Have you ever wondered how a figure so central to Christianity is viewed by a faith practiced by over a quarter of the world's population? While Jesus (peace be upon him) is undeniably significant to Christians, his role and nature within Islam are often misunderstood or overlooked. Understanding the Islamic perspective on Jesus is crucial for fostering interfaith dialogue, promoting mutual respect, and dismantling harmful stereotypes that can fuel division. By exploring the similarities and differences in these two major world religions, we can build bridges of understanding and appreciate the rich tapestry of human belief.
Many Muslims revere Jesus as a prophet of God, a messenger chosen to guide humanity, and even the Messiah foretold in Jewish scripture. He is mentioned by name numerous times in the Quran, often alongside other prophets like Abraham, Moses, and Muhammad (peace be upon them all). Exploring the Islamic understanding of Jesus reveals not just a differing theological interpretation, but a pathway toward greater empathy and a deeper appreciation for the shared values that connect these two faiths. The Islamic view of Jesus provides unique perspective on faith, life and understanding our shared history.
What are common questions about the Muslim view of Jesus?
Do Muslims believe Jesus performed miracles?
Yes, Muslims believe that Jesus (Isa in Arabic) performed numerous miracles by the permission of God (Allah). These miracles are mentioned in the Quran and are considered signs of his prophethood and his special status as a messenger of God.
Muslims view Jesus as a highly esteemed prophet of God, born of the Virgin Mary (Maryam) without a human father, a miracle in itself. The Quran describes several miracles attributed to Jesus, including speaking as an infant, creating birds from clay and then breathing life into them, healing the blind and the lepers, and raising the dead. These miracles are seen as divine gifts bestowed upon him to demonstrate God's power and mercy. The Quran emphasizes that these acts were performed not through Jesus' own power, but through the will and permission of God. While Muslims acknowledge and revere the miracles of Jesus, they differ from Christian beliefs regarding his divinity. In Islam, Jesus is not considered the son of God nor is he considered part of a trinity. He is viewed as a human prophet, a messenger of God, and the Messiah (al-Masih), but ultimately a servant of God like all other prophets. The belief in his miracles reinforces his importance in Islamic tradition and highlights the divine support he received during his prophetic mission.What is Jesus' role in Islam compared to Muhammad?
In Islam, Jesus (Isa) is considered a highly revered prophet of God, but not divine. While Muslims believe Jesus was born of a virgin, performed miracles, and will return to Earth before the Day of Judgment, he is not considered the son of God, nor part of a Trinity. Muhammad, on the other hand, is considered the final prophet in Islam, the one through whom God's complete and final message (the Quran) was revealed, making him the most important prophet in Islam.
Muslims hold Jesus in very high regard. The Quran affirms his miraculous birth through Mary (Maryam), his ability to perform miracles by God's will, and his status as the Messiah. The Quran also states that Jesus was given the Gospel (Injil), a divine scripture. However, Muslims believe that the original message of Jesus was altered and corrupted over time. They believe that Jesus did not claim divinity and that the concept of the Trinity is a later invention. Muhammad's role is fundamentally different. Muslims believe he is the last in a line of prophets that includes Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. Muhammad is considered the "seal of the prophets," meaning that no prophet will come after him. He is viewed as the perfect example of how to live according to God's will, and his teachings and practices (Sunnah) are followed by Muslims alongside the Quran. The revelation given to Muhammad, the Quran, is regarded as the unaltered and final word of God, perfecting and superseding previous scriptures. Therefore, while Jesus is deeply respected, Muhammad holds a unique and supreme position as the final messenger and the one through whom God's complete guidance was revealed.Do Muslims believe Jesus was crucified?
Muslims do not believe that Jesus (Isa) was crucified. While the Quran acknowledges the efforts to crucify him, it asserts that he was neither killed nor crucified, but rather it appeared so to the people. Instead, God raised Jesus to Himself.
Muslims believe that someone resembling Jesus was crucified in his place. The Quran describes the event in Surah An-Nisa (4:157-158): "And [for] their saying, "Indeed, we 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." The identity of the person who was made to resemble Jesus is not specified in the Quran and is subject to various interpretations among Islamic scholars. The Islamic belief regarding Jesus's ascension aligns with the broader Islamic understanding of God's power and protection of his prophets. Muslims believe that God would not allow a prophet as revered as Jesus to be killed by his enemies. His ascension is considered a testament to his status and a prelude to his eventual return to Earth before the Day of Judgment, where he will establish justice and peace. His return is a shared belief with some Christian denominations, although the reasons differ.What does the Quran say about Jesus' birth?
The Quran describes Jesus' birth as a miraculous event, brought about by God's command. Mary (Maryam in Arabic), a pious and virtuous woman, was chosen by God to conceive Jesus without a human father. The Quran recounts the angel Gabriel's annunciation to Mary, informing her of God's plan. Jesus' birth is presented as a sign of God's power and a testament to His ability to create life in extraordinary ways.
The Quranic narrative emphasizes Mary's purity and devotion. She questioned how she could conceive a child without being touched by a man, and the angel Gabriel responded that it was God's will and that He could create whatever He pleased. The Quran states that Mary withdrew to a remote place and experienced labor pains near a palm tree. A spring of water miraculously appeared, and she was instructed to shake the palm tree, causing ripe dates to fall, providing her with nourishment. This miraculous birth highlights God's divine intervention and support for Mary during her trial. Furthermore, the Quran relates that when Mary returned to her community with the infant Jesus, she was met with accusations and disbelief. However, according to the Quran, the infant Jesus miraculously spoke from the cradle, declaring himself to be a prophet of God, confirming his divine mission and vindicating his mother's honor. This miraculous speaking is one of the miracles attributed to Jesus in the Quran and serves to establish his status as a chosen messenger of God.What do Muslims believe about Jesus?
