A Deep Dive into Islamic Belief

In today’s world of religious diversity and interfaith dialogue, it’s natural to wonder: Is following Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) the same as following Jesus (peace be upon him)?

Muslims believe in both prophets, but how does that belief manifest in practice? Is there a shared path between Islam and Christianity, especially when it comes to these two central figures?

Let’s explore what the Quran and Hadith say, understand the unique Muslim identity, and discover how following Prophet Muhammad aligns with the messages brought by Jesus revealing a spiritual unity beneath the surface differences.

What Do Muslims Believe About Jesus (Isa) in Islam?

Before answering whether following Prophet Muhammad is the same as following Jesus, we need to understand how Islam views Jesus.

Muslims hold Jesus (Isa, peace be upon him) in the highest regard.

He is one of the five greatest prophets in Islam, known as Ulul Azm (those with great determination).

The Quran refers to Jesus as:

• The Messiah (Al-Masih) (Quran 3:45)
  • إِذْ قَالَتِ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ يَـٰمَرْيَمُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكِ بِكَلِمَةٍۢ مِّنْهُ ٱسْمُهُ ٱلْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ وَجِيهًۭا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَمِنَ ٱلْمُقَرَّبِينَ ٤٥
  • ˹Remember˺ when the angels proclaimed, “O Mary! Allah gives you good news of a Word from Him, his name will be the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary; honoured in this world and the Hereafter, and he will be one of those nearest ˹to Allah˺.
    
• A word from Allah (Quran 4:171)
  
• A spirit from Him (Quran 4:171)
  
• Born of a miraculous virgin birth (Quran 19:16-22)

But while Muslims love and honor Jesus, they don’t believe he is divine or the Son of God. The Quran makes it clear:

إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِيسَىٰ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ ءَادَمَ ۖ خَلَقَهُۥ مِن تُرَابٍۢ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ

“Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allah is like that of Adam. He created him from dust; then He said to him, ‘Be,’ and he was.”
  (Quran 3:59)

In Islam, Jesus is a prophet who called people to worship one God (Allah), just as Prophet Muhammad did. This shared message is central to the Islamic perspective.

What Is the Role of Prophet Muhammad in Islam?

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is considered the Seal of the Prophets (Khatam an-Nabiyyin), meaning he is the last prophet sent by God.

His mission was not to replace the messages of previous prophets, including Jesus, but to complete and clarify them.

مَّا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَآ أَحَدٍۢ مِّن رِّجَالِكُمْ وَلَـٰكِن رَّسُولَ ٱللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمًۭا

“Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the last of the prophets.”
  (Quran 33:40)

His life, teachings, and actions preserved in Hadith serve as a complete guide for Muslims in every aspect of life: from worship to business ethics, family life to community relations.

Did Prophet Muhammad and Jesus Preach the Same Message?

Yes. At their core, both prophets called people to worship only one God, live righteously, and prepare for the Hereafter.

The Quran echoes this:

إِنَّنِىٓ أَنَا ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۠ فَٱعْبُدْنِى وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ لِذِكْرِىٓ

“Indeed, I am Allah. There is no deity except Me, so worship Me and establish prayer for My remembrance.”
  (Quran 20:14)

And Prophet Muhammad said:

“The most beloved deeds to Allah are those done regularly, even if they are small.”
  (Sahih Bukhari)

These teachings reveal a powerful harmony. The core of their messages faith, obedience, humility, and righteousness are strikingly similar.

Why Was a Final Prophet Necessary if Jesus Already Came?

This is a common question. If Jesus brought the message of God, why did Prophet Muhammad have to come?

From the Islamic view:

1. Jesus’ message was for a specific people and time   primarily the Israelites.
   
2. His message was altered over time   the original Gospel (Injeel) revealed to him is believed to have been changed.
   
3. A universal and final messenger was needed   someone whose message would be preserved and meant for all of humanity.

وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةًۭ لِّلْعَـٰلَمِينَ

“We have sent you O Muhammad] not but as a mercy for the worlds.”
  (Quran 21:107)

وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ إِلَّا كَآفَّةًۭ لِّلنَّاسِ بَشِيرًۭا وَنَذِيرًۭا وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

“And We have not sent you except comprehensively to mankind as a bringer of good tidings and a warner.”
  (Quran 34:28)

So Prophet Muhammad didn’t cancel Jesus’ mission he confirmed it and expanded it universally.

