Christians are frequently encountered with claims similar to the one presented to the right. But i'm not here to repeat history, the claim that the Bible teaches Jesus was not sent to anyone but Israel has already been addressed over here.
However what many Muslims (or Christians) are not aware of is that the Qur'an does not support the claim that Jesus was only delivering his revelation to Israelites and no-one else. Rather the actual teaching of the Qur'an is that Jesus and his revelation, "the Gospel" (Injeel) were sent to all mankind, even to the point where Jesus' teachings were passed down to future believers who would inherit the covenant and book of Jesus!
It is therefore highly time that Muslims remember to read the Qur'an which teaches that Jesus was a messenger for all.
God teaches Mary the Mother of Jesus whom Jesus was sent to:
God teaches Mary the Mother of Jesus whom Jesus was sent to:
"He said: So (it will be). Thy Lord saith: It is easy for Me. And (it will be) that We may make of him A REVELATION FOR MANKIND (ayatan lilnnasi) and a MERCY FROM US, and it is a thing ordained 19:21
This [Qur'an] is enlightenment for MANKIND (lilnnasi) and GUIDANCE and MERCY for a people who are certain [in faith]. 45:20
Note: "Mercy" is also applied to Jesus (19:21) even "Guidance" (5:46) to his message/revelation.
The same plural noun is used of in the above passages is also given of Abraham the Father of many nations (mankind being his offspring which produced multiple peoples/nations!):
And (remember) when the Lord of Ibrahim (Abraham) [i.e., Allah] tried him with (certain) Commands, which he fulfilled. He (Allah) said (to him), "Verily, I am going to make you a LEADER (Imam) OF MANKIND (lilnnasi)." [Ibrahim (Abraham)] said, "And of MY OFFSPRING (to make leaders)." (Allah) said, "My Covenant (Prophethood, etc.) includes not Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers)." 2:124
And of course the term is applied to the Sacred Mosque Allah had built for all mankind:
And when We made the House (at Makka) a resort FOR MANKIND (lilnnasi) and sanctuary, (saying): Take as your place of worship the place where Abraham stood (to pray). And We imposed a duty upon Abraham and Ishmael, (saying): Purify My house for those who go around and those who meditate therein and those who bow down and prostrate themselves (in worship). 2:125
This is the Masjid Al Haram in Mecca all Muslims from all nations pilgrimage towards today. Hence the word implies a multiplicity of nations and mankind.
This term is even applied to Mohammed's world wide revelation!
Whatever of good reaches you, is from Allah, but whatever of evil befalls you, is from yourself. And We have sent you (O Muhammad SAW) as a Messenger to mankind (lilnnasi), and Allah is Sufficient as a Witness. 4:79
If Allah wanted to limit the scope of Jesus message to just Israel he could of just used the same idea he used in the same chapter several verses earlier for Zechariah:
[Zechariah] said, "My Lord, make for me a sign." He said, "Your sign is that you will not speak to the people (l-nāsa) for three nights, [being] sound." 19:10
The Arabic noun: "l nasa" this is in the accusative in the plural without the preposition, hence it implies Allah would cease Zechariah from speaking to his local his people for three days.
Another important passage comes from Chapter 21:
And (remember) she who guarded her chastity [Virgin Maryam (Mary)], We breathed into (the sleeves of) her and We made her and her son a sign for Al-'Alamin (the mankind and jinns). 21:91
This is the very same noun used to denote Mohammed's universal ministry a few sentences further down!
And We have sent you (O Muhammad SAW) not but as a mercy for the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists). 21:107
And the exact same noun used repetitiously (within the Qur'an) to denote God's universal sovereignty over all creation:
[All] praise is [due] to Allah , Lord of the worlds -1:2
Indeed Allah took the covenant from the Children of Israel (Jews), and We appointed twelve leaders among them. And Allah said: "I am with you if you perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) and give Zakat and believe in My Messengers; honour and assist them, and lend to Allah a good loan. Verily, I will remit your sins and admit you to Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise). But if any of you after this, disbelieved, he has indeed gone astray from the Straight Path." So because of their breach of their covenant, We cursed them, and made their hearts grow hard. They change the words from their (right) places and have abandoned a good part of the Message that was sent to them. And you will not cease to discover deceit in them, except a few of them. But forgive them, and overlook (their misdeeds). Verily, Allah loves Al-Muhsinun (gooddoers - see V.2:112). FROM THOSE, TOO, WHO CALL THEMSELVES CHRISTIANS, WE DID TAKE A COVENANT, but they forgot a good PART OF THE MESSAGE THAT WAS SENT TO THEM: so we estranged them, with enmity and hatred between the one and the other, to the day of judgment. And soon will God show them what it is they have done. 5:12-14
The original revelation is explicitly identified as sent to "Israel". The revelation of Jesus would have been extended to include others, otherwise it would have used the exact same terminology one sentence after without any distinction, namely sent to "Israel". Israelites would be the only recipients of Jesus message..
