In what ways does the Promised Messiah (as) resemble Jesus (as)?

In what is essential. Both came without a new law and without the sword, both served the law of their master, both answered hatred with patience and love, and both met a religious community that clung to outward forms.

When we say a man is like a lion, we mean his courage and strength, not a mane or a tail. Likeness always concerns what is essential. With Jesus (as) the essential thing was this: he renounced the sword, surrendered fully to God’s will and answered hatred with love. In this he differed from the prophets of Israel before him, who were allowed to defend themselves with arms.

Some ask how there can be a likeness when Jesus (as) was sent to the Children of Israel while the Promised Messiah (as) was sent to the whole world. The answer lies in the relationship to the master. Jesus (as) brought no new law. He served the law of Moses (as), and so his mission reached as far as that of Moses (as). The Promised Messiah (as) serves the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw), whose mission is to all people. So his mission is to all people too.

Further likenesses follow from this. Moses (as) and the Holy Prophet (saw) were allowed to defend themselves with the sword when attacked. Jesus (as) was not, and neither was the Promised Messiah (as). Both they and their followers had to bear persecution with patience, and yet their communities grew without weapons. The hadith above says that the coming Messiah will put an end to war.

The circumstances are alike as well. In the time of Jesus (as) many scholars clung to the outward forms of religion while its spirit was being lost. The Muslim world was in a similar state when the Promised Messiah (as) came. From the start his work looked both inward, to the renewal of Muslims, and outward, especially to Christians, whom he called to the One God.