Historically, it was the Jews who rejected Jesus Christ (peace be upon him) and accused him as the impostor messiah, that until now they still believe that the messiah prophesied in their scripture has still yet to come.
On the other hand, modern day Christians (where the majority are Pauline Christians) consider him to be the “begotten son” of God and worship him as if he is one of the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth.
But the Islamic view of Jesus (peace be upon him) is based on what God has revealed to mankind when He said, “Truly the likeness of Jesus in God’s sight is in the likeness of Adam, He created him of dust, then He said to him, “Be!” and he was. This is the truth from your Lord, so be not of those who doubt.” So in God’s view, the creation of Jesus no different from the creation of Adam (peace be upon them). When God wants to create something, He only says “Be!” and it is. God can create anything and anyway He pleases.
A good example we can consider is the size and the perfection of the universe which is difficult for the human mind to comprehend and yet God has revealed and differentiated it to us the nature of His two creations when He said, “Are you more difficult to create or is the heavens (above) that He (God) constructed? On high has He raised its canopy, and He hath given it order and perfection.” God has further concluded when He said, “The creation of the heavens and the earth is indeed greater than the creation of mankind; yet most mankind know not.”
Is having a “begotten son” befitting of God? The rejection of the very idea of God having a son is stated clearly with strong words from God Himself when He said, “The Most Gracious has betaken a son! Indeed ye have put forth a thing most monstrous! As if the skies are about to burst, the earth to split asunder, and the mountains to fall down in utter ruin. That they attributed a son to the Most Gracious. For it is not consonant to the Majesty of the Most Gracious that He should beget a son. Not one of the beings in the heavens and the earth but must come to the Most Gracious as a slave.”
God has further said, “Such is Jesus, son of Mary, it is a statement of truth, about which they doubt or dispute. It befits not to the Majesty of God that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him, when He decreed a thing, He only says to it “Be!” and it is.” God has stated clearly who Jesus (peace be upon him) is when He said, “O people of the scripture, do not commit excesses in your religion or say about God except the truth. The messiah Jesus, son of Mary, was but a prophet of God and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul (created at a command) from Him so believe in God and His prophets. And do not say ‘trinity’, desist- it is better for you. Indeed God is one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And sufficient is God as Disposer of affairs.”
On the day of judgment, all the prophets and their respective followers of their times will be gathered before God and He will ask the prophets how they were received by their respective people and what they said to them. Among those who will be questioned by God is Jesus (peace be upon him), when God will ask him, “O Jesus, son of Mary did you say to the people, ‘take me and my mother as deities besides God?’ Jesus will answer before God, ‘Exalted are You! It was not for me to say that to which I have no right. If I had said it, You would have known it. You know what is within myself and I do not know what is within Yourself. Indeed, it is You who is Knower of the unseen. I said not to them except what You commanded me – to worship God my Lord and who is also their Lord. And I was a witness over them as long as I was among them; but when You took me up, You were the Observer over them, and You are over all things – Witness. If You should punish them, indeed they are Your slaves; but if You forgive them – indeed it is You who is Exalted in Might, the Wise.”
The real mission of Jesus (peace be upon him) was that he was especially prepared by God to be sent to the Jews who had deviated from the teachings of the prophets sent to them by God. However, the majority of the Jews rejected Jesus’ ministry.
It is an unfortunate fact and event of history that not many are following the ‘ straight path ‘ to which people were called in by Jesus Christ, the Noble Prophet of Islam. To know more of what God has enjoined us to believe for our salvation, please study and read the Holy Quran, (God’s Speech to Mankind).