What does Islam say about Jesus?

What does Islam say about Jesus?

Jesus, peace and blessings be upon him, is a beloved and honoured prophet in Islam. In fact, he is one of the five greatest prophets sent by God: Muhammad, Abraham, Noah, Moses, and Jesus, peace and blessings be upon them all. Allah makes mention of them in the Quran:

And [mention, O Muhammad], when We took from the prophets their covenant and from you and from Noah and Abraham and Moses and Jesus, the son of Mary; and We took from them a solemn covenant. [Qur’an 33:7]

According to Islamic belief, Jesus, peace and blessings be upon him, is a human being. In the Quran he is referred to as Isa. He is from among the progeny of Adam, the first human being that God created. Jesus was created from a mother, but had no father. His mother, Maryam, peace be upon her, was one of the most pious women that ever lived.

Jesus was a human being and had no attributes of lordship. The Quran makes this clear:

Jesus was not but a servant upon whom We bestowed favour and We made him an example for the Children of Israel. [Qur’an 43:59]

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]

God enabled Jesus to perform many miracles. This included speaking from the cradle when he was a baby; healing the blind, the deaf, and the sick; as well as bringing the dead back to life. Like the miracles given to other prophets, the miracles that Jesus was given indicated his truthfulness and the power of the One who enabled the miracles.

Jesus did not ask his followers to take him or his mother as deities. Rather, he asked them to worship Allah, the One True God. Jesus was a prophet and a slave of God who called people to the straight path. He followed in the footsteps of all the Prophets and Messengers in calling their respective communities to the same message: unadulterated monotheism. Only the One God is worthy of devotion and worship.

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, in which was guidance and light and confirming that which preceded it of the Torah as guidance and instruction for the righteous. And let the People of the Gospel judge by what Allah has revealed therein. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed – then it is those who are the defiantly disobedient. [Quran 5:46-47]

The Quran reports Jesus to have said to his people:

“And [I have come] confirming what was before me of the Torah and to make lawful for you some of what was forbidden to you. And I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so fear Allah and obey me. Indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is the straight path.” [Quran 3:50-51]

The Quran foretells a conversation that will occur between Allah and Jesus on the Day of Judgement:

And [beware the Day] when Allah will say, “O Jesus, Son of Mary, did you say to the people, ‘Take me and my mother as deities besides Allah?'” He will say, “Exalted are You! It was not for me to say that to which I have no right. If I had said it, You would have known it. You know what is within myself, and I do not know what is within Yourself. Indeed, it is You who is Knower of the unseen. I said not to them except what You commanded me – to worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. And I was a witness over them as long as I was among them; but when You took me up, You were the Observer over them, and You are, over all things, Witness. If You should punish them – indeed they are Your servants; but if You forgive them – indeed it is You who is the Exalted in Might, the Wise. [Quran, 5: 116-118]

Muslims do not believe that Jesus was killed or crucified. Muslim scholars agree that he was saved by God from the hate of those plotting his death. Indeed, we believe what Allah has told us in the Quran:

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 of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain. Rather, Allah raised him to Himself. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise. And there is none from the People of the Scripture but that he will surely believe in Jesus before his death. And on the Day of Resurrection he will be against them a witness. [Qur’an 4:157‐159]

From this we know that Jesus was not crucified. God made one of the people of Israel to resemble Jesus and it was this person who was crucified. As for Jesus himself, God protected him and raised him to the heavens where he will remain until the end of times. Jesus will return to earth one day. But he will not return as a prophet. He will descend to earth and live as a follower of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon them both).

Jesus, peace be upon him, is a very special figure in Islam as a Muslim’s faith is not complete unless we believe that Jesus was one of God’s prophets. Jesus was a humble servant of God, and we have much to learn from his life and his mission.