'Eissa, Jesus Christ, in the Holy Quran By Hassan Ali El-Najjar

السابع من صفر 1334 - الحادي والعشرون من ديسمبر 2012

تمت مراجعة هذا الفصل في الرابعِ عشرِ من شعبان 1438 - الثالث والعشرين من مايو 2017

In this Chapter, verses of the Holy Quran about 'Eisa (Jesus Christ) are presented to shed some light on his birth, life, mission, miracles, nature, ordeal, ascendance to heavens, and his future return to Earth. The verses also provide answers to the main disagreements between Jews and Christians about him.

The story of Maryam (Mary) and the conception of her son, ‘Eisa (Jesus), pbbuh, is presented in verses 33-60 of Soorat Al-i-‘Imran (Chapter 3), of the Holy Quran.

The story of 'Eisa Bin Maryam (Jesus, the Son of Mary), pbbuh, is told in three chapters of the Holy Quran. These are Chapter 3 (Al-i-‘Imran), Chapter 5 (Al-Ma-ida), and Chapter 19 (Maryam).

His name (‘Eisa) is mentioned 25 times in the Holy Quran, in the following verses: 2: 87,136, 253; 3:45, 52, 55, 59, 84; 4:163, 171; 5:46, 78, 110, 112, 114, 116; 6:85; 19:34; 33:7; 42:13; 43:63; 57:27; and 61:6, 14.

Fourteen of these verses mention him, in separate contexts, as one of the prominent Messengers of Allah, and give some information about him and about his mission.

The other eleven verses mention him in a context of giving more information about him, particularly about his birth, life, miracles, ordeal, and the end of his first mission on Earth. Thus, more information about Jesus Christ, pbbuh, can be found in verses 4:156-158, 171-172; 5:110-120, and 19:16-35 of the Holy Quran. [2]

Maryam (Mary), pbuh, the mother of ‘Eisa (Jesus), pbuh, was born to the family of ‘Imran. Her mother pledged during her pregnancy to dedicate her to the worship of Allah. The pledge was accepted and Allah assigned Zakariya (Zechariah) to take care of her (Al-i-'Imran, 3: 33-37).

إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفَىٰ آدَمَ وَنُوحًا وَآلَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَآلَ عِمْرَانَ عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ ‎﴿٣٣﴾‏ ذُرِّيَّةً بَعْضُهَا مِن بَعْضٍ ۗ وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ ‎﴿٣٤﴾‏ إِذْ قَالَتِ امْرَأَتُ عِمْرَانَ رَبِّ إِنِّي نَذَرْتُ لَكَ مَا فِي بَطْنِي مُحَرَّرًا فَتَقَبَّلْ مِنِّي ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ ‎﴿٣٥﴾‏ فَلَمَّا وَضَعَتْهَا قَالَتْ رَبِّ إِنِّي وَضَعْتُهَا أُنثَىٰ وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا وَضَعَتْ وَلَيْسَ الذَّكَرُ كَالْأُنثَىٰ ۖ وَإِنِّي سَمَّيْتُهَا مَرْيَمَ وَإِنِّي أُعِيذُهَا بِكَ وَذُرِّيَّتَهَا مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ ‎﴿٣٦﴾‏ فَتَقَبَّلَهَا رَبُّهَا بِقَبُولٍ حَسَنٍ وَأَنبَتَهَا نَبَاتًا حَسَنًا وَكَفَّلَهَا زَكَرِيَّا ۖ كُلَّمَا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا زَكَرِيَّا الْمِحْرَابَ وَجَدَ عِندَهَا رِزْقًا ۖ قَالَ يَا مَرْيَمُ أَنَّىٰ لَكِ هَٰذَا ۖ قَالَتْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَرْزُقُ مَن يَشَاءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ ‎﴿٣٧﴾‏ (آلِ عِمْرَانَ ، 3: 33-37).

Indeed, Allah chose Adam and Noah and the family of Abraham and the family of 'Imran over the worlds - (33)

(Mention, O Mu’hammed), when the wife of 'Imran said: "My Lord, indeed, I have pledged to You what is in my womb, consecrated (dedicated for Your service). So, accept this from me. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing." (35)

And when she delivered her, she said: "My Lord, I have delivered a female." And Allah was most knowing of what she delivered, and the male is not like the female. “And I have named her Maryam (Mary), and I seek refuge in You, for her and her descendants, from the stoned Shaytan (Satan, the expelled from the mercy of Allah)." (36)

So, her Lord accepted her with good acceptance and caused her to grow in a good manner, and put her in the care of Zakariya (Zechariah). Every time Zakariya entered upon her in the prayer chamber, he found with her provision. He said: "O Maryam, from where is this (coming) to you?" She said: "It is from Allah. Indeed, Allah provides for whom He wills, without account." (37) (Al-i-'Imran, 3: 33-37).

The Angels came to Maryam (Mary) and told her that Allah, praise to Him, had chosen her to be the mother of Jesus Christ, by a word from Him. They explained to her that her conception of him would be a miracle for people, and he would be supported with many miracles, to help him persuade people of his mission (Al-i-'Imran, 3: 42-48; Maryam, 19: 16-28). Then, the Spirit of God, the angel Jibreel (Gabriel), peace be upon him, appeared to her and said: "I am only the Messenger of your Lord, to give you a boy, (who is) pure of sins" (Maryam, 19: 19).

وَإِذْ قَالَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ يَا مَرْيَمُ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ اصْطَفَاكِ وَطَهَّرَكِ وَاصْطَفَاكِ عَلَىٰ نِسَاءِ الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿٤٢﴾ يَا مَرْيَمُ اقْنُتِي لِرَبِّكِ وَاسْجُدِي وَارْكَعِي مَعَ الرَّاكِعِينَ ﴿٤٣﴾ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ أَنبَاءِ الْغَيْبِ نُوحِيهِ إِلَيْكَ ۚ وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيْهِمْ إِذْ يُلْقُونَ أَقْلَامَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ يَكْفُلُ مَرْيَمَ وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيْهِمْ إِذْ يَخْتَصِمُونَ ﴿٤٤﴾ إِذْ قَالَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ يَا مَرْيَمُ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ يُبَشِّرُكِ بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنْهُ اسْمُهُ الْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ وَجِيهًا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ وَمِنَ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ ﴿٤٥﴾ وَيُكَلِّمُ النَّاسَ فِي الْمَهْدِ وَكَهْلًا وَمِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ ﴿٤٦﴾ قَالَتْ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِي وَلَدٌ وَلَمْ يَمْسَسْنِي بَشَرٌ ۖ قَالَ كَذَٰلِكِ اللَّـهُ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَاءُ ۚ إِذَا قَضَىٰ أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُونُ ﴿٤٧﴾ وَيُعَلِّمُهُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَالتَّوْرَاةَ وَالْإِنجِيلَ ﴿٤٨﴾ (آلِ عِمْرَانَ ، 3: 42-48).

And (mention that) the angels said, "O Maryam (Mary), Allah has chosen you, purified you, and chosen you above the women of the worlds. (42)

O Mary, be devoutly obedient to your Lord, prostrate, and bow with those who bow (in prayer)." (43)

That is from the news of the unknown (unseen), which We reveal to you, (O Mu’hammed). And you were not with them when they cast their pens, as to who of them should be responsible for Maryam. Nor were you with them when they disputed (about it). (44)

(And mention that) the angels said: "O Maryam, indeed Allah gives you glad tidings of a Word from Him, whose name is the Messiah, 'Eisa (Jesus), the son of Maryam, prominent in this life and the Hereafter, and among those close (to Allah). (45)

He speaks to the people in the cradle, as a Kahl (in his early 30s), and (he will be) of the righteous." (46)

She said: "My Lord, how will I have a child when no man has touched me?" (The angel) said: "Thus, Allah creates what He wills. If He decrees (decides) a matter, He (only) says to it: ‘Be,’ and it is.” (47)

And He will teach him writing, wisdom, the Torah, and the Engel (Gospel) (48) (Al-i-'Imran, 3: 42-48).

وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ مَرْيَمَ إِذِ انتَبَذَتْ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا مَكَانًا شَرْقِيًّا ﴿١٦﴾ فَاتَّخَذَتْ مِن دُونِهِمْ حِجَابًا فَأَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْهَا رُوحَنَا فَتَمَثَّلَ لَهَا بَشَرًا سَوِيًّا ﴿١٧﴾ قَالَتْ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِالرَّحْمَـٰنِ مِنكَ إِن كُنتَ تَقِيًّا ﴿١٨﴾ قَالَ إِنَّمَا أَنَا رَسُولُ رَبِّكِ لِأَهَبَ لَكِ غُلَامًا زَكِيًّا ﴿١٩﴾ قَالَتْ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِي غُلَامٌ وَلَمْ يَمْسَسْنِي بَشَرٌ وَلَمْ أَكُ بَغِيًّا ﴿٢٠﴾ قَالَ كَذَٰلِكِ قَالَ رَبُّكِ هُوَ عَلَيَّ هَيِّنٌ ۖ وَلِنَجْعَلَهُ آيَةً لِّلنَّاسِ وَرَحْمَةً مِّنَّا ۚ وَكَانَ أَمْرًا مَّقْضِيًّا ﴿٢١﴾ (مَرْيَمُ ، 19: 16-21).

And mention (O Mu’hammed), in the Book ([the story of) Maryam (Mary), when she withdrew from her family to an eastern location (place). (16)

And she took, in seclusion from them, a screen (a barrier). Then, We sent to her Our Spirit (Jibril, Gabriel), and he represented himself to her as a well-proportioned human (being). (17)

She said: "I seek refuge with the Beneficent (God) from you, (so leave me alone) if you are righteous." (18)

He said: "I am only the Messenger of your Lord, to give you a boy, (who is) pure (of sins)." (19)

She said: "How can I have a boy while no man has touched me, and I have not been unchaste?" (20)

He said: "Thus, your Lord said: '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.' " (21) (Maryam, 19: 16-21).

فَحَمَلَتْهُ فَانتَبَذَتْ بِهِ مَكَانًا قَصِيًّا ﴿٢٢﴾ فَأَجَاءَهَا الْمَخَاضُ إِلَىٰ جِذْعِ النَّخْلَةِ قَالَتْ يَا لَيْتَنِي مِتُّ قَبْلَ هَـٰذَا وَكُنتُ نَسْيًا مَّنسِيًّا ﴿٢٣﴾ فَنَادَاهَا مِن تَحْتِهَا أَلَّا تَحْزَنِي قَدْ جَعَلَ رَبُّكِ تَحْتَكِ سَرِيًّا ﴿٢٤﴾ وَهُزِّي إِلَيْكِ بِجِذْعِ النَّخْلَةِ تُسَاقِطْ عَلَيْكِ رُطَبًا جَنِيًّا ﴿٢٥﴾ فَكُلِي وَاشْرَبِي وَقَرِّي عَيْنًا ۖ فَإِمَّا تَرَيِنَّ مِنَ الْبَشَرِ أَحَدًا فَقُولِي إِنِّي نَذَرْتُ لِلرَّحْمَـٰنِ صَوْمًا فَلَنْ أُكَلِّمَ الْيَوْمَ إِنسِيًّا ﴿٢٦﴾ فَأَتَتْ بِهِ قَوْمَهَا تَحْمِلُهُ ۖ قَالُوا يَا مَرْيَمُ لَقَدْ جِئْتِ شَيْئًا فَرِيًّا ﴿٢٧﴾ يَا أُخْتَ هَارُونَ مَا كَانَ أَبُوكِ امْرَأَ سَوْءٍ وَمَا كَانَتْ أُمُّكِ بَغِيًّا ﴿٢٨﴾ (مَرْيَمُ ، 19: 22-28).

And the pain of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said: "Oh, I wish I had died before this and was in oblivion, forgotten." (23)

But (Jibril, Gabriel) called her from (a place) lower than her (saying): "Do not grieve; your Lord has provided beneath you a stream (for you to drink from). (24)

And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates. (25)

So, eat, and drink, and be contented. And if you see from among humans anyone, say: 'I have vowed to the Beneficent (God) a fast (abstention from talking), so I will not speak today to (any) human.' " (26)

Then, she brought him to her people, carrying him. They said: "O Maryam, you have certainly done an awful thing. (27)

O sister (relative) of Haroon (Aaron), your father was not a man of evil, and your mother was not unchaste." (28) (Maryam, 19: 22-28). [3]

Allah, praise to Him, supported His Messenger, 'Eisa Bin Maryam (Jesus, the Son of Mary), with the Spirit of the Holy (Jibril, Gabriel), who helped him perform many miracles, particularly medical ones, to persuade people of his mission, as a Messenger of God.

Verses from the Holy Quran tell us that he spoke while in the cradle, defending his mother. He healed many sick people, and even brought some people from the dead. He created birds out of clay then he blew in them, giving them life and leading them to fly away. He told people what they hold in their homes, and in response to a test from his disciples, he asked Allah to descend a table spread with food, which Allah answered and descended it to them. These miracles were mentioned in verses 29-35 of Surat Maryam (Chapter 19), verses 49-51 of Surat Al-'Imran (Chapter 3), and verses 110-115 of Surat Al-Ma-ida (Chapter 5) of the Holy Quran, as follows:

فَأَشَارَتْ إِلَيْهِ ۖ قَالُوا كَيْفَ نُكَلِّمُ مَن كَانَ فِي الْمَهْدِ صَبِيًّا ﴿٢٩﴾ قَالَ إِنِّي عَبْدُ اللَّـهِ آتَانِيَ الْكِتَابَ وَجَعَلَنِي نَبِيًّا ﴿٣٠﴾ وَجَعَلَنِي مُبَارَكًا أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُ وَأَوْصَانِي بِالصَّلَاةِ وَالزَّكَاةِ مَا دُمْتُ حَيًّا ﴿٣١﴾ وَبَرًّا بِوَالِدَتِي وَلَمْ يَجْعَلْنِي جَبَّارًا شَقِيًّا ﴿٣٢﴾ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَيَّ يَوْمَ وُلِدتُّ وَيَوْمَ أَمُوتُ وَيَوْمَ أُبْعَثُ حَيًّا ﴿٣٣﴾ ذَٰلِكَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ ۚ قَوْلَ الْحَقِّ الَّذِي فِيهِ يَمْتَرُونَ ﴿٣٤﴾ مَا كَانَ لِلَّـهِ أَن يَتَّخِذَ مِن وَلَدٍ ۖ سُبْحَانَهُ ۚ إِذَا قَضَىٰ أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُونُ ﴿٣٥﴾ (مَرْيَمُ ، 19: 29-35).

So, she pointed to him. They said: "How can we speak to (the one) who is in the cradle, a child?" (29)

(So, 'Eisa, Jesus) said: "I am the worshipper of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet. (30)

And He has made me blessed wherever I am, and has enjoined upon me (to perform) prayer and (give) Zakah (charity), as long as I am alive (31)

And (He has made me) dutifully good to my mother, and He has not made me a wretched tyrant. (32)

And peace is upon me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I will be resurrected alive." (33) [4]

That was 'Eisa (Jesus), the Son of Maryam, the Saying of the Truth, about whom they are in dispute. (34)

It is not (befitting) for Allah to take a son; exalted is He! When He decrees (decides) a matter, He only says: to it, "Be," and it is. (35) (Maryam, 19: 29-35). [5]

Performing more miracles: Birds from clay, healing blind and leper people, bringing the dead to life

وَرَسُولًا إِلَىٰ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ أَنِّي قَدْ جِئْتُكُم بِآيَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ۖ أَنِّي أَخْلُقُ لَكُم مِّنَ الطِّينِ كَهَيْئَةِ الطَّيْرِ فَأَنفُخُ فِيهِ فَيَكُونُ طَيْرًا بِإِذْنِ اللَّـهِ ۖ وَأُبْرِئُ الْأَكْمَهَ وَالْأَبْرَصَ وَأُحْيِي الْمَوْتَىٰ بِإِذْنِ اللَّـهِ ۖ وَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا تَأْكُلُونَ وَمَا تَدَّخِرُونَ فِي بُيُوتِكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَةً لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٤٩﴾ وَمُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيَّ مِنَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَلِأُحِلَّ لَكُم بَعْضَ الَّذِي حُرِّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ ۚ وَجِئْتُكُم بِآيَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ فَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ ﴿٥٠﴾ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ رَبِّي وَرَبُّكُمْ فَاعْبُدُوهُ ۗ هَـٰذَا صِرَاطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ ﴿٥١﴾ (آلِ عِمْرَانَ ، 49-51).

