Islam does believe in Jesus Christ, but with some key differences compared to Christianity. In Islam, Jesus (known as “Isa” in Arabic) is regarded as one of the greatest and most important prophets of God, but not as the Son of God or part of a divine Trinity. Muslims believe that Jesus, just like other prophets of God, preached monotheism and called for good manners.
In this article, we will explore what Islam believes about Jesus Christ (peace be upon him), and whether Muslims believe Jesus is the Messiah. We will also define the term “Messiah”, Islamically. In addition, we will explain what the mission of Jesus really is.
What Does Islam Believe About Jesus?
Islam holds Jesus (Isa, peace be upon him) in high esteem as one of the greatest prophets of Allah. Unlike Christianity, Islam denies the divinity of Jesus, emphasizing his human nature and prophetic mission. The Quran portrays Jesus as a messenger who upheld monotheism, declaring,
“Surely Allah is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him ˹alone˺. This is the Straight Path”
(Quran 3:51).
Jesus in Islam is born miraculously to the Virgin Mary (Maryam), Jesus performed extraordinary miracles, like healing the sick and raising the dead, by Allah’s will. However, Muslims reject the concept of Jesus as the Son of God, viewing him as a servant and creation of Allah.
Muslims believe Jesus was not crucified but was raised to heaven by Allah, and he will return near the end of times to restore justice and defeat the false messiah (Dajjal). Known as the Messiah in Islam, Jesus brought good news of Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) arrival, fulfilling his role as a prophet exclusively sent to guide the Children of Israel. Islam’s portrayal of Jesus highlights his humanity, divine mission, and enduring significance in the Islamic faith.
In Islam, Jesus is an important prophet and a revered figure who performed miracles and preached about the worship of one God. His life and teachings are considered integral to the Islamic faith, and he is a symbol of righteousness and faith in God.
Islamic Beliefs About Jesus Christ:
Islamically, Jesus (Isa) is highly revered as one of the greatest prophets of Allah. However, Islamic beliefs about Jesus differ from those of Judaism and Christianity. Below are key points about what Islam believes about Jesus:
1- Jesus is Not God, Son of God, or part of a Trinity.
Muslims reject the Christian concept of the Trinity and the divinity of Jesus Christ. In Islam, Jesus is not God nor the Son of God. The Islamic view of Jesus’ message of monotheism is emphasized in the Quran, where Jesus himself says:
“Surely Allah is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him ˹alone˺. This is the Straight Path.’”
Islam teaches that attributing divinity to any being other than Allah is considered shirk (associating partners with Allah), which is the gravest sin in Islamic theology. The Quran repeatedly underscores that Jesus was a devoted servant and messenger of Allah, not an incarnation of divinity. This perspective aligns with the core Islamic belief in the absolute oneness of God (Tawheed), which is central to a Muslim’s faith and practice.
2- Jesus Is A Messenger Of God.
Islamically, Jesus is one of the five most mighty prophets of Allah. Those are Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (peace be upon them all). The Quran mentions Jesus in several chapters, emphasizing his prophetic role and message
3- Jesus Was Born Miraculously From A Virgin Mother.
Muslims believe that Jesus was born to the Virgin Mary (Maryam, in Arabic) through a miraculous birth. He had no father. It is needless to say that having no father does not mean that he is the son of God, simply because Allah does whatever he wishes.
Jesus is often referred to in the Quran and the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as “Isa ibn Maryam” (Jesus, son of Mary), highlighting his human and maternal lineage.
4- Jesus Was A Created Being.
The Quran stresses that Jesus was a servant of God and not a divine figure. One of the most simple, basic, powerful, and decent arguments that the Quran uses to prove the mortality of Jesus is that he used to eat food. Allah says 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…”
Needless to say, whoever eats food needs to go to the bathroom. This is not befitting of the Creator of the heavens and the earth. Islam stresses that Jesus was a human being: he used to eat, to sleep, he forgot, he got deceived, and his knowledge was limited [for example he did not know the Hour, even according to the Christian belief]. So, by extension, he is not divine.
By definition, God is not created. If a god is created, he ceases to be God. God [Allah] is the Creator of everything.
5- Jesus’ First Words In The Cradle Were “I Am A Servant Of God”.
In Islam, it is believed that Jesus spoke while he was still a baby in the cradle. This was another miracle by God. When his mother, Mary (Maryam) was accused by her people of having a child without a father, she pointed to the baby Jesus, and the baby Jesus miraculously spoke to defend her.
In this context, Allah says in the Quran:
“So she pointed to the baby. They exclaimed, “How can we talk to someone who is an infant in the cradle? Jesus declared, “I am truly a servant of Allah. He has destined me to be given the Scripture and to be a prophet.”
6- He Was A Messenger, Exclusively, Sent To The Children Of Israel.
Jesus was the last prophet sent, exclusively, to the Children of Israel. Surprisingly enough, he was not sent to any other nation(s) except the Israelites. So Europeans, Americans, Chinese, etc. were not meant by his message, in the first place.
