What does Islam say about Jesus (Isa)?
Short Answer
Islam reveres Jesus (Isa ibn Maryam) as one of the greatest prophets and the Messiah. Muslims believe in his virgin birth, his miracles, and his return before the Day of Judgment, but do not accept his divinity or crucifixion as understood in Christianity.
Detailed Explanation
Jesus holds a unique and honored position in Islam. He is mentioned by name 25 times in the Qur'an — more than the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself. Muslims believe:
- Virgin Birth: Jesus was born miraculously to the Virgin Mary (Maryam) through God's command. The Qur'an devotes an entire chapter (Surah Maryam, Chapter 19) to this event.
- Messiah: Jesus is referred to as al-Masih (the Messiah) in the Qur'an multiple times.
- Miracles: The Qur'an affirms that Jesus performed miracles by God's permission — healing the blind, curing lepers, and raising the dead.
- Prophet and Messenger: Jesus is considered one of the five greatest prophets (Ulul Azm) alongside Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Muhammad ﷺ.
- Not Divine: Islam teaches that Jesus was a human prophet, not the son of God in a literal sense. The Qur'an states: 'The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah' (4:171).
- Not Crucified: The Qur'an states that Jesus was not crucified but was raised to God. 'They did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but it was made to appear so to them' (4:157).
- Second Coming: Muslims believe Jesus will return before the Day of Judgment.
Qur'anic References
إِنَّمَا الْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَكَلِمَتُهُ
Innamal-Masihu 'Isa ibnu Maryama Rasulullahi wa kalimatuhu
“The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word.”
Read in Qur'an Reader →إِذْ قَالَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ يَا مَرْيَمُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكِ بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنْهُ اسْمُهُ الْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ
Idh qalat il-mala'ikatu ya Maryamu innallaha yubashshiruki bikalimatin minhu ismuhu al-Masihu 'Isa ibnu Maryam
“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.'”
Read in Qur'an Reader →قَالَ إِنِّي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ آتَانِيَ الْكِتَابَ وَجَعَلَنِي نَبِيًّا
Qala inni 'abdullahi ataniya al-Kitaba wa ja'alani nabiyya
“[Jesus] said, 'Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet.'”
Read in Qur'an Reader →Hadith References
Narrated by Abu Hurairah
وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَيُوشِكَنَّ أَنْ يَنْزِلَ فِيكُمُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ حَكَمًا عَدْلاً
Walladhi nafsi biyadihi la yushikanna an yanzila fikum ibnu Maryama hakaman 'adlan
“The Prophet said: 'By the One in Whose hand is my soul, the son of Mary will descend among you as a just judge.'”