And (Allah made him) a Messenger to the Children of Israel, (who said to them): “I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I create for you from clay (that which is) like the form of a bird. Then, I blow (my) breath into it, and it becomes a bird, by permission of Allah. And I heal the blind and the leper, and I bring the dead back to life, by permission of Allah. And I inform you of what you eat and what you store in your houses. In that, (there) is a sign for you, if you are believers. (49)

And (I have come) confirming what was before me of the Torah, and to make permissible (lawful) for you some of what was forbidden to you. And I have come to you with a sign from your Lord. So, avoid God’s anger (be righteous), and obey me. (50)

Allah is my Lord and your Lord. So, worship Him. This is a straight path." (51) (Al-'Imran, 3: 49-51).

The miracle of descending a table spread with food from heaven, in response to the Disciples’ test

إِذْ قَالَ الْحَوَارِيُّونَ يَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ هَلْ يَسْتَطِيعُ رَبُّكَ أَن يُنَزِّلَ عَلَيْنَا مَائِدَةً مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ ۖ قَالَ اتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ﴿١١٢﴾ قَالُوا نُرِيدُ أَن نَّأْكُلَ مِنْهَا وَتَطْمَئِنَّ قُلُوبُنَا وَنَعْلَمَ أَن قَدْ صَدَقْتَنَا وَنَكُونَ عَلَيْهَا مِنَ الشَّاهِدِينَ ﴿١١٣﴾ قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ اللَّـهُمَّ رَبَّنَا أَنزِلْ عَلَيْنَا مَائِدَةً مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ تَكُونُ لَنَا عِيدًا لِّأَوَّلِنَا وَآخِرِنَا وَآيَةً مِّنكَ ۖ وَارْزُقْنَا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ الرَّازِقِينَ ﴿١١٤﴾ قَالَ اللَّـهُ إِنِّي مُنَزِّلُهَا عَلَيْكُمْ ۖ فَمَن يَكْفُرْ بَعْدُ مِنكُمْ فَإِنِّي أُعَذِّبُهُ عَذَابًا لَّا أُعَذِّبُهُ أَحَدًا مِّنَ الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿١١٥﴾ (الْمَائِدَةُ ، 5: 112-115).

(And mention O Mu’hammed) when the Disciples said: "O 'Eissa (Jesus), Son of Maryam, can your Lord send down to us a table (spread with food) from the heaven? ('Eissa, Jesus) said: “Avoid God's anger (be righteous), if you are believers." (112)

They said: "We want to eat from it, and let our hearts be reassured, and know that you have been truthful to us, and (we want to) be among its witnesses." (113)

'Eissa (Jesus), the Son of Maryam, said: "O Allah, our Lord, send down to us a table (spread with food) from the heaven, to be for us a festival, for the first of us and the last of us, and a sign from You. And provide for us, You are the Best of the Providers." (114)

Allah said: "I am sending it down to you, but whoever disbelieves afterwards from among you, then, I will torment (punish) him with a torment (punishment), which I have not tormented (punished) anyone from the worlds" (115) (Al-Ma-ida, 5: 112-115).

Despite all of his miracles and signs of proof that he was the Messenger of God, still a faction of the Children of Israel not only did not believe in him but also plotted to have him killed. However, Allah, praise to Him, saved him by lifting him alive to heavens.

Allah, Almighty, did not allow them to kill him or crucify him. Instead, they had another person, who was made to look like him. In addition, Allah, praise to Him, promised to make those who believed in him dominant over those who rejected him, as revealed in the following verses from the Holy Quran.

وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ وَقَفَّيْنَا مِن بَعْدِهِ بِالرُّسُلِ ۖ وَآتَيْنَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَيَّدْنَاهُ بِرُوحِ الْقُدُسِ ۗ أَفَكُلَّمَا جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ بِمَا لَا تَهْوَىٰ أَنفُسُكُمُ اسْتَكْبَرْتُمْ فَفَرِيقًا كَذَّبْتُمْ وَفَرِيقًا تَقْتُلُونَ (الْبَقَرَةُ ، 2: 87).

And We did give Moosa (Moses) the Book (the Torah) and followed up after him with messengers. And We gave 'Eisa (Jesus), the Son of Maryam, clear proofs and supported him with the Spirit of the Holy (Jibril, Gabriel). Was it that every time a messenger came to you, (O Children of Israel), with what your souls did not desire, you got arrogant? And a party (of the messengers) you belied (accused them of lying) and another party you killed? (Al-Baqara, 2: 87).

وَإِذْ قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ إِنِّي رَسُولُ اللَّـهِ إِلَيْكُم مُّصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيَّ مِنَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَمُبَشِّرًا بِرَسُولٍ يَأْتِي مِن بَعْدِي اسْمُهُ أَحْمَدُ ۖ فَلَمَّا جَاءَهُم بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ قَالُوا هَـٰذَا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ (الصَّفُّ ، 61: 6).

And (mention) when 'Eisa (Jesus), the Son of Maryam, said: "O children of Israel, I am the Messenger of Allah to you, confirming what is in between my hands of the Torah, and bringing glad tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name is A’hmed (the thankful one)." But when he came to them with clear pieces of evidence (about being the Messenger of Allah), they said: "This is obvious magic" (Al-Saff, 61: 6).

لُعِنَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِن بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ عَلَىٰ لِسَانِ دَاوُودَ وَعِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِمَا عَصَوا وَّكَانُوا يَعْتَدُونَ (الْمَائِدَةُ ، 5: 78).

Cursed were those who disbelieved among the Children of Israel by the tongue of Dawood (David) and (that) of 'Eisa (Jesus), the Son of Maryam. That was because they disobeyed (God) and they used to transgress (Al-Maeda, 5: 78).

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا أَنصَارَ اللَّـهِ كَمَا قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ لِلْحَوَارِيِّينَ مَنْ أَنصَارِي إِلَى اللَّـهِ ۖ قَالَ الْحَوَارِيُّونَ نَحْنُ أَنصَارُ اللَّـهِ ۖ فَآمَنَت طَّائِفَةٌ مِّن بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ وَكَفَرَت طَّائِفَةٌ ۖ فَأَيَّدْنَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا عَلَىٰ عَدُوِّهِمْ فَأَصْبَحُوا ظَاهِرِينَ (الصَّفُّ ، 61: 14).

O you who have believed, be supporters of Allah, as when 'Eisa (Jesus), the Son of Maryam, said to the Disciples: "Who are my supporters to (the path of) Allah?" The Disciples said: "We are supporters of Allah." And a faction of the Children of Israel believed and a faction disbelieved. So, We supported those who believed against their enemy, and they became dominant (over them) (Al-Saff, 61: 14).

وَبِكُفْرِهِمْ وَقَوْلِهِمْ عَلَىٰ مَرْيَمَ بُهْتَانًا عَظِيمًا ﴿١٥٦﴾ وَقَوْلِهِمْ إِنَّا قَتَلْنَا الْمَسِيحَ عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولَ اللَّـهِ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ وَمَا صَلَبُوهُ وَلَـٰكِن شُبِّهَ لَهُمْ ۚ وَإِنَّ الَّذِينَ اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ لَفِي شَكٍّ مِّنْهُ ۚ مَا لَهُم بِهِ مِنْ عِلْمٍ إِلَّا اتِّبَاعَ الظَّنِّ ۚ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ يَقِينًا ﴿١٥٧﴾ بَل رَّفَعَهُ اللَّـهُ إِلَيْهِ ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّـهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا ﴿١٥٨﴾ وَإِن مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ إِلَّا لَيُؤْمِنَنَّ بِهِ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ ۖ وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَهِيدًا ﴿١٥٩﴾ (النِّسَاءُ ، 4: 156-159).

