Prophet Jesus (Isa ibn Maryam) - The Messiah

Prophet Jesus (Arabic: عيسى ابن مريم, Isa ibn Maryam) holds a special position in Islam as one of the greatest messengers of Allah. Known as "Al-Masih" (the Messiah) and "Ruh Allah" (the Spirit of Allah), Jesus is revered for his miraculous birth, extraordinary miracles, and pure message of monotheism. Born to the Virgin Mary (Maryam) around 4 BCE in Palestine, Jesus represents the penultimate link in the chain of prophets before the final messenger, Muhammad.

The Miraculous Birth

Mary (Maryam) - The Chosen Woman

Before discussing Jesus, it is essential to understand his mother, Mary (Maryam), who holds a unique position in Islamic tradition as the most virtuous woman in history.

Divine Selection: "And [mention, O Muhammad], when the angels said, 'O Mary, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds.'" (Quran 3:42)

Mary was raised in the temple under the care of the prophet Zechariah (Zakariya), dedicating her life to worship and service to Allah. Her piety, devotion, and purity made her worthy of the extraordinary honor of giving birth to Jesus without a father.

The Annunciation

The announcement of Jesus's birth came through the angel Gabriel (Jibril), who appeared to Mary in human form:

The Angel's Message: "He said, 'I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you [news of] a pure boy.' She said, 'How can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?' He said, '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. And it is a matter [already] decreed."'" (Quran 19:19-21)

Mary's initial surprise and concern demonstrate her purity and virtue. The angel's response emphasizes Allah's absolute power over creation and His ability to create without the usual means.

The Virgin Birth

Jesus was conceived through divine command without a human father, making his birth one of the greatest miracles in human history:

Divine Creation: "Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allah is like that of Adam. He created him from dust; then He said to him, 'Be,' and he was." (Quran 3:59)

This comparison to Adam emphasizes that just as Allah created the first human without parents, He created Jesus without a father, demonstrating His absolute power over the natural order.

The Birth in Bethlehem

Mary withdrew to a remote place for the birth, experiencing the natural pains of childbirth:

The Birth: "And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said, 'Oh, I wish I had died before this and was in oblivion, forgotten.' But he called her from below her, 'Do not grieve; your Lord has provided beneath you a stream. And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates. So eat and drink and be contented.'" (Quran 19:23-26)

Allah provided for Mary during this difficult time, causing a stream to flow and dates to fall from the palm tree, demonstrating His care for His servants in times of need.

Early Miracles and Signs

Speaking from the Cradle

One of Jesus's first miracles was speaking as an infant to defend his mother's honor when people questioned her about the child:

The Infant's Defense: "So she pointed to him. They said, 'How can we speak to one who is in the cradle a child?' [Jesus] said, 'Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet. And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and zakah as long as I remain alive. And [made me] dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me a wretched tyrant. And peace is on me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I am raised alive.'" (Quran 19:29-33)

This miraculous speech not only vindicated Mary but also established Jesus's prophetic mission from birth, emphasizing his servitude to Allah and his role as a messenger.

The Clay Birds

As a child, Jesus demonstrated his miraculous powers by creating birds from clay and bringing them to life:

The Miracle of Creation: "And [make him] a messenger to the Children of Israel, [who will say], 'Indeed I have come to you with a sign from your Lord in that I design for you from clay [that which is] like the form of a bird, then I breathe into it and it becomes a bird by permission of Allah.'" (Quran 3:49)

This miracle paralleled Allah's creation of Adam from clay, demonstrating that Jesus's powers came directly from Allah and served as a sign of his prophethood.

Ministry and Message

The Gospel (Injil)

Jesus was given the Gospel (Injil), a divine scripture that complemented and confirmed the Torah:

Divine Scripture: "And We gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and light and confirming that which preceded it of the Torah as guidance and instruction for the righteous." (Quran 5:46)

The original Gospel contained pure monotheistic teachings and moral guidance, though Muslims believe the current biblical texts have been altered over time.

