Prophet Isa, known as Jesus, holds a unique place among the prophets, and his story begins with Allah's clear declaration about his true nature.
Allah Declares He Has No Son
Throughout the Qur'an, Allah firmly rejects the Christian claim that He has a son. A delegation from Najran once came to the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and spoke of their belief in the Trinity, the idea that Allah exists as three in one, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, though even they disagreed among themselves on the details. In response, Allah affirmed repeatedly throughout the Qur'an that Jesus was nothing more than a servant of Allah, formed in his mother's womb just as any other creation, brought into being without a father, just as Adam had been created without either father or mother. Allah had chosen Jesus as one of His messengers to humanity.
The Birth of Mary, as Told in the Qur'an
Allah says: "Allah chose Adam, Noah, the family of Abraham, and the family of Imran above all people of their times, descendants one from another, and Allah is All Hearing, All Knowing. Remember when the wife of Imran said, my Lord, I have vowed to You what is in my womb, dedicated fully to Your service, so accept this from me, for verily You are the All Hearer, the All Knower. Then when she delivered her child, she said, my Lord, I have delivered a female child, though Allah knew best what she had delivered, and the male is not like the female. I have named her Mary, and I seek refuge with You for her and her offspring from Satan, the outcast."
Mary's Sustenance, as Told in the Qur'an
Allah accepted Mary with grace, causing her to grow in goodness, and placed her under the care of Zechariah. Each time he entered her private chamber, he found her provided with sustenance. When he asked her about it, she answered, "It is from Allah, for verily Allah provides for whomever He wills, without limit." (Ch 3:37)
Mary's Family History
Allah declared that He had chosen Adam and the finest among his descendants who obeyed Him, specifically naming the family of Abraham, including the descendants of Ishmael, and the family of Imran, Mary's father. Muhammad Ibn Ishaaq traced Imran's lineage back through many generations, ultimately connecting his ancestry to Prophet David.
Mary's Birth, a Fuller Account
The sister of Prophet Zakariyah's wife had a daughter named Hannah, who married Imran, a respected leader among the Israelites. For many years, the couple remained childless, and Hannah's longing for a child grew deeper each time she saw another woman with a baby. Yet she never lost hope, believing firmly that Allah would one day bless her with a child she could love with all her heart.
She turned to Allah, pleading for a child and vowing to dedicate that child to His service in the temple of Jerusalem. Allah granted her prayer, and upon learning she was pregnant, she felt overjoyed, thanking Allah for His generous gift, as did her husband Imran. Tragically, Imran passed away while she was still pregnant, and Hannah wept bitterly that he would never see the child they had longed for together. When she gave birth to a daughter, she once again turned to Allah in prayer, saying, "My Lord, I have delivered a female child, and the male is not like the female, and I have named her Mary, and I seek refuge with You for her and her offspring from Satan, the outcast." (Ch 3:36)
Zechariah Becomes Mary's Guardian
Hannah faced a difficult problem regarding her vow, since females were not traditionally accepted into temple service, and she worried deeply over this. Zakariyah, her sister's husband, reassured her that Allah knew best what she had offered and fully valued her devotion. She wrapped the infant in a shawl and handed her over to the temple elders. Since the child was a girl, the question of her guardianship became a matter of dispute among them, as she was the daughter of their beloved late leader and everyone wished to care for her. Zakariyah argued that as her maternal aunt's husband, he held the closest relation to her among the temple elders.
Following their custom, they resolved the disagreement by drawing lots, each elder casting a reed into the river, with guardianship going to whoever's reed remained afloat. Every reed sank except Zakariyah's, and with this sign, they accepted Allah's will and granted him guardianship of Mary.
