Prophet Isa in Islam: A Comprehensive Overview

Prophet Isa (AS) holds a prominent place in Islam as one of the five greatest messengers, along with Prophet Noah (AS), Abraham (AS), Moses (AS), and Muhammad (SAW). His story is a powerful reminder of Allah’s mercy, wisdom, and the importance of unwavering faith. Isa (AS) was born miraculously to Maryam (AS), without a father, and was chosen by Allah to guide the Children of Israel to righteousness, calling them to worship Allah alone. He performed numerous miracles, such as healing the sick and raising the dead, as signs of his prophethood and Allah’s omnipotence.

The Quran speaks of Isa’s (AS) birth and mission in several verses, such as:

إِنَّمَا ٱلْمَسِيحُ عِيسَىٰٓ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ إِلَّا رَسُولٌۭ
“The Messiah, Isa son of Maryam, was but a messenger.”
(Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:75)

Isa (AS) also foretold the coming of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:

وَمُبَشِّرًۭا بِرَسُولٍۢ يَأْتِى۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِى اسْمُهُۥٓ أَحْمَدُ
“And [Isa said], ‘And I am the messenger of Allah to you, confirming what came before me of the Torah and bringing good tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name is Ahmad.'”
(Surah As-Saff 61:6)

Prophet Isa’s (AS) life and mission teach profound lessons in faith, patience, and devotion to Allah.

The Birth of Prophet Isa (AS)

The birth of Prophet Isa (AS) is one of the most miraculous events in Islamic history. His mother, Maryam (Mary), was a devout woman, chosen by Allah to give birth to Isa (AS) without the intervention of a father, as a sign of Allah’s power and mercy. This miraculous birth is mentioned in several places in the Quran.

In Surah Aal-e-Imran, Allah says:

إِذْ قَالَتِ ٱمْرَأَتُ عِمْرَٰنَ رَبِّ إِنِّى نَذَرْتُ لَكَ مَا فِى بَطْنِى مُحَرَّرًۭا فَتَقَبَّلْ مِنِّى إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ “When the wife of ‘Imran said, ‘My Lord, indeed I have pledged to You what is in my womb, consecrated, so accept this from me. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing.'”
(Surah Aal-e-Imran 3:35)

This verse describes how Maryam (AS) dedicated her unborn child to Allah. Later, when she gave birth to Isa (AS), she was astonished to find that her son would speak from the cradle. Allah confirms this in Surah Maryam:

فَنَادَتْهُۥٓ أَنَّىٰٓ أَكُونُ لِى وَلَدٌۭ وَلَمْ يَمْسَسْنِىٓ بَشَرٌۭ ۚ قَالَ كَذَٰلِكِ قَالَ رَبُّكِ هُوَ عَلَيْهِۦ هَيِّنٌۭ وَلِنَجْعَلَهُۥٓ ءَايَةًۭ لِّلنَّاسِ وَرَحْمَةًۭ مِّنَّا ۚ وَكَانَ أَمْرًۭا مَّقْضِيًّا “She said, ‘How can I have a boy while no man has touched me?’ He said, ‘Thus it will be. Your Lord says, ‘It is easy for Me, and We will make him a sign to the people and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter [already] decreed.'”
(Surah Maryam 19:20-21)

The birth of Isa (AS) was an extraordinary event, as it affirmed the miraculous nature of his existence and signaled his extraordinary mission. This event is one of the many divine signs demonstrating the power of Allah over all things.

The Mission of Prophet Isa (AS)

Prophet Isa (AS) was sent by Allah to guide the Children of Israel back to the worship of the One true God, to correct the distortions of the previous revelations, and to lead them with wisdom and compassion. His mission was centered around preaching monotheism (Tawhid) and moral righteousness. He called people to worship Allah alone, to show kindness, and to uphold justice.

In Surah Al-Ma’idah, Allah describes Isa’s (AS) mission:

إِذْ قَالَ ٱللَّهُ يَا عِيسَىٰٓ إِنِّىٓ مُتَوَفِّيكَ وَرَٰفِعُكَٓ إِلَىَّ وَمُطَهِّرُكَ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَجَاعِلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَيُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِۦٓ فَوْقَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ حَتَّىٰٓ يَأْتِىَٓنَآ ” [The Day] when Allah will say, ‘O Isa, indeed I will take you and raise you to Myself and purify you from those who disbelieve and make those who follow you [in submission to Allah alone] superior to those who disbelieve.'”
(Surah Al-Imran 3:55)

Isa’s (AS) followers were among those who believed in the Oneness of Allah and accepted him as a messenger. His teachings emphasized the importance of charity, prayer, fasting, and other acts of worship, guiding his followers to a deeper spiritual connection with Allah.

The Miracles of Prophet Isa (AS)

Prophet Isa (AS) is renowned in Islam for the many miracles that Allah granted him. These miracles were a sign of his prophethood and Allah’s mercy upon him. Some of the miracles mentioned in the Quran include healing the sick, raising the dead, and creating a bird from clay.

