Islam holds a deeply profound and respectful perspective on Jesus (known as Isa in Arabic; peace be upon him).
His story, interwoven with miracles, prophecies, and divine teachings, occupies a significant place in the Qur’an and Islamic tradition.
Muslims regard him as one of the mightiest prophets, a man of immaculate virtue, and a key figure in the tapestry of faith.
Let us explore the story of Isa (peace be upon him) in Islam, tracing his miraculous birth, his mission, his miracles, and his eventual return in the end times.
The miraculous birth
The story of Jesus begins with his mother, Mary (Maryam, peace be upon her), who is highly revered in Islam.
She is the only woman mentioned by name in the Qur’an, and an entire chapter, Surah Maryam (Chapter 19), is dedicated to her story.
Mary is described as a devout and pure woman chosen by Allah above all other women.
The Qur’an narrates how an angel appeared to Mary to deliver the news of her miraculous conception. Allah says:
“And mention, [O Muhammad], in the book [the story of] Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place toward the east. And she took, in seclusion from them, a screen.
Then We sent to her Our angel, and he represented himself to her as a well-proportioned man. She said, ‘Indeed, I seek refuge in the Most Merciful from you, [so leave me], if you should be fearing of Allah.’
He said, ‘I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you [news of] a pure boy.’” (Surah Maryam 19:16–19)
Mary expressed her astonishment, wondering how she could conceive a child when no man had ever touched her. The angel responded:
“[The angel] said, ‘Thus [it will be]; your Lord says, “It is easy for Me, and We will make him a sign to the people and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter [already] decreed.”’” (*Surah Maryam 19:21*)
This moment emphasizes the miraculous nature of Jesus’ birth, an event brought about by Allah’s command, “Be,” and it was. Islam unequivocally states that Jesus had no earthly father, making his birth a divine miracle, akin to the creation of Adam.
Isa (peace be upon him) as a Prophet
In Islam, Jesus is not regarded as the son of God but as a noble prophet and messenger, tasked with guiding the Children of Israel back to the worship of Allah alone. The Qur’an states:
“And [we] sent him as a messenger to the Children of Israel [who said], ‘Indeed, I have come to you with a sign from your Lord…’” (Surah Aal-e-Imran 3:49).
Isa’s message was clear: to call people to Tawheed (the oneness of God) and to remind them of their covenant with Allah. He confirmed the teachings of earlier prophets and the Torah while delivering the Injil (Gospel), a divine scripture revealed to him.
The Qur’an repeatedly emphasizes his humanity and his role as a servant of Allah, rejecting the notion of divinity attributed to him in Christian theology.
“The Messiah, son of Mary, was not but a messenger; [other] messengers have passed on before him. And his mother was a supporter of truth. They both used to eat food.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:75)
This verse underscores his human nature, distinguishing him from Allah, who is above all needs.
The Miracles of Isa (Peace Be Upon Him)
Jesus, by Allah’s permission, performed numerous miracles to demonstrate the truth of his prophethood. These miracles, narrated in the Qur’an, include:
Speaking as an infant: Shortly after his birth, when Mary faced accusations of immorality, baby Jesus spoke from the cradle, defending his mother’s honor and affirming his mission:
“He [Jesus] said, ‘Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet.’” (Surah Maryam 19:30)
Healing the sick and curing the blind and lepers:
“[I have come] to heal the blind and the leper…” (Surah Aal-e-Imran 3:49)
Breathing life into a bird made of clay:
“And I design for you from clay [that which is] like the form of a bird, then I breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by permission of Allah” (Surah Aal-e-Imran 3:49).
Raising the dead: Jesus performed the miracle of bringing the dead back to life, again by Allah’s permission.
Providing sustenance from heaven: The Qur’an recounts the story of the Ma’idah (table spread), a miraculous provision of food requested by his disciples as a sign of faith:
“‘O Jesus, Son of Mary, can your Lord send down to us a table [spread with food] from heaven? ’” (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:112)
These extraordinary acts were not performed by Jesus independently but as a sign of Allah’s power working through him.
The Crucifixion: A Different Perspective
One of the most notable distinctions between Islamic and Christian theology is the account of the crucifixion. Islam unequivocally denies that Jesus was crucified or killed.
In Tafsir Ibn Kathir (2/47), Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) stated:
After the Messiah (peace be upon him) was taken to heaven by Allah, his followers divided into different groups.
Some of them had faith in what Allah had revealed to him and believed him to be a servant of Allah, His messenger, and the offspring of His female servant.
Some people went to extremes by seeing him as the son of God, while others went as far as claiming he was God. Others claimed he was the last of a trio.
Allah informed us about the statements mentioned in the Quran and then replied to each group.
Instead, the Qur’an asserts that it only appeared so to the people:
“And [for] their saying, ‘Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.’ And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it.
They have no knowledge of it except the following assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain.” (Surah An-Nisa 4:157)
Muslims believe that Allah raised Jesus bodily to heaven, sparing him from death. This belief underscores Allah’s power and serves as a testament to Jesus’ esteemed status as a prophet.
Jesus’ Return in the End Times
A pivotal element of Islamic eschatology is the return of Isa (peace be upon him) in the end times.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) foretold that Jesus would descend to Earth before the Day of Judgment to restore justice and fight falsehood.
The hadith literature provides details about his second coming:
Jesus will descend in the midst of a time marked by turmoil and the emergence of the false messiah (Al-Masih ad-Dajjal).
He will break the cross, kill the swine, and abolish the jizya (a tax historically levied on non-Muslims), signifying the end of distortions in faith and the universal acceptance of monotheism.
Jesus will lead the believers in prayer and bring peace to the earth.
After fulfilling his mission, Isa (peace be upon him) will pass away and be buried, with his final resting place near the Prophet Muhammad in Medina.
A Bridge Between Faiths
The story of Jesus in Islam not only sheds light on his revered status among Muslims but also acts as a bridge for interfaith dialogue between Muslims and Christians.
Both religions honor him as a figure of righteousness, though their theological interpretations differ.
The Qur’an acknowledges these shared elements while inviting people of all faiths to reflect on the singular nature of Allah:
“Say, ‘O People of the Scripture, come to a word that is equitable between us and you—that we will not worship except Allah and not associate anything with Him and not take one another as lords instead of Allah.’” (Surah Aal-e-Imran 3:64)
Conclusion
Jesus (Isa, peace be upon him) stands as a towering figure in Islamic theology, embodying faith, humility, and unwavering devotion to Allah.
His story inspires Muslims to reflect on the divine wisdom and mercy inherent in creation and to strive for righteousness in their lives.
In understanding Jesus’ place in Islam, we gain insight into a profound narrative that underscores commonalities between Islam and Christianity while maintaining the unique aspects of Islamic belief.
For Muslims, Isa (peace be upon him) is a testament to the power of Allah, a reminder of the unity of divine guidance, and a herald of ultimate justice and peace in the world to come.
For Halal Business Listing Visit Muslimee.com
