Salaam - Questions about Islam I'm Exploring
As-salaam-alaikum - I'm researching Islam and have a lot of questions I want clear answers to instead of relying on biased claims. Hoping someone can help explain a few things in a straightforward way. When the Qur'an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by the angel Jibreel, did he only become convinced it was an angel after his wife Khadijah reassured him? If that's the case, how would she have recognized that it was an angel who visited him? The Qur'an mentions that Jesus (ʿIsa, peace be upon him) received a gospel. I don't see references to such a revealed book in the Christian historical record before Islam. Do Muslims accept the Qur'anic statement about that gospel on faith, or is there historical or theological explanation that explains this claim? Also, I understand the mainstream Islamic view is that Jesus was not crucified or killed on the cross. Yet many historians treat the crucifixion as an established historical event. Some Muslims hold that someone else was made to appear like Jesus and was crucified in his place. If that is the case, why would God allow another person to be put on the cross in Jesus' stead, and why would the misunderstanding about Jesus' death persist for so many centuries? Finally, why would God choose to send the final revelation through a human who was not sinless, rather than through Jesus, whom Muslims regard as a righteous and special prophet? How is the prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him) understood in light of human fallibility? JazakAllahu khair - I appreciate thoughtful, respectful answers. I'm trying to learn and understand, so please explain in everyday language if possible.