Isa (Jesus)

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Who is Isa (Jesus)?

Isa, peace be upon him, known in English as Jesus, occupies an extraordinary place in Islamic belief as one of the five greatest prophets, the Ulul Azm, sent as a mercy and guide to the Children of Israel. His story begins with one of the Qur'an's most miraculous births: Maryam (Mary), a woman of unmatched purity and devotion, conceived Isa without a father, through Allah's direct command "Be, and it is" — a sign the Qur'an repeatedly emphasizes to affirm Allah's power over all creation.

From the very moment of his birth, Isa demonstrated his prophetic mission. When Maryam was accused of impropriety upon returning with her newborn, the infant Isa spoke from the cradle, declaring himself a servant and prophet of Allah, defending his mother's honor and establishing his message before he could even walk. Throughout his ministry, Isa performed a series of remarkable miracles by Allah's permission — healing the blind and the leper, giving life to a bird shaped from clay, and even informing people of what they ate and stored in their homes — all presented in the Qur'an as signs pointing to Allah's power working through him, not evidence of his own divinity.

Isa's mission focused on calling the Children of Israel back to the pure worship of Allah alone, confirming the Torah given to Musa while bringing his own scripture, the Injil. Yet his message was met with rejection and plotting by some who sought his death. The Qur'an firmly states that this plot did not succeed as intended — Isa was neither killed nor crucified, but was raised up to Allah, with the appearance of another made to resemble him to those who sought to kill him.

This account places Islam in direct theological contrast with mainstream Christian belief regarding both the crucifixion and Isa's divine nature. The Qur'an is emphatic that Isa never claimed to be God or the son of God, and that ascribing divinity to any created being, however honored, is the gravest of theological errors in Islam. At the same time, Muslims hold Isa in profound love and respect as a mighty prophet, a sign of Allah's creative power, and a model of devotion and humility.

Mainstream Sunni belief holds that Isa's story is not yet finished: he is awaited to return before the Day of Judgment, at which point he will defeat the false messiah known as the Dajjal, affirm the truth of Islam, restore justice on earth, and eventually live out his natural life before passing away. This shared reverence for Isa — differently understood but deeply held — makes him one of the most significant unifying and distinguishing figures across the Abrahamic faiths.

Key Moments in Isa's Story

• Miraculous birth: Isa was born to the Virgin Maryam without a father, by Allah's direct command.
• Speaking from the cradle: As an infant, Isa spoke to defend his mother's honor and declare his prophethood.
• Miracles by Allah's permission: Isa healed the blind and the leper and brought a clay bird to life, all as signs from Allah.
• Raised to Allah: Rather than being crucified, Isa was raised up to Allah, to return before the Day of Judgment.

References in Qur'an & Hadith

"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... and I cure the blind and the leper, and I give life to the dead by permission of Allah.'" — Surah Al Imran 3:49

"And [for] their saying, 'Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Isa, son of Maryam, the messenger of Allah.' And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them... rather, Allah raised him to Himself." — Surah An-Nisa 4:157-158

The Prophet ﷺ said: "By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, surely the son of Maryam will soon descend among you as a just judge." — Sahih al-Bukhari 3448