And (We cursed them) for their disbelief and their saying against Maryam a great slander, (156)

And [(for) their saying: "We have killed the Messiah, 'Eisa (Jesus), the Son of Maryam, the Messenger of Allah." And they neither killed him, nor crucified him; but he was resembled to them (by another man). And indeed, those who differed about him are in doubt about him. They have no knowledge of him except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain. (157)

Rather, Allah raised (lifted) him to Himself. And Allah is Exalted in Might, Wise. (158)

And everyone from the People of the Scripture (Jews) will surely believe in him (in 'Eisa, Jesus) before his death (after his return to Earth). And on the Day of Rising (Resurrection), he will be a witness on them (159) (Al-Nisa, 4: 156-159).

فَلَمَّا أَحَسَّ عِيسَىٰ مِنْهُمُ الْكُفْرَ قَالَ مَنْ أَنصَارِي إِلَى اللَّـهِ ۖ قَالَ الْحَوَارِيُّونَ نَحْنُ أَنصَارُ اللَّـهِ آمَنَّا بِاللَّـهِ وَاشْهَدْ بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ ﴿٥٢﴾ رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا بِمَا أَنزَلْتَ وَاتَّبَعْنَا الرَّسُولَ فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّاهِدِينَ ﴿٥٣﴾ وَمَكَرُوا وَمَكَرَ اللَّـهُ ۖ وَاللَّـهُ خَيْرُ الْمَاكِرِينَ ﴿٥٤﴾ إِذْ قَالَ اللَّـهُ يَا عِيسَىٰ إِنِّي مُتَوَفِّيكَ وَرَافِعُكَ إِلَيَّ وَمُطَهِّرُكَ مِنَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَجَاعِلُ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوكَ فَوْقَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ ۖ ثُمَّ إِلَيَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأَحْكُمُ بَيْنَكُمْ فِيمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ ﴿٥٥﴾ فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فَأُعَذِّبُهُمْ عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّاصِرِينَ ﴿٥٦﴾ وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ فَيُوَفِّيهِمْ أُجُورَهُمْ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الظَّالِمِينَ ﴿٥٧﴾ ذَٰلِكَ نَتْلُوهُ عَلَيْكَ مِنَ الْآيَاتِ وَالذِّكْرِ الْحَكِيمِ ﴿٥٨﴾ (آلِ عِمْرَانَ ، 3: 52-58).

When 'Eisa (Jesus) felt disbelief from them, he said: "Who are my supporters to (the path of) Allah?" The Disciples said: "We are supporters of Allah. We have believed in Allah, and bear witness (on us) that we are Muslims (submitting to Him). (52)

Our Lord, we have believed in what You have revealed, and have followed the Messenger ('Eisa, Jesus). So, write us among the witnesses." (53)

And they (the disbelievers) planned (to kill 'Eisa, Jesus), but Allah planned (to save him). And Allah is the Best of Planners. (54)

(Mention) when Allah said, "O 'Eisa (Jesus), I am ending your record (on Earth) and raising you to Myself, and purifying you from those who have disbelieved, and making those who have followed you (dominant) over those who have disbelieved until the Day of Rising (Resurrection). Then, to Me is your return, and I will judge among you concerning that in which you used to differ. (55)

And as for those who have disbelieved, I will torment (punish) them with severe torment (punishment) in this life and the Hereafter, and they will have no supporters." (56)

But as for those who have believed and did good deeds, He will give them their rewards, and Allah does not like the transgressors (the oppressors). (57)

This is what We recite to you, (O Mu’hammed), of (Our) verses and the wise remembrance. (58) (Al-i-'Imran, 3: 52-58).

Instead of concentrating on the message and the teachings of the Messiah, 'Eisa (Jesus, the Christ), many of his followers have focused on his nature, and many of them have worshipped him as a deity, in addition to, or together with Almighty Allah, Who created him!

The following verses of the Holy Quran tell us that ‘Eisa (Jesus), pbuh, was created by Allah, just like Adam was created. The Creator of the Heavens and the Earth is capable of creating both of them without a father. He is in no need of a wife or a son. He is the Eternally Living One God, Who has no partners.

'Eisa, the Messiah (Jesus Christ) was a Messenger of Allah, who worshipped his Creator, and who never said to the people to worship him and his mother, instead of, or beside Allah, as revealed in the following verses (Al-'Imran, 3: 59; Al-Ma-ida, 5: 116-119):

إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِيسَىٰ عِندَ اللَّـهِ كَمَثَلِ آدَمَ ۖ خَلَقَهُ مِن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُونُ (آلِ عِمْرَانَ ، 3: 59).

The example of 'Eisa (Jesus) to Allah is like the example of Adam. He created Him from the earth matter (soil); then He said to him: "Be," and he was (Al-'Imran, 3: 59).

وَإِذْ قَالَ اللَّـهُ يَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ أَأَنتَ قُلْتَ لِلنَّاسِ اتَّخِذُونِي وَأُمِّيَ إِلَـٰهَيْنِ مِن دُونِ اللَّـهِ ۖ قَالَ سُبْحَانَكَ مَا يَكُونُ لِي أَنْ أَقُولَ مَا لَيْسَ لِي بِحَقٍّ ۚ إِن كُنتُ قُلْتُهُ فَقَدْ عَلِمْتَهُ ۚ تَعْلَمُ مَا فِي نَفْسِي وَلَا أَعْلَمُ مَا فِي نَفْسِكَ ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ ﴿١١٦﴾ مَا قُلْتُ لَهُمْ إِلَّا مَا أَمَرْتَنِي بِهِ أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّـهَ رَبِّي وَرَبَّكُمْ ۚ وَكُنتُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَهِيدًا مَّا دُمْتُ فِيهِمْ ۖ فَلَمَّا تَوَفَّيْتَنِي كُنتَ أَنتَ الرَّقِيبَ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ وَأَنتَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَهِيدٌ ﴿١١٧﴾ إِن تُعَذِّبْهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ عِبَادُكَ ۖ وَإِن تَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ فَإِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ ﴿١١٨﴾ قَالَ اللَّـهُ هَـٰذَا يَوْمُ يَنفَعُ الصَّادِقِينَ صِدْقُهُمْ ۚ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا ۚ رَّضِيَ اللَّـهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ ﴿١١٩﴾ (الْمِائِدَةُ ، 5: 116-119).

Allah said (will say, on the Day of Judgment): "O 'Eisa (Jesus), Son of Maryam, did you say to the people, 'Take me and my mother as deities instead of Allah?'" He said (will say): "Exalted You are! It is not for me to say that to which I have no right about. If I had said it, You would have known it. You know what is in myself, and I do not know what is in Yourself. You are the Knower of the Unknown (Unseen). (116)

I did not say to them except what You commanded me to (say): “Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. And I was a witness over them as long as I was among them; but when You ended my record (by lifting me up from Earth), You were the Observer over them, and You are, over all things, a Witness. (117)

If You (should decide to) torment (punish) them, they are Your worshippers; but if You forgive them, You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise. (118)

Allah will say (on the Day of Judgment), "This is the Day when the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness." For them (there) are gardens (in Paradise) beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will be everlasting forever, Allah will be pleased with them, and they will be pleased with Him. That is the great winning (attainment). (119) (Al-Ma-ida, 5: 116-119).

