Jesus in Islam

ʿĪsā, son of Mary: Messiah, messenger and sign

Muslims love and honour Jesus as one of the greatest prophets of God. The Qur’an calls him al-Masīḥ, the Messiah, and names him 25 times, always with deep respect. To believe in him is part of being Muslim.

Sources Islamweb, 2017(opens in a new window)

His name

In his own language Jesus was called Yeshua, a shortened form of the Hebrew name we know in English as Joshua (in Spanish, Josué). Greek writers spelled it Iēsous, Latin made it Iesus, and English only settled on “Jesus” with a J in the 1600s. So Joshua and Jesus look like two different names only because they reached us by different routes, one from Hebrew and one through Greek and Latin. The Qur’an calls him ʿĪsā; Arabic-speaking Christians often say Yasūʿ.

Sources Jesus (name), Wikipedia(opens in a new window)

Like Adam: “Be,” and he was

The Qur’an compares Jesus with Adam: God created Adam from dust, then said to him “Be,” and he was (3:59). Neither had two parents: Adam had neither father nor mother, and Jesus was born of Mary without a father. When God decrees something, He only says to it “Be,” and it is (kun fa-yakūn, 3:47). Muslims have also noticed that the Qur’an names Jesus and Adam the same number of times, 25 each: a striking detail, though not offered as proof.

Sources The Qur’an (Sahih International)(opens in a new window); Islamweb, 2017(opens in a new window)

His miracles

His first miracle came as a newborn, when he spoke to defend his mother (19:29–33; see Mary in Islam). Later, by God’s permission, he shaped a bird from clay that came to life, healed the blind and people with leprosy, and raised the dead (3:49). The Qur’an always adds “by God’s permission”: the power is God’s, shown through His messenger.

Sources The Qur’an (Sahih International)(opens in a new window)

He was not killed, and he will return

The Qur’an says that Jesus was neither killed nor crucified, though it was made to appear so, and that God raised him up to Himself (4:157–158). Muslims believe he is alive with God and will return before the end of time. The Prophet Muhammad said that the son of Mary will descend as a just ruler (Sahih al-Bukhari 3448). A report preserved by al-Tirmidhī, from the Companion ʿAbdullāh ibn Salām, says that Jesus will be buried alongside the Prophet Muhammad in Medina, and it is often said that a space remains there for him.

Sources The Qur’an (Sahih International)(opens in a new window); Sahih al-Bukhari 3448(opens in a new window); Hadith Answers, 2014(opens in a new window)

Good news of “the praised one”

In the Qur’an, Jesus tells the Children of Israel that he confirms the Torah and brings good news of a messenger to come after him, whose name is Aḥmad (61:6). Aḥmad and Muḥammad come from the same Arabic root, ḥ-m-d, “praise”: Muḥammad means “the praised one”, and the Prophet said, “I am Muḥammad and Aḥmad.” In John’s Gospel, Jesus promises that the Father will send “another Advocate” (14:16). The Greek word is paraklētos, “helper” or “advocate”; some Muslim writers have suggested it was originally periklytos, “praised” or “renowned”, which would match the meaning of Muḥammad. Christians understand the promise as the Holy Spirit (John 14:26).

Sources Ibn Kathir on 61:6(opens in a new window); Ahmad, Wikipedia(opens in a new window)

Common ground, honestly told

Christians and Muslims share a great deal about Jesus: his virgin birth, his title of Messiah, his miracles and his return. The difference is who he is. In the Qur’an, the newborn Jesus says, “I am the servant of God” (19:30): Muslims honour him as a prophet and servant of God, not as God or the son of God. That difference matters, and it can be discussed with respect.