Muslims believe in Jesus (Isa عيسى). In the Quran, he has a special name: “Al-Masih.” This means “The Messiah”. But what is the Messiah meaning in Islam? Is it same meaning like for Christians? Or different? and what role does the Messiah play in Islamic beliefs? You will learn the true meaning of Messiah in Quran here.
What Did “Messiah” Mean Historically?
The term “Messiah” has roots in Hebrew, meaning “anointed one.” In ancient times, anointing was a symbolic act of consecrating someone for a special role, such as a king or prophet.
Who is the Messiah in Islam?
In Islam, the title Messiah (al-Masih – المسيح) is given exclusively to Jesus, the son of Mary (Isa ibn Maryam in Arabic – عيسى ابن مريم).
In Islam, Jesus was anointed by Allah with unique blessings and responsibilities, making him the Messiah.
However, Islam does not associate the Messiah with salvation through sacrifice. Instead, Jesus’s role is to guide people to the truth and to uphold the oneness of Allah.
Messiah in Quran Verses
The Quran mentions Jesus as al-Masih numerous times. For example, in Surah Al Imran (3:45), it states:
This verse clearly identifies Jesus as the Messiah.
Another example of Messiah in Quran verse is in Surah an-Nisa (4:171):
The Quran emphasizes Jesus’s noble status as the Messiah, a prophet, and a messenger of Allah.
But what does exactly Messiah means in Islam and in Arabic?
Messiah Meaning in Islam
In Islam, the term “messiah” translates to “al-Masīḥ” (المسيح) in Arabic. And as we’ve seen, the Quran refers to Jesus as the Messiah (al-Masīḥ) on several verses.
However, the Islamic understanding of the Messiah differs significantly from the Christian concept.
In Islam, the Messiah is a chosen one sent by Allah to guide and deliver people. Jesus, as the Messiah in Islam, was sent to the Children of Israel to call them back to Allah andd the right path.
The term “Messiah” has various interpretations in Islam:
| Interpretation | Explanation |
| Purification of sins | Allah cleansed (masaha) Jesus (مَسَحه, Masahahu), purifying him of sins. |
| Anointed with blessings | Jesus was anointed (musiha) with blessings. (مُسح بالبركة, Musih bil-Barakah) |
| Healing by touch | When Jesus touched the sick with his hands, they were healed. (مسح بيده, Masaha bi-Yadih) |
Importantly, Islam rejects the Christian belief in the divinity of Jesus.
The Quran explicitly denies that Jesus is the Son of God or part of a Trinity.
Muslims believe that Allah is one and only and that associating partners with Allah is infidelity. This difference in understanding Jesus’s nature is a key point of divergence between Islam and Christianity.
| Aspect | Islamic View vs. Christian View |
| Divinity | Jesus is a prophet and messenger of Allah, not divine |
| Crucifixion | Not crucified, Jesus raised to heaven by Allah |
| Resurrection | Not resurrected in the Christian sense |
| Second Coming | Jesus will return at the end of times |
Do Muslims Expect a Messiah?
Yes, Muslims expect a Messiah, Muslims believe in the second coming of Jesus.
Muslims believe that Jesus will return to Earth before the Day of Judgment to restore justice and defeat the false messiah (known as Al-Masīḥ ad-Dajjāl, المسيح الدجَال)
Islam Messiah Beliefs
Islam Messiah beliefs are that Jesus will return and his return will be a sign of the approaching end times and a time of great significance.
Jesus return is not as a new prophet, but to affirm and complete the message brought by all the prophets before him, including the final prophet, Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Role of the Messiah at the End Times in Islam
The role of the Messiah at the end times in Islam is that he will descend as a just leader to restore peace, justice, and true monotheism. Islamic tradition holds that Jesus will:
- Descend from the heavens.
- Break the cross, symbolizing the end of false doctrines attributing divinity to him.
- Kill the Dajjal, ending his reign of deception.
- Establish a period of peace and justice.
- After fulfilling his mission, Jesus will die a natural death
These events are supported by authentic hadiths. For example, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, surely [Jesus] the son of Mary will soon descend amongst you and will judge mankind justly [as a Just Ruler]; he will break the Cross and kill the pigs and there will be no Jizya [i.e., taxation taken from non Muslims]. Money will be in abundance so that nobody will accept it, and a single prostration to Allah [in prayer] will be better than the whole world and whatever is in it.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 3448)
Comparing Islamic Messianism to Other Religions
As we’ve seen the Islamic concept of “messiah” differs from similar concept in christianity, but it also differs from similar concept in Judaism.
