How do Muslims respond to C.S. Lewis's "Lord, Liar or Lunatic" argument?

The "Lord, Liar, or Lunatic" argument, proposed by C.S. Lewis, suggests that Jesus must be one of these three based on his claims of divinity. While this argument is specifically aimed at the Christian understanding of Jesus, Muslims respond to it through their own theological framework, which differs significantly from the Christian perspective.

Muslims believe in Jesus (known as Isa in Arabic) as a highly revered prophet and messenger of God, but they do not accept his divinity or the concept of the Trinity. In Islam, Jesus is seen as a servant of Allah who performed miracles by God's permission and delivered God's message, but he is not considered the Son of God or divine himself. Therefore, the premise of the argument—that Jesus is either God, a liar, or delusional—does not apply in the same way to Islamic teachings.

Muslims would argue that Jesus was a true prophet, conveying the message of monotheism and calling people to worship one God. From the Islamic perspective, the claims of Jesus regarding his divinity are misinterpretations or misrepresentations of his true message. The Qur'an states, Hath he invented a lie concerning Allah, or is there in him a madness? Nay, but those who disbelieve in the Hereafter are in torment and far error 34:8, emphasizing the importance of truth in the prophethood and the rejection of false claims.

Furthermore, the Qur'an presents Jesus as someone who submitted to the will of God, which aligns with the Islamic view of all prophets, including Muhammad. In this context, Muslims would assert that Jesus did not claim divinity but rather called for the worship of Allah alone, thus refuting the categories proposed by Lewis.

In summary, Muslims respond to C.S. Lewis's argument by emphasizing the Islamic understanding of Jesus as a prophet, rather than as a divine figure, and by rejecting the notion that he could be categorized as a liar or lunatic based on an understanding that differs from the Christian view.