Mary's High Status
To keep Mary protected from all outside contact, Zakariyah built her a private chamber within the temple. As she grew, she devoted herself entirely to worship. Zakariyah visited her daily to attend to her needs, and one day he was startled to find fresh, out of season fruit in her room. Since he was the only person permitted to enter, he asked how it had gotten there, and she explained that it came directly from Allah, who provides for whomever He wills. Through this, Zakariyah understood that Allah had elevated Mary's status above that of other women, and from then on he spent even more time guiding and teaching her. Mary grew into a devoted worshipper, glorifying Allah continuously, day and night.
Mary's High Status, According to Prophet Muhammad
Ali Ibn Abi Talib narrated that the Prophet Muhammad said that the best woman of her time was Mary, and the best woman of another time was Khadijah. (Sahih Al Bukhari) Abu Musa Al Ash'ari also narrated that the Prophet said that while many men reached perfection, only two women achieved it fully, Mary the daughter of Imran, and Asiya, the wife of Pharaoh, and that Aisha's excellence compared to other women was like the excellence of a favored dish compared to ordinary meals.
Mary Receives News of Jesus
While Mary was praying in the temple, an angel appeared before her in human form. Terrified, she tried to flee, crying out, "Verily, I seek refuge with the Most Beneficent from you, if you fear Allah." The angel reassured her, explaining that he was merely a messenger from her Lord, sent to announce the gift of a righteous son. Confused, she asked how she could possibly have a son when no man had touched her, and she had lived a chaste life. The angel answered that this was Allah's will, for such a thing was easy for Him, and that this son would serve as a sign to humanity and a mercy from Allah, a matter already decreed. (Ch 19:18–21)
The Birth of Jesus
The angel's visit left Mary deeply anxious, a feeling that only grew as the months passed. Fearing how she could explain giving birth without a husband, and later feeling the movement of life within her, she left the temple with a heavy heart and traveled to Nazareth, the city of her birth, settling quietly on a simple farm to avoid public attention.
Yet her worry did not fade. She came from a noble, pious family, with parents of unquestionable virtue, and she feared deeply how people would judge her honor. Eventually, unable to bear the mental strain any longer, she left Nazareth altogether, uncertain of where to go. Before she could travel far, the pains of childbirth overcame her, and she sat beneath a dry palm tree, where she gave birth to her son. Looking at her beautiful newborn, she felt overwhelming sorrow at having brought him into the world without a father beside her, crying out that she wished she had died before this moment and vanished entirely from memory.
Suddenly, a voice called out to her, telling her not to grieve, for her Lord had placed a stream of water beneath her, and instructing her to shake the trunk of the palm tree, from which fresh, ripe dates would fall. She was told to eat, drink, and take comfort, for what she witnessed was a sign of Allah's power, breathing life back into the dry palm tree to provide for her. This miracle brought her comfort, serving as clear proof of her innocence and purity.
Mary Returns to the City with Jesus
Mary eventually decided to return to the city, though her fears resurfaced as she wondered what she would tell her people. As if sensing her worry, her infant son spoke to her, instructing her that if anyone questioned her, she should say she had vowed a fast to the Most Beneficent and would not speak to anyone that day. This miracle brought her a measure of peace.
As expected, her return with a newborn child drew immediate attention and harsh judgment from the people, who accused her of committing a terrible sin. She simply pointed to her lips and gestured toward the child. When they questioned how they could possibly speak to an infant, the baby spoke clearly, declaring himself a servant of Allah, given the Scripture and made a prophet, blessed wherever he might be, commanded to pray and give charity throughout his life, and made dutiful toward his mother, neither arrogant nor unblessed, with peace upon him at his birth, his death, and the day he would be raised again to life.
Most who witnessed this recognized the extraordinary nature of the child, understanding that when Allah wills something, He simply commands it to be, and it is. Though some dismissed the child's speech as trickery, Mary was at least able to remain in Nazareth without further harassment.
