In Islam, Jesus, known as Isa ibn Maryam, holds a significant role as a revered prophet and a servant of God. He was miraculously born to Mary without a father, a testament to God's immense power, and is referred to as "a word from Him" and "a spirit from Him" due to his unique creation through God's command "Be" . Muslims believe in Jesus as a messenger sent to the Children of Israel, teaching them the Tawhid (Oneness of God) and confirming the Torah, while also bringing the Gospel with some new rulings .
Jesus is distinguished by several miracles, including speaking in the cradle, healing the blind and lepers, and raising the dead, all by God's permission . Unlike the Christian belief, Islam rejects the notion of Jesus being the son of God or part of a trinity, firmly asserting his status as a human prophet and servant of God . Furthermore, Muslims believe that Jesus was not killed or crucified but was raised by God to heaven, and he will return to Earth before the Day of Judgment to fight the Dajjal (Antichrist), break the cross, kill swine, abolish the jizya (tribute), and rule according to Islamic law, ultimately dying and being buried on Earth .
Scholarly Analysis
Introduction to Jesus (Isa ibn Maryam) in Islam
Isa ibn Maryam (Jesus son of Mary) holds a unique and revered position in Islam, being one of the most prominent prophets of God. His narrative in Islamic tradition is distinct from that found in Christianity, emphasizing his humanity and prophethood while rejecting any divine attributes. The Islamic understanding of Jesus is rooted in the Quran and the Sunnah (teachings and practices of Prophet Muhammad), which portray him as a miraculous creation of God, a messenger to the Children of Israel, and a figure whose return to Earth is a sign of the Day of Judgment. The core of his message, like all prophets, was the absolute Oneness of God (Tawhid) .
The Miraculous Birth and Prophethood of Jesus
The birth of Jesus is presented in Islam as a profound miracle, demonstrating God's absolute power. He was born to Maryam (Mary) without a father, a fact highlighted in the Quran to show God's ability to create anything He wills . The Quran describes the angelic annunciation to Mary, informing her that God would bless her with a son named the Messiah, Isa ibn Maryam, who would be honored in this world and the Hereafter, and among those nearest to God. He would speak to people in the cradle and as an adult, and would be among the righteous . Mary's astonishment at the news, given that no man had touched her, was met with the divine explanation that God creates what He wills by merely saying "Be," and it is . This miraculous creation is likened to the creation of Adam, who was created from dust by God's command "Be" .
Jesus is referred to as "a word from Him" (Kalimatullah) and "a spirit from Him" (Ruh minhu). The term "word" signifies his creation through God's command "Be," rather than being the word itself. The phrase "spirit from Him" indicates that his spirit was created by God, like all other spirits, but is specifically mentioned due to his unique birth without a father .
As a prophet, Jesus was sent specifically to the Children of Israel. He was taught the Book, wisdom, the Torah, and the Gospel . His mission included confirming the existing Torah and making lawful some things that were previously forbidden to them, demonstrating a continuity and partial modification of the divine law . He performed numerous miracles by God's permission, such as creating the form of a bird from clay and breathing life into it, healing those born blind and lepers, and even raising the dead. He also informed people of what they ate and what they stored in their homes, all serving as clear signs of his prophethood .
Rejection of Divinity and the Concept of Tawhid
A fundamental aspect of Jesus's role in Islam is the unequivocal rejection of his divinity or sonship of God. The Quran explicitly refutes the claims of those who say God is the Messiah, son of Mary, or that God is one of a trinity . Jesus himself, according to the Quran, affirmed his status as a servant of God and a messenger, proclaiming, "Indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. This is a straight path" . This emphasis on Tawhid (the absolute Oneness of God) is the central message of all prophets, including Jesus. All messengers, from Noah to Muhammad, called their people to worship God alone and avoid associating partners with Him . The Quran records Jesus denying that he ever commanded people to worship him or his mother as deities besides God . This serves as a direct refutation of Christian doctrines that elevate Jesus to divine status .
The Ascension and Return of Jesus
In Islamic belief, Jesus was not killed or crucified by his enemies. Instead, God raised him to Himself, and a likeness of him was cast upon another person, who was then mistakenly crucified . This event is mentioned in the Quran, which states that they did not kill him nor crucify him, but it was made to appear so to them . This raising of Jesus, both body and soul, to heaven is a firmly established belief in Islam, supported by Quranic verses and numerous authentic prophetic traditions .
A crucial aspect of Jesus's significance is his prophesied return to Earth before the Day of Judgment. This return is considered a major sign of the Hour . Upon his descent, which is said to occur near the white minaret east of Damascus, Jesus will act as a just ruler and judge, ruling by the Islamic law brought by Prophet Muhammad . During his second coming, he will:
Break the cross: Symbolizing the abolition of Christian doctrines that deviate from pure monotheism .
Kill the swine: Signifying the prohibition of pork, which is forbidden in Islam .
Abolish the jizya: This means he will no longer accept tribute from non-Muslims; instead, only Islam will be accepted .
Kill the Dajjal (Antichrist): A central event signifying the defeat of falsehood and evil .
His return will lead to the unification of faiths under Islam, as all people of the Book will believe in him before his death . After fulfilling his mission, Jesus will die and be buried on Earth, with some traditions suggesting he will be buried alongside Prophet Muhammad . The belief in Jesus's descent is considered a fundamental tenet of Islamic creed, and its denial is seen as disbelief .
Unity of Prophetic Message
The Islamic understanding emphasizes that all prophets, including Jesus and Muhammad, shared the same fundamental religion of Islam, which means submission to God alone. While their specific laws and methodologies (shari'ah and minhaj) might have varied according to the needs of their respective times and communities, the core message of worshipping God alone remained constant . This is why Muslims are commanded to believe in all prophets without distinguishing between them . Disbelief in any single prophet is considered disbelief in all of them . Jesus, like other prophets, foretold the coming of Prophet Muhammad and commanded his followers to believe in him . Therefore, those who reject Muhammad are seen as having also rejected Jesus and Moses, as these prophets themselves affirmed the truth of subsequent messengers .
Conclusion
In summary, Jesus (Isa ibn Maryam) is a highly esteemed prophet in Islam, a servant of God miraculously born to Mary without a father. He was sent to the Children of Israel to preach the absolute Oneness of God and perform miracles by divine permission. Islam categorically rejects his divinity or sonship of God, affirming his status as a human messenger. He was not killed or crucified but was raised to heaven by God, and his return to Earth before the Day of Judgment is a pivotal event in Islamic eschatology, signifying the triumph of Islam and the establishment of justice. His role underscores the unity of the prophetic message, calling all humanity to the worship of the One God.
