What does the Quran say about Jesus?
Yes, the Quran speaks about Jesus (Isa in Arabic) often, and always with honour. It calls him the Messiah, a great messenger of Allah, born miraculously to Mary (Maryam) and given miracles by Allah's permission. Muslims love and respect him, but they do not believe he is God or the son of God.
His miraculous birth
The Quran says the angels gave Mary the good news of a son whose "name will be the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary" (Quran 3:45). When she asked how she could have a child when no man had touched her, the answer was that Allah creates whatever He wills (Quran 3:47). The Quran compares this to the creation of Adam from dust (Quran 3:59). See What does the Quran say about Mary?
His mission and miracles
Jesus was sent to the Children of Israel, and Allah gave him the Gospel (Injil) as "guidance and light" (Quran 5:46). As a baby in the cradle he spoke in defence of his mother's honour:
The Quran also lists his miracles, each done "by Allah's Will": making a bird from clay, healing the blind and the leper, and raising the dead to life (Quran 3:49). Muslims understand these as signs from Allah that supported his message, not as proof that he was divine.
What Muslims believe about him
- A human messenger: the Quran says the Messiah "was no more than a messenger" who, like his mother, ate food (Quran 5:75).
- Not God and not a Trinity: the Quran tells people not to say "Trinity" and says Allah is One (Quran 4:171).
- Not crucified: the Quran says "they neither killed nor crucified him; it was only made to appear so" (Quran 4:157), and that Allah raised him up to Himself (Quran 4:158).
- He will return: the Prophet ﷺ said the son of Mary will descend and judge justly (Sahih al-Bukhari 3448).
His death and his return each have their own full explanation. See Do Muslims believe Jesus was crucified? See Do Muslims believe Jesus will come back?
Why this matters in everyday faith
Believing in Jesus as a true messenger of Allah is part of a Muslim's faith. The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever testifies that Jesus is Allah's servant and messenger, and His Word given to Mary, will enter Paradise (Sahih al-Bukhari 3435). He also said he is the closest of all people to Jesus, and that the prophets are brothers whose religion is one (Sahih al-Bukhari 3443). So Muslims never speak of Jesus with disrespect, and many give their children the name Isa. See Do Muslims believe in Jesus?
- The Quran honours Jesus as the Messiah and a mighty messenger of Allah.
- He was born miraculously to Mary and performed miracles by Allah's permission.
- Muslims do not believe he is God, the son of God or part of a Trinity.
- The Quran says he was not crucified, and Muslims believe he will return.
People also ask
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