Prophet Jesus (p) in Islamic Tradition

Like in Christianity, Muslims also believe that the birth of Jesus (p) was a miraculous one—as he was only born to a mother without a father, and his mother Mary (p) was a virgin.

Among the most beloved personalities in the world is Prophet Jesus (Isa) (p), son of Mary (p), as he is a central figure not only in Christian tradition but is adored by Muslims across the world. The Quran and traditions of Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) and his household offer significant reverence to Prophet Jesus (p), as he is seen as a symbol of abstinence and devotion to God. Like in Christianity, Muslims also believe that the birth of Jesus (p) was a miraculous one—as he was only born to a mother without a father, and his mother Mary (p) was a virgin. God states, in reverence of both Mary (p) and Prophet Jesus (p), “And Mary, daughter of Imran, who guarded the chastity of her womb, so We breathed into it of Our spirit. She confirmed the words of her Lord and His Books, and she was one of the obedient.”[1] Furthermore, Prophet Jesus (p) is seen in Islamic tradition as a recipient of a divine revelation and aided by God’s support in his mission as He states, “To Jesus, the son of Mary, We gave the miracles and supported him by the Holy Spirit.”[2]

The Miracles of Jesus

The Holy Quran mentions numerous miracles of Prophet Jesus (p), demonstrating his lofty status and authority within Islamic tradition. Firstly, God mentions that Jesus had spoken from the cradle only days after his birth. God states, “He said, ‘I am the servant of God. He has given me the Book and has appointed me a Prophet. He has blessed me no matter where I dwell, commanded me to worship Him and pay the religious tax for as long as I live. He has commanded me to be good to my mother and did not make me an arrogant, rebellious person. I was born with peace and I shall die and be brought to life again with peace.’ Such was the true story of Jesus, the son of Mary, about which they argue bitterly.”[3]

Secondly, God mentions a miracle of Jesus (p) when God allows a feast to be delivered from the heavens for his followers. God states, “[Recall] when the disciples said, ‘Jesus, son of Mary, can your Lord send us a table full of food from heaven?’ and you replied, ‘Have fear of God if you are true believers.’ They said, ‘We only wish to eat therefrom to comfort our hearts, to know that you have spoken the Truth to us, and to bear witness to it along with the others.’ When Jesus prayed, ‘Lord, send us a table full of food from heaven so that it will make a feast for us and for those who are yet to come in this world and an evidence from You. Give us sustenance, for You are the best Provider.’[4] God answered Prophet Jesus’ prayer and sent down food from the heavens as a sign for people to believe in Him.

Thirdly, many verses and traditions mention the ability of Prophet Jesus (p) to cure the ill and bring the dead back to life with the will of God. God states, “When God said, ‘Jesus, son of Mary, recall My favors to you and your mother. [Recall] how I supported you by the holy spirit, made you speak to people from your cradle and when you grew up, taught you the Book, gave you wisdom, the Torah, and the Gospel. [Recall] when, by My will, you made a sculpture of a bird out of clay, blew into it, and it turned into a real bird by My Will. [Recall] how, by My will, you healed the deaf, the lepers, and raised the dead. [Recall] when you came to the Israelites in the house with clear miracles and I saved you from their mischief, even though the disbelievers among them said, ‘This is obviously magic.’[5]

Bits of Advice

In a lengthy tradition, narrated by Imam Hassan al-Askari (p), God speaks to Prophet Jesus (p) and offers him advice that we could also reflect upon and use in our daily lives.

1. Be in constant remembrance of God Almighty: God tells Prophet Jesus (p), “Oh Jesus! Enliven My remembrance by your tongue, such that (I) am beloved in your heart.”[6] By contemplating all of God’s blessings given to us, we should be thankful and be in constant remembrance of Him. By doing so, we will be able to build a spiritual relationship with Him. Furthermore, physically reciting God’s praises with our tongues may eventually have a spiritual effect on our hearts and allow us to become more God-conscious.
2. Be merciful to the less fortunate and offer our support: God states, “Oh Jesus, You will be questioned [on the day of Judgement], so be merciful to the weak just as I am merciful to you, and do not upset an orphan.”[7] As much as we learn about devotion to God by prayers and other acts of worship, there is also an emphasis on serving humanity, especially those who do not have the resources to care for themselves. There are many organizations such as My Orphans that work with specific institutions to support those who are in such situations.
3. Turn back to God in every circumstance: God states, “Oh Jesus! Run towards me with those who flee from the blazing fire of Hell.”[8] In this piece of advice, God speaks to Prophet Jesus (p) by metaphorically telling His messenger to “run toward [God].”From these beautiful words, we are reminded to always turn back to Him despite the circumstances we encounter in life whether in good times or bad. We should always find God as our solace and source of contentment.

[1] 1. The Quran 66:12, Ali Quli Qarai translation.

وَمَرْيَمَ ابْنَتَ عِمْرَانَ الَّتِي أَحْصَنَتْ فَرْجَهَا فَنَفَخْنَا فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِنَا وَصَدَّقَتْ بِكَلِمَاتِ رَبِّهَا وَكُتُبِهِ وَكَانَتْ مِنَ الْقَانِتِينَ

[2] The Holy Quran 2:87, The rest of the Quranic quotes in this blog are from the Muhammad Sarwar translation.

وَآتَيْنَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَيَّدْنَاهُ بِرُوحِ الْقُدُسِ

[3] The Holy Quran 19:30-34.

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

[4] The Holy Quran 5:112-114.

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

[5] The Holy Quran 5:110.

إِذْ قَالَ اللَّـهُ يَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ اذْكُرْ نِعْمَتِي عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَىٰ وَالِدَتِكَ إِذْ أَيَّدتُّكَ بِرُوحِ الْقُدُسِ تُكَلِّمُ النَّاسَ فِي الْمَهْدِ وَكَهْلًا ۖ وَإِذْ عَلَّمْتُكَ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَالتَّوْرَاةَ وَالْإِنجِيلَ ۖ وَإِذْ تَخْلُقُ مِنَ الطِّينِ كَهَيْئَةِ الطَّيْرِ بِإِذْنِي فَتَنفُخُ فِيهَا فَتَكُونُ طَيْرًا بِإِذْنِي ۖ وَتُبْرِئُ الْأَكْمَهَ وَالْأَبْرَصَ بِإِذْنِي ۖ وَإِذْ تُخْرِجُ الْمَوْتَىٰ بِإِذْنِي ۖ وَإِذْ كَفَفْتُ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ عَنكَ إِذْ جِئْتَهُم بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ فَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْهُمْ إِنْ هَـٰذَا إِلَّا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ

[6] Tuhaf al-uqul, p. 497.

روي عن الإمام الحسن العسكري عليه السلام ] يا عيسى أحي ذكري بلسانك، وليكن ودّي في قلبك} ( حديث قدسي, تحف العقول لإبن أبي شعبة الحرّاني

[7] Tuhaf al-uqul, p. 497.

روي عن الإمام الحسن العسكري عليه السلام] يا عيسى إنّك مسؤول فارحم الضعيف كرحمتي إيّاك ولا تقهر اليتيم} ( حديث قدسي, تحف العقول لإبن أبي شعبة الحرّاني

[8] Tuhaf al-uqul, p. 498.

روي عن الإمام الحسن العسكري عليه السلام] يا عيسى اهرب إليّ مع من يهرب من نار ذات لهب} ( حديث قدسي, تحف العقول لإبن أبي شعبة الحرّاني

source:imam-us