Is Following Prophet Muhammad Like Continuing Jesus’ Mission?

Absolutely. From the Islamic perspective, following Prophet Muhammad is a continuation of the message brought by Jesus.

They are part of the same divine chain.

Prophet Muhammad said:

“I am the nearest of all the people to Jesus, the son of Mary, in this world and in the Hereafter.

The prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one.”
  (Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

This beautiful hadith shows that even though prophets had different laws for different communities, their core message belief in one God was always the same.

How Does the Quran Confirm the Message of Jesus?

The Quran directly confirms the mission of Jesus. It speaks of his miraculous birth, his miracles, and his call to worship God alone:

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمْ فَٱعْبُدُوهُ ۗ هَـٰذَا صِرَٰطٌۭ مُّسْتَقِيمٌۭ

“Jesus said ‘Indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is the straight path.’”
  (Quran 3:51)

وَقَفَّيْنَا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم بِعِيسَى ٱبْنِ مَرْيَمَ مُصَدِّقًۭا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ ۖ وَءَاتَيْنَـٰهُ ٱلْإِنجِيلَ فِيهِ هُدًۭى وَنُورٌۭ وَمُصَدِّقًۭا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ وَهُدًۭى وَمَوْعِظَةًۭ لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ

“And We sent, following in their footsteps, Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming that which came before him in the Torah; and We gave him the Gospel…”
  (Quran 5:46)

This means that Muslims who follow Prophet Muhammad are also, in effect, respecting and upholding the true message of Jesus.

What Is the Unique Muslim Identity?

The Muslim identity is rooted in:

• Tawheed (Oneness of God)
  
• Following the final Prophet Muhammad
  
• Submission to God in all aspects of life.

Muslims have distinct ways of living prayer, fasting, charity, modesty, and brotherhood that are guided by the Quran and Sunnah.

But what makes this identity unique is its universality and preservation.

The Quran remains unchanged for over 1400 years, and the life of Prophet Muhammad has been recorded in great detail.

“This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as your religion.”
  (Quran 5:3)

Muslims are not a nation by blood or race, but by faith and practice this makes the Muslim identity universal and accessible to anyone, anywhere.

Can Christians Relate to Muslims Through Jesus?

However, the key difference is theological:

• Christians believe Jesus is divine, the Son of God.
  
• Muslims believe Jesus is a prophet, born miraculously, but entirely human.

Still, both agree on his righteousness, compassion, miracles, and closeness to God.

Will Jesus Return, According to Islam?

Yes. Islam teaches that Jesus will return before the Day of Judgment not as a new prophet, but to restore justice, defeat the Antichrist (Dajjal), and clarify his true mission.

“By Him in Whose Hand is my soul, the son of Mary will soon descend among you as a just judge…”
  (Sahih Bukhari)

His return will confirm that he never claimed divinity and will unite believers under the truth of Islam.

So, Is Following Prophet Muhammad the Same as Following Jesus?

In many essential ways, yes.

Following Prophet Muhammad means:

• Believing in and honoring Jesus
  
• Upholding the message of worshiping One God
  
• Continuing the ethical teachings Jesus taught
  
• Preparing for the Hereafter through righteous action

But for Muslims, following Prophet Muhammad means following the final and complete message from God one that includes Jesus, Moses, Abraham, and all the prophets.

Final Thoughts: What Can We Learn From This Unity?

Understanding that Prophet Muhammad and Jesus share a divine mission can help bridge gaps between Muslims and Christians.

Rather than focusing only on differences, we can appreciate the shared values of:

• Compassion
  
• Justice
  
• Worship
  
• Humility
  
• Serving others

For Muslims, following Prophet Muhammad means not rejecting Jesus but truly following his message, as God intended.

“Say, O Muhammad, ‘We believe in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Descendants, and what was given to Moses and Jesus… We make no distinction between any of them…’”
  (Quran 2:136)