Muslims believe that Jesus, peace be upon him, is a prophet and messenger of Allah, the Messiah and the son of Mary. Known as Isa in Islam, he was born miraculously without a father and performed miracles by Allah’s will. Belief in him is part of Islamic faith.
What does the Quran say about Jesus and Mary?
The Quran describes Mary’s purity and Jesus’ miraculous birth. Mary, also called Maryam, conceived him without human intervention, by Allah’s command.
Belief in Jesus, peace be upon him, belongs within belief in all of Allah’s prophets and messengers, one of the pillars of faith in Islam. His birth and message are therefore part of Muslim belief, rather than a story separate from it.
How was Jesus’ birth announced to Mary?
An angel came to Mary to announce that she would have a pure son. Her response expressed her astonishment at having a child while remaining a virgin:
“He (the angel) said to her: I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you a pure boy, (Maryam) said: How will I have a boy when no human has touched me and I am not a prostitute” (Surah Maryam, 19-20).
How does the Quran defend Mary’s honor?
The Quran rejects the accusations against Mary’s chastity, describing them as slander:
“And their disbelief (i.e., the Jews) and their statement against Maryam is a great slander” (An-Nisa, 156).
Mary’s miraculous pregnancy is presented with respect for her purity. Surah Al-Imran also honors the family of Jesus, peace be upon him.
What happened when Mary gave birth to Jesus?
Mary went to the trunk of a palm tree during labor and expressed her distress. The account describes her fear and sorrow as she faced childbirth and the prospect of accusations from her people:
(So the labors came to her to the trunk of the palm tree, and she said, “I wish I had died before this, and I was forgotten”.
She was then reassured and told not to grieve, but to eat dates and drink water. Mary was instructed to refrain from speaking to people and leave the response to her son.
What miracles did Jesus perform in Islam?
Jesus, peace be upon him, performed miracles by Allah’s will to support his message. These included reviving the dead and healing the blind and people with leprosy.
His miracles accompanied a call to worship Allah. That message is expressed in the words:
“Worship Allah, my Lord, and your Lord.”
How can families learn about Jesus in Islam?
Families can explore the prophets’ stories through one-to-one Islamic studies for kids at Murouj Academy. Parents can choose their child’s teacher and book a free trial class.
For families also working on Quran recitation or memorization, the Tajweed classes and Quran memorization course provide related learning options. Those interested in Arabic can explore the Standard Arabic course; the course overview brings these options together.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Jesus called the Messiah in Islam?
Yes. Messiah, or Christ, is a title of honor for Jesus, the son of Mary, peace be upon him.
Do Muslims believe Jesus was crucified?
No. Muslims believe that his opponents sought to kill him, but Allah raised him to heaven. They also believe he will return to earth and that those who worship Allah alone will follow him.
Why do Muslims say peace be upon him after Jesus’ name?
Muslims use this phrase out of respect for Jesus as a prophet. It expresses the reverence Muslims show to Allah’s prophets and messengers.
Are depictions of Jesus permitted in Islam?
Depicting prophets is prohibited in Islam, and this includes Jesus, peace be upon him. This applies to pictures of him as a child as well as depictions of him on the cross.
