The Prophet Jesus (Isa, peace be upon him) is one of the greatest prophets sent by God to guide humanity to the straight path. In Islam, Jesus holds a special place, just as he does in other Abrahamic religions. However, Islam strongly emphasizes the oneness of God, rejecting any notion of associating partners with Him or attributing divinity to any human, including Jesus. In this extensive text, we will discuss the status of Prophet Jesus in Islam, his role as a messenger, and the Islamic rejection of the idea that he is the son of God or God incarnate.
### **1. The Miraculous Birth of Jesus**
One of the most defining aspects of Prophet Jesus is his miraculous birth from the Virgin Mary without a father. This is one of the greatest miracles of God. The Qur'an narrates the story of Jesus' birth in several places, emphasizing God's creative power and the purity of Mary.
Allah says in the Qur'an:
*"When the angels said, 'O Mary, indeed Allah gives you good tidings of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary – distinguished in this world and the Hereafter and among those brought near [to Allah].'"*
(Al-Imran: 45).
And Allah says:
*"And [mention] the one who guarded her chastity, so We blew into her [garment] through Our Spirit, and We made her and her son a sign for the worlds."*
(Al-Anbiya: 91).
These verses emphasize that Jesus was born by God's command without a father, a miraculous event that reflects God's absolute power, similar to the creation of Adam from dust without parents.
### **2. The Message of Jesus**
Jesus was sent to the Children of Israel to guide them back to the worship of God alone and to correct their deviations from the teachings of previous prophets. His message reaffirmed the Torah while introducing some changes that were part of the new revelation he brought, the Gospel. His role was similar to that of previous prophets: calling people to worship God alone.
Allah says:
*"The Messiah has said, 'O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. Indeed, he who associates others with Allah – Allah has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire. And there are not for the wrongdoers any helpers.'"*
(Al-Ma’idah: 72).
This verse clearly shows that the core of Jesus' mission was to call people to monotheism, and that anyone who associates others with God will not enter Paradise, rejecting the idea that Jesus himself is divine or the son of God.
### **3. The Miracles Performed by Jesus**
One of the signs of Jesus' prophethood is the many miracles that God enabled him to perform. These miracles served as proof of his divine mission and were done by the permission of God, not by Jesus' own power. Some of the notable miracles include:
1. **Raising the dead**:
Allah says:
*"And I bring the dead to life by permission of Allah."*
(Al-Imran: 49).
This miracle illustrates God's ability to bring the dead back to life, and Jesus makes it clear that it is done by God's permission.
2. **Healing the sick**:
Allah says:
*"And I cure the blind and the leper by permission of Allah."*
(Al-Imran: 49).
Jesus healed the sick by God's will, demonstrating the divine power that supported him.
3. **Creating birds from clay**:
Allah says:
*"I create for you from clay [what is] like the form of a bird; then I breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by permission of Allah."*
(Al-Imran: 49).
This miracle showcases God’s creative power, as Jesus was able to shape a bird from clay and give it life through God's command.
### **4. Jesus is Not the Son of God in Islam**
A core belief in Islam is the rejection of all forms of polytheism, including the notion that Jesus is the son of God or that God incarnated in him. The Qur'an strongly denies this concept and regards it as a distortion of the true message that Jesus brought.
Allah says:
*"He [Allah] begets not, nor was He begotten."*
(Al-Ikhlas: 3).
The Qur'an also describes a scene from the Day of Judgment, where Allah will ask Jesus if he ever claimed divinity:
*"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.'"*
(Al-Ma'idah: 116).
In this verse, Jesus denies ever calling people to worship him or his mother, reaffirming that God alone is worthy of worship.
### **5. Jesus in Islam vs. Christian Doctrine**
In Islam, Jesus is a great prophet sent to the Children of Israel. However, he is considered a human being, like all other prophets, and his honor lies in his servitude to God and his prophethood. In contrast, traditional Christian beliefs hold that Jesus is the son of God or God incarnate.
Islam rejects this idea categorically, seeing it as a contradiction to the core principle of monotheism. Allah says:
*"They have certainly disbelieved who say, 'Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary.' Say, 'Who then could prevent Allah at all if He had intended to destroy the Messiah, the son of Mary, or his mother, or everyone on the earth?'"*
(Al-Ma'idah: 17).
### **6. The Ascension of Jesus**
One of the key events in the life of Jesus, according to Islamic belief, is that he was not crucified or killed, as is commonly believed in Christianity. Instead, God raised him to heaven.
Allah says:
*"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. 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."*
(An-Nisa: 157-158).
The Qur'an makes it clear that Jesus was not killed but was instead taken up by God, saving him from the plots of his enemies.
### **7. The Second Coming of Jesus**
Islam teaches that Jesus will return to earth near the end of times to fulfill his mission and to bring justice and peace. His return is one of the major signs of the Day of Judgment.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
*"By Him in whose hand my soul is, surely the Son of Mary will soon descend among you as a just ruler. He will break the cross, kill the pig, and abolish the jizya. Wealth will pour forth to such an extent that no one will accept it."*
(Sahih al-Bukhari).
### **8. Jesus as One of the Greatest Prophets**
Jesus is one of the five greatest prophets, known as "Ulul Azm" (the resolute ones), who bore the greatest responsibilities in guiding humanity. These prophets are Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (peace be upon them all). Their missions were of utmost importance in shaping the faith and morality of their people.
Allah says:
*"So be patient, [O Muhammad], as were those of determination among the messengers."*
(Al-Ahqaf: 35).
### **9. Conclusion**
Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) is one of the greatest messengers sent by God to guide the Children of Israel. His miraculous birth and the miracles he performed were signs of his prophethood, but Islam categorically rejects any notion of his divinity or that he is the son of God. According to Islamic belief, Jesus is a revered servant and prophet of God, whose primary mission was to call people to the worship of Allah alone. His role as a prophet is central to Islam’s understanding of him, emphasizing his humanity and his role as a messenger of monotheism.
This belief forms the basis of Islam’s view of Jesus, distinguishing it from other theological perspectives. Jesus' mission, his ascension, and his prophesied return are all critical elements of Islamic doctrine, reflecting his profound role as a prophet who will continue to play a vital part in the unfolding of history.