Do Muslims Believe In Jesus (AS)?

Jesus, known in Islam as Isa (AS), holds a special status as one of Allah’s (SWT) prophets who was sent to guide mankind. He received the Gospel (Injil), one of the four Holy Scriptures. He is mentioned 25 times in the Quran, and his story from birth until he was raised to heaven from the cross is mentioned in complete detail. 

In Islam Jesus' (AS) story is quite similar to what is mentioned in the Bible and Christian beliefs. However, there are some major differences between Christian and Muslim beliefs that we must try to understand. Such Muslims believe he was neither God in the flesh nor the Son of God. He was not a partner with God, for that would be blasphemy against Allah (SWT). This is clearly mentioned in the Quran:

Lo! I am (Jesus) the slave of Allah. He hath given me the Scripture and hath appointed me a Prophet

(Surah Maryam 19:30)

Here are some important things to know regarding the status of Jesus (AS) in Islam and how he is different from what is mentioned in the Christian Bible. 

The Birth of Jesus (AS) in the Quran

As Muslims, we believe that the Quran is the final word of Allah (SWT), and whatever is mentioned in it is the truth without exception. Jesus (AS) is mentioned several times in the Quran and is referred to as Isa ibn Maryam (Jesus' son of Mary). This name shows that he is a human, just like the previous Prophets sent before him. 

The Quran mentions his miraculous birth to the Virgin Mary without a father. He was born in Bethlehem (present-day Palestine) through the command of Allah (SWT), just like Adam (AS). When the angel Gabriel (Jibril) came to Mary to inform her of her pregnancy, she was shocked, as she was a virgin. The angel responded that Allah (SWT) has the power to create what he wills, and Jesus (AS) was born as a sign of Allah's (SWT) greatness.

She said, ‘My Lord, how will I have a child when no man has touched me?’ [The angel] said, ‘Such is Allah; He creates what He wills. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, “Be,” and it is.’

(Surah Imran 3:47)

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Miracles of Jesus (AS)

The Quran mentions that Jesus (AS) was granted the ability to perform miracles. Some of these include: 

• Speaking from the cradle as a baby 
• Bringing life to a bird formed of clay 
• Healing the lepers, and the deaf 
• Bringing the dead back to life, 
• Knowing what people revealed and concealed

These miracles were given so the people at the time (People of Israel) could believe that Jesus (AS) was a Prophet sent by Allah (SWT) and the message he carried was true. Besides these, he was also bestowed with Gospel which is one of the four holy books in Islam that contained the true word of Allah (SWT) but was later corrupted. 

Jesus (AS) is Not the Son of God 

Contrary to the popular Christian belief that Jesus (AS) was the son of God and part of the Holy Trinity, Muslims refute this idea. The Quran mentions this and calls this belief wrong and against the oneness of Allah (Tawheed):

The Jews say, “Ezra is the son of Allah,” while the Christians say, “The Messiah is the son of Allah.” Such are their baseless assertions, only parroting the words of earlier disbelievers. May Allah condemn them! How can they be deluded ˹from the truth˺?

(Surah Tawbah 9:30)

According to Muslim belief, the idea that Jesus (AS) is the Son of God suggests that Allah (SWT) directly had something to do with Mary, which resulted in the birth of Jesus (AS) which is a serious sin known as ‘Shrik’ (meaning associating partners with Allah). While the Quran clearly states Allah (SWT) has no heir or partner alongside:

No son has He begotten, nor has He a partner in His dominion

(Surah Furqan 25:2)

Jesus (AS) Was Not a God 

Muslims also believe that Jesus was not a god in human form. This is a very sinful thing to do because it goes against the core teaching of Islam, which is Tawheed meaning the oneness of Allah (SWT), and has clearly been rejected in the Quran:

The Messiah, son of Mary, was no more than a messenger. ˹Many˺ messengers had ˹come and˺ gone before him. His mother was a woman of truth. They both ate food. See how We make the signs clear to them, yet see how they are deluded ˹from the truth

(Surah Maidah 5:75)

Like all other prophets before and after him, Jesus (AS) preached the oneness of Allah (SWT). Jesus (AS) himself said:

Jesus said, ‘Verily, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him; that is the straight path

(Surah Imran 3:51)

On the day of judgement, Allah (SWT) will converse with Jesus (AS) about the message he preached on Earth. The Quran narrates a portion of this conversation:

“Allah will say, ‘O Jesus, Son of Mary, did you say to the people, 'Take me and my mother as deities besides Allah?’ He will say, ‘Exalted are You! It was not for me to say that to which I have no right. If I had said it, You would have known it. You know what is within myself, and I do not know what is within Yourself. Indeed, it is You who is Knower of the unseen

(Surah Imran 5:116)

Jesus (AS) Was Not Crucified on the Cross 

Muslims believe that Jesus (AS) was not crucified on the cross, which the majority of Christians believe these days and in fact is their core belief. Quran mentions that it was made to appear he was crucified, but in reality, Allah (SWT) raised him to heaven and replaced him with someone else who looked familiar on the cross.

That they (The Jews) said (in boast), "We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah"; but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not. Nay, Allah raised him up unto Himself; and Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.

(Surah Al-Nisa 4:157–158)

This verse also indicates that he didn’t die and is still alive in heaven. Holy Prophet (PBUH) met Jesus (AS) in the second heaven while on his journey of Isra al Miraj.  

Jesus' (AS) Will Return in the End Times (Qiyamah)

Since Jesus (AS) didn’t die on the cross, Muslims believe that he will return during the end times before the day of judgement to kill Dajjal (antichrist). Dajjal is a false prophet who will appear near the end times and will misguide humanity by performing false tricks. This will be a test from Allah (SWT), and only those who will not be deceived are true believers.   

Islamic eschatology also mentions the return of the ancient tribes of Gog and Magog (Yajoj and Majuj), who will cause havoc around the world. However, after Jesus (AS) prays, Allah (SWT) will kill them all. 

After that, Jesus (AS) will rule the world, establish peace and justice, die naturally, and be buried alongside the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in the Prophet's Mosque Medina. This is also highlighted in a hadith as well:

By Him in Whose hand is my life, the son of Mary will soon descend among you as a just judge. He will break crosses, kill swine and abolish Jizya and the wealth will pour forth to such an extent that no one will accept it.

(Sahih Muslim 155a)

Differences Between Islam and Christianity on Jesus (AS)

While Muslims and Christians both hold Jesus (AS) in high regard, there are key theological differences between the two faiths regarding his nature and role:

• Divinity: Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God and part of the Holy Trinity, whereas Muslims believe he was a human prophet chosen by God to guide people.

• Crucifixion: Christians believe Jesus died on the cross for humanity’s sins and was resurrected on the third day. Muslims believe that Jesus (AS) was not crucified but was instead raised to heaven by Allah (SWT), with someone else crucified in his place.

• Role in Salvation: In Christianity, Jesus’ death and resurrection are central to the belief in salvation. In Islam, salvation is achieved through belief in God, following His commandments, and performing righteous deeds. Jesus (AS), like all prophets, came to guide people back to the correct path but is not seen as a saviour figure in the way he is in Christianity.

Conclusion 

Jesus (AS) is a highly revered and important figure in Islam. He was a messenger of Allah (SWT) who was sent to guide mankind. Like all other prophets, he preached the oneness of Allah (SWT) and called for mercy and justice. 

He didn’t die on the cross and instead was raised to the heavens from where he will return during the end times. 

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