Islamic Beliefs About Jesus

One's life with divine guidance.

In Islam, Jesus (Isa in Arabic) holds a revered position as one of the greatest prophets. Muslims believe that Jesus was not only a prophet but also a servant of Allah (SWT), entrusted with delivering a divine message to the people of Israel.

Unlike Christianity, which views Jesus as the Son of God and a central figure in the Holy Trinity, Islam sees Jesus purely as a human prophet who followed the will of Allah.

This belief is deeply rooted in Islamic scripture, including the Quran and Hadith, which provide comprehensive insights into his role and significance.

 Significance of Jesus in Islam

Jesus is one of the five Ulul Azm (possessors of steadfastness) prophets in Islam, alongside Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Muhammad (peace be upon them all).

These prophets are distinguished by their exceptional patience and determination in delivering Allah’s message.

Jesus’ role is particularly significant in Islamic eschatology, where he is prophesied to return before the Day of Judgment to restore justice and defeat the false messiah (Al-Dajjal).

Understanding Jesus’ role in Islam helps appreciate the broader theological framework of Islam and its connection with other Abrahamic faiths.

Islamic Beliefs About Jesus

Jesus in the Quran

Quranic References to Jesus

The Quran provides several references to Jesus, affirming his status as a prophet and a servant of Allah. One key verse states:  

يَـٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لَا تَغْلُوا۟ فِى دِينِكُمْ وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلْحَقَّ ۚ إِنَّمَا ٱلْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ وَكَلِمَتُهُۥٓ أَلْقَىٰهَآ إِلَىٰ مَرْيَمَ وَرُوحٌۭ مِّنْهُ ۖ فَـَٔامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ ۖ وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ ثَلَـٰثَةٌ ۚ ٱنتَهُوا۟ خَيْرًۭا لَّكُمْ ۚ إِنَّمَا ٱللَّهُ إِلَـٰهٌۭ وَٰحِدٌۭ ۖ سُبْحَـٰنَهُۥٓ أَن يَكُونَ لَهُۥ وَلَدٌۭ ۘ لَّهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ وَكِيلًۭا ١٧١

_”The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him.”_  

(Quran 4:171).  

This verse explicitly describes Jesus as a messenger of Allah and underscores his human nature, differentiating him from divine entities.

Another important verse states: 

إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِيسَىٰ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ ءَادَمَ ۖ خَلَقَهُۥ مِن تُرَابٍۢ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ ٥٩ 

_”Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allah is like that of Adam. He created him from dust and then said to him, ‘Be,’ and he was.”_  

(Quran 3:59).  

This comparison emphasises that Jesus, like Adam, was a creation of Allah and does not possess divine attributes.

 The Role of Jesus as a Prophet

In Islam, Jesus is considered a prophet who was sent to guide the Children of Israel and confirm the teachings of previous prophets. The Quran narrates his mission: 

وَرَسُولًا إِلَىٰ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ أَنِّى قَدْ جِئْتُكُم بِـَٔايَةٍۢ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ۖ أَنِّىٓ أَخْلُقُ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلطِّينِ كَهَيْـَٔةِ ٱلطَّيْرِ فَأَنفُخُ فِيهِ فَيَكُونُ طَيْرًۢا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَأُبْرِئُ ٱلْأَكْمَهَ وَٱلْأَبْرَصَ وَأُحْىِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا تَأْكُلُونَ وَمَا تَدَّخِرُونَ فِى بُيُوتِكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةًۭ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ٤٩ 

_”And [make him] a messenger to the Children of Israel, [saying], ‘I have come to you with a sign from your Lord that I design for you from clay [what is] like the form of a bird, then I breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by permission of Allah.’_  

(Quran 3:49).  

This verse highlights Jesus’ role in bringing divine signs and miracles to his people, emphasising that these miracles were performed with Allah’s permission, not by Jesus’ own power.

 The Concept of Jesus’ Miracles

Jesus performed several miracles during his lifetime, which are acknowledged in the Quran as signs of Allah’s power rather than indications of Jesus’ divinity. For instance:  

إِذْ قَالَ ٱللَّهُ يَـٰعِيسَى ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ ٱذْكُرْ نِعْمَتِى عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَىٰ وَٰلِدَتِكَ إِذْ أَيَّدتُّكَ بِرُوحِ ٱلْقُدُسِ تُكَلِّمُ ٱلنَّاسَ فِى ٱلْمَهْدِ وَكَهْلًۭا ۖ وَإِذْ عَلَّمْتُكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ وَٱلْإِنجِيلَ ۖ وَإِذْ تَخْلُقُ مِنَ ٱلطِّينِ كَهَيْـَٔةِ ٱلطَّيْرِ بِإِذْنِى فَتَنفُخُ فِيهَا فَتَكُونُ طَيْرًۢا بِإِذْنِى ۖ وَتُبْرِئُ ٱلْأَكْمَهَ وَٱلْأَبْرَصَ بِإِذْنِى ۖ وَإِذْ تُخْرِجُ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ بِإِذْنِى ۖ وَإِذْ كَفَفْتُ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ عَنكَ إِذْ جِئْتَهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ إِنْ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا سِحْرٌۭ مُّبِينٌۭ ١١٠

_”And ˹on Judgment Day˺ Allah will say, “O Jesus, son of Mary! Remember My favour upon you and your mother: how I supported you with the holy spirit1 so you spoke to people in ˹your˺ infancy and adulthood.

