Muslims respect Jesus, as one of God’s Messengers. Islam honors all the prophets who were sent to humanity. Muslims respect all prophets in general, but Jesus, peace be upon him in particular, because he was one of the prophets who preceded the prophet Muhammad (may peace and blessings be upon him). Muslims are also looking forward to the second coming of Jesus. They consider him one of the greatest prophets of Allah for mankind. A Muslim does not refer to him simply as “Jesus”, but usually adds the phrase “peace be upon him” as a sign of respect.
Virgin Birth of Jesus
No other religion in the world respects and dignifies Jesus like Islam. The Qur’an confirms her virgin birth (a chapter in the Qur’an is titled “Mary”), and Mary is considered to have been one of the purest women in all of creation. The Qur’an describes the birth of Jesus as follows:
“Contemplate!’ The Angel said: God chose you, purified you and chose you above women of all nations. ” [Holy Quran 3:42]
“Mary, God gives you good news of a word from the One whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, honored in this world and in the next and one of those who are close to God. From his birth and maturity, and he will be one of the righteous. She said, “My Lord! How will I have a child when no man touches me? He said, “Even so, God creates what He wants.” When He decrees something, He says to her, ‘Be it!’ and that is. ” [Holy Quran 3: 45-47]
Muslims believe that Jesus was born immaculately, and through the same power that brought Eve to life and Adam without a father or mother.
“In fact, Jesus’ likeness to God is like Adam’s likeness. He created it out of dust, and then said, ‘Be it!’ And he was. ” [Holy Quran 3:59]
Mission of Jesus
During his prophetic mission, Jesus performed many miracles. The Qur’an tells us what Jesus said:
“I came to you with a sign from your master: I make you out of the clay, as if, the figure of a bird, and I breathe in it and become a bird by the license of God. And I heal the blind, And lepers, and I raise the dead with God’s license. ” [Holy Quran 3:49]
Muhammad ﷺ and Jesus, as well as the other prophets, were sent to confirm the belief in one God. This is referred to in the Qur’an, where Jesus is reported as saying that he came:
“To attest to the law that was before me, and to make it lawful for you to part of what was forbidden to you, I came to you with a sign from your Lord, fear God, and obey me.” [Holy Quran 3:50]
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasized the importance of Jesus saying:
“WHOEVER BELIEVES THAT THERE IS NO OTHER GOD BUT GOD, ONLY WITHOUT A PARTNER, THAT MUHAMMAD IS HIS MESSENGER, THAT JESUS IS A SERVANT AND MESSENGER OF GOD, HIS WORD INSPIRED BY MARY AND A SPIRIT EMANATING FROM HIM, AND THAT PARADISE AND HELL THEY ARE TRUE, THEY WILL BE RECEIVED BY GOD IN HEAVEN. ” [BUKHARI]
