Many have no idea how important the Prophet Jesus (PBUH) has been to Islam. Jesus (PBUH) has predicted the coming of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. In the Qur’an, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ appears only 5 times, while the name of Prophet Jesus (PBUH) appears at least 25 times. When a Muslim says the name of Jesus (pbuh), the words ‘peace be upon him’ are added as a sign of respect. But who exactly was the prophet Jesus (PBUH)? Continue reading below to learn about Jesus (PBUH).
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Who was Jesus?
In Islam, Jesus (PBUH) is known as ‘Isa’, an Islamic Arabic name. Other names for Jesus (pbuh) are ‘Isa bin Maryam’, or ‘Jesus (pbuh) son of Mary’.
Normally, in the Arab countries but also here in Europe, a child carries the name of the father. Because Jesus (PBUH) had no father, he is therefore named after his mother.
Jesus (PBUH) was a very important prophet and messenger in Islam. He is even considered one of the most great prophets of God (One of the 5 major prophets). According to the Christians, Jesus (PBUH) is the Son of God, but within Islam, God has no sons. Jesus (PBUH) has never been the son of God in Islam, has never been crucified and has never risen from the dead. A true Muslim automatically believes in the prophethood of Jesus. Muslims also believe that Jesus (PBUH) is a child of Mary, born of virgin conception. Unlike Christianity, Jesus (pbuh) was taken up to heaven alive by God and there he still resides.
Islamic characteristics of Jesus
If you are a Muslim, there are a number of things that are of great importance when it comes to Prophet Jesus (PBUH). Believing in the prophethood of Jesus requires the believe in the following:
- If you do not believe in Jesus, you are not a Muslim.
- The birth of Jesus (pbuh) was miraculous.
- Jesus (pbuh) performed miracles.
- Jesus (PBUH) is neither God nor a son of God.
- Jesus (PBUH) was not crucified or died on the cross.
- Jesus (pbuh) will come back.
The supernatural birth of Jesus
Many who know the story of Jesus (PBUH) according to the Christians believe that the resurrection 3 days after death was the greatest event. Jesus (PBUH) has risen from the dead and that was good news, but according to the Muslims, the supernatural birth is much, much more important than the history of suffering. Jesus (pbuh) was born of the virgin Mary (Meryem).
Was Jesus (pbuh) the son of God?
No, according to Islam, Jesus (PBUH) was not a Son of God. According to the Qur’an, Jesus, or “Isa,” is the son of Mary. There are several reasons why Jesus (PBUH) is not the Son of God according to Islam. Also, the fact that both Adam and Eve were conceived without parents may mean that a father is not necessary for a son to be regarded as divine. Adam (as) would otherwise also have to be the Son of God. It is clearly stated in the Qur’an that God had no sons, and therefore is not a father. Finally, Jesus (PBUH) performed many miracles, but this also does not indicate divinity. Other prophets who came before Jesus (PBUH) also performed certain miracles.
[He is] Originator of the heavens and the earth. How could He have a son when He does not have a companion and He created all things? And He is, of all things, Knowing.[6:101]
[And yet] they assert, “God has taken unto Himself a son!” Limitless is He in His glory! Self-sufficient is He: unto Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth! No evidence whatever have you for this [assertion]! Would you ascribe unto God something which you cannot know? – [10:68]
Reason why Jesus is not God
Islam is the faith of reason. Ancient peoples who received the Qur’an in the early days of the spread of Islam asked why reasoning was so much emphasized. Reasoning in its broad sense, but also pondering (English: ponder upon) verses in the Koran. Similarly, we should think about matters of theology. When we talk about God, we are talking about the Creator with infinite Wisdom and Power. There can’t be multiple gods or you would see complete chaos in the universe where one would want to destroy the other. When we come back to the story of the trinity, we cannot avoid the fact that Jesus also went to the toilet and ate.
