens and join with the Muslims. Isa will bring an end to Christianity and will then rule the world for forty years. He will marry, have children, and die a natural death. But, before he dies the entire world will come to proper belief. That is to say, everyone will be Muslim.
Sources
Inside Islam - Dialogues and Debates
Orienting Developing and Promoting An Islamic Christology
The Life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad
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