In this regard, Jesus said in the New Testament:
“I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”
However, the only prophet who was sent to all of mankind, including Easterners and Westerners, is Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). In this regard, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“…and I have been sent to all of mankind whereas the Prophets before me were sent to their own people.”
7- Jesus Was A Test For The Children Of Israel.
Just before Jesus was born, the Israelites were so much indulged in earthly materialism. Their spiritual belief in one Omnipotent God has severely decreased and their arrogant belief in their abilities, especially in the field of science, has grown significantly.
So Jesus was sent to them to remind them of God’s power, to make them reflect that no matter how scientifically advanced they were, they were still unable to bring a child into life with no father (Jesus was the example) and they were incapable of turning clay into living creatures, healing the blind and the leper and bringing the dead back to life. However, they did not listen to him.
In this regard, Allah says:
“A messenger to the Children of Israel ˹to proclaim,˺ ‘I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I will make for you a bird from clay, breathe into it, and it will become a ˹real˺ bird—by Allah’s Will. I will heal the blind and the leper and raise the dead to life—by Allah’s Will. And I will prophesize what you eat and store in your houses.”
8- Jesus Was The Last Warning For The Children Of Israel.
Jesus was the last warning sent to the Children of Israel after they had repeatedly rejected and killed many messengers of God. He warned them that if they rejected the messenger of God [i.e. Jesus] this time, the Kingdom of God would be given to another nation.
So Jesus said in the New Testament:
“Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.”
9- Jesus Performed Many Miracles By The Will Of Allah.
Jesus (peace be upon him) is not only regarded as a prophet but also as a sign of Allah’s infinite power and mercy. His very existence, being born without a father, was a miraculous act of divine will, intended to demonstrate Allah’s ability to create life in any form He wishes. Beyond his miraculous birth, Jesus was granted the ability to perform extraordinary miracles, all by the permission and will of Allah.
These included healing the blind and the leper, reviving the dead, and revealing hidden truths such as what people ate or stored in their homes (Quran, 3:49). Each of these miracles served as a testament to his prophethood, a reminder of Allah’s omnipotence, and a call for people to turn back to their Creator. These acts were not of Jesus’ own power but were signs from Allah, given to guide and inspire faith in those who witnessed them.
10- Jesus Was Not Killed Nor Crucified.
In Islam, the belief that Jesus (peace be upon him) was not crucified is a fundamental distinction from Christian theology. The Quran explicitly states that while it appeared to some that Jesus was crucified, this was not the case. Instead, Allah, in His infinite wisdom and power, saved Jesus and raised him up to Himself. Allah says:
“They did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but it was made to appear so to them. Indeed, those who differ about it are in doubt. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain. Rather, Allah raised him to Himself.”
This event signifies Allah’s protection of His prophets and serves as a test of faith for those who claim to believe in Him. Muslims also believe that Jesus will return to Earth before the end of time to restore justice, defeat falsehood, and establish peace.
This future return highlights his significant role in fulfilling Allah’s divine plan and underscores his importance as a prophet and a sign of the Day of Judgment.
11- Jesus Is The Messiah Who Will Have A Second Coming To The Earth.
Now, let’s move to one of the most important questions about Jesus: Does Islam believe Jesus is the Messiah?
The short answer is Yes. Muslims do believe that Jesus is the Messiah. Now let’s see what are the meanings of the word “Messiah”, Islamically.
The Meaning Of “Messiah” In Islam:
In Islam, the term “Messiah” has 4 main meanings, which are all valid and complementary:
1- The Anointed one, signifying that the person is specially chosen by God for a significant mission,
2- A person who passes his hand on a sick person so that they are healed [this was a miracle given to Christ, by the will of Allah],
3- A person who goes to different parts of the Earth to spread justice in a relatively short time,
4- Bringer of Peace and Justice: this is a mission of Jesus Christ that will be fulfilled with his second coming near the End of Time.
Muslims believe in the future return of Jesus, as part of the final events of the world. His return will be to defeat the false messiah (the Antichrist or Dajjal in Islamic tradition), restore justice, and establish peace. He will then rule for a time before dying a natural death.
12- Jesus Came With Good Tidings About The Coming Of Prophet Muhammad.
In Islam, Jesus is seen not only as a prophet, but also as a bearer of good news about the coming of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who would bring the final and complete message from God to all of humanity.
In the Quran, Jesus is quoted to have spoken about the coming of a prophet after him, named “Ahmad,” which is another name for Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Jesus says in the Quran:
“O children of Israel! I am truly Allah’s messenger to you, confirming the Torah which came before me, and giving good news of a messenger after me whose name will be Aḥmad.”
Conclusion
To sum up, Islam sees Jesus (Isa) as a beloved and revered prophet, and a messenger who performed many miracles by God’s permission. However, there is nothing unique about Jesus in Islam. He is a messenger in a long lineage of messengers and prophets of God. The main focus of Islam is Allah: worshipping Him alone and fulfilling His commands. All the messengers of Allah, as highly respected as they were, were merely a means to deliver the message of monotheism to mankind.
