Muslims believe that Jesus was a prophet and not divine, and they question the concept of his preexistence.

The Gospel of Luke provides significant evidence for the preexistence of Christ, particularly through the use of the term 'anatole,' which refers to the sunrise or the rising of a plant. This term is linked to Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah, suggesting that Luke viewed Jesus not merely as a prophet but as the preexistent Divine Being who fulfills these prophecies. In Zechariah's prayer, the mention of the 'sunrise' visiting from on high indicates a divine intervention in human history, aligning with the Christian belief in Jesus' divine nature. Furthermore, the references to the 'Branch' in the Old Testament underscore the messianic expectations that are fulfilled in Christ, reinforcing the idea that Jesus is the awaited Messiah who existed before his earthly incarnation. Thus, Luke's portrayal of Jesus aligns with the understanding of his preexistence and divinity, countering the Muslim claim that denies these aspects of Christ's identity.