Core Message: Monotheism

Jesus's primary message was the worship of Allah alone, consistent with all previous prophets:

The Central Teaching: "And [beware the Day] when Allah will say, 'O Jesus, Son of Mary, did you say to the people, "Take me and my mother as deities besides Allah?"' He will say, 'Exalted are You! It was not for me to say that to which I have no right. If I had said it, You would have known it. You know what is within myself, and I do not know what is within Yourself. Indeed, it is You who is Knower of the unseen.'" (Quran 5:116)

This verse emphasizes that Jesus never claimed divinity for himself or his mother, maintaining strict monotheism throughout his mission.

The Disciples (Hawariyyun)

Jesus gathered a group of devoted followers known as the Hawariyyun (disciples), who supported his mission and helped spread his message:

The Faithful Supporters: "But when Jesus felt [persistence in] disbelief from them, he said, 'Who are my supporters for [the cause of] Allah?' The disciples said, 'We are supporters for Allah. We have believed in Allah and testify that we are Muslims [submitting to Him].'" (Quran 3:52)

The disciples' declaration of being "Muslims" (those who submit) emphasizes that true followers of Jesus were monotheists who submitted to Allah's will.

Miracles and Signs

Healing the Sick

Jesus performed numerous healing miracles by Allah's permission:

Divine Healing: "And I heal the blind and the leper and bring the dead to life by permission of Allah." (Quran 3:49)

These miracles served as signs of his prophethood and demonstrated Allah's power over life, death, and disease. They were not performed through Jesus's own power but by Allah's permission and will.

The Table from Heaven

One of the most significant miracles was the descent of a table of food from heaven, requested by the disciples:

The Heavenly Feast: "[And remember] when the disciples said, 'O Jesus, Son of Mary, can your Lord send down to us a table [spread with food] from the heaven?' Jesus said, 'Fear Allah, if you should be believers.' They said, 'We wish to eat from it and let our hearts be reassured and know that you have been truthful to us and be among its witnesses.' Said Jesus, the son of Mary, 'O Allah, our Lord, send down to us a table from the heaven to be for us a festival for the first of us and the last of us and a sign from You. And provide for us, and You are the best of providers.'" (Quran 5:112-114)

This miracle served as both physical sustenance and spiritual confirmation of Jesus's prophethood.

Knowledge of the Unseen

Jesus possessed knowledge of hidden things by Allah's permission:

"And I inform you of what you eat and what you store in your houses. Indeed in that is a sign for you, if you should be believers." (Quran 3:49)

This supernatural knowledge served as additional proof of his prophetic status and divine support.

Opposition and Persecution

Rejection by the Children of Israel

Despite the clear signs and miracles, many among the Children of Israel rejected Jesus's message:

Persistent Disbelief: "And [We cursed them] for their breaking of the covenant and their disbelief in the signs of Allah and their killing of the prophets without right and their saying, 'Our hearts are wrapped.' Rather, Allah has sealed them because of their disbelief, so they believe not, except for a few." (Quran 4:155)

This rejection followed a pattern of resistance to prophetic messages that had characterized some among the Children of Israel throughout history.

The Plot Against Jesus

The religious authorities, feeling threatened by Jesus's message and growing following, plotted against him:

The Conspiracy: "And [for] their saying, 'Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.' But they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them." (Quran 4:157)

This verse introduces one of the most significant differences between Islamic and Christian beliefs regarding Jesus's fate.

The Crucifixion: Islamic Perspective

Divine Intervention

According to Islamic belief, Allah intervened to save Jesus from crucifixion:

The Great Deception: "And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain. Rather, Allah raised him to Himself. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise." (Quran 4:157-158)

Muslims believe that Allah made someone else appear to be Jesus, while Jesus himself was raised alive to heaven. This demonstrates Allah's power to protect His messengers and His ability to deceive those who plot against them.

