Another perspective on Easter holiday

With Good Friday and Easter around the corner, I share my perspective on Jesus whom I often pray for as an Ahmadi Muslim.

Allah and Prophet Muhammad teach me in the Qur’an that Jesus son of Mary was the Messiah, Word and Spirit from God to Mary, Prophet and Messenger to children of Israel, strengthened with the Holy Spirit, given the Gospels, performed miracles by Allah’s command, was made to appear crucified but was saved from accursed death on the Cross to die dignified naturally at an old age (3:56), and was made a sign of survival not revival like Jonah (Matt. 12:39) along with his mother eventually finding the lost tribes and refuge on an elevated land with green valleys and running springs (23:51).

Jesus also gave the glad tidings of a Messenger after him named “Ahmad” (61:7) (John 14:16), another name of Prophet Muhammad and the name of the second coming of Christ, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. Messiah Ahmad founded my worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community on March 23, 1889, and left behind a spiritual Caliphate that thrives and grows stronger today under the guided leadership of the fifth Caliph, Mirza Masroor Ahmad.

Ahmad penned the renowned treatise “Jesus In India” perfectly evidentiating his claims and the natural death of Jesus at a ripe old age in Kashmir where his tomb can still be found in Roza Bal, Srinagar. I invite you to read it with an open heart and digest its remarkable historical proofs.

I wish my Christian neighbors a blessed season along with my Jewish neighbors who’ll be commemorating Passover, a tradition Jesus himself observed.

I too love and honor Jesus. I express my understandings to broaden yours and look forward to learning yours too. Peace be upon all Messengers and upon you.

Zahir Muhammad Mannan

Middletown