Messiah in Judaism
In Judaism, the concept of a Messiah is central to their faith. Jews believe that the Messiah will be a descendant of King David who will restore the Davidic kingdom, gather the Jewish people from exile, and usher in an era of peace and prosperity.
Messiah in Christianity
In Christianity, Jesus is considered to be the Messiah, the Son of God, who came to redeem humanity from sin through his sacrifice on the cross. Christians believe that Jesus will return at the end of time to judge the living and the dead.
Messiah in Islam
As we’ve seen, some mistakenly equate the Islamic understanding of the Messiah with that of other faiths, particularly Christianity. In Islam:
- The Messiah is not divine: Isa is a servant and messenger of Allah, not part of a trinity or divine entity.
- The Messiah’s role is linked to monotheism: Isa’s mission aligns with the core Islamic tenet of worshiping Allah alone.
- The Messiah is expected to return: His second coming is central to Islamic eschatology, symbolizing the triumph of truth over falsehood.
| Religion | Messiah | Key Characteristics |
| Judaism | Future Jewish King | Descendant of King David, redeemer of the Jewish people, establishes a kingdom of peace and justice |
| Christianity | Jesus Christ | Son of God, divine, savior, died for the sins of humanity, resurrected, will return to judge the living and the dead |
| Islam | Jesus (ʿĪsā) | Prophet of Allah, born to the Virgin Mary, performed miracles, ascended to heaven, will return to defeat the False Messiah and establish justice |
The Difference Between Messiah and Prophet in Islam
The title “Messiah” is specific to Jesus in Islam, while the term “prophet” is a general term for those who receive divine revelation, so:
- Prophet in Islam: A messenger chosen by Allah to guide humanity, such as Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Muhammad and even Jesus (peace be upon them all).
- Messiah in Islam: A specific title for Jesus, highlighting his miraculous birth, his role as a sign of Allah’s power, and his eventual return.
All prophets in Islam, including the Messiah, share the same core message: to worship the one God alone and to follow His guidance. Jesus, as the Messiah, was specifically sent to the Children of Israel to reaffirm the right message of the Torah and to amend the distorts.
The Messiah and the Mahdi in Islam
The coming of Jesus “the Messiah” is closely linked to the appearance of another key figure in Islamic eschatology: the Mahdi المهدي.
The Mahdi, meaning “the guided one,” is expected to appear before Jesus’s return, preparing the way for a just and equitable world.
The Mahdi is not explicitly mentioned in the Quran, but he is a prominent figure in Islamic traditions (hadith).
The Mahdi’s role in Islam includes:
- The Mahdi will fill the earth with justice
- The Mahdi will mark a period of peace and prosperity.
- The Mahdi will resolve divisions within Islam, bringing all sects together.
The relationship between Jesus and the Mahdi is one of partnership in fulfilling God’s plan for the end times. They will work together to defeat falsehood, establish justice, and guide humanity towards righteousness
We Invite You to Learn More About Islam!
Kvowing about the life and role of the Messiah in Islam could be an opportunity to explore the depth of Islamic teachings.
Keep learning and asking questions!
We hope this path leads you to new insights and a deeper faith.
Conclusion
In Islam, the term “Messiah” refers specifically to Jesus (Isa ibn Maryam), who is considered a prophet and messenger of Allah. Unlike Christianity, where the Messiah is believed to be divine, Islam views Jesus as anointed by Allah to guide people toward the truth and uphold monotheism.
Jesus’s role does not involve salvation through sacrifice, but rather guiding the Children of Israel. The Quran mentions Jesus as the Messiah in several verses, underscoring his noble status and the unique blessings granted to him by Allah.
Muslims believe in the second coming of Jesus before the Day of Judgment. His return will be pivotal in defeating the false messiah (Al-Masīḥ ad-Dajjāl) and establishing peace and justice. Jesus will break the cross, end false doctrines, and affirm the unity of Allah.
This belief in the Messiah aligns with Islamic eschatology, where his return, alongside the Mahdi (the guided one), marks the ultimate triumph of truth. While the Messiah in Islam shares some similarities with the concept in Judaism and Christianity, his role is centered on guiding humanity to righteousness and restoring justice.