Mary Receives News of Jesus, as Told in the Qur'an
Allah reveals: "And mention in the Book the story of Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place facing east, placing a screen between herself and them. Then We sent to her Our angel, who appeared before her in the form of a man in every respect. She said, verily I seek refuge with the Most Beneficent from you, if you fear Allah. He said, I am only a messenger from your Lord, sent to announce to you the gift of a righteous son. She said, how can I have a son when no man has touched me, nor am I unchaste? He said, so it will be, your Lord has said, this is easy for Me, and We wish to appoint him as a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us, and it is a matter already decreed." (Ch 19:16–21)
The Birth of Jesus, as Told in the Qur'an
"So she conceived him, and withdrew with him to a distant place. And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said, would that I had died before this, and had been forgotten entirely. Then a voice called out to her from below, saying, grieve not, your Lord has placed a stream beneath you, and shake the trunk of the palm tree toward you, and it will drop fresh ripe dates upon you. So eat and drink and be at ease, and if you see any person, say, verily I have vowed a fast to the Most Beneficent, so I shall not speak to any human being today." (Ch 19:22–26)
Mary and Jesus Return to the City, as Told in the Qur'an
"Then she brought him to her people, carrying him. They said, O Mary, you have brought a truly astonishing thing. O sister of Aaron, your father was not an adulterer, nor was your mother unchaste. She simply pointed to him. They said, how can we speak to one who is still a child in the cradle? He said, verily I am a servant of Allah, He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet, and made me blessed wherever I may be, and enjoined upon me prayer and charity as long as I live, and made me dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me arrogant or unblessed. And peace be upon me the day I was born, the day I die, and the day I am raised again to life." (Ch 19:27–33)
Allah's Message About Jesus, as Told in the Qur'an
"Such is Jesus, son of Mary, a statement of truth about which they dispute. It does not befit the majesty of Allah that He should have a son. Glorified and exalted is He above what they claim. When He decrees a matter, He simply says to it, be, and it is. Jesus said, verily Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him alone, that is the straight path. Yet the sects came to differ among themselves, so woe to the disbelievers from their meeting on a great Day. How clearly they will see and hear on the Day they stand before Us, though today the wrongdoers remain in plain error." (Ch 19:34–39)
Some Stories About Mary's Pregnancy
It is said that Joseph the Carpenter, upon hearing Mary's story, asked her in astonishment whether a tree could grow without a seed. She answered that indeed it could, if Allah willed it so, just as He had first created such trees. He then asked whether a child could truly be born without a father, and she reminded him that Allah had created Adam without either mother or father.
Another account tells that while pregnant, Mary visited her aunt, who mentioned feeling as though she too were pregnant. Mary shared that she felt the same sensation, and her aunt remarked that she could sense what was within her own womb bowing toward what was within Mary's womb.
Jesus Upsets the Jews
The Jewish priests viewed the child Jesus as a serious threat, fearing that the people's devotion would shift entirely toward Allah alone, undermining the religious authority they held over the community. To protect their position, they concealed the miracle of Jesus speaking as an infant and instead accused Mary of grave wrongdoing.
Jesus's Ability to Debate
As Jesus grew older, the signs of his prophethood became increasingly evident. He could tell his friends exactly what awaited them for supper at home and describe things they had hidden without ever having seen them himself. At the age of twelve, he accompanied his mother to Jerusalem, where he wandered into the temple and joined a gathering listening to the teachings of the rabbis. Despite being surrounded by adults, he showed no hesitation in sitting among them, listening closely before beginning to ask thoughtful questions and share his own views. The learned scholars grew visibly troubled by his boldness and were unable to answer many of his questions, yet their attempts to silence him had no effect, as he continued expressing his thoughts freely, so absorbed in the discussion that he lost track of time entirely.
Meanwhile, his mother, assuming he had gone home with relatives or friends, returned home only to discover he was missing, prompting her to hurry back into the city to search for him. She eventually found him in the temple, seated comfortably among the scholars as though he had always belonged there. Though relieved, Mary expressed her frustration at the worry he had caused her, and Jesus explained that his deep engagement in the discussion had simply made him lose track of time.
