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 (Almighty God). Mentioned by name in the قُرْآن (The Quran) 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 (*Maryam* 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:

‘And [mention] when the angels said, “O Mary, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds.”‘ (Surah Ali ‘Imran, 3:42)

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, 19:20–21). 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** (*Bi-Idhni-llah* بِإِذْنِ الله):

• 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 Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet’ (Surah Maryam, 19:30).
• 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.
• Restoring vision to those born blind and healing outcasts afflicted with incurable leprosy.
• 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:

‘[Jesus said], “And indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is a straight path.”‘ (Surah Maryam, 19:36)

Jesus confirmed the divine revelation of the Torah (*Tawrat*) and brought the original Gospel (*Injeel* 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:

‘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… Rather, Allah raised him to Himself. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise.’ (Surah An-Nisa, 4:157–158)

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.