Jesus in the Qur’an: a different story

Jesus in the Qur’an: a different story

“… and [remember O Jesus] when you designed from clay [what was] like the form of a bird with My permission, then you breathed into it, and it became a bird with My permission …” [Qur’an 5:110]

Jesus, may God exalt his mention, is considered one of the most important figures in history and the one who contributed the most to humanity. People differ in their stance regarding him; on the one hand, some give him a divine nature and considers him a deity or the son of God, while on the other hand others take him as an enemy, attributing imperfections and flaws to him and leveling false accusations against him.

What is the position of the Qur’an on Jesus, may God exalt his mention?

1. Jesus is one of the greatest messengers:

The Qur’an affirms that Jesus, may God exalt his mention, is one of the greatest messengers and the loftiest in rank. His mother Mary was a supporter of the Truth, devoutly obedient, and a fervent worshipper of her Lord. She was chaste, guarded her honor and was a virgin. She bore Jesus, may God exalt his mention, without a father by the ability of God Almighty. God says in the Qur’an (what means): “Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allaah (regarding His creation of him) is like that of Adam. He created him from dust; then He said to him, “Be,” and he was.” [Qur’an 3: 59].

2. The Muslim believes in his miracles:

Muslims believe in the miracles God enabled him (Jesus, may God exalt his mention) to perform miracles, such as treating the leper and the blind, raising the dead, his knowledge of what people ate and what they stored in their homes and informing people about this. All this happened with the will of God, and God made these miracles a clear indication of the truthfulness of his prophecy and message.

3. God revealed upon him the Holy Book, The Gospel:

The Qur’an confirms that God sent down one of His greatest books — the Gospel — as a guide to people, a light and a mercy, and unfortunately, that over time the Gospel was subject to various kinds of distortion and alterations.

4. He is human and not a deity

The Qur’an affirms that Jesus, may God exalt his mention, was a human being among the sons of Adam. God favored him and sent him to the Children of Israel. He enabled him to perform miracles, but he did not have any characteristics of Lordship or Divinity, as God Said in the Qur’an (what means): “He [ Jesus] was not but a servant upon whom We bestowed favor, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.” [Qur’an 43: 59].

5. He was not crucified, but raised to Heaven:

The Qur’an indicates that Jesus, may God exalt his mention, was not killed or crucified; rather, God raised him to Heaven. When his enemies wanted to kill him, God cast his resemblance onto another person, so that he looked identical to Jesus, may God exalt his mention. Thus, they killed and crucified him thinking he was Jesus, may God exalt his mention. It is stated in the Qur’an in the following verses (which mean): “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 [being certain of his identity]. * Rather, Allah raised him to Himself. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise.” [Qur’an 4:157-158].

The Holy Qur’an highlights one of the greatest miracles of Jesus, may God exalt his mention, which was his ability to create a bird from clay and breathe the soul into it, so that it became a live bird by the leave of God.

Jesus, may Allah God exalt his mention, in the Qur’an

Al-Ma’idah (The Repast)

Chapter “The Repast” is the fourth-longest chapter in the Qur’an and was named after one of the miracles of Jesus, may God exalt his mention.

25 times

The Qur’an mentions the name of Jesus, may God exalt his mention, 25 times as a way of exalting his rank and status and to highlight his impact on humanity.

Al ‘Imran (The Family of Imran)

The second-longest chapter in the Qur’an was named after the blessed family of Mary, the mother of Jesus, may God exalt their mention.

Maryam (Mary)

There is no chapter in the Qur’an named after a woman except “Mary”, the mother of Jesus, may God exalt their mention.

33 times

The Qur’an mentions the name of Mary, the daughter of Imran, 33 times, to indicate her exalted rank.

Double sided A4 color copy paper.

Paper Size: 80-100g