Isa and Maryam in Islam

9 min read

If you grew up Christian, you may have wondered what becomes of your love for Jesus now that you are Muslim. Here is the good news: you do not lose him. In Islam, Isa (Jesus) and his mother Maryam (Mary), peace be upon them, are loved and deeply honored. This lesson shows what the Quran says about them, plainly and respectfully. Where Muslims and Christians believe differently, it says so clearly and kindly. (A note on words: Allah is simply the Arabic word for God, the One God. Arabic-speaking Christians use the same word.)

Maryam, chosen above the women of the worlds

Maryam is the only woman the Quran mentions by name, and a whole surah, Surah Maryam (chapter 19), carries her name. 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)

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, also praised her:

Many men attained perfection, but of women none attained perfection except Āsiyah, the wife of Pharaoh, and Maryam, the daughter of ‘Imrān.
Sahih al-Bukhari 3411 and Sahih Muslim 2431

A miraculous birth

The Quran tells how Maryam withdrew from her family to a place toward the east, and Allah sent her an angel who appeared to her as a man (Quran 19:16-17). Scholars of tafsir (explanation of the Quran) explain that this angel was Jibril (Gabriel). Frightened, she said she sought refuge in the Most Merciful from him (Quran 19:18). Then:

He said, "I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you [news of] a pure boy." She said, "How can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?" 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.' "
Quran 19:19-21 (Saheeh International translation)

In another passage, the angels give her good news of "a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary" (Quran 3:45). A word from Him means that Allah created Isa simply by His word of command. When Maryam asked how she could have a child when no man had touched her, the answer came: "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).

Isa also spoke to people as a baby in the cradle (Quran 3:46). The first words the Quran records from him are:

[Jesus] said, "Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet.
Quran 19:30 (Saheeh International translation)

A prophet and messenger of Allah

This is the heart of what Muslims believe about Isa: he is a human being, a servant of Allah, and one of His greatest prophets and messengers. The Quran compares his creation to Adam's:

Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allah is like that of Adam.
Quran 3:59 (Saheeh International translation)

Adam was created with no father and no mother, and no one considers him divine. Isa was created with no father, by the same command: "Be." A miraculous birth shows the power of Allah. It does not make the one who is born divine. This is where Muslims and Christians differ most: Muslims believe that Isa is not God and not the son of God, but the servant and messenger of God. You can say this clearly and still speak with love, because it comes from love for Isa too.

Allah supported him with great miracles. He healed the blind and people with leprosy and brought the dead back to life, each time "by permission of Allah" (Quran 3:49). Allah gave him a scripture, the Injil (Gospel), "in which was guidance and light" (Quran 5:46). And the Prophet Muhammad said: "Both in this world and in the Hereafter, I am the nearest of all the people to Jesus, the son of Mary." (Sahih al-Bukhari 3443).

The end of his time on earth, and his return

Christians believe that Jesus was crucified. The Quran teaches something different:

And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them.
Quran 4:157 (Saheeh International translation)

Rather, Allah raised him to Himself. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise.
Quran 4:158 (Saheeh International translation)

Scholars of tafsir explain that Allah raised Isa up to Himself alive, body and soul. The Prophet Muhammad also told us that Isa will come back before the end of time. In part of a longer hadith, he said:

By the One in Whose Hand my soul is, the son of Mary will soon descend among you as a just judge.
Sahih al-Bukhari 3448 and Sahih Muslim 155

Muslims believe that his return is one of the signs of the Last Day, and that he will rule with justice according to the final message Allah revealed.

Many new Muslims have Christian parents, grandparents, and friends. You can tell them honestly that you still love and honor Jesus and Mary, perhaps more than ever. When you talk about your differences, the Quran asks you to speak "in a way that is best" and reminds everyone that "our God and your God is one" (Quran 29:46).

Remember

In Islam, Isa is a beloved prophet and messenger of Allah, born miraculously to Maryam, the most honored of women. Muslims believe he was not killed or crucified but raised by Allah, and that he will return.

You have finished the step on the prophets. Try the questions below, and then continue to the companions of the Prophet Muhammad.

Sources

Keep going

Up next: Who are the companions?

Step 4: The companions, 7 min

Continue

Take the knowledge check

Want to keep track of what you finish? Create a free account. It only takes a minute.