The life of Jesus Christ is a topic of intense interest and discussion in today's world, especially within the field of religious studies. While many of these discussions take place within a Christian context, the increase in interest in Islamic studies has caused many non-Muslims to inquire as to what Islam says about such a personality. Islam has offered its own unique perspective on Prophet Jesus, ranging from his birth to his return with Imam Mahdi (the 12th and final Imam). This article will attempt to address a few issues regarding the Islamic perspective on Prophet Jesus that are of interest to Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

In the teachings of Islam, Imam Mahdi (the 12th Imam of the Progeny of Prophet Mohammad) is the person who will rise near the end of time and rid the world of tyranny and injustice, replacing them with justice, peace, and general well-being for the world. Imam Mahdi will also resolve the many distortions in religious teachings generally and any misinterpreted Qur'anic teachings more specifically, thereby making his mission one of both intellectual and spiritual natures. His mission’s profound purpose is to bring humankind closer to God by removing the many obstacles which have arisen through the corruption of individuals, groups, and societies. The eventual rising and mission of the twelfth Imam has been outlined by Prophet Mohammad and the eleven Imams who succeeded him as well as by various Qur’anic verses, such as 5:4, 7:128, 21:105 and 24:55.

The Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, is primarily discussed in relation to the miraculous birth of Jesus. It goes without saying that this miracle by itself is enough to confer greatness on her. However it does not fully explain why Mary is one of the greatest women that ever existed. The aim of this article is to examine the miraculous birth of Jesus along with other aspects of Mary’s life to gain an understanding of her lofty position in Islam. We will first discuss her noble family lineage, and then her birth and the circumstances surrounding it. We will also discuss the divine decision to choose Mary above all women for the honor of having a son without male intervention. The above examination will provide an Islamic view of Mary the mother of Jesus, and we will conclude with a brief look at the differences between this view and the Christian view of Mary.

Interfaith initiatives are one of the major successes of the Muslim community in the United States. With these initiatives, Muslims have been able to reach out to different religious groups, including Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, and others. On many occasions, this has resulted in strong and lasting bonds of friendship between these groups. It is not uncommon for Muslims to regularly attend synagogue or church services, or for Christians, Jews, and others to observe Friday prayers at a number of mosques around the country. Such cases are most frequently observed in larger cities, such as Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and Dearborn, to name a few. It is important to analyze the process of interfaith dialogue, understand its role in Islam, and create effective strategies to make the best use of such initiatives.