Jesus Does Not Observe the Sabbath
As Jesus reached adulthood, tensions grew around the strict observance of the Sabbath, a day meant for complete rest, during which no fire could be lit or extinguished, and even simple acts like braiding hair were forbidden. Though Moses had originally commanded this day be dedicated to the worship of Allah, over time its true spirit had been lost among the Jews, leaving only rigid, hollow rules behind. Many believed the Sabbath was observed even in heaven, and that the Israelites alone had been chosen by Allah specifically to keep it.
The religious leaders had turned this day into a web of restrictive rules, forbidding even basic acts of self defense or seeking medical help for someone in danger. Though the Pharisees claimed to be guardians of the law, they were quick to bend it whenever it suited their own interests. For instance, though travel beyond a certain short distance was forbidden on the Sabbath, they would cunningly transport their food and belongings the day before to a temporary shelter positioned just far enough away to allow further travel on the Sabbath itself without technically breaking the rule.
One Sabbath, as Jesus made his way to the temple, he reached out to pick fruit for a hungry child, an act considered a clear violation of Sabbath law. He also lit a fire to warm an elderly woman suffering in the cold, another violation in the eyes of the religious authorities. When he arrived at the temple, he found it filled with as many as twenty thousand Jewish priests, all earning their livelihood from temple activities.
Jesus Receives His Prophethood
Jesus noticed that the number of ordinary worshippers was far smaller than the number of priests occupying the temple, which was instead crowded with sheep and doves sold to visitors for sacrificial offerings. Every step within the temple seemed to demand payment, as though money itself had become the true object of worship. The Pharisees and Sadducees, two groups constantly at odds with one another, treated the temple more like a marketplace than a place of devotion. Jesus watched as poor worshippers, unable to afford the cost of sacrificial animals, were pushed aside and dismissed by these religious authorities. He was troubled deeply by the sight of extravagant offerings being burned inside the temple while thousands of poor people outside went hungry.
It was on this same blessed night that the two noble prophets John and Zakariyah were killed by the ruling authorities. That very night, revelation descended upon Jesus, and Allah commanded him to begin calling the children of Israel toward the truth. From that moment forward, the comfort of an ordinary life closed behind him, and a new life of devotion and struggle opened ahead.
Jesus's Message
Jesus's message stood firmly against the corrupt practices of the Pharisees while reaffirming the true Law of Moses. In an age consumed by materialism and the worship of wealth, Jesus called his people back toward a nobler way of living, through both his words and his example, offering the only true escape from the spiritual sickness of his time. His call was defined by complete sincerity and piety, speaking directly to the soul rather than merely enforcing rigid social rules.
Central to his teaching was the principle that no intermediary stood between the Creator and His creation. This message frequently placed him at odds with the shallow, surface level interpretation of the Torah held by many Jewish authorities. Jesus explained that he had not come to abolish the Torah, but rather to complete it by returning to its deeper spirit and true essence.
He helped people understand that the Ten Commandments carried far greater depth than commonly understood. The commandment against killing, for instance, extended beyond physical violence to include psychological and spiritual harm as well. Similarly, the commandment against adultery extended beyond physical acts to include any unlawful desire or intention that might lead toward it, teaching that even a lustful glance constituted a form of adultery within the heart.
Jesus Denounces Materialism
This teaching placed Jesus in direct opposition to the materialistic values of his society. He urged people to abandon hypocrisy, empty display, and false praise, teaching that hoarding wealth in this temporary life served no true purpose. Rather than becoming preoccupied with worldly possessions, he taught that people should focus instead on preparing for the everlasting life to come.
Jesus taught that excessive attachment to worldly matters was itself a spiritual failing, unfit for those devoted to true worship. He explained that disbelievers clung to worldly concerns simply because they knew no better path, while true believers understood that their sustenance came from Allah alone, placing their trust in Him and turning away from the emptiness of worldly life. Alongside this, Jesus continued calling people to worship the One Lord without partners, urging them also to purify their hearts and souls.
