Along with all the changes introduced into Christianity, the actual name of Prophet Essa (on whom be peace) has also changed into something very different - 'Jesus Christ.'
'Jesus'
This term has originated from ancient Greek titles to elevate the position of a human being into something super human. The 'spiritual law-makers' have been so fixated on this aspect that they seemed to have forgotten Prophet Essa too had a name as a human being and an individual.
There is a chain of stories concerning the 'innovations' of the name of Prophet Essa (on whom be peace). It is claimed that his name was "Yeshua," from which evolved the name Jesus. The explanation goes as follows: The Bible was not written in English. What we read in English today are translations from other languages. The "New Testament" was written in Greek. Hence, the name "Jesus" is found nowhere in the Scriptures — it is a translation of the Greek name "Iesous" (pronounced "[ee]yeh-sooce"). "Iesous" came over into the Latin "Jesu" (pronounced "yehsoo") and finally into English as "Jesus."
Furthermore, it's said that the name 'Jesus' is an anglicized form of the Latin 'Iesus,' which itself is derived from the Greek name 'Iesous.' Iesous was the Greek transliteration of the Aramaic name 'Yeshua' which itself was the later Aramaic form of the Hebrew name 'Yehoshua.'
Also, words that begin with the sound of 'Y' and 'E' in Arabic are often changed to the sound of 'J' in English. E.g. Yosef = Josef, Yakob = Jacob, Yasmin = Jasmin and so on. Thus, the name Essa (with periodical innovations) = Jessa, Jessu and finally Jesus.
[Sigh] Intricate, isn't it? !
However, as a monotheistic believer, one simply needs to know that the name of the messenger who came before the final messenger, Prophet Muhammad (SAAW), was Prophet Essa (SAAW). As always, the information given by the Glorious Quran is the simplest, easiest and most truthful.
'Christ'
The term 'Christ' is still more far-fetched. It is the English adaptation of the Greek word 'khristos' meaning 'the anointed'. 'Annointment' is supposed to be a ritual which means to grease with oil, animal fat or melted butter as a sign of purification or solemn commitment. In the New Testament, the term 'Christ' or 'khristos' replaces the Hebrew term 'messiah.' Messiah means 'one who is anointed.' It is said that in contrast to Christianity, the Jewish tradition understands the 'messiah' to be a human being. The followers of Essa became known as Christians after Essa was given the title 'Christ.'
So .. the term 'Christ' appears in English and most European languages, owing to the Greek usage of 'khristos' in the New Testament as a description for Jesus. However, it's noted that the spelling 'Christ' in English dates only from the 17th century when the spellings of certain words were changed to fit their Greek or Latin origins. Prior to this, in old and middle English, this word was spelt 'Crist.'
This may give us a clue why many followers of the Christian and Jewish faith sometimes refer to Muslims as 'Mohammadens' - a term that's totally incorrect and a clear violation of the values of the Glorious Quran. Since the word 'Christian' has been derived from 'Christ,' with the same mindset the Christians and Jews in accordance with their steady chronological innovations presume that Muslims can also be called 'Mohammadens.' Unfortunately their knowledge of the Quran and history is too insufficient to make them realise the huge discrepancy of this thoughtless presumption. The term 'Muslim' is NOT at all derived from the name 'Mohammad.' 'Muslim' in Arabic, as stated in many Chapters of the Glorious Quran, means 'complete surrender to the Will of Almighty Allah.' Muhammad was simply the name of the last beloved Messenger who, at the behest of the Almighty Allah, brought His final Message to us. Thus, the Prophet Muhammad (on whom be peace) followed that same Message of total surrender to the Will of Allah which all of his followers are told to do. Obedience to Prophet Muhammad is linked completely on conditions with the compatibility of his (pbuh) actions with the dictates of the Glorious Quran. And needless to say, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) meticulously adhered to the values of the Quran.
'Jesus'
This term has originated from ancient Greek titles to elevate the position of a human being into something super human. The 'spiritual law-makers' have been so fixated on this aspect that they seemed to have forgotten Prophet Essa too had a name as a human being and an individual.
