By Dr. Mohsen Haredy
In Part 1, we discussed the Muslims’ belief about Jesus, his miraculous birth and the status of his mother, Lady Mary, in Islam.
Let’s move on to see how the Quran describes Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him)
Jesus Names and Descriptions
1-`Isa
Jesus means in Arabic `Isa. In sixteen out of the twenty-five verses which mention the name of Prophet Jesus, he is called `Isa ibn Maryam (Son of Mary)
For example:
[And remember] when the disciples said, “O Jesus, Son of Mary, can your Lord send down to us a table [spread with food] from the heaven? [Jesus] said,” Fear Allah, if you should be believers.” (Al-Ma`idah 5:112)
That is Jesus, the son of Mary – the word of truth about which they are in dispute. (Maryam 19:34)
Those messengers – some of them We caused to exceed others. Among them were those to whom Allah spoke, and He raised some of them in degree. And We gave Jesus, the Son of Mary, clear proofs, and We supported him with the Pure Spirit. If Allah had willed, those [generations] succeeding them would not have fought each other after the clear proofs had come to them. But they differed, and some of them believed and some of them disbelieved. And if Allah had willed, they would not have fought each other, but Allah does what He intends. (Al-Baqarah 2:253)
Cursed were those who disbelieved among the Children of Israel by the tongue of David and of Jesus, the son of Mary. That was because they disobeyed and [habitually] transgressed. (Al-Ma`idah 5:78)
O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, “Three”; desist – it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God. Exalted is He 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 affairs. (An-Nisaa’ 4:171)
By the way, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is mentioned by name only four times in the Quran.
2- Al-Masih (The Messiah)
Another name given to Prophet Jesus in the Quran is the Al-Masih (the Messiah). According to the Bible, Jesus claimed to be the expected Messiah of the Jews. We read:
“The woman said, ‘I know that Messiah’ (called Christ) ‘is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.’ Then Jesus declared, ‘I who speak to you am he.’ “ (John 4:25-26)
However, the Jews rejected his claim and the Christians gave him the name of Christ instead of the Messiah who according to them is the son of God.
The Quran responded to these false claims from the Jews and the Christians in the following words:
They have certainly disbelieved who say, ” Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary”… (Al-Ma;idah 5:72)
The word Messiah means the anointed one.
3- Ayah (Sign)
The Glorious Quran describes Prophet Jesus as a sign (ayah) starting with his miraculous birth and his being a sign of the Day of Judgement.
And We made the son of Mary and his mother a sign and sheltered them within a high ground having level [areas] and flowing water. (Al-Mu’iminun 23:50)
He said, “Thus [it will be]; your Lord says, ‘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.'” (Maryam 19:21)
And [mention] the one who guarded her chastity, so We blew into her [garment] through Our angel [Gabriel], and We made her and her son a sign for the worlds. (Al-Anbiya 21:91)
Speaking about the Second Coming of Jesus, the Quran declares that it will be a sign of the Day of Judgement.
We read what means:
And indeed, Jesus will be [a sign for] knowledge of the Hour, so be not in doubt of it, and follow Me. This is a straight path. (Az-Zukhruf 34:61)
4: Kalimah min Allah (Word from God)
The Quran describes Prophet Jesus as ‘Word from Allah’ (kalimah min Allah)
We read:
[And mention] when the angels said, “O Mary, indeed Allah gives you good tidings of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary – distinguished in this world and the Hereafter and among those brought near [to Allah ]. (Aal `Imran 3:45)
O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, “Three”; desist – it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God. Exalted is He 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 affairs. (An-Nisaa’ 4:171)
The best explanation of this description has to do with the way prophet Jesus was born. The process of creating Jesus confirms the Might of God and His Omni-Power to do anything He wants with just the word “Be”.
Jesus was born from a mother only without a father. Adam was also created without a mother or a father.
God says:
Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allah is like that of Adam. He created Him from dust; then He said to him, “Be,” and he was. (Aal Imran 3:59)
“Be” is the Might of God.
5- Spirit from God
The Quran describes Prophet Jesus as “Spirit from God”. This spirit was created by Allah and brought into Mary by Gabriel. This Spirit is nothing more than a symbol of honor and respect. This Spirit does not denote any divinity to prophet Jesus and he never claimed that.
…. and a soul [created at a command] from Him… (An-Nisaa 4:171)
And [mention] the one who guarded her chastity, so We blew into her [garment] through Our angel [Gabriel], and We made her and her son a sign for the worlds. (Al-Anbiya 21:91)
And [the example of] Mary, the daughter of ‘Imran, who guarded her chastity, so We blew into [her garment] through Our angel, and she believed in the words of her Lord and His scriptures and was of the devoutly obedient. (At-Tahrim 66:12)
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