In concluding the issue of the nature of ‘Eisa (Jesus), pbuh, Allah, praise to Him, admonishes his followers (Christians), not to commit excess in their religion, by believing in the Trinity and by saying that Jesus is the son of God. He proclaims with utmost clarity that He is One God, Who has no son, He did not give birth to anybody, and nobody gave birth to Him. He was and is worshipped by the Messiah, Jesus, and the angels, and whoever disdains His worship will be punished, but whoever believes in Him and does good deeds will receive full rewards, in the hereafter (Al-Nisa, 4: 171-173; Al-Ikhlas, 112: 1- 4).

يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ لَا تَغْلُوا فِي دِينِكُمْ وَلَا تَقُولُوا عَلَى اللَّـهِ إِلَّا الْحَقَّ ۚ إِنَّمَا الْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولُ اللَّـهِ وَكَلِمَتُهُ أَلْقَاهَا إِلَىٰ مَرْيَمَ وَرُوحٌ مِّنْهُ ۖ فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّـهِ وَرُسُلِهِ ۖ وَلَا تَقُولُوا ثَلَاثَةٌ ۚ انتَهُوا خَيْرًا لَّكُمْ ۚ إِنَّمَا اللَّـهُ إِلَـٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ ۖ سُبْحَانَهُ أَن يَكُونَ لَهُ وَلَدٌ ۘ لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّـهِ وَكِيلًا ﴿١٧١﴾ لَّن يَسْتَنكِفَ الْمَسِيحُ أَن يَكُونَ عَبْدًا لِّلَّـهِ وَلَا الْمَلَائِكَةُ الْمُقَرَّبُونَ ۚ وَمَن يَسْتَنكِفْ عَنْ عِبَادَتِهِ وَيَسْتَكْبِرْ فَسَيَحْشُرُهُمْ إِلَيْهِ جَمِيعًا ﴿١٧٢﴾ فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ فَيُوَفِّيهِمْ أُجُورَهُمْ وَيَزِيدُهُم مِّن فَضْلِهِ ۖ وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ اسْتَنكَفُوا وَاسْتَكْبَرُوا فَيُعَذِّبُهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا وَلَا يَجِدُونَ لَهُم مِّن دُونِ اللَّـهِ وَلِيًّا وَلَا نَصِيرًا ﴿١٧٣﴾ (النِّسَاءُ ، 6: 171).

O People of the Book (Christians), do not commit excess in your religion, and do not say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, 'Eissa (Jesus), the Son of Maryam, was but a messenger of Allah and His Word, which He threw to Maryam, and a spirit from Him. So, believe in Allah and His messengers, and do not say, "Three." Desist (stop saying that), it is better for you. Allah is but One God. Exalted He is 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 His Dominion's affairs) (171)

The Messiah would never disdain to be a worshipper of Allah, nor would the angels (who are) close (to Allah). And whoever disdains His worship and is arrogant, He will gather them to Himself all together (172)

As for those who believed and did good deeds, He will give them in full their rewards and grant them extra from His bounty. But as for those who disdained and were arrogant, He will torment (punish) them with a painful torment (punishment), and they will not find for themselves any protector (patron) or supporter, other than Allah (173) (Al-Nisa, 4: 171-173).

قُلۡ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ (١) ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ (٢) لَمۡ يَلِدۡ وَلَمۡ يُولَدۡ (٣) وَلَمۡ يَكُن لَّهُ ۥ ڪُفُوًا أَحَدُۢ (٤) (الإخْلَاصُ ، 112: 1-4).

Say: He is Allah, (the) One; (1) Allah, the Eternal; (2) He did not beget (give birth) and He was not begotten (given birth to); (3) And there has never been anyone equal to Him. (4) (Al-Ikhlas, 112: 1- 4).

The following four verses of the Holy Quran mention the future decent of 'Eisa (Jesus), peace be upon him, from heavens and his return to the Earth. Verses 3:46 and 5:110 mention that he will be a Kahl (33 years of age) when he returns and speaks to people again. Verse 4:159 mentions that Jews will believe in him when he returns and Verse 43:61 mentions that the return of 'Eissa (Jesus) is a sign of the Hour, which has to happen before the Last Day.

وَيُكَلِّمُ النَّاسَ فِي الْمَهْدِ وَكَهْلًا وَمِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ (آلِ عِمْرَانَ ، 3: 46).

He will speak to the people in the cradle and as a Kahl (33 years and older) and will be of the righteous (Al-'Imran, 3: 46).

إِذْ قَالَ اللَّـهُ يَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ اذْكُرْ نِعْمَتِي عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَىٰ وَالِدَتِكَ إِذْ أَيَّدتُّكَ بِرُوحِ الْقُدُسِ تُكَلِّمُ النَّاسَ فِي الْمَهْدِ وَكَهْلًا ۖ (الْمَائِدَةُ ، 5: 110).

(The Day) when Allah will say, "O 'Eisa (Jesus), Son of Maryam, remember My favor upon you and upon your mother, when I supported you with the Spirit of the Holy (Jibril, Gabriel), (enabling you to) speak to the people in the cradle and as a Kahl (33 years and older) (Al-Ma-ida, 5: 110).

وَإِن مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ إِلَّا لَيُؤْمِنَنَّ بِهِ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ ۖ وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَهِيدًا (النِّسَاءُ ، 4: 159).

And everyone from the People of the Book (Jews) will surely believe in him (in 'Eisa, Jesus) before his death (after his return). And on the Day of Rising (Resurrection), he will be a witness on them (Al-Nisa, 4: 159).

وَإِنَّهُ لَعِلْمٌ لِّلسَّاعَةِ فَلَا تَمْتَرُنَّ بِهَا وَاتَّبِعُونِ ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَاطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ (الزُّخْرُفُ ، 43: 61).

And indeed, he ('Eisa, Jesus) will be a sign for of the Hour. So, do not be in doubt of it, and follow Me. This is a straight path (Al-Zukhruf, 43: 61).

In addition to the above verses of the Holy Quran, there is a number of ‘Hadiths (sayings) of the Prophet Mu’hammed, pbbuh, about the future descent of ‘Eisa (Jesus), pbuh, from heaven and his rule on Earth. These are known in the Islamic literature to be part of the topic of the Al-Dajjal (pronounced: ad-dajjal), who is also known as the fake messiah, and the anti-Christ.

Briefly, as Al-Mahdi (the Guided One) becomes the Islamic ruler, in Jerusalem, the fake messiah (Al-Dajjal) emerges to fight him, with huge powers. As Al-Mahdi is no match to him, Allah, praise to Him, will command ‘Eisa (Jesus), pbuh, to descend to Earth to fight him. So, he descends on Damascus, then travels to Jerusalem, then they leave together to Sinai, which will be the Muslim stronghold. Ultimately, ‘Eisa (Jesus), pbuh, fights Al-Dajjal and kills him. Then, he rules over Earth, with the Islamic Law. [7]

In one ‘Hadith about the rule of Eisa (Jesus), pbuh, on Earth, the Messenger of Allah, Mu’hammed, pbbuh, says: “The Son of Mary is about to descend among you. He will be a just ruler, who breaks the cross, kills the pig, and cancels the tax. The wealth (money) will be so abundant that nobody will accept it (for the lack of need to it). [8]

His Mission: Preaching God's Message from the Torah, and updating it with the Engel (the Gospel)

Children of Israel went astray of the teachings of the Messenger of Allah, Moosa (Moses), and the Prophets after him. So, Allah, praise to Him, sent ‘Eisa (Jesus, Christ), pbuh, to remind them of God’s Message, the Old Testament, to explain it, and to provide them with new clarifications, a New Testament, as guidance to the righteous worshippers of Allah.

The Messengers of Allah are obligated to tell His Message to people, no matter how much difficult the mission may turn to be. They have to be persistent in their preaching, using the miracles which Allah made available to them, in order to persuade people.

In the case of 'Eisa (Jesus), pbuh, some of the Children of Israel rejected him and even plotted to kill him. However, others believed in him and in his message. Allah, praise to Him, placed compassion and mercy in the hearts of these believers. Some of them innovated monasticism, which Allah did not prescribe for them. They did so, seeking the approval of Allah. But later, they did not observe it with due observance.

