Introduction to Jesus in Islam
Who is Jesus in Islam?
Jesus Christ (known as Isa ibn Maryam, عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ) holds a highly honored position in Islam. Unlike Christianity, which sees Jesus as the Son of God or God Himself, Islam teaches that he was:
- verified A mighty prophet and messenger sent by God.
- person A human being, not divine, who submitted to the will of God.
- auto_awesome A miraculous sign of God’s power, born without a father.
- military_tech The Messiah (Al-Masih), a title meaning “the anointed one.”
- volunteer_activism A servant of God who performed miracles by God’s permission.
- groups A prophet sent only to the Israelites (Bani Israel).
- update A man who will return before the Day of Judgment.
Jesus in the Quran
إِنَّمَا ٱلْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ وَكَلِمَتُهُۥ أَلْقَىٰهَا إِلَىٰ مَرْيَمَ وَرُوحٌۭ مِّنْهُ فَـَٔامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ ۖ وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ ثَلَٰثَةٌ ٱنتَهُوا۟ خَيْرًۭا لَّكُمْ ۚ
“The Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, was no more than a messenger of Allah and His Word, which He conveyed to Mary, and a spirit from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers and do not say, ‘Three’ (Trinity). Cease! It is better for you.” (Quran 4:171)
Jesus in the Bible
וְאֵלֶּה הֵם חַיֵּי הָעוֹלָם, לָדַעַת אוֹתְךָ, אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה לְבַדְּךָ אֵל אֱמֶת, וְאֶת יֵשׁוּעַ הַמָּשִׁיחַ אֲשֶׁר שָׁלַחְתָּ.
“Now this is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” (John 17:3, New Testament)
יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ יְהוָה אֶחָֽד
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One.” (Deuteronomy 6:4, Hebrew Bible – The Shema)
Logical Question: If Jesus was God, why does he refer to God as someone separate from himself?
Even in the Bible, Jesus emphasizes that he was a servant of God, not divine.
Why Do Muslims Believe in Jesus But Not in His Divinity?
Islam affirms Jesus as a prophet and messenger but rejects the belief that he was divine. Here’s why:
Jesus Never Claimed to Be God
Nowhere in the Bible does Jesus say “I am God, worship me.”
He always refers to God as “greater” than himself. He prays to God, which makes no sense if he was God himself.
“The Father is greater than I.” (John 14:28)
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)
Logical Question: If Jesus was God, why would he pray to God and call Him greater than himself?
Jesus Was a Human Being
He was born from a mother (Mary).
He ate, slept, and felt pain—all human traits.
God is eternal, all-powerful, and does not need food or sleep.
“He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.” (Isaiah 40:28, Hebrew Bible)
Logical Question: How can a mortal man who eats, sleeps, and prays be the eternal Creator?
God Does Not Change or Become a Man
The Bible itself states that God does not change.
God is not a man and never takes human form.
“God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind.” (Numbers 23:19, Hebrew Bible)
Logical Question: If God never changes, how could He suddenly become a human being?
Key Similarities and Differences Between Islam and Christianity
Comparison of Jesus in Islam & Christianity
Belief
Islamic View
Christian View
Nature of Jesus
Human Prophet
Divine Son of God
Birth
Miraculous (no father)
Miraculous (virgin birth)
Mission
Sent to guide Israel
Sent to save humanity
Worship
Worships God
Worshipped as God
Crucifixion
Not crucified, raised to God
Crucified for sins
Second Coming
Will return before Judgment Day
Will return as King
- Islam and Christianity agree that Jesus was miraculously born and that he will return.
- Islam rejects later Christian doctrines (divinity, Trinity, crucifixion).
- Jesus himself never claimed to be God, but always referred to God as a separate being.
Jesus in the Quran and Hadith
Jesus (Isa ibn Maryam, peace be upon him) is mentioned 25 times in the Quran with great honor and respect. Islam confirms his miraculous birth, prophethood, and role as the Messiah while rejecting his divinity and crucifixion.
“Indeed, the example of Jesus in the sight of Allah is like that of Adam. He created him from dust, then said to him, ‘Be!’ and he was.” (Quran 3:59)
The 25 Times Jesus is Mentioned in the Quran
The Quran refers to Jesus with several titles, including:
- Al-Masih (The Messiah) (Quran 3:45)
- Kalimatu-llah (Word of God) (Quran 4:171)
- Ruh minhu (Spirit from God) (Quran 4:171)
- Abdullah (Servant of Allah) (Quran 19:30)
Some key verses mentioning Jesus include:
“The Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, was no more than a messenger of Allah and His Word, which He conveyed to Mary, and a soul from Him.” (Quran 4:171)
“And We gave Jesus, the son of Mary, clear proofs and supported him with the Holy Spirit.” (Quran 2:87)
➡ The Quran consistently emphasizes that Jesus was a prophet and messenger, not divine.
The Miracles of Jesus in Islam
By God’s permission, Jesus performed many miracles, including:
- Speaking as an infant (Quran 19:29-30)
- Healing the blind and lepers (Quran 5:110)
- Bringing the dead back to life (Quran 5:110)
- Creating a bird from clay (Quran 3:49)
“I heal the blind and the leper, and I give life to the dead – by Allah’s permission.” (Quran 3:49)
➡ Islam teaches that Jesus did not perform miracles by his own power, but through the will of God.
Jesus’ Statements in Islamic Traditions (Hadith References)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) spoke about Jesus in several authentic Hadiths, confirming his role, second coming, and status as a prophet:
Prophet Muhammad said:
“Both in this world and in the Hereafter, I am the nearest of all the people to Jesus, the son of Mary, and the prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 3443)
Jesus will return before the Day of Judgment:
“By Him in Whose Hand is my soul, the son of Mary will soon descend among you as a just ruler.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 2222)
➡ Islam confirms that Jesus will return to restore justice and clarify the truth.
Jesus in Islam: Clickable Topics