In Surah Al-Imran, Allah mentions:

إِذْ تَصْنَعُ مِنَ ٱلطِّينِ كَهَيْئَةِ ٱلطَّيْرِ بِإِذْنِى فَتَنفُخُ فِيهَا فَتَكُونُ طَيْرًۭا بِإِذْنِى وَتُبْرِئُ ٱلۡأَكْمَهَ وَٱلۡأَبْرَصَ بِإِذْنِى وَإِذَاۤ أَمَتُّكُمۡ فَإِذَآ أَحْيِيكُمۡ بِإِذْنِى ” [Mention] when you designed from clay [something] like the form of a bird with My permission, then you breathed into it, and it became a bird with My permission; and you healed the blind and the leper with My permission; and when you brought forth the dead with My permission…”
(Surah Aal-e-Imran 3:49)

These miracles were meant to prove his prophethood and demonstrate the limitless power of Allah. Despite these signs, not everyone believed in him, as many rejected his message due to their pride and arrogance.

The Crucifixion of Prophet Isa (AS)

One of the most debated aspects between Islam and Christianity is the event of the crucifixion of Prophet Isa (AS). In Islamic belief, Isa (AS) was not crucified but was raised up to Allah, and someone else was made to resemble him. Allah says in the Quran:

وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ وَمَا صَلَبُوهُ وَلَٰكِن شُبِّهَ لَهُمْ وَإِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ فِيهِ لَفِى شَكٍّۢ مِّنْهُ ۚ مَا لَهُمْ بِهِۦ مِنْ عِلْمٍۢ إِلَّا ٱتِّبَاعَ ٱلظَّنِّ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ يَقِينًۭا “And [for] their saying, ‘Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Isa, the son of Maryam.’ But they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him for certain.”
(Surah An-Nisa 4:157)

This verse clarifies that Isa (AS) was not crucified, and instead, he was raised by Allah. The belief in the crucifixion is a misunderstanding, and Islam teaches that Isa (AS) was saved by Allah’s will, as he is a revered messenger who will return in the future.

The Second Coming of Prophet Isa (AS)

Islam teaches that Prophet Isa (AS) will return to Earth in the future as part of the signs of the Hour (the Day of Judgment). He will come to defeat the false messiah (Dajjal), establish justice, and spread the true message of Islam. His return is a time when justice will prevail, and all people will be brought to account.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ mentioned in a hadith:

“فَكَيْفَ أَنتُمْ إِذَا نَزَلَ فِيكُمْ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ وَإِمَامُكُم مِّنْكُمْ؟”

“How will you be when the son of Maryam (Isa) descends among you and your Imam is from among yourselves?”
(Sahih Muslim 155)

This hadith foretells the return of Isa (AS) as a leader who will follow the teachings of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and will help establish justice.

The Teachings of Prophet Isa (AS)

Isa (AS) emphasized the importance of faith in Allah, good character, and submission to His will. He preached compassion, charity, and mercy. He taught his followers to love one another, to forgive, and to remain humble before Allah.

In Surah Al-Ma’idah, Allah mentions the message of Isa (AS):

إِنِّىٓ رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِٓ إِلَيْكُم مُّصَدِّقًۭا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَىَّ مِنَ ٱلتَّوْرَٰهِۦ وُمُبَشِّرًۭا بِرَسُولٍۢ يَأْتِى۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِى اسْمُهُۥٓ أَحْمَدُ “Indeed, I am the messenger of Allah to you, confirming what came before me of the Torah and bringing good tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name is Ahmad.”
(Surah As-Saff 61:6)

Isa (AS) confirmed the teachings of previous prophets, including Prophet Musa (AS), and foretold the coming of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. He emphasized that all messengers came with the same core message of worshipping Allah alone and living righteous lives.

The Legacy of Prophet Isa (AS)

Prophet Isa (AS) left behind a profound legacy of faith, resilience, and devotion to Allah. His life is a testimony to the unwavering trust in Allah and the importance of fulfilling one’s mission in the face of trials and opposition. Muslims believe that Isa (AS) will return to complete his mission of establishing justice and righteousness, making him an important figure in both Islamic theology and eschatology.

Conclusion: Prophet Isa in Islam

Prophet Isa AS in Islam holds a highly revered position as one of Allah’s great messengers

The life of Prophet Isa (AS) is a beacon of divine mercy, wisdom, and unwavering faith in Allah. From his miraculous birth to his mission of spreading the message of monotheism and righteousness, Isa (AS) embodied the qualities of humility, compassion, and trust in Allah’s plan. His miracles, such as healing the sick and raising the dead, were clear signs of Allah’s power, yet his message remained focused on the worship of the One true God. The story of Isa (AS) is not only an inspiration to Muslims but also a reminder of the strength that comes from complete reliance on Allah.

The Quran highlights his significance as a messenger:

إِنَّمَا ٱلْمَسِيحُ عِيسَىٰٓ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ إِلَّا رَسُولٌۭ
“The Messiah, Isa son of Maryam, was but a messenger.”
(Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:75)

Furthermore, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ affirmed Isa’s (AS) pivotal role in Islamic eschatology:

“فَكَيْفَ أَنْتُمْ إِذَا نَزَلَ فِيكُمْ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ وَإِمَامُكُمْ مِنْكُمْ؟”

“How will you be when the son of Maryam (Isa) descends among you and your Imam is from among yourselves?”
(Sahih Muslim 155)

The return of Isa (AS) will mark a time of justice, peace, and righteousness, reinforcing the importance of remaining steadfast in faith and dedication to Allah. May we learn from the example of Isa (AS) to lead lives of sincerity, compassion, and absolute trust in Allah.