So, it's time for followers of 'Eissa (Jesus), pbuh, to return to his true teachings of mercy and compassion, as we read in the following verses.

وَقَفَّيْنَا عَلَىٰ آثَارِهِم بِعِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ التَّوْرَاةِ ۖ وَآتَيْنَاهُ الْإِنجِيلَ فِيهِ هُدًى وَنُورٌ وَمُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَهُدًى وَمَوْعِظَةً لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ (الْمَائِدَةُ ، 5: 46).

And We sent, following in their footsteps, 'Eissa (Jesus), the Son of Maryam, confirming that which came before him in the Torah; and We gave him the Injeel (Gospel), in which was guidance and light, and (it was) confirming that which preceded it of the Torah, as well as guidance and preaching for the righteous (Al-Maeda, 5: 46).

وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِنَ النَّبِيِّينَ مِيثَاقَهُمْ وَمِنكَ وَمِن نُّوحٍ وَإِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ ۖ وَأَخَذْنَا مِنْهُم مِّيثَاقًا غَلِيظًا (الأحْزَابُ ، 33: 7).

And (mention, O Mu’hammed that) We took from the prophets their covenant and from you, and from Noo'h (Noah), Ibraheem (Abraham), Moosa (Moses) and 'Eisa (Jesus), the Son of Maryam; and We took from them a solemn covenant (Al-A'hzab, 33: 7).

شَرَعَ لَكُم مِّنَ الدِّينِ مَا وَصَّىٰ بِهِ نُوحًا وَالَّذِي أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ وَمَا وَصَّيْنَا بِهِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ ۖ أَنْ أَقِيمُوا الدِّينَ وَلَا تَتَفَرَّقُوا فِيهِ ۚ كَبُرَ عَلَى الْمُشْرِكِينَ مَا تَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَيْهِ ۚ اللَّـهُ يَجْتَبِي إِلَيْهِ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي إِلَيْهِ مَن يُنِيبُ (الشُّورَى ، 42: 13).

He has ordained for you of religion what He enjoined upon Noo'h (Noah), and that which We have revealed to you, (O Muhammad), and what We enjoined upon Ibraheem (Abraham), Moosa (Moses) and 'Eisa (Jesus): To establish the religion and not be divided therein. (It is) difficult for those who associate others with Allah what you invite them to. Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills, and guides to Himself whoever turns back (to Him) (Al-Shoora, 42: 13).

وَلَمَّا جَاءَ عِيسَىٰ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ قَالَ قَدْ جِئْتُكُم بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَلِأُبَيِّنَ لَكُم بَعْضَ الَّذِي تَخْتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ ۖ فَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ ﴿٦٣﴾ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ هُوَ رَبِّي وَرَبُّكُمْ فَاعْبُدُوهُ ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَاطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ ﴿٦٤﴾ (الزُّخْرُفُ ، 43: 63-64).

And when 'Eisa (Jesus) brought clear proofs, he said: "I have come to you with wisdom, and to make clear to you some of that over which you differ. So, avoid the anger of Allah (be righteous) and obey me. (63)

Allah is surely my Lord and your Lord. So, worship Him. This is a straight path" (64) (Al-Zukhruf, 43: 63-64).

وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا وَإِبْرَاهِيمَ وَجَعَلْنَا فِي ذُرِّيَّتِهِمَا النُّبُوَّةَ وَالْكِتَابَ ۖ فَمِنْهُم مُّهْتَدٍ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَاسِقُونَ ﴿٢٦﴾ ثُمَّ قَفَّيْنَا عَلَىٰ آثَارِهِم بِرُسُلِنَا وَقَفَّيْنَا بِعِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ وَآتَيْنَاهُ الْإِنجِيلَ وَجَعَلْنَا فِي قُلُوبِ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُ رَأْفَةً وَرَحْمَةً وَرَهْبَانِيَّةً ابْتَدَعُوهَا مَا كَتَبْنَاهَا عَلَيْهِمْ إِلَّا ابْتِغَاءَ رِضْوَانِ اللَّـهِ فَمَا رَعَوْهَا حَقَّ رِعَايَتِهَا ۖ فَآتَيْنَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْهُمْ أَجْرَهُمْ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَاسِقُونَ ﴿٢٧﴾ (الْحَدِيدُ ، 57: 26-27).

And We have already sent Noo'h (Noah) and Ibraheem (Abraham) and placed in their descendants the prophethood and the Book; and among them is he, who is guided, but many of them are (defiantly) disobedient. (26)

Then, We sent Our messengers, following their footsteps, and followed (them) with 'Eisa (Jesus), the Son of Maryam, and gave him the Injeel (the Gospel). And We placed in the hearts of those who followed him compassion, mercy, and monasticism, which they innovated; We did not prescribe it for them, except (that they did so) seeking the approval of Allah. But they did not observe it with due observance. So, We gave the ones who believed among them their reward, but many of them are disobedient (27) (Al-'Hadeed, 57: 26-27).

Verses Mentioning ‘Eisa (Jesus) as One of the Prominent Messengers of Allah

Allah, praise to Him, dealt with His Messengers differently, as different circumstances needed. He spoke to some of them, like Adam, Ibraheem (Abraham), Moosa (Moses), and Mu’hammed, peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all. But this had to be through a barrier (such as the Sinai fire), or a medium (such as Jibreel, Gabriel), pbuh, as humans are incapable of having direct audio or visual communication with Him. As a result, His Messages to them were conveyed through “wa’hi” (وَحْيٌّ), which can be translated into “inspiration,” or “revelation.” [9]

He also supported His Messengers with different miracles to persuade people in different times and different territories to follow them. Such miracles include Noo’h’s (Noah’s) arch, Ibraheem’s (Abraham’s) protection from the fire, Moosa’s (Moses) staff, and ‘Eisa’s (Jesus) many medical miracles. He supported His last Messenger, Mu’hammed, pbbuh, with the Holy Quran, as a proof for all people, at all times, that God exists and His Book is His lasting Message of guidance to humanity.

These five prominent Messengers of Allah are referred to in the Holy Quran as “the Messengers with determination (resolve)” (أُولُو الْعَزْمِ), who did not waver or back down when they were challenged by disbelievers. Instead, they persisted in telling God’s Message to the people, despite the dangers facing them in doing so. [10]

Though, Allah, praise to Him, dealt with His Messengers differently, believers are commanded not to make distinction among them, and mention all of them with utmost honor and respect.

تِلْكَ الرُّسُلُ فَضَّلْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ ۘ مِّنْهُم مَّن كَلَّمَ اللَّـهُ ۖ وَرَفَعَ بَعْضَهُمْ دَرَجَاتٍ ۚ وَآتَيْنَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَيَّدْنَاهُ بِرُوحِ الْقُدُسِ (الْبَقَرَةُ ، 2: 253).

Those messengers, some of them We preferred more than others. Among them were those to whom Allah spoke (to), and He raised some of them in degree. And We gave 'Eisa (Jesus), the Son of Maryam, the clear proofs, and We supported him with the Spirit of the Holy (Jibril, Gabriel) (Al-Baqara, 2: 253).

قُولُوا آمَنَّا بِاللَّـهِ وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَالْأَسْبَاطِ وَمَا أُوتِيَ مُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَمَا أُوتِيَ النَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ (الْبَقَرَةُ ، 2: 136).

Say, (O believers): "We have believed in Allah, and what has been revealed to us, and what has been revealed to Ibraheem (Abraham), Isma'eel, Is'haq (Isaac), Ya'coob (Jacob), and his grandchildren, and what was given to Moosa (Moses), and Eisa (Jesus), and what was given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims (in submission) to Him" (Al-Baqara, 2: 136).

إِنَّا أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ كَمَا أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَىٰ نُوحٍ وَالنَّبِيِّينَ مِن بَعْدِهِ ۚ وَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَالْأَسْبَاطِ وَعِيسَىٰ وَأَيُّوبَ وَيُونُسَ وَهَارُونَ وَسُلَيْمَانَ ۚ وَآتَيْنَا دَاوُودَ زَبُورًا (النِّسَاءُ ، 4: 163).

