Who was Prophet Isa? His life and story

Full story

1. 1

   His fatherless birth

   Allah gave Maryam glad tidings with a word: a son named the Messiah Isa, honored in this world and the hereafter (Ali 'Imran, 45). Maryam asked in astonishment how she could have a child when no man had touched her.

   She was told, "Allah creates what He wills. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, 'Be,' and it is" (Ali 'Imran, 47). The creation of Isa (peace be upon him) is like the creation of Adam (peace be upon him) from earth: both are signs of Allah's power (Ali 'Imran, 59).

2. 2

   Speaking in the cradle

   When Maryam brought her infant to her people, they rebuked her. Maryam pointed to the child, and the infant Isa spoke from the cradle: "Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet" (Maryam, 30).

   He then stated that he had been commanded to establish prayer, give zakat and be good to his mother (Maryam, 31-33). In this way Isa declared his servanthood and his prophethood from the moment of his birth.

3. 3

   The Injil and his miracles

   Allah gave Isa (peace be upon him) the Injil and sent him as a messenger to the Children of Israel. All of his miracles took place by Allah's permission.

   He would shape clay into the form of a bird and breathe into it, and it would become a bird by Allah's permission; he healed the one born blind and the leper, and brought the dead to life by Allah's permission (Ali 'Imran, 49; Al-Maidah, 110). Isa called people to worship only the one Allah: "Indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him" (Maryam, 36).

4. 4

   Allah's raising of him

   Those who rejected him plotted against him. But the Quran states clearly: "They did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but it was made to appear so to them" (An-Nisa, 157).

   Allah raised him to Himself (An-Nisa, 158). According to Islamic belief, Isa (peace be upon him) was not killed; he is Allah's chosen Prophet and servant. Isa is neither Allah nor the son of Allah: Allah is far above all of this, and He has no partner (Al-Maidah, 72-75).

The story of Isa (peace be upon him) is narrated in the Quran mainly in Surah Maryam, Surah Ali 'Imran and Surah Al-Maidah. The Quran always refers to him as "Isa, son of Maryam," and emphasizes that he is Allah's servant, messenger and word. The Quran presents him with great honor, but only as a Prophet and a servant of Allah; it firmly rejects his deification (An-Nisa, 171).

• When Allah wills something to be, He only says "Be!": creation rests in His will alone.
• Every miracle occurs by Allah's permission; power and might belong to Him alone.
• Isa, like every Prophet, called people to worship only the one Allah.
• No scheme prevails against Allah's power: He is the protector of His servant.

This page is based on Quran verses and authentic hadith sources.

• QuranSurah Maryam, 30

  This verse narrates Isa (peace be upon him) saying "I am the servant of Allah" from the cradle.

• QuranSurah Ali 'Imran, 49

  This verse mentions the miracles Isa (peace be upon him) showed by Allah's permission.

• QuranSurah An-Nisa, 157

  This verse clearly states that Isa (peace be upon him) was not killed and was not crucified.

• HadithSahih Bukhari, 3448

  This hadith mentions our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) stating that Isa (peace be upon him) will descend near the end of time as a just ruler.

• Classical sourceTDV İslam Ansiklopedisi, "Îsâ"

  Referenced for academic information about Prophet Isa's place in the Quran and in Islamic belief.

Other Prophets connected with this story.

• Prophet Yahya

  A Prophet given wisdom in childhood, pious and devoted to his parents

• Prophet Zakariyya

  Guardian of Maryam, father of Yahya

• Prophet Musa

  The Prophet who stood against Pharaoh and received the Torah (Kalimullah)

Common questions about this Prophet.

• Who was Prophet Isa?

  Isa (peace be upon him) is a Prophet and servant of Allah who was born to Maryam without a father by Allah's command "Be!", who was given the Injil, and who showed miracles by Allah's permission. He is one of the Ulul Azm Prophets.

• How was Prophet Isa born?

  He was born to Maryam without any father, purely by Allah's command "Be!"; the Quran compares this to the creation of Adam (peace be upon him) from earth (Ali 'Imran, 47, 59).

• Was Prophet Isa crucified?

  According to Islamic belief, no. The Quran clearly states that he was not killed and was not crucified; Allah raised him to Himself (An-Nisa, 157-158).

• What miracles did Prophet Isa show?

  By Allah's permission he shaped birds from clay, healed the one born blind and the leper, and brought the dead to life (Ali 'Imran, 49; Al-Maidah, 110). All of these miracles occurred by Allah's permission.