“The Messiah [‘Eesa (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary), was no more than a Messenger; many were the Messengers that passed away before him. His mother [Maryam (Mary)] was a Siddeeqah [i.e. she believed in the Words of Allah and His Books]. They both used to eat food (as any other human being, while Allah does not eat). Look how We make the Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) clear to them; yet look how they are deluded away (from the truth)” [al-Maa’idah 5:75]
How can we accept this? How can you imagine God with His infinite power going to the toilet? How derogatory is that? And why should God have a Son and not a daughter? In addition, Jesus never preached that he was the son of God. In the earlier language the word father was used for God, but in a completely different context. It was Paul who introduced the whole trinity concept years later after seeing a dream.
Allah the Exalted will ask Jesus (PBUH) on the Day of Judgment about this matter:
“And (remember) when Allaah will say (on the Day of Resurrection): ‘O ‘Eesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)! Did you say unto men: “Worship me and my mother as two gods besides Allaah?”’ He will say: ‘Glory be to You! It was not for me to say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, You would surely have known it. You know what is in my inner-self though I do not know what is in Yours; truly, You, only You, are the All-Knower of all that is hidden (and unseen).
Never did I say to them aught except what You (Allaah) did command me to say: “Worship Allaah, my Lord and your Lord.”’ And I was a witness over them while I dwelt amongst them, but when You took me up, You were the Watcher over them; and You are a Witness to all things. (This is a great admonition and warning to the Christians of the whole world).
[al-Maa’idah 5:116-118]
Did Jesus (pbuh) die on the cross?
According to Islam, Jesus (PBUH) did not die on the cross. In fact, Jesus (PBUH) was never crucified according to the Qur’an. The Jews had plans to hang Jesus (PBUH) on the cross, but God put another one similar to Jesus (PBUH) in his place. So the Jews did not kill the real Jesus (PBUH), but another person who looked very much like him.
“And because of their saying (in boast), ‘We killed the Messiah ‘Eesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), the Messenger of Allaah,’ — but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but it appeared so to them the resemblance of ‘Eesa (Jesus) was put over another man (and they killed that man)], and those who differ therein are full of doubts. They have no (certain) knowledge, they follow nothing but conjecture. For surely; they killed him not [i.e. ‘Eesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)]:
But Allah raised him [‘Eesa (Jesus)] up (with his body and soul) unto Himself (and he is in the heavens). And Allah is Ever All Powerful, All Wise” [al-Nisaa’ 4:157-158]
The miracles of Jesus
Jesus (pbuh) performed several miracles during his life on earth. These are miracles such as healings, resurrections from the dead, mastery of nature or exorcisms. These miracles Jesus (pbuh) performed by the power and Will of Allah. In the Qur’an there is a list of all the miracles that Jesus (pbuh) did, including healing the blind, raising the dead and many more.
Divine or human?
Jesus (PBUH) is according to the Christians a divine person, but Islam sees Jesus (PBUH) as a prophet and messenger.
How else could God stoop to the level of a man and go to the bathroom or food? Allah is far above what they associate with Him.
The Christians believe that Jesus (pbuh) is part of the trinity: the Son, the Father and the Holy Spirit. However, Muslims do not believe in this and say that Jesus (PBUH) has no divine attributes. There are no other gods besides Allah.
Jesus (pbuh) in christianity versus islam
Both Christianity and Islam are monotheistic religions where only one God is worshiped. According to Islam, it is a sin and idolatry to regard other beings as God. Below you will find a handy overview with the most important differences of Jesus (PBUH) or Isa in Islam and Christianity.
| Islam | Christendom |
| Jesus (pbuh) is a prophet and messenger. | Jesus (PBUH) is the savior of mankind. |
| Jesus (PBUH) is not a Son of God. | Jesus (PBUH) is the Son of God. |
| Jesus (pbuh) is not a divine person. | Jesus (pbuh) is a divine person. |
| Jesus (PBUH) was not crucified. | Jesus (pbuh) was crucified and died on the cross. |
| Jesus (pbuh) has been raised to the 3rd heaven and is still there. So he did not die and will come back at the end of time. | Jesus (pbuh) rose 3 days after his death. |
“Surely, disbelievers are those who said: ‘Allaah is the third of the three (in a Trinity).” But there is no Ilaah (god) (none who has the right to be worshipped) but One Ilaah (God —Allaah). And if they cease not from what they say, verily, a painful torment will befall on the disbelievers among them”[al-Maa’idah 5:73]
