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Lesson 2 of 3

Jesus and Mary in Islam

4 min read

Muslims love Jesus (Isa in Arabic) and his mother Mary (Maryam), peace be upon them. Believing in Jesus as a messenger of God is part of being Muslim.

This lesson shows what the Quran says about them. Where Muslims and Christians believe differently, it says so calmly.

Mary, chosen by God

Mary is the only woman the Quran names, and chapter 19 of the Quran is called Maryam after her. The angels said to her:

And [mention] when the angels said, "O Mary, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds.

Quran 3:42 (Saheeh International translation)

A birth by God's command

The story in the Quran

  1. The news

    Angels gave Mary good news of a son, the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary (Quran 3:45).

  2. Her question

    She asked how she could have a child when no man had touched her.

  3. The answer

    God creates what He wills. He only says "Be," and it is.

  4. The birth

    Jesus was born, and as a baby he spoke in defense of his mother (Quran 19:29-33).

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.

Quran 3:47 (Saheeh International translation)

How the Quran describes the Messiah

[And mention] when the angels said, "O Mary, indeed Allah gives you good tidings of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, distinguished in this world and the Hereafter and among those brought near [to Allah].

Quran 3:45 (Saheeh International translation)

A great messenger

Muslims call Jesus al-Masih, the Messiah. The Quran says he was given miracles, always "by permission of Allah" (Quran 3:49).

Miracles of Jesus in the Quran

  • The blind

    He healed those born blind

  • Leprosy

    He healed the leper

  • The dead

    He gave life to the dead, by God's permission

  • The bird

    He shaped a bird from clay and it came alive, by God's permission

The Quran records the first words of Jesus, spoken as a baby:

[Jesus] said, "Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet. And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and zakah as long as I remain alive And [made me] dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me a wretched tyrant. And peace is on me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I am raised alive."

Quran 19:30-33 (Saheeh International translation)

The full verse about the miracles

And [make him] a messenger to the Children of Israel, [who will say], 'Indeed I have come to you with a sign from your Lord in that I design for you from clay [that which is] like the form of a bird, then I breathe into it and it becomes a bird by permission of Allah. And I cure the blind and the leper, and I give life to the dead, by permission of Allah. And I inform you of what you eat and what you store in your houses. Indeed in that is a sign for you, if you are believers.

Quran 3:49 (Saheeh International translation)

Jesus and Adam

Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allah is like that of Adam. He created Him from dust; then He said to him, "Be," and he was.

Quran 3:59 (Saheeh International translation)

Where beliefs differ

Muslims and Christians both love Jesus, but they do not believe the same things about him. Here is the difference, stated plainly.

What many Christians believe

  • Jesus is the Son of God and God
  • Jesus died on the cross for humanity

What Muslims believe

  • Jesus is a servant and messenger of God, not divine
  • God did not let him be killed or crucified, but raised him to Himself

On the cross, the Quran says:

And [for] their saying, "Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah." And 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. Rather, Allah raised him to Himself. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise.

Quran 4:157-158 (Saheeh International translation)

On the Trinity and "son of God"

The Quran speaks to Christians directly and asks them to believe in God and His messengers:

O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, "Three"; desist, it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs.

Quran 4:171 (Saheeh International translation)

Muslims hold this belief out of love and respect for Jesus, not against him. You are free to think it over and ask questions.

Remember

In Islam, Jesus is a beloved messenger, the Messiah, born miraculously to Mary. Muslims do not worship him, and they do not believe he was crucified.

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Step 2: The prophets, 4 min

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