We have inspired (revealed to) you, (O Mu’hammed), as We inspired (revealed to) Noo'h (Noah) and the prophets after him. And we inspired (revealed to) Ibraheem (Abraham), Isma'eel, Is'haq (Isaac), Ya'coob (Jacob), the grandchildren (of Ya'coob), 'Eisa (Jesus), Ayoob (Job), Yoonus (Jonah), Haroon (Aaron), and Sulayman (Solomon), and We gave Dawood (David) the book (of Psalms) (Al-Nisa, 4: 163).

Al-Masie'h, 'Eisa Bin Maryam (The Messiah, Jesus, the Son of Mary), pbuh, was one of the five major Messengers of Allah, who were sent with His Message of Guidance to humanity. He was created with a miracle, without a father, just like Adam.

He was supported by Allah, through enabling him to perform various miracles, in order to convince people that he was a true Messenger of God. However, some of them not only rejected him and his message but also libeled him with great slander. They even plotted to have him killed but Almighty Allah rescued him by lifting him alive to heavens, giving them a person who looked like him.

Descendants of those who believed in him also did him injustice by considering him as the son of God and worshipping him as God.

The Holy Quran answers both parties, confirming that 'Eisa (Jesus) was the Messiah, a true Messenger of God, who was created with a miracle, without a father. However, the Holy Quran has pointed to his followers that they have exaggerated their faith by worshipping him as God.

Because ‘Eisa (Jesus), pbuh, was rescued and lifted to heavens, he is still alive waiting for the time when he is needed again on Earth. Then, Allah, praise to Him, will command him to descend to Earth, in order to kill the tyrant Dajjal (the fake messiah, the anti-Christ) and establish a rule of justice and prosperity, on this planet.

Sadly, for centuries, many followers of Christ have concentrated on the nature of the Messenger, instead of following God's Message of Guidance that he preached, as did other Messengers of God before him.

Notes:

[1] "Allah" is the Arabic adjectival name which God, the Great Creator, has chosen for Himself. All His other Good Names are also adjectival names. Linguistically, the Name “Allah” is composed of two syllables. The first is the definite article “Al” (the) and the second is “ilah” (God). Thus, it is Al-Ilah (the God), but it is contracted, by deleting the letter i from ilah, to become “Allah” (the God). This Name was also known to the other Messengers of Allah, who came before His last Messenger, Mu’hammed, peace and blessings be upon them all. To know more about Allah, see the Author’s book:

Allah, His Good Names, Who He Is, and What He Wants for Humans, as He Described Himself in the Holy Quran by Hassan Ali El-Najjar (ccun.org)

[2] This author is solely responsible for the translation of the meanings of the verses of the Holy Quran in this Chapter and throughout the Book, though he has consulted with other translations, particularly Sa'hi'h International, at www.tanzil.net.

Special credit and thanks should be given to our predecessors, particularly Al-Tabari, Al-Qurtubi, and Ibn Katheer, whose interpretations of the Holy Quran have been of great benefit for this author. These are published online at http://quran.al-islam.com/Loader.aspx?pageid=215.

May Allah reward all of these interpreters, translators, and those who made their works available online, for their great services to humanity.

[3] Sister of Haroon (Aaron) means his relative, as they all are descendants of Ibrahim (Abraham). It does not mean an actual sister of him. In religious contexts, Christians and Muslims still refer to each other as brothers and sisters.

[4] Verse 33 of Soorat Maryam (Chapter 19) of the Holy Quran present the verb of his birth in the past tense, his death in the present tense, and his resurrection in the future tense. This is an emphasis that he has not died yet, as Allah has lifted him to heavens alive. More about this is in verse 156-159 of Soorat Al-Nisa (Chapter 4), which is presented below.

[5] This is a reference to the dispute between Jews and Christians about who was 'Eissa (Jesus). Jews say that he was the son of Joseph and Mary, thus denying the miracle of creating him without a father. Christians went to the other extreme, saying that he is the son of God. The Holy Quran corrected both viewpoints, saying that he was created without a father, as a miracle from God. However, he was not the son of God.

[6] See Chapter 19, titled: "Ibrahim: God's Good Friend,” of this author’s book: “Islam: God's Message of Guidance to Humanity.”

The birth of Ya’hya (John, the Baptist) to Zakariya (Zechariah) and his wife, despite their old age, is mentioned as one of God's miracles in verses 1-11 of Soorat Maryam (Chapter 19), and in verses 38-41 of Soorat Al-i-'Imran (Chapter 3) and of the Holy Quran, as follows:

أعُوذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

كهيعص ﴿١﴾ ذِكْرُ رَحْمَتِ رَبِّكَ عَبْدَهُ زَكَرِيَّا ﴿٢﴾ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ نِدَاءً خَفِيًّا ﴿٣﴾ قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّي وَهَنَ الْعَظْمُ مِنِّي وَاشْتَعَلَ الرَّأْسُ شَيْبًا وَلَمْ أَكُن بِدُعَائِكَ رَبِّ شَقِيًّا ﴿٤﴾ وَإِنِّي خِفْتُ الْمَوَالِيَ مِن وَرَائِي وَكَانَتِ امْرَأَتِي عَاقِرًا فَهَبْ لِي مِن لَّدُنكَ وَلِيًّا ﴿٥﴾ يَرِثُنِي وَيَرِثُ مِنْ آلِ يَعْقُوبَ ۖ وَاجْعَلْهُ رَبِّ رَضِيًّا ﴿٦﴾ يَا زَكَرِيَّا إِنَّا نُبَشِّرُكَ بِغُلَامٍ اسْمُهُ يَحْيَىٰ لَمْ نَجْعَل لَّهُ مِن قَبْلُ سَمِيًّا ﴿٧﴾ قَالَ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِي غُلَامٌ وَكَانَتِ امْرَأَتِي عَاقِرًا وَقَدْ بَلَغْتُ مِنَ الْكِبَرِ عِتِيًّا ﴿٨﴾ قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ قَالَ رَبُّكَ هُوَ عَلَيَّ هَيِّنٌ وَقَدْ خَلَقْتُكَ مِن قَبْلُ وَلَمْ تَكُ شَيْئًا ﴿٩﴾ قَالَ رَبِّ اجْعَل لِّي آيَةً ۚ قَالَ آيَتُكَ أَلَّا تُكَلِّمَ النَّاسَ ثَلَاثَ لَيَالٍ سَوِيًّا ﴿١٠﴾ فَخَرَجَ عَلَىٰ قَوْمِهِ مِنَ الْمِحْرَابِ فَأَوْحَىٰ إِلَيْهِمْ أَن سَبِّحُوا بُكْرَةً وَعَشِيًّا ﴿١١﴾ (مَرْيَمُ ، 19: 1-11).

I seek refuge with God from the Stoned Shaytan (Satan)

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Kaf, Ha, Ya, 'Ayn, Sad. (1)

(This is) a mention of the mercy of your Lord to His worshipper Zakariya (Zechariah), (2)

He called to his Lord (in) a private supplication, (3)

He said: "My Lord, my bones have weakened, and my head has (been) filled with white (hair), and never have I been in my supplication to You, my Lord, wretched (unhappy). (4)

And I fear the caretakers after me, and my wife has been barren. So, give me from Yourself (by Your will) an heir (5)

To inherit me and inherit from the house of Ya'coob (Jacob). And make him, my Lord, pleasing (to You)." (6)

(Allah said): "O Zakariya (Zechariah): We give you good tidings of a boy whose name will be Ya'hya (John). We have not assigned (this) name to any before." (7)

He said: "My Lord, how will I have a boy when my wife has been barren and I have reached extreme old age?" (8)

(An angel) said: "Thus (it will be). Your Lord said: 'It is easy for Me, for I created you before, when you were nothing.' " (9)

(Zakariya) said: "My Lord, make for me a sign." He said: "Your sign is that you will not (be able to) speak to the people for three nights, (even if you are) sound." (10)

So, he came out to his people from the prayer chamber and signaled to them to exalt (Allah) in the morning and the afternoon. (11) (Maryam, 19: 1-11).