The Substitution Theory

Various Islamic scholars have proposed different explanations for who was made to appear as Jesus:

One of the disciples who volunteered to take Jesus's place
Judas Iscariot, who was transformed to look like Jesus
One of the Roman soldiers or Jewish authorities
A person specifically created for this purpose

The exact identity is not specified in the Quran, emphasizing that the important point is Jesus's salvation, not the details of the substitution.

Theological Implications

The Islamic position on the crucifixion has several important implications:

Divine Justice: Allah does not allow His righteous messengers to be defeated by their enemies
Divine Power: Allah's ability to intervene in human affairs when necessary
Prophetic Protection: The special care Allah provides for His chosen messengers
Ultimate Victory: Truth ultimately triumphs over falsehood

Ascension to Heaven

Raised Alive

Unlike other prophets who died natural deaths, Jesus was raised alive to heaven:

Divine Elevation: "Rather, Allah raised him to Himself. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise." (Quran 4:158)

This unique honor distinguishes Jesus among the prophets and sets the stage for his future return to earth.

Current Status

Islamic tradition holds that Jesus is currently alive in heaven, in a state of spiritual and physical preservation, awaiting Allah's command to return to earth.

The Second Coming

Prophetic Traditions

Numerous authentic hadiths describe Jesus's return before the Day of Judgment:

The Descent: "By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, surely (Jesus,) the son of Mary will soon descend amongst you and will judge mankind justly (as a Just Ruler); he will break the Cross and kill the pigs and there will be no Jizya (i.e. taxation taken from non Muslims). Money will be in abundance so that nobody will accept it, and a single prostration to Allah (in prayer) will be better than the whole world and whatever is in it." (Sahih al-Bukhari)

Signs of His Return

Islamic eschatology describes several signs that will precede Jesus's return:

The appearance of the Antichrist (Dajjal)
Widespread corruption and injustice
The emergence of Imam Mahdi
Various natural and social upheavals

His Mission Upon Return

When Jesus returns, he will:

Defeat the Antichrist (Dajjal)
Establish justice and peace on earth
Rule according to Islamic law
Unite all believers under one faith
Live for a period before dying a natural death
Be buried next to Prophet Muhammad in Medina

Jesus in Islamic Theology

Christological Differences

Islam's view of Jesus differs significantly from mainstream Christianity:

Islamic Position:

Jesus is a human prophet, not divine
He is the Messiah but not the Son of God
He was not crucified but raised alive to heaven
He will return as a follower of Muhammad's teachings
His message was pure monotheism

Rejected Concepts:

Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)
Jesus as the Son of God
Incarnation of God in human form
Atonement through crucifixion
Jesus as the final revelation

The Quranic Correction

The Quran presents itself as correcting misconceptions about Jesus that developed in Christian theology:

Divine Clarification: "O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a spirit from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, 'Three'; desist - it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son." (Quran 4:171)

Titles and Honors

Despite rejecting his divinity, Islam accords Jesus numerous honorific titles:

Al-Masih (The Messiah)
Ruh Allah (Spirit of Allah)
Kalimat Allah (Word of Allah)
Wajih fi'd-Dunya wa'l-Akhirah (Distinguished in this world and the next)
Min al-Muqarrabin (Among those brought near to Allah)

Jesus and Muhammad

Prophetic Succession

Islam teaches that Jesus foretold the coming of Muhammad:

The Prophecy: "And [mention] when Jesus, the son of Mary, said, 'O children of Israel, indeed I am the messenger of Allah to you confirming what came before me of the Torah and bringing good tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name is Ahmad.' But when he came to them with clear evidences, they said, 'This is obvious magic.'" (Quran 61:6)

Ahmad is another name for Muhammad, meaning "the most praised one."

