On the other hand...

On the other hand, in the books of the Shia, even some of the oldest, utterances of him are found in abundance. Imam Ali (PBUH), the first Imam of the Shia narrated the ascetic style of the life of Christ in one of his sermons, given under No. 160, in Nahj al-Balaghah.

After him, in the 2nd century A.H., Imam al-Sadiq quoted the preaching of Christ, as found exactly in the Bible of Mathew, while delivering his advice to Abdullah bin Jandab in New Testament, book of Mathew, chapter 6, sentences 2,3,6,7,16 and 18. During the period from the 2nd to the 4th century A.H., al-Jahiz, in al-Bayan wa al-Tabin, nine short sayings and one detailed speech of Christ were recorded.

During the middle of the 4th century an eminent Shii author, Abu Muhammad Hasan bin Ali bin al-Husayn bin Shubah al-Harani (d. 38 A.H. = 1001 A.D.) in his book, Tuhf al-Uqul an Al al-Rasul, had devoted about 16 pages to record the sayings of Christ. These utterances consist of two parts: the first, which is briefer, second, which is comparatively detailed, quote parts of Christ’s sermons.

According to the research done in this regard, the same words are accessible to us at present, in some of the Book of New Testaments). For example, one may refer to the following: Book of Mathew, sentences 1-7, 14-17 and 44-45 in chapter 5, sentences 12-19, 24, 30 in chapter 6, sentence 16 in chapter 7, and 29-36 in chapter 22; Book of Luke, sentences 17-49 in chapter 6; 44-45 in chapter 6, 4-17 in chapter 8 and 37-53 in chapter 11; Book of Mark, sentence 30 in chapter 12.

Ibn Shubah was a resident of Harran and since Harran was a centre of learning for the Christians, he had access to a majority of the Christian primary source. Of course, most of the sentences that Ibn Shubah has quoted are specifically from the books of Mathew, Luke and Mark. It remains unknown why he has not quoted from all the books of the New Testament.

However, it is a distinct feature of the Shii works that they have been forerunners in the matter of referring to and quoting profusely from the sayings and sermons of Christ as compared to all other Muslim sects. 3) In the books of the Shia special attempt has been made to deal with the life and character of Jesus Christ (PBUH)].

In sermon 159 in Nahj al-Balaghah, Imam Ali (PBUH), while highlighting the piety of great prophets, writes about Jesus Christ: “Hadrat Masih (PBUH) laid his head on a stone, put on the dress made of coarse material, took tough food.