Publisher's Synopsis
Jesus of Nazareth holds a very special place for all Muslims. He is mentioned over thirty times in the Qur'an and is called Messiah, Spirit of God, and a prophet of God who performed miracles and raised the dead with God's permission. It is also believed that Jesus will come at the end times to judge humanity and usher in a Muslim-era. Since the traditional belief is that the Qur'an was the collection of Muhammad's revelations, it is fair to ask what specific texts and religious communities existed that were available to him and may have influenced his understanding of Jesus. This study will largely rely on the primary sources that detail the specific episodes and personalities that contributed to Muhammad's understanding of Jesus. In addition, there are sources that address the various texts and religious communities that can be identified as possible influences on Muhammad.