What makes this even more clear is that Islamic exegetes have pointed out these Christians who had a covenant with Allah were actually Arabs (not Israelites!):
What makes this even more clear is that Islamic exegetes have pointed out these Christians who had a covenant with Allah were actually Arabs (not Israelites!):
(And with those who say: " Lo! we are Christians " ), i.e. THEN CHRISTIANS OF NAJRAN (We made a covenant) in the Gospel that they should follow Muhammad (pbuh) and manifest his traits and not worship anyone or anything except Allah or associate anyone with Him, (but they forgot a part) they left part (of that whereof they were admonished) with which they were commanded. (Therefore We have stirred up) We have cast (enmity) killing and destruction (and hatred) in the hearts (among them) between the Jews and Christians; and it is said between the NESTORIANS OF NAJRAN, the sects known as the JACOBITES, the MARQUSIYAA AND THE MELKITES (till the Day of Resurrection, when Allah will inform them of their handiwork) of their opposition, treachery, concealment, enmity and hatred. [ Tanwîr al-Miqbâs min Tafsîr Ibn ‘Abbâs]
How could old and new Christians be admonished if they were never commanded to keep God's covenant, rather the covenant was only for Israelites? Hence the "Ummah" (nation) of Jesus was not limited to Israelites, but anyone who would believe in his Gospel!
The Qur'an even explicitly refers to these nations as two distinct peoples:
And this is a Book which We have revealed as a blessing: so follow it and be righteous, that ye may receive mercy: Lest ye should say: "The Book was sent down to TWO PEOPLES BEFORE US, and for our part, we remained unacquainted with all that they learned by assiduous study:" 6:155-156
Jesus nation therefore must of been composed of Israelites and non-Israelites who were recipients of his Revelation, the Gospel. We also know that Allah sent a messenger and/or prophet to every nation:
And for every Ummah (a community or a nation), there is a Messenger; when their Messenger comes, the matter will be judged between them with justice, and they will not be wronged. (10:47)And:
And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allah (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Taghut (all false deities, etc. i.e., do not worship Taghut besides Allah)." Then of them were some whom Allah guided and of them were some upon whom the straying was justified. So travel through the land and see what was the end of those who denied (the truth). (16:36)
However we know that there was no messengers and/or prophets sent between Jesus and Mohammed:
Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "I am the nearest of all the people to the son of Mary, and all the prophets are paternal brothers, and there has been no prophet between me and him (i.e. Jesus)." (Sahih Bukhari Volume 4, Book 55, Number 651)
Therefore it inevitably follows Jesus and his revelation were for all nations.
- Allah sends a messenger/prophet and revelation to every nation
- There exists nations between the time of Jesus and Mohammed
- There was no messengers sent to these extant nations between Jesus and Mohammed
- The final messenger and/or prophet before Mohammed was Jesus
- Therefore Jesus and his revelation was sent to every nation between him and Mohammed
As I was researching this topic I found countless more evidences, please stand by for future updates, if God wills.
UPDATE:
Make sure to read these articles by brother Sam Shamoun on the subject:
Was Jesus’ Mission Universal in Scope?
Islam Testifies that Jesus is the Messiah for the Whole World
UPDATE:
Make sure to read these articles by brother Sam Shamoun on the subject:
Was Jesus’ Mission Universal in Scope?
Islam Testifies that Jesus is the Messiah for the Whole World
Revisiting the Quranic Contradiction concerning Allah sending Warners to all Mankind Before Muhammad
Post-Script
Some Muslims have attempted to respond to this article by referencing the following passages:
"And He (Allah) will teach him (Jesus) the Book and the wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel, and appoint him as a messenger TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL." 3:47-49
And:
"And recall when Jesus the son of Mary said: "O CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, I AM THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH TO YOU confirming the Law which come before me. " 61:6
So doesn't the Quran make it clear to us that the message of Jesus was specifically for the children of Israel and not to all worlds?
Upon closer examination and inspection one can clearly see that both references point to the messenger, not the message. Hence Jesus himself was a messenger to Israelites. But the text does not prohibit us from understanding his message went beyond the Israelites, only that he was a messenger giving a message to Israelites.
The Bible and the Qur'an agree that Jesus was sent to Israelites. However some Muslims say this means Jesus revelation was only sent to Israelites to the exclusion of all else and misunderstand several verses in the Bible and the Qur'an, or simply integrate wishful thinking into the text.
