Jesus, Prophet of Islam - The Islamic Bulletin

An Historical Account ofJesus 45

Jesus came, surrounded with splendour, to the room

where abode Mary the Virgin with her two sisters, and

Martha and Mary Magdalen, and Lazarus, and him who

writes, and John and James and Peter. Whereupon,

through fear they fell as dead. And Jesus liftedup his

mothers and the others from the ground, saying: 'Fear

not, for 1am Jesus; and weep not, for 1 am alive and not

dead.' They rernained every one for a long time beside

himself at the presence of Jesus, for they altogether be­

lieved that Jesus was dead. Then the Virgin, weeping,

said: 'Tell me, my son, wherefore God, having given you

power to raise the dead, suffered you to die, to the shame

of your kinsfolk and friends, and to the shame of your

doctrine? For every one that loves you has been as dead.'

Jesus replied, embracing his mother: 'Believe me,

mother, for verily 1 say to you that1havenot been dead

at all; for God has reserved me tilL near the end of the

world.' And having said this he prayed the four angels

that they would manifest thernselves, and give testi­

mony how the matter had passed.

Thereuponthe angels manifested themselves like four

shining suns, insomuch that through fear every one

again fell down as dead.

Then Jesus gave four linen doths to the angels that

they rnight coyer themselves, in order that they rnight

be seen and heard to speak by his mother and her com­

panions. And having lifted up each one, he comforted

them, saying: "Thèse are the rninisters of God: Gabriel,

who announces God's secrets; Michael, who fights

against God's enernies; Rafael, who receives the souls

of them that die; and Uriel, who will call every one to

the judgement of God at the Last Day.'

Then the four angels narrated to the Virgin how God

had sent for Jesus, and had transforrned Judas, that he

rnight suffer the punishment to which he had sold an­

other. (The Gospel of Barnabas: 219-220).

According to Barnabas, Jesus remained with his mother and close
disciples for three days, thereby giving them and sorne of ms other
dosest followers the opportunity to be with mm for just a little
while longer:

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