Jesus in Islam: ‘Isa Al-Masih—The Revered Prophet, Messiah, and Sign of God.
Did you know that a person cannot be a Muslim without believing in, loving, and revering Jesus Christ? For many in the Western world, this statement comes as an extraordinary surprise. Yet in the Islamic tradition, Jesus—known in Arabic as ‘Isa Al-Masih, عِيْسَى المَسِيْح عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ,—is one of the greatest, most beloved messengers of الله. Mentioned by name in the قُرْآن more times than Prophet Muhammad himself, Jesus occupies a place of immense theological honor, serving as a vital bridge of mutual affection between the world’s two largest religious communities.
Mary: The Most Honored Woman in Creation.
To understand Jesus in Islam, one must begin with his blessed mother, Mary, مَرْيَم. An entire chapter of the قُرْآن (Chapter 19) bears her name—a distinction not granted to any woman in the New Testament. Mary is celebrated as the pinnacle of spiritual purity and devotion:
As stated in Surah Ali ‘Imran, verse forty-two:
“And mention when the angels said, “O Mary, indeed الله has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds.”‘”
Islam affirms without reservation the miraculous Virgin Birth of Jesus. When the Angel Gabriel (Jibreel) announced to Mary that she would bear a righteous son, she asked in shock: ‘How can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?’ The angel replied: ‘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’ (Surah Maryam, verses twenty to twenty-one). God brought Jesus into existence simply through His sovereign divine command: Kun fa-yakun (كُنْ فَيَكُون – ‘Be, and it is’).
A Lifetime of Prophetic Miracles (Bi-Idhnillah).
The قُرْآن records magnificent miracles performed by Jesus throughout his life, emphasizing that every miracle occurred strictly by God’s permission, بِإِذْنِ الله,:
Speaking from the Cradle. When Mary returned to her people holding the infant Jesus and faced slanderous accusations, the newborn baby spoke from the cradle to defend his mother’s purity, declaring: ‘Indeed, I am the servant of الله. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet’ (Surah Maryam, verse thirty).
Breathing Life into Clay Birds. By God’s leave, Jesus fashioned clay into the shape of a bird, breathed into it, and it became a living bird by divine power.
Healing the Blind and Lepers. Restoring vision to those born blind and healing outcasts afflicted with incurable leprosy.
Raising the Dead. Bringing deceased individuals back to life by the sovereign command of the Almighty.
The Essence of His Message: Pure Monotheism.
In Islam, Jesus was not God incarnate, nor was he the literal biological son of God. Rather, he was an exalted human prophet, a spirit from God (Ruhun minhu), and His Word (Kalimatuhu) bestowed upon Mary. The core mission of Jesus was to call the Children of Israel back to pure monotheistic worship:
As stated in Surah Maryam, verse thirty-six:
“Jesus said, “And indeed, الله is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is a straight path.”‘”
Jesus confirmed the divine revelation of the Torah (Tawrat) and brought the original Gospel, إِنْجِيْل, preaching humility, moral sincerity, compassion, and the love of God.
The Crucifixion and Divine Ascension.
Regarding the climax of Jesus’ earthly ministry, the Islamic account diverges from the traditional Christian narrative. The قُرْآن affirms that when conspirators sought to humiliate and execute Jesus, God protected His noble messenger, raising him bodily to heaven:
As stated in Surah An-Nisa, verses one hundred fifty-seven to one hundred fifty-eight:
“And for their saying, “Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of الله.” And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but another was made to resemble him to them… Rather, الله raised him to Himself. And ever is الله Exalted in Might and Wise.”
In Islamic eschatology, Jesus is alive in heaven and will return to Earth before the Day of Judgment as a just ruler, dispelling falsehood, establishing peace and justice across the globe, and uniting believers under the worship of the One True God.
Conclusion: A Beloved Brother to Muhammad.
Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) expressed his profound spiritual bond with Jesus in moving words: ‘I am the closest of all people to Jesus, the son of Mary, in this world and the hereafter. The prophets are brothers from different mothers, but their religion is one.’ Loving Jesus is not optional in Islam; it is an integral requirement of faith, making Jesus an enduring beacon of shared prophetic light between Muslims and Christians.