Jewish Priests Try to Embarrass Jesus
Jesus's teachings deeply angered the religious authorities, as every word he spoke threatened their position and exposed their wrongdoing. Initially, the occupying Roman authorities showed little interest in this internal religious conflict among the Jews, viewing it instead as a useful distraction from concerns about their own occupation.
Eventually, the priests devised a plan to publicly embarrass Jesus and prove that he intended to undermine the Law of Moses. Under Mosaic Law, an adulteress faced death by stoning. The priests brought before him a woman accused of adultery and asked whether the law did not indeed call for her death by stoning. Jesus confirmed that it did. They insisted this woman was guilty of that very crime, hoping to trap him, either forcing him to contradict his message of mercy and forgiveness by endorsing her execution, or to appear as though he rejected the Law of Moses entirely. Jesus looked at the woman, then at the priests, recognizing that their own sins likely outweighed hers.
Understanding their scheme clearly, Jesus responded calmly, declaring that whoever among them was entirely without sin could be the one to cast the first stone. His words echoed through the temple, establishing a new standard of judgment, one requiring complete moral purity to condemn another's sin. No one among them could claim such purity, for no mortal possesses the right to judge sin in this way, a right belonging to Allah alone in His infinite mercy.
As Jesus left the temple, the accused woman followed him. Kneeling before him, she took out a bottle of perfume, washing his feet with it and her tears, then drying them with her hair. Jesus gently told her to rise, praying that Allah forgive her sins. Through this act, he made clear to the priests that those who call people toward Allah are not meant to serve as executioners, but rather as vessels of mercy, the true purpose behind every divine message.
Jesus Brings the Dead to Life
Jesus continued to pray to Allah for mercy on his people, teaching them to show mercy toward one another and to believe in Allah alone. His mission was supported throughout by divine miracles. Some Qur'anic commentators recorded that Jesus brought four people back to life, including a close friend named Al Azam, the son of an elderly woman, and a woman's only daughter, all of whom had died during his lifetime. When the Jews witnessed these events, they dismissed them, claiming he had only revived people who had recently died, perhaps having merely fainted. They challenged him instead to bring back Sam, the son of Noah, who had died long before.
When Jesus asked to be shown his grave, the people led him there, and he called upon Allah to restore Sam to life. To everyone's astonishment, Sam rose from the grave with gray hair. Jesus asked how his hair had turned gray, since there had been no aging in his time. Sam explained that upon waking, he believed the Day of Resurrection had arrived, and it was the fear of that moment that had turned his hair gray.
The Miracles of Jesus, as Told in the Qur'an
Allah says: "Remember when Allah will say, on the Day of Resurrection, O Jesus, son of Mary, remember My favor upon you and your mother, when I supported you with the Holy Spirit, so that you spoke to people in the cradle and in maturity, and when I taught you writing, wisdom, the Torah, and the Gospel, and when you shaped from clay the form of a bird by My permission, and breathed into it, and it became a bird by My permission, and you healed the blind and the leper by My permission, and when you brought forth the dead by My permission, and when I restrained the children of Israel from harming you, when you came to them with clear proofs, and the disbelievers among them said, this is nothing but plain magic.
And when I placed in the hearts of the disciples the will to believe in Me and My Messenger, they said, we believe, and bear witness that we submit to Allah." (Ch 5:110–111)
Jesus's Abilities and the Disciples, as Told in the Qur'an
Allah also reveals: "And He will teach him the Book and wisdom, the Torah and the Gospel, and will make him a messenger to the children of Israel, saying, I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, that I design for you out of clay the shape of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah's permission, and I heal the one born blind, and the leper, and I bring the dead to life by Allah's permission. And I inform you of what you eat and what you store in your homes. Surely, in this is a sign for you, if you believe. And I come confirming what came before me of the Torah, and to make lawful for you some of what was forbidden to you, and I come to you with proof from your Lord, so fear Allah and obey me. Truly, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him alone, this is the straight path.
