The Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) Struggle

[Jesus said:] “I said to them nothing but what You ordered me to say: ‘Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.’”
(Surat al-Ma'ida, 117)

Giovanni Bellini, Madonna and Child, Three Musical Angels, and SS. Francis, John the Baptist, Job, Dominic, Sebastian, and Louis of Toulouse, known as the St. Job (Giobbe) Altarpiece. c. 1480. Galleria dell'Accademia, Venice, Italy.

Like all prophets with a deep fear and love of, and respect for Allah, and all of whom were role models for humanity, the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) struggled against his society's unbelievers and pagans throughout his life. He told the Children of Israel, many of whom had turned away from religious moral values, of Allah's divinely revealed moral values as well as the reality of His existence and oneness. He called on his people to believe in Allah, avoid sin and evil, and do good works. He also reminded them of the transitory nature of this world's life and the closeness of death, and called upon them to worship, fear, and respect only Him.

At the time of the Prophet Jesus (pbuh), the Mediterranean region and the surrounding area was ruled by Rome. Roman religion, in common with the surrounding religions, was polytheistic and superstitious. The imaginary deities of Greek mythology also appeared in Roman mythology, but under different names. The Jews living in Palestine were a small minority in the Roman Empire. However, Rome interfered very little in their beliefs and internal affairs. But beginning with the second century B.C.E., the Jews entered a period of internal fragmentation. With the Torah and Judaic tradition being interpreted in different ways by various groups, several sects emerged and serious disputes began to occur. These disputes gave rise to uncertainties and discontent in Jewish society, and the ensuing disorder could not be eliminated. As a result, Judaism moved away from the divine religion that Allah had revealed to the Prophet Moses (pbuh) and was corrupted by the addition of some superstitious beliefs and laws.

The Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was sent to resolve these differences, by teaching them once again about the divine religion, from whose essence they had departed, and to eliminate their superstitions:

And when Jesus came with clear signs, he said: "I have come to you with wisdom and to clarify for you some of the things about which you have differed. Therefore, have fear [and respect] of Allah and obey me. Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. This is a straight path." The various factions among them differed. Woe then to those who did wrong on account of the punishment of a painful Day! (Surat az-Zukhruf, 63-65)

[Jesus will say:] "I come confirming the Torah I find already there, and to make lawful for you some of what was previously forbidden to you. I have brought you a sign from your Lord. So have fear [and respect] of Allah and obey me." (Surah Al 'Imran, 50)

The Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) mission created great unease among those circles whose interests lay in maintaining the status quo, even though it was incompatible with religious moral values. These circles were headed by false religious leaders and other individuals who ascribed partners to Allah. Some of their religious ideas acquired considerable status among the people and increased their own material benefits. Instead of following the proper moral values required by the religion, they supported injustice, cruelty, falsehood and polytheism, all of which served their own interests. They performed certain acts of worship according to their own opinion, and only for show, failed to protect the divine religion of the Prophet Moses (pbuh), and added many superstitions and errors. As Allah reveals in the Qur'an: "Woe to those who write the Book with their own hands and then say: 'This is from Allah' to sell it for a paltry price!" (Surat al-Baqara, 79). Moreover, some Jewish theologians even changed the stipulations of the Pentateuch.

However, the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) told these people to worship, fear and respect, love and live only for Allah. He told them that they needed to display the proper morality to win Allah's good approval, turn their backs on superstition, and avoid committing injustice. He preached that they should stop deceiving themselves and the people and acquire sincere belief. His miracles clearly demonstrated that Allah had selected him over the worlds, supported him with knowledge and power, and made him a most valuable prophet. The Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) deep faith, high moral values, superior understanding, and wise words inspired great admiration among the people. However, those who insisted on defending their corrupted version of the divinely revealed religion refused to obey him.
While the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was among his people, only a very few people followed him. Allah reveals in the Qur'an that when his people persisted in their denial, he asked who would be his helpers:

The Messiah would never disdain to be a servant to Allah, nor would the angels near to Him. If any do disdain to worship Him, and grow arrogant, He will in any case gather them all to Him.
(Surat an-Nisa, 172)

Marco Basaiti, La Vocazione dei figli di Zebedeo, Venice, 1510

When Jesus sensed unbelief on their part, he asked: "Who will be my helpers of Allah?" The disciples said: "We are Allah's helpers. We believe in Allah. Bear witness that we are Muslims. Our Lord, we believe in what You have sent down and have followed the messenger, so write us down among the witnesses." (Surah Al 'Imran, 52-53)

One of the true believers' main characteristics is that they believe in concealed mysteries and obey the messengers unquestioningly. Such believers know that every word spoken by Allah's messengers is true, and so they trust them completely, follow them, and love and respect them. As revealed in"The Prophet is closer to the believers than their own selves" (Surat al-Ahzab, 6) this devotion is superior to all other forms of love. Indeed, the devotion of the Prophet's (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) Companions and their protection of him during the wars against the pagans is a fine example of this.

In addition to Roman pagan oppression and the hypocrisy of some polytheistic Jews, as well as the opposition of prominent Jews who pursued only their own interests, the fact that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) had only a very few followers draws our attention to the difficult circumstances in which he found himself. However, it must be made clear that there is considerable wisdom in the fact that he struggled in such difficult conditions. The Prophet Jesus (pbuh) and those sincere, devout believers who followed him displayed great patience, by Allah's leave, in these trying circumstances and will receive their reward at every moment in His Presence. Such climates are actually very valuable, for they increase the believers' determination and mutual devotion, strengthen their faith, and reinforce their love of and devotion to Allah. Believers have faith that everything they experience happens because He wills it to, and thus sincerely accept everything that our Lord sends their way. Aware that Allah is their true friend and guide, all believers know that His religious moral values will eventually triumph.

Allah has promised that He will never allow those who deny Him to triumph over the believers. Therefore, the prophets and their followers will inevitably be victorious, for He states that the traps of those who set snares for the believers are doomed to failure:

… shown by their arrogance in the land and evil plotting. But evil plotting envelops only those who do it. Do they expect anything but the pattern of previous peoples? You will not find any changing in the pattern of Allah. You will not find any alteration in the pattern of Allah.(Surah Fatir, 43)

Like all of the other prophets, the Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) superior determination and patience are meant to encourage and increase the believers' enthusiasm. The Prophet Jesus (pbuh) told his followers that difficulties awaited them, but that Allah was their friend and protector. With his trust in and submission to Allah, the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) displayed superior moral values and told those around him to always trust Allah and remember that He performs everything. The Bible recounts some of his words to his disciples, as follows:

You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me, you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given to you at the time, for it is not you speaking ... but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and, after that, can do no more. But I will tell you whom you should fear: Fear Him Who, after killing the body, has the power to throw you into Hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him. (Mark, 13:9-13; Luke, 21:12-17)

Indeed, the oppression of the first Christians continued for the next three centuries. Most of those who believed in the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) had to keep their faith secret, and many of those who declared their faith suffered severe punishment, torture, and, sometimes, even death. However, the unbelievers' greatest plot was, without a doubt, their attempt to kill the Prophet Jesus (pbuh). A number of leading people collaborated with the Roman pagans, and, with the support of various hypocrites, devised a plan. Each stage was planned down to the finest detail, and they were convinced that it would succeed. However, their plan was disrupted in a most unexpected way: They imagined that they had killed the Prophet Jesus (pbuh), but in reality, Allah raised him to His Presence and protected His prophet from their snares and deceptions. By means of this miracle, their plan failed.