In the Name of Allah---the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
Was
Jesus an Arab? The answer to this question depends on the comprehensive
definition of an Arab.
Generally,
Muslim scholars agree that a person is considered Arab if he qualifies the
three merits:
1.
He must be a descendant of Sam ibn Noah.
2.
The language of his tribe must be Arabic throughout recorded history.
3.
His tribe must be an inhabitant of the Arabian Peninsula.
The criteria we mentioned are often referred to as the
"three merits" or "three conditions" to identify an Arab.
Let's explore each of these conditions in more detail:
Descent from Sam ibn Noah (Shem):
According to some scholars, Arabs are considered descendants of
Sam, who is believed to be one of the sons of the biblical figure Noah. This
criterion suggests a lineage connection between the Arab people and the ancient
Semitic tribes.
Language of the tribe:
This condition emphasizes the importance of the Arabic language
in defining Arab identity. It suggests that an individual or their tribe must
have a historical association with the Arabic language. This criterion implies
that Arabic has been the language of their ancestors and has been spoken
continuously throughout recorded history.
Inhabitant of the Arabian Peninsula:
This condition asserts that an Arab must have ancestral ties to
the Arabian Peninsula, which includes modern-day Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iraq, Yemen,
Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and parts of Jordan and
Iraq. It suggests that the tribe or individual in question must have a
historical connection to this region.
It is worth noting that these conditions are not universally
accepted by all scholars or communities. Arab identity is a complex mix of
language, culture, history, and self-identification. There are Arab populations
outside of the Arabian Peninsula, such as in North Africa, the Levant, and other
regions, who may not meet these specific criteria but still identify as Arab
due to cultural and linguistic affiliations.
Jesus in the Quran
The Quran does not
explicitly mention the ethnicity of Jesus, nor does it provide specific details
regarding his physical appearance or lineage. The Quran refers to Jesus (known
as 'Isa in Arabic) as a prophet and a messenger of God, emphasizing his role in
delivering the message of monotheism to the Children of Israel.
In Islamic tradition, Jesus is considered to
be a prophet from among the Children of Israel, specifically from the lineage
of Prophet David (Dawud in Arabic). While the Quran does not explicitly mention
Jesus' ethnicity, it does affirm his status as a prophet and highlights his
miraculous birth, his miracles, and his teachings.
It is important to
note that Islamic tradition generally views Jesus as an important figure in the
prophetic lineage, rather than focusing on his ethnicity or physical
appearance. The emphasis is primarily on his spiritual message, mission, and
the theological significance of his role as a prophet.
According to Quran Jesus (peace be upon him) was the son of the virgin Maryam bint Imran (Marry). Quran also mentions him among the descendants
of Ibrahim (Abraham), peace be upon him.
Allah Almighty said:
This was
the argument We gave Abraham against his people. We elevate in rank whoever We
please. Surely your Lord is All-Wise, All-Knowing. And We blessed him with
Isaac and Jacob. We guided them all as We previously guided Noah and those
among his descendants: David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses, and Aaron. This is
how We reward the good-doers. Likewise, ˹We
guided˺ Zachariah, John, Jesus, and Elias, who were all righteous. ˹We also guided˺
Ishmael, Elisha, Jonah, and Lot, favouring each over other people ˹of their time˺. And ˹We favoured˺ some of
their forefathers, their descendants, and their brothers. We chose them and
guided them to the Straight Path. [Surah
Al-An’am, 6:83-87]
According to the New Testament
Jesus spoke Aramaic language that was a lingua franca of East Asia at his time.
Aramaic is a Semitic language along with Arabic, Hebrew, Phoenician, Akkadian, etc. Though some scholars claim that the Aramaic language originated from the Arabic
language due to remarkable similarities between the two languages; however, it
is not universally accepted.
Aramaic is a rich and complex language with a
long and fascinating history. It is the language of the Bible, the Talmud, and
the New Testament. It is also the language of many important historical
figures, such as Jesus Christ, the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal, and the Jewish
philosopher Philo of Alexandria.
According to Islamic narratives and interpretations, Maryam's
lineage can be traced back to the Israelite prophet and king, Prophet Dawood
(David). Prophet Dawood is highly esteemed in Islam and is considered a
righteous and favored prophet. His son, Prophet Sulayman, is also revered in
Islamic tradition for his wisdom and righteousness.
[Al-Muntazam: 2/16]
Muslim historians and scholars have attempted to establish
Maryam's genealogy by tracing her lineage through historical records and oral
traditions. These sources suggest a connection between Maryam and the line of
Prophet Dawood, culminating in her being a descendant of Prophet Sulayman.
It is important to note that the specific details of this lineage, including the exact names and generations, can vary among different historical accounts and interpretations. The purpose of establishing this lineage is to emphasize Maryam's noble lineage and her significance as the mother of Jesus, who holds a special place in Islamic belief as a prophet and a
miracle birth.
The language spoken by
Prophet David (Dawood in Arabic), peace be upon him, is not explicitly
mentioned in religious texts or historical records. However, it is generally
believed that Prophet David spoke Hebrew or a form of ancient Semitic language
that was prevalent among the Israelite tribes during that time.
Hebrew is a Northwest Semitic language and was
the language of the ancient Israelites. It is closely related to other Semitic
languages such as Aramaic and Phoenician. Hebrew is known for its significant
influence on religious texts, as the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) contains the
religious scriptures of Judaism, including the Psalms attributed to Prophet
David. (peace be upon him).
There is no historical
evidence or definitive information indicating that the tribe of Prophet Jesus
(peace be upon him) spoke Arabic throughout recorded history. The historical
context suggests that the language predominantly spoken by his community was
likely Hebrew and Aramaic, which was the language of the Israelites during that
time.
It is important to distinguish between
language and ethnicity. While the region where Jesus lived, which includes
modern-day Palestine, is geographically part of the Arab world, it does not
automatically make Jesus an Arab in the ethnic sense. Arab identity is
primarily based on a combination of cultural, linguistic, and historical
factors, rather than simply the geographical location of one's birth.
Jesus is universally recognized as a
historical figure and religious leader whose teachings and life have had a
profound impact on millions of people worldwide. His cultural and ethnic
background is associated with the Jewish community of his time, as he was born
into a Jewish family and grew up within the context of Jewish religious and
cultural practices.
The identification of Jesus as an Arab is not
supported historically or within the context of religious traditions. Arab
identity, as we understand it today, emerged from specific historical and
cultural developments that took place in the Arabian Peninsula and the wider
Arab world.