Then when Jesus sensed their disbelief, he asked, who will be my helpers in the cause of Allah? The disciples answered, we are the helpers of Allah, we believe in Allah, and bear witness that we submit to Him. Our Lord, we believe in what You have sent down, and we follow the messenger, so count us among those who bear witness to the truth.
And the disbelievers plotted to kill Jesus, but Allah also planned, and Allah is the best of planners." (Ch 3:48–54)
Allah Sends the Disciples a Feast
Jesus continued teaching what might be called the law of the spirit. Standing once on a mountain surrounded by his disciples, he observed that his true followers came mostly from among the poor and the downtrodden, and their numbers remained small. Several of Jesus's miracles came in direct response to requests from his disciples, including their wish for a heavenly feast to be sent down as proof of their faith.
Allah recounts: "Remember when the disciples said, O Jesus, son of Mary, can your Lord send down to us a table spread with food from heaven? Jesus said, fear Allah, if you are truly believers. They said, we wish to eat from it, to strengthen our faith, and to know for certain that you have told us the truth, and to bear witness to it ourselves.
Jesus, son of Mary, said, O Allah, our Lord, send down to us from heaven a table spread with food, that it may be a festival for us, for the first of us and the last of us, and a sign from You, and provide us with sustenance, for You are the best of providers. Allah said, I will send it down to you, but whoever among you disbelieves after that, I will punish him with a torment unlike any I have inflicted upon anyone in all the worlds." (Ch 5:112–116)
It is related that Jesus had commanded his disciples to fast for thirty days, after which they asked him to bring food from heaven to break their fast. Jesus prayed to Allah despite his disciples having shown a moment of doubt, and a great table descended between two clouds as the people watched in awe. Jesus prayed that it would be a mercy rather than a source of hardship, and it settled before him, covered by a cloth.
Overcome, Jesus fell into prostration, and his disciples followed his example, sensing an extraordinary fragrance unlike anything they had known before. Jesus suggested that the most devout and righteous among them should be the one to uncover the table, but they insisted that he himself was most deserving.
Jesus rose, performed ablution, and prayed before finally lifting the cloth to reveal a roasted fish. His disciples asked whether this food belonged to this world or to Paradise. Jesus reminded them that Allah had forbidden excessive questioning, explaining simply that this was a manifestation of Allah's divine power, who need only say "Be" for something to come into existence, serving also as a warning of severe punishment awaiting unbelievers. It is said that thousands of people ate from this table without it ever running out, and that the blind and lepers among them were miraculously healed as well.
Those Who Began Worshipping Jesus
The day of this miraculous feast became a sacred day among Jesus's disciples and followers. Over time, however, many of his followers lost sight of the true meaning behind these miracles and began worshipping Jesus himself as a deity.
Allah addresses this directly: "And remember when Allah will say, O Jesus, son of Mary, did you say to the people, worship me and my mother as two gods besides Allah? He will answer, glory be to You, it was not for me to say what I had no right to say. Had I said such a thing, You would surely have known it, for You know what is within me, though I do not know what is within You, truly, You alone are the Knower of all that is hidden and unseen.
I said to them nothing except what You commanded me to say, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord, and I was a witness over them while I remained among them, but when You took me up, You became the Watcher over them, and You are a Witness over all things. If You punish them, they are Your servants, and if You forgive them, verily You alone are the All Mighty, the All Wise.
Allah will say, this is a day on which the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness, theirs are gardens beneath which rivers flow, where they will abide forever. Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him, that is the greatest success. To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all that lies within them, and He has power over all things." (Ch 5:116–120)
The Jews Plot to Kill Jesus
As Jesus's mission progressed, the forces opposing him grew increasingly threatened, accusing him of sorcery, violating Mosaic Law, and even allying with the devil. Watching the poor and marginalized increasingly drawn to his teachings, his opponents began plotting against him in earnest.
