The Islamic View of Jesus (Isa)
In Islām, Jesus, known as `Isa (peace be upon him), is highly respected as one of Allāh’s greatest prophets. However, the Islāmic perspective on Jesus differs from the Christian view. Islām’s understanding of Jesus comes from what Allāh revealed in the Qur’ān and through the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), as understood by the early generations of Muslims (Salaf as-Salih).
Belief in All Prophets
Muslims believe in all prophets sent by Allāh, from Adam to Muhammad (peace be upon them all). Each prophet conveyed the same essential message: to worship Allāh alone without associating any partners with Him. Allāh says in the Qur’an:
We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him.
Qur’ān 2:136
This verse highlights that all prophets, including `Isa (Jesus), preached the same core message: submission to the One True God deserving of worship, Allāh. While each prophet brought specific guidance for their people, the essential message of worshipping Allah alone (Tawheed) remained the same.
Jesus (`Isa) as a Messenger of Allāh
Jesus (`Isa, peace be upon him) is described in the Qur’an as a noble messenger sent to the Children of Israel to call them back to the worship of Allah. He came to confirm the teachings of previous prophets, especially Musa (Moses, peace be upon him). Allah says:
The Messiah, son of Mary, was not but a messenger; [other] messengers have passed on before him.
Qur’an 5:75
This verse emphasizes the human nature of both Jesus and his mother, Mary (Maryam, peace be upon her). They were not divine but were dependent on sustenance like all humans. Jesus was a servant of Allāh, not a divine being or the literal son of God.
The Miracles of Jesus by Allāh’s Permission
In addition to his miraculous birth, `Isa (peace be upon him) was granted the ability to perform miracles, all by Allāh’s permission. These miracles served as proof of his prophethood. Allāh says:
You healed the blind and the leper with My permission; and when you brought forth the dead with My permission…
Qur’an 5:110
Each of these miracles, whether speaking as an infant, healing the sick, or raising the dead, was done by Allāh’s will, not by Jesus’s own power. Islām emphasizes that all power belongs to Allāh alone.
Islām’s Rejection of the Trinity
Islām firmly rejects the concept of the Trinity and the belief that Jesus is the “son of God.” The Qur’an clearly states that attributing divinity to anyone besides Allāh is the gravest sin. Allāh says:
Indeed, he who associates others with Allah – Allah has forbidden him Paradise.
Qur’an 5:72
And:
He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.
Qur’an 112:3-4
Islām teaches that Allāh is One, without partners or offspring. The belief in the Trinity, which claims that God consists of three persons (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit), contradicts the clear message of monotheism (Tawheed) that all prophets preached.
The Crucifixion: Jesus Was Raised to Allāh
A key difference between Islām and Christianity is the belief regarding the crucifixion. Islām teaches that `Isa (peace be upon him) was neither crucified nor killed. Instead, Allāh saved him and raised him to Himself. The Qur’ān states:
They did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them
Qur’an 4:157
Muslims believe that Jesus was raised to the heavens and will return before the Day of Judgment, based on authentic teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
The Return of Jesus
According to authentic Islāmic teachings, `Isa (peace be upon him) will return at the end of times to restore justice, defeat the false Messiah (the Dajjal), and guide people back to the true worship of Allāh. He will follow the teachings of the Qur’ān and the final prophet, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
In Islām, Jesus (`Isa, peace be upon him) is highly respected as a prophet of Allāh, but he is not divine. Islām teaches that Allāh is One, without partners, and associating others with Him is the gravest sin. Jesus’s miraculous birth and his role as the Messiah are central to Islāmic belief, but he remains a servant and messenger of Allāh.
Muslims are called to follow the pure monotheism (Tawheed) taught by all the prophets, rejecting any innovations or distortions in understanding Allāh’s nature. Allāh says:
He has ordained for you the same religion which He ordained for Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.
Qur’an 42:13
This is the true message of Islām regarding `Isa (peace be upon him), as conveyed in the Qur’ān and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