Complementary Missions

The missions of Jesus and Muhammad are seen as complementary:

Jesus: Renewed the message of monotheism for the Children of Israel
Muhammad: Brought the final, universal message for all humanity
Jesus: Performed physical miracles as signs
Muhammad: Brought the Quran as the lasting miracle
Jesus: Will return to follow Muhammad's law
Muhammad: Is the final prophet whose message Jesus will uphold

Lessons from Jesus's Life

Devotion to Allah

Jesus's life exemplifies complete devotion to Allah:

Constant worship and prayer
Absolute obedience to divine commands
Patience in the face of persecution
Trust in Allah's protection and wisdom

Compassion and Mercy

Jesus demonstrated extraordinary compassion:

Healing the sick and afflicted
Caring for the poor and marginalized
Showing patience with his opponents
Praying for guidance for his people

Moral Excellence

Jesus's character represents the highest moral standards:

Truthfulness in all circumstances
Justice in dealing with others
Humility despite his miraculous powers
Forgiveness toward those who wronged him

Social Justice

Jesus's message included strong emphasis on social justice:

Care for the poor and needy
Opposition to religious hypocrisy
Emphasis on inner purity over external rituals
Call for genuine repentance and reform

Contemporary Relevance

Interfaith Relations

Jesus serves as a bridge between Islam and Christianity:

Shared reverence for his person and message
Common emphasis on monotheism and moral excellence
Mutual respect for his role in salvation history
Opportunity for dialogue and understanding

Spiritual Guidance

Jesus's example provides guidance for contemporary Muslims:

Maintaining faith in difficult circumstances
Showing compassion to all people
Standing for truth against opposition
Trusting in Allah's ultimate justice

Social Reform

Jesus's mission offers lessons for social reform:

Challenging corrupt religious establishments
Advocating for the marginalized
Promoting genuine spirituality over empty ritualism
Working for justice and equality

Jesus in Islamic Art and Culture

Literary Traditions

Jesus appears frequently in Islamic literature:

Sufi poetry celebrating his spiritual qualities
Stories emphasizing his miracles and wisdom
Mystical interpretations of his teachings
Comparative studies with other prophets

Artistic Representations

While avoiding physical depictions, Islamic art celebrates Jesus through:

Calligraphic representations of his name and titles
Geometric patterns inspired by his teachings
Architectural elements in mosques and schools
Decorative arts featuring Quranic verses about him

Popular Devotion

Jesus holds a special place in Muslim popular devotion:

Prayers seeking his intercession
Visits to sites associated with his life
Celebration of his miraculous birth
Anticipation of his return

Conclusion

Prophet Jesus (Isa ibn Maryam) occupies a unique and exalted position in Islamic faith and theology. As one of the greatest messengers of Allah, he brought the message of pure monotheism to the Children of Israel, performed extraordinary miracles, and demonstrated the highest levels of moral and spiritual excellence.

The Islamic understanding of Jesus emphasizes his humanity while acknowledging his miraculous nature and special status among the prophets. His virgin birth, his miracles, and his ascension to heaven all testify to Allah's power and his chosen status as a messenger.

The differences between Islamic and Christian understandings of Jesus reflect deeper theological distinctions about the nature of God, prophecy, and salvation. However, both traditions share a profound respect for Jesus's moral teachings, his compassion for humanity, and his dedication to divine truth.

Jesus's promised return represents hope for the ultimate triumph of justice and truth in the world. His future mission to defeat the Antichrist and establish divine law on earth symbolizes the final victory of good over evil and the establishment of God's kingdom on earth.

For Muslims, Jesus serves as both a historical figure to be revered and a contemporary example to be followed. His life demonstrates that true greatness lies in submission to Allah, service to humanity, and unwavering commitment to truth and justice.

In our contemporary world, marked by religious conflict and misunderstanding, Jesus's example offers a path toward mutual respect and cooperation among the followers of different faiths. His emphasis on love, compassion, and justice provides common ground for building bridges of understanding and working together for the betterment of humanity.

The story of Jesus reminds us that divine truth transcends human limitations and that Allah's messengers come to guide humanity toward righteousness, regardless of the opposition they may face. His life continues to inspire millions of people around the world to seek spiritual excellence, moral purity, and complete devotion to the One True God.