The Sanhedrin, the highest religious and judicial authority among the Jews, convened repeatedly to plan how to stop him. When their efforts to silence his teachings failed, they resolved instead to have him killed, holding secret meetings among the chief priests to determine the best way to accomplish this. During one such meeting, Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus's own twelve disciples, approached them and offered to betray Jesus's location in exchange for payment. After negotiation, they agreed on thirty pieces of silver, sealing the plot for his capture and death. It is also said that the high priest tore his own garment during this meeting, a traditional gesture expressing outrage, claiming Jesus had rejected Judaism entirely.
The Torture of Jesus
Since the priests lacked the authority to carry out an execution themselves, they convinced the Roman governor that Jesus posed a genuine threat to Roman security, urging immediate action. The governor ordered his arrest.
According to the Gospel of Matthew, after Jesus was arrested, the council of high priests condemned him to death, subjecting him to insults, spitting, and physical abuse. Following Roman custom, the condemned were typically flogged before execution, and Pilate, the Roman governor, ordered this punishment carried out. While Mosaic Law limited flogging to forty lashes, Roman practice imposed no such limit, resulting in brutal punishment. Afterward, Jesus was handed over to soldiers for crucifixion, stripped of his clothing, mocked with a crown of thorns placed upon his head, and forced to carry his own cross as a further form of suffering, in keeping with the custom of the time.
Jesus's Crucifixion, According to the Bible
According to this account, they eventually reached a place called Golgotha, meaning the Place of Skulls, located outside the walls of Jerusalem. Rather than offering him wine mixed with a substance meant to ease pain, as was sometimes customary, the soldiers gave Jesus a mixture of vinegar and gall. He was then crucified alongside two thieves, further compounding the mockery of his suffering, according to this version of events.
Jesus's Crucifixion, According to the Qur'an
Islam presents a fundamentally different account regarding both the end of Jesus's earthly life and his true nature. The Qur'an affirms clearly that Allah did not allow the people of Israel to kill or crucify Jesus. Instead, Allah rescued him from his enemies and raised him up to heaven, meaning that it was not Jesus who was killed, but someone else in his place.
Allah declares: "And because of their saying, in boast, we killed the Messiah Jesus, son of Mary, the messenger of Allah, but they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but it was made to appear so to them, and those who differ about this matter are full of doubt, having no real knowledge, following nothing but assumption, for surely they did not kill him. Rather, Allah raised him up to Himself, and Allah is Ever All Powerful, All Wise.
And there is none among the people of the Scripture but must believe in him before his death, and on the Day of Resurrection he will bear witness against them." (Ch 4:157–159)
Allah also reveals: "And remember when Allah said, O Jesus, I will take you and raise you to Myself, and purify you from those who disbelieve, and I will make those who follow you superior to those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection. Then you will all return to Me, and I will judge between you concerning that in which you used to differ." (Ch 3:55)
Refutation of the Christian Claim
Throughout many verses of the Qur'an, Allah firmly refutes the claims made by both Jews and Christians regarding His having offspring. Allah says: "And they say, the Most Beneficent has taken a son. Indeed you have brought forth a terrible, evil claim, one that could almost cause the heavens to tear apart, the earth to split open, and the mountains to crumble, that they would attribute a son to the Most Beneficent. It is not befitting the majesty of the Most Beneficent that He should beget a son. There is none in the heavens or the earth but comes to the Most Beneficent as a servant. Verily, He knows each of them and has counted them precisely, and each of them will come to Him alone on the Day of Resurrection." (Ch 19:88–95)
Allah further declares: "Yet they associate the jinn as partners with Allah, though He created them, and they falsely attribute to Him, without any knowledge, sons and daughters. Glory be to Him, exalted far above what they attribute to Him. He is the Originator of the heavens and the earth, how could He have a child when He has no companion? He created all things, and He has full knowledge of everything.