Muslims hold Jesus (Isa in Arabic) in high regard as one of the most important prophets of God. They believe that he was born of the Virgin Mary, performed miracles with God's permission, and delivered a message from God to the Children of Israel. However, Muslims do not believe that Jesus is the son of God, nor do they believe in the concept of the Trinity. They view Jesus as a human prophet, divinely appointed and highly esteemed, but ultimately a servant of God like all other prophets.
Muslims believe that Jesus was sent to confirm the Torah and to preach love, compassion, and submission to God. The Quran mentions several miracles attributed to Jesus, including healing the sick, raising the dead, and creating birds from clay and breathing life into them. These miracles are seen as signs of his prophetic status and God's favor upon him. However, Muslims believe that all miracles occur by the will and permission of God alone. A key difference between Islamic and Christian beliefs about Jesus concerns his crucifixion. Muslims believe that Jesus was neither crucified nor killed by his enemies. Instead, the Quran states that it was made to appear so to them. The interpretation of this verse varies among Muslim scholars, with some believing that Jesus was raised to heaven by God before he could be crucified, while others suggest that someone else was made to resemble Jesus and was crucified in his place. Regardless of the specific interpretation, the core belief is that Jesus was ultimately saved from death by God. Muslims believe Jesus will return to Earth before the Day of Judgment to establish justice and peace. His return is considered a sign of the approaching end of times.Do Muslims believe Jesus will return to Earth?
Yes, Muslims believe that Jesus (referred to as Isa in Arabic) will return to Earth before the Day of Judgment. This belief is based on verses in the Quran and Hadith (sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad) that describe his second coming as a sign of the end times.
Muslims believe that Jesus's return will be a crucial event, signifying the triumph of good over evil and the establishment of justice. He will descend near a white minaret in Damascus, Syria. He will break the cross, signifying the correction of misguided Christian beliefs about his divinity and crucifixion, and he will abolish the jizya, a tax traditionally levied on non-Muslims under Islamic rule, as everyone will embrace Islam during his reign. He will rule according to Islamic law (Sharia), thereby validating and reinforcing the finality of the Prophet Muhammad's message. Jesus's primary purpose upon his return is to fight against the Antichrist (Dajjal), a figure of immense evil and deception. Muslims believe that Jesus, aided by Imam Mahdi, a righteous leader, will defeat the Dajjal and his forces. After his victory, Jesus will live on Earth for a period, marry, have children, and eventually die a natural death. He will be buried next to Prophet Muhammad in Medina. This belief in Jesus's return and his role in the final battle highlights the significant role Jesus plays in Islamic eschatology and underlines his status as a revered prophet of God.Is Jesus considered God or part of a Trinity in Islam?
In Islam, Jesus (referred to as Isa) is not considered God, nor is he considered part of a Trinity. Muslims believe in the absolute oneness of God (Allah) and reject any concept of divinity being shared or divided. The idea of a Trinity is seen as a form of polytheism, contradicting the core Islamic belief in Tawhid (the indivisible oneness of God).
Islam reveres Jesus as one of the most important prophets of God, sent to guide humanity. Muslims believe in his miraculous birth, his performance of miracles, and that he will return to Earth before the Day of Judgment. However, these attributes do not elevate him to divine status. He is considered a human messenger, a servant of God, and a role model for righteous living, but always subordinate to Allah. The Quran explicitly addresses the issue of Jesus's status, clarifying that he is a messenger, the son of Mary, and a word from God, but not God himself. Verses emphasize the importance of believing in God's absolute oneness and avoiding the association of partners with Him, which includes the Christian concept of the Trinity. This is a fundamental difference between the two faiths.What is Jesus' mother Mary's status in Islam?
Mary (Maryam in Arabic) holds an exceptionally high and revered status in Islam. Muslims consider her to be one of the most righteous women in history and a model of piety and purity. She is the only woman mentioned by name in the Quran and a chapter (Surah) is named after her, highlighting her significance.
Muslims believe that Mary was chosen by God and purified above all other women. The Quran recounts the miraculous conception of Jesus (Isa) through divine intervention, without a human father. Her unwavering faith and devotion to God in the face of societal challenges and accusations make her an exemplar for both men and women. She is considered a symbol of submission to God's will and a testament to the power of divine grace. Furthermore, Mary's importance is underscored by the Islamic belief that Jesus performed miracles from infancy, defending his mother's honor and proclaiming his prophethood. The Quran details the Annunciation, where the angel Gabriel informs Mary of her divinely ordained role. Mary's acceptance of God's plan, despite the social implications, is seen as a profound act of faith and obedience. While Muslims do not deify Mary or consider her part of a Trinity, her unique position as the mother of a prophet and a chosen servant of God makes her a figure of immense respect and admiration within the Islamic tradition.So, that's a quick peek into what Muslims believe about Jesus! Hopefully, this gave you a clearer understanding. Thanks for taking the time to learn a bit more, and we hope you'll come back again to explore other aspects of Islam!