How I taught you writing, wisdom, the Torah, and the Gospel. How you moulded a bird from clay—by My Will—and breathed into it and it became a ˹real˺ bird—by My Will. How you healed the blind and the lepers—by My Will.

How you brought the dead to life—by My Will. How I prevented the Children of Israel from harming you when you came to them with clear proofs and the disbelievers among them said, “This is nothing but pure magic.”.’_  

(Quran 5:110).  

These miracles were meant to authenticate his prophethood and demonstrate Allah’s support for him. They also served as divine signs to strengthen the faith of his followers.

Hadith and Historical Context

Describing Jesus in some of the Hadith.

Hadith literature provides further details about Jesus’ life and role as a prophet. One notable Hadith reported by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is:  

_”By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, the son of Maryam (Jesus) will shortly descend among you and will judge mankind justly.”_  

(Sahih al-Bukhari).  

Islamic Beliefs About Jesus

This Hadith indicates Jesus’ future return, emphasising his role as a just ruler and reinforcing his status as a prophet in Islam.

Another Hadith states:  

_”The Hour will not be established until the son of Maryam descends among you as a just ruler.”_  

(Sahih Muslim).  

This Hadith highlights Jesus’ significant role in the eschatological events, reaffirming his importance in Islamic beliefs.

Historical Context of Jesus’ Prophethood

Jesus lived in a time of religious and social upheaval, where he faced considerable opposition from those who rejected his message.

The Quran and Hadith describe the challenges Jesus encountered, including his interactions with his disciples and opponents.

Despite these challenges, Jesus’ mission was to guide his people according to Allah’s commandments, continuing the legacy of previous prophets.

The Islamic Concept of Prophethood

 Definition and Role of a Prophet in Islam

In Islam, a prophet (Nabi) is a human being chosen by Allah to convey His message and guide people.

Prophets receive divine revelations and are tasked with delivering Allah’s commands to their communities.

They are not divine themselves but serve as role models and guides. The Quran states:  

وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِى كُلِّ أُمَّةٍۢ رَّسُولًا أَنِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجْتَنِبُوا۟ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ ۖ فَمِنْهُم مَّنْ هَدَى ٱللَّهُ وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ حَقَّتْ عَلَيْهِ ٱلضَّلَـٰلَةُ ۚ فَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَٱنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ ٣٦

_”We surely sent a messenger to every community, saying, “Worship Allah and shun false gods.” But some of them were guided by Allah, while others were destined to stray. So travel throughout the land and see the fate of the deniers!.’_  

(Quran 16:36).  

This verse underscores the universal role of prophets in guiding people to worship Allah alone and reject false deities.

 Jesus’ Role in Islamic Prophethood

Jesus’ role as a prophet in Islam was to reaffirm the monotheistic teachings of previous prophets and to deliver Allah’s guidance to the people of Israel.

His mission was consistent with the broader message of Islam, which emphasises worship of Allah alone and living a righteous life.

Jesus is seen as a part of the prophetic tradition, which culminates with the final prophet, Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Jesus’ Relationship with Islam

 The Concept of Jesus as a Muslim

In Islamic theology, Jesus is considered a Muslim in the sense that he fully submitted to the will of Allah. The term “Muslim” means one who submits to Allah, and Jesus exemplified this submission through his teachings and actions. The Quran describes Jesus’ submission: 

وَٱلسَّلَـٰمُ عَلَىَّ يَوْمَ وُلِدتُّ وَيَوْمَ أَمُوتُ وَيَوْمَ أُبْعَثُ حَيًّۭا ٣٣ 

_”Peace be upon me the day I was born, and the day I will die, and the day I am raised alive.”_  

(Quran 19:33).  

This verse reflects Jesus’ acceptance of Allah’s will and his adherence to the principles of Islam.

 Jesus’ Submission to Allah

Jesus’ life and mission demonstrate his complete submission to Allah.

He lived according to Allah’s guidance, teaching his followers to worship Allah alone and live righteously.

His actions and teachings are consistent with Islamic principles, emphasising his role as a devoted servant of Allah.

Conclusion

Summary of Jesus’ Prophethood in Islam

In Islam, Jesus is revered as a prophet who conveyed Allah’s message and performed miracles by divine permission. His life and teachings are integral to Islamic theology, emphasizing his role as a servant of Allah and a guide for his followers.

Understanding Jesus’ role in Islam provides insights into the broader framework of Islamic belief and the interconnectedness of Abrahamic faiths.

The Importance of Understanding Jesus in Islamic Theology

Understanding Jesus’ role in Islam is crucial for appreciating the theological context of Islam and its relationship with other Abrahamic religions.

It highlights the importance of submission to Allah and the continuity of divine guidance through the line of prophets. By recognizing these aspects, individuals can gain a deeper appreciation of Islamic teachings and the shared heritage of faith.

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Zaky Shoobley

Writing is fun and I enjoy it