These verses (and others like it in the Qur'an) testify the earthly ministry of Jesus was indeed to the Israelites. However the Qur'an teaches that Mohammed's revelation was also sent specifically for Israelites:
Verily this Qur'an doth explain to the Children of Israel most of the matters in which they disagree. 27:76
Say (O Mohammed): Have you considered if it is from Allah, and you disbelieve in it, and a witness from among the children of Israel has borne witness of one like it, so he believed, while you are big with pride; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people. 46:10
ASK the Children of Israel how many clear Signs WE gave them. But whoso changes the gift of ALLAH after it has come to him, surely then, ALLAH is Severe in punishing. 2:221
O children of Israel! indeed We delivered you from your enemy, and We made a covenant with you on the blessed side of the mountain, and We sent to you the manna and the quails. 20:80
Is it (Qur'an) not a Sign to them that the Learned of the Children of Israel knew it (as true)? 26:197
And when there came to them (the Jews), a Book (this Qur'an) from Allah confirming what is with them [the Taurat (Torah)], although aforetime they had invoked Allah (for coming of Muhammad Peace be upon him) in order to gain victory over those who disbelieved, then when THERE CAME TO THEM that which they had recognised, they disbelieved in it. So let the Curse of Allah be on the disbelievers. 2:89
For example here are some passages implying that Mohammed's revelation was sent to more than just Israelites/Jews:
And here are some passages passages that imply Jesus as a revelation was given to more than only Israelites:
Finally, while there are zero verses implying Jesus message could never go beyond the scope of Israelites, it's clear that the Qur'anic prophet Mohammed was at one stage of a development not a universal prophet or messenger, but rather transformed into one in a later recension of the Qur'an. These passages show that Mohammed's original scope was not universal:
This [Qur'an] is enlightenment for MANKIND (lilnnasi) and GUIDANCE and MERCY for a people who are certain [in faith]. 45:20
Lest you (pagan Arabs) should say: "The Book was only sent down to two sects before us (the Jews and the Christians), and for our part, we were in fact unaware of what they studied." Or lest you (pagan Arabs) should say: "If only the Book had been sent down to us, we would surely have been better guided than they (Jews and Christians)." So now has come unto you a clear proof (the Qur'an) from your Lord, and a guidance and a mercy. Who then does more wrong than one who rejects the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah and turns away therefrom? We shall requite those who turn away from Our Ayat with an evil torment, because of their turning away (from them). [Tafsir At-Tabari, Vol. 8, Page 95] 6:156-157
And here are some passages passages that imply Jesus as a revelation was given to more than only Israelites:
"He said: So (it will be). Thy Lord saith: It is easy for Me. And (it will be) that We may make of him A REVELATION FOR MANKIND (ayatan lilnnasi) and a MERCY FROM US, and it is a thing ordained" 19:21
"Indeed Allah took the covenant from the Children of Israel (Jews), and We appointed twelve leaders among them. And Allah said: "I am with you if you perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) and give Zakat and believe in My Messengers; honour and assist them, and lend to Allah a good loan. Verily, I will remit your sins and admit you to Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise). But if any of you after this, disbelieved, he has indeed gone astray from the Straight Path." So because of their breach of their covenant, We cursed them, and made their hearts grow hard. They change the words from their (right) places and have abandoned a good part of the Message that was sent to them. And you will not cease to discover deceit in them, except a few of them. But forgive them, and overlook (their misdeeds). Verily, Allah loves Al-Muhsinun (gooddoers - see V.2:112). FROM THOSE, TOO, WHO CALL THEMSELVES CHRISTIANS, WE DID TAKE A COVENANT, but they forgot a good PART OF THE MESSAGE THAT WAS SENT TO THEM: so we estranged them, with enmity and hatred between the one and the other, to the day of judgment. And soon will God show them what it is they have done." 5:12-14
Finally, while there are zero verses implying Jesus message could never go beyond the scope of Israelites, it's clear that the Qur'anic prophet Mohammed was at one stage of a development not a universal prophet or messenger, but rather transformed into one in a later recension of the Qur'an. These passages show that Mohammed's original scope was not universal:
And truly, this (the Qur'an) is a revelation from the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists) brought down by the Faithful Spirit upon your heart (O Muhammad SAW) that you may be (one) of the warners, in the plain Arabic language. Truly it is in the Scriptures of the ancients. Was it not a sign for them, that it is known to the learned of the Children of Israel? And if We had revealed it (this Qur'an) unto any of the non-Arabs, And he had recited it unto them, they would not have believed in it. 26:192-199