هُنَالِكَ دَعَا زَكَرِيَّا رَبَّهُ ۖ قَالَ رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِن لَّدُنكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً ۖ إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ الدُّعَاءِ ﴿٣٨﴾ فَنَادَتْهُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ يُصَلِّي فِي الْمِحْرَابِ أَنَّ اللَّـهَ يُبَشِّرُكَ بِيَحْيَىٰ مُصَدِّقًا بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّـهِ وَسَيِّدًا وَحَصُورًا وَنَبِيًّا مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ ﴿٣٩﴾ قَالَ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِي غُلَامٌ وَقَدْ بَلَغَنِيَ الْكِبَرُ وَامْرَأَتِي عَاقِرٌ ۖ قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ اللَّـهُ يَفْعَلُ مَا يَشَاءُ ﴿٤٠﴾ قَالَ رَبِّ اجْعَل لِّي آيَةً ۖ قَالَ آيَتُكَ أَلَّا تُكَلِّمَ النَّاسَ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ إِلَّا رَمْزًا ۗ وَاذْكُر رَّبَّكَ كَثِيرًا وَسَبِّحْ بِالْعَشِيِّ وَالْإِبْكَارِ ﴿٤١﴾ (آلِ عِمْرَانَ ، 3: 38-41).

At that (time), Zakariya (Zechariah) called upon his Lord, saying, “My Lord, grant me from Yourself (by Your will) a good offspring. You are the Hearer of supplication.” (38)

So, the angels called him while he was standing in prayer, in the chamber (saying): “Allah gives you glad tidings of Ya'hya (John), confirming a word from Allah, and (who will be) honorable, abstaining (from women), and a Prophet from among the righteous.” (39)

He said: “My Lord, how will I have a boy when I have reached old age and my wife is barren?” (An angel) said: “Such is Allah; He does what He wills.” (40)

He said, “My Lord, make for me a sign.” He Said: “Your sign is that you will not (be able to) speak to the people for three days, except by gesture. And remember your Lord much, and exalt (Him with praise), in the evening and the morning.” (41) (Al-Imran, 3: 38-41).

[7] See, for example, “Riyadh Al-Sali’heen,” by Imam Al-Nawawi. Dar Al-‘Arabiya Press, Beirut, Lebanon, the paper version. In Section 370, titled “Kitab Al-Manthoorat,” there are 12 ‘Hadiths about Al-dajjal (the fake messiah, the anti-Christ), from number 1805 to number 1816.

Many websites carry the book online, such as: فصل: باب المنثورات والملح نداء الإيمان(al-eman.com)

By entering the word, Al-Dajjal, the dorar.net website provides 482 ‘Hadiths for non-specialists and 1576 ‘Hadiths for specialist scholars, who research the topic of Al-Dajjal (the fake messiah, the anti-Christ). Many of these are different versions of the same ‘Hadith.

الدرر السنية - الموسوعة الحديثية - نتائج البحث (dorar.net)

[8] This ‘Hadith, about the rule of ‘Eisa (Jesus), pbuh, on Earth, after his return, was authenticated as a Sa’h’ih (sound, correct) ‘Hadith by Shu’ayb Al-Arna-oat, in Takhreej Al-Musnad: 7269. It was also recorded as Sa’h’ih by Al-Bukhari: 2222, Muslim: 155, Al-Tirmidthi: 2233, and A’hmed: 7269, which is his version.

The Arabic text of the ‘Hadith and its authentication are as follows:

عَنْ أبي هُرَيْرَةَ ، رَضِيَ اللهُ عنهُ ، أنَّ رسولَ اللهِ ، صلى اللهُ عليهِ وسلَّمَ ، قالَ: "يُوشِكُ أنْ يَنْزِلَ فيكم ابنُ مَرْيَـمَ حَكَمًا مُقْسِطًا، يَكْسِرُ الصَّليبَ، ويَقتُلُ الـخِنْزيرَ، ويَضَعُ الـجِزْيةَ، ويَفِيضُ الـمالُ حتى لا يَقْبَلَه أَحدٌ" (صححهُ شُعيبٌ الأرناؤوط ، على شرطِ الشيخينِ ، في تخريجِ الْمُسْنَدِ: 7269. وأخرجَهُ البخاريُّ: 2222 ، ومسلمُ: 155 ، والترمذيُّ: 2233 ، وأحمدُ: 7269 ، واللفظ له).

[9] The Holy Quran describes God’s communication with humans as “wa’hi” (وَحْيٌّ). However, translators of the Bible used two words to describe it. These are “inspiration” and “revelation.” As can be seen online, many biblical scholars tried to differentiate between them on the basis of the kind of the conveyed communication.

[10] These five prominent Messengers of Allah are referred to in the Holy Quran as “the Messengers with determination (resolve)” (أُولُو الْعَزْمِ), as mentioned in verse 35 of Soorat Al-A’hqaf (Chapter 46) of the Holy Quran, but without mentioning their names.

فَاصْبِرْ كَمَا صَبَرَ أُولُو الْعَزْمِ مِنَ الرُّسُلِ ... (الأحْقَافُ ، 46: 35).

So, be patient )O Mu’hammed(, as were those of determination (resolve) among the Messengers … (Al-A’hqaf, 46: 35).

Some interpreters of the Holy Quran said that all Messengers of Allah were those with determination (resolve)” (أُولُو الْعَزْمِ). However, majority of them agree that these were the five Messengers mentioned above: Noo’h (Noah), Ibraheem (Abraham), Moosa (Moses), ‘Eisa’s (Jesus), and Mu’hammed, peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all.

As Al-Baghawi put it, the evidence for this opinion is mentioning them together twice, in verse 7 of Soorat Al-A’hzab (Chapter 33) and in verse 13 of Soorat Al-Shoora (Chapter 42) of the Holy Quran, as follows:

وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِنَ النَّبِيِّينَ مِيثَاقَهُمْ وَمِنكَ وَمِن نُّوحٍ وَإِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ ۖ وَأَخَذْنَا مِنْهُم مِّيثَاقًا غَلِيظًا (الأحْزَابُ ، 33: 7).

شَرَعَ لَكُم مِّنَ الدِّينِ مَا وَصَّىٰ بِهِ نُوحًا وَالَّذِي أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ وَمَا وَصَّيْنَا بِهِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ ۖ أَنْ أَقِيمُوا الدِّينَ وَلَا تَتَفَرَّقُوا فِيهِ ... (الشُّورَى ، 42: 13).

And (mention, O Mu’hammed), when We took from the Prophets their covenant, and from you, and from Noo’h (Noah), and Ibraheem (Abraham), and Moosa (Moses), and ‘Eisa (Jesus), the son of Mary; and We took from them a solemn covenant (Al-A’hzab, 33: 7).

He has ordained for you of religion what He enjoined upon Noo’h (Noah), and that which We have revealed to you (O Mu’hammed), and what We enjoined upon Ibraheem (Abraham), and Moosa (Moses), and ‘Eisa (Jesus): To establish the religion and not be divided therein … (Al-Shoora, 42: 13).

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* The author of this book has a Ph.D. in Sociology and a Master’s degree in Cultural Anthropology. He was born in Ghazzah (Gaza), Palestine in 1369 Hijriya (1950) but he has been living in the United States since 1986.

The authentic Quran Arabic text is used as a reference for the translation of the meanings of the Quran verses, particularly from www.tanzil.net.

The works of the three renowned Islamic scholars Al-Tabari, Al-Qurtubi, and Ibn Katheer, have been used throughout the chapters of this book, as these are the most credited interpretations of the Holy Quran, for their use of 'Hadith, companions' interpretations, and their thorough knowledge of the Arabic language.

يُرِيدُونَ لِيُطْفِئُوا نُورَ اللَّـهِ بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَاللَّـهُ مُتِمُّ نُورِهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ (الصف ، 61: 8).

They want to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah will perfect His light, although the disbelievers dislike it (Al-Saff, 61: 8).