There is a chain of stories concerning the 'innovations' of the name of Prophet Essa (on whom be peace). It is claimed that his name was "Yeshua," from which evolved the name Jesus. The explanation goes as follows: The Bible was not written in English. What we read in English today are translations from other languages. The "New Testament" was written in Greek. Hence, the name "Jesus" is found nowhere in the Scriptures — it is a translation of the Greek name "Iesous" (pronounced "[ee]yeh-sooce"). "Iesous" came over into the Latin "Jesu" (pronounced "yehsoo") and finally into English as "Jesus."
Furthermore, it's said that the name 'Jesus' is an anglicized form of the Latin 'Iesus,' which itself is derived from the Greek name 'Iesous.' Iesous was the Greek transliteration of the Aramaic name 'Yeshua' which itself was the later Aramaic form of the Hebrew name 'Yehoshua.'
Also, words that begin with the sound of 'Y' and 'E' in Arabic are often changed to the sound of 'J' in English. E.g. Yosef = Josef, Yakob = Jacob, Yasmin = Jasmin and so on. Thus, the name Essa (with periodical innovations) = Jessa, Jessu and finally Jesus.
[Sigh] Intricate, isn't it? !
However, as a monotheistic believer, one simply needs to know that the name of the messenger who came before the final messenger, Prophet Muhammad (SAAW), was Prophet Essa (SAAW). As always, the information given by the Glorious Quran is the simplest, easiest and most truthful.
'Christ'
The term 'Christ' is still more far-fetched. It is the English adaptation of the Greek word 'khristos' meaning 'the anointed'. 'Annointment' is supposed to be a ritual which means to grease with oil, animal fat or melted butter as a sign of purification or solemn commitment. In the New Testament, the term 'Christ' or 'khristos' replaces the Hebrew term 'messiah.' Messiah means 'one who is anointed.' It is said that in contrast to Christianity, the Jewish tradition understands the 'messiah' to be a human being. The followers of Essa became known as Christians after Essa was given the title 'Christ.'
So .. the term 'Christ' appears in English and most European languages, owing to the Greek usage of 'khristos' in the New Testament as a description for Jesus. However, it's noted that the spelling 'Christ' in English dates only from the 17th century when the spellings of certain words were changed to fit their Greek or Latin origins. Prior to this, in old and middle English, this word was spelt 'Crist.'
This may give us a clue why many followers of the Christian and Jewish faith sometimes refer to Muslims as 'Mohammadens' - a term that's totally incorrect and a clear violation of the values of the Glorious Quran. Since the word 'Christian' has been derived from 'Christ,' with the same mindset the Christians and Jews in accordance with their steady chronological innovations presume that Muslims can also be called 'Mohammadens.' Unfortunately their knowledge of the Quran and history is too insufficient to make them realise the huge discrepancy of this thoughtless presumption. The term 'Muslim' is NOT at all derived from the name 'Mohammad.' 'Muslim' in Arabic, as stated in many Chapters of the Glorious Quran, means 'complete surrender to the Will of Almighty Allah.' Muhammad was simply the name of the last beloved Messenger who, at the behest of the Almighty Allah, brought His final Message to us. Thus, the Prophet Muhammad (on whom be peace) followed that same Message of total surrender to the Will of Allah which all of his followers are told to do. Obedience to Prophet Muhammad is linked completely on conditions with the compatibility of his (pbuh) actions with the dictates of the Glorious Quran. And needless to say, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) meticulously adhered to the values of the Quran.
But is the way in which Prophet Issa (peace be upon him) is called really so important? I think much more important are the attributes claimed to him. The problem in Christianity is not how they call the prophet, but that they claim him to be God. After all, all languages make up their own versions of names, but none provides an excuse to turn a man into a God.
ReplyDeleteYes German, you are right. Compared to all the changes brought into Christianity, changing the name of a Prophet seems less insignificant. However, giving Essa the title of "Christ" is linked to their making him into something superhuman. Moreover, I included the complete set of changes introduced in Christianity by referring to that aspect in the opening sentence of this post which I quote "Along with all the changes introduced into Christianity, the actual name of Prophet Essa (on whom be peace) has also changed into something very different - 'Jesus Christ.' "
ReplyDelete