Prophet Isa
عيسىعليه السلام
Born miraculously to Maryam without a father. A mighty messenger who performed miracles by Allah's permission. He was raised to heaven and will return before the Day of Judgment.
The Miraculous Birth
Isa was born to Maryam (Mary) without a father, by the command of Allah — 'Be, and it is.' The angel Jibril appeared to Maryam and announced that she would bear a pure son. When she gave birth alone under a palm tree, Allah provided for her and told her to shake the tree for dates and drink from a stream He created.
إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِيسَىٰ عِندَ اللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ آدَمَ ۖ خَلَقَهُ مِن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُونُ
“Indeed, the example of Isa to Allah is like that of Adam. He created him from dust; then He said to him, 'Be,' and he was.”
Speaking from the Cradle
When Maryam brought the infant Isa to her people, they accused her of immorality. She pointed to the baby, and miraculously, Isa spoke from the cradle, declaring himself a servant and prophet of Allah, clearing his mother's honor.
قَالَ إِنِّي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ آتَانِيَ الْكِتَابَ وَجَعَلَنِي نَبِيًّا
“He said, 'Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet.'”
Miracles by Allah's Permission
Isa performed numerous miracles by Allah's permission: he healed the blind and the leper, raised the dead, and fashioned a bird from clay which came alive when he breathed into it. All of these were signs to the Israelites, yet many still rejected him. The Quran emphasizes that these miracles were by Allah's permission, not by Isa's own power.
وَأُبْرِئُ الْأَكْمَهَ وَالْأَبْرَصَ وَأُحْيِي الْمَوْتَىٰ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ
“And I cure the blind and the leper, and I give life to the dead — by permission of Allah.”
The Table Spread (Al-Ma'idah)
The disciples of Isa asked for a table spread with food to descend from heaven as a sign. Isa prayed to Allah, and the table was sent down. Allah warned that whoever disbelieved after this sign would face a punishment unlike any other. This event gives Surah Al-Ma'idah its name.
قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا أَنزِلْ عَلَيْنَا مَائِدَةً مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ تَكُونُ لَنَا عِيدًا
“Isa, 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.'”
Not Crucified — Raised to Heaven
Islam teaches that Isa was not crucified. When his enemies plotted to kill him, Allah raised him to heaven. Someone else was made to resemble him and was crucified in his place. Isa is alive in heaven and will return before the Day of Judgment to establish justice, break the cross, and confirm the truth of Islam.
وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ وَمَا صَلَبُوهُ وَلَٰكِن شُبِّهَ لَهُمْ
“And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them.”
بَل رَّفَعَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا
“Rather, Allah raised him to Himself. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise.”
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'By Him in Whose Hand is my life, the son of Maryam will soon descend among you as a just judge. He will break the cross, kill the swine, and abolish the jizyah.'
Source: Bukhari 34:169, Muslim 1:321
Key Lessons
- ◆Isa is a mighty prophet and servant of Allah — not divine, but deeply honored
- ◆Miracles belong to Allah — prophets are channels, not the source
- ◆Maryam is the greatest woman in Islam — her purity and faith are unmatched
- ◆Islam corrects misconceptions about Isa while honoring him greatly
- ◆Isa's return is a confirmed belief in Islam, tied to the end times
References & Sources
- Quran: Surah Maryam (19:16-40), Aal-E-Imran (3:42-62), Al-Ma'idah (5:110-120), An-Nisa (4:156-159), As-Saff (61:6)
- Bukhari 34:169, Muslim 1:321
- Ibn Kathir, Qasas al-Anbiya