Such is Allah, your Lord, none has the right to be worshipped but Him, the Creator of all things, so worship Him alone, for He is the Guardian over all things. No vision can fully grasp Him, but His grasp encompasses all vision, for He is the Most Subtle, the All Aware." (Ch 6:100–103)
Allah also commands: "O people of the Scripture, do not exceed the limits in your religion, nor say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah Jesus, son of Mary, was no more than a messenger of Allah, and His word which He conveyed to Mary, and a spirit created by Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers, and do not say three, in reference to a trinity. Refrain from this, it is better for you, for Allah is the only God, glory be to Him, far above having a son. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth, and Allah suffices as the Disposer of all affairs.
The Messiah would never disdain to be a servant of Allah, nor would the angels closest to Him. And whoever disdains His worship and grows arrogant, He will gather them all before Him. As for those who believed and did righteous deeds, He will grant them their full reward, and even more from His bounty. But as for those who rejected His worship and were arrogant, He will punish them severely, and they will find no protector or helper besides Allah." (Ch 4:171–173)
Allah Disclaims Ezra as a Son
Allah also states: "And the Jews say, Ezra is the son of Allah, and the Christians say, the Messiah is the son of Allah. This is merely a claim from their own mouths, echoing the words of earlier disbelievers. May Allah's curse be upon them, how far they have strayed from the truth. They have taken their rabbis and monks as lords besides Allah, along with the Messiah, son of Mary, though they were commanded to worship only the One God, none has the right to be worshipped but Him. Glory and praise be to Him, far above the partners they associate with Him." (Ch 9:30–32)
Further Refutation of Begetting Offspring
Allah continues: "Ask them, are there only daughters for your Lord, and sons for them? Or did We create the angels as females while they witnessed it? Indeed, it is from their falsehood that they say Allah has begotten offspring, and indeed they are liars. Has He then chosen daughters over sons? What is wrong with your judgment? Will you not reflect? Or do you have clear authority for this claim? Then bring forth your scripture, if you are truthful.
And they have invented a kinship between Him and the jinn, though the jinn well know they will be brought before Him for judgment. Glory be to Allah, far above what they attribute to Him, except for the true servants of Allah, whom He has chosen for His mercy." (Ch 37:149–160)
Allah also declares: "Surely, those have disbelieved who say that Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary. Say, who then holds any power against Allah, if He willed to destroy the Messiah, son of Mary, along with his mother and everyone on earth? To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all that lies between them, He creates as He wills, and Allah has power over all things.
And the Jews and Christians say, we are the children of Allah and His beloved ones. Say, then why does He punish you for your sins? Rather, you are merely human beings among those He has created, He forgives whom He wills and punishes whom He wills, and to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all that lies between them, and to Him is the return of all.
O people of the Scripture, now a messenger has come to you making things clear, after a gap between messengers, lest you say, no bringer of good news or warning ever came to us. But now one has come to you, and Allah has power over all things." (Ch 5:17–19)
Allah warns further: "Surely, they have disbelieved who say, Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary. But the Messiah himself said, O children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. Verily, whoever associates partners with Allah, Paradise has been forbidden to him, and the Fire will be his home, and the wrongdoers will have no helpers.
Surely, disbelievers are those who say, Allah is the third of three, in reference to a trinity, but there is no god except the One God. If they do not cease from what they say, a painful punishment will surely befall the disbelievers among them. Will they not turn back to Allah and seek His forgiveness? For Allah is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.
The Messiah, son of Mary, was nothing more than a messenger, many messengers had passed away before him, and his mother was a woman of truth, and they both ate food like any other human being, while Allah does not eat. See how clearly We have made Our signs known to them, yet see how they are still led away from the truth." (Ch 5:72–75)
Allah also commands: "And say, all praise and thanks belong to Allah, who has not taken a son, nor has any partner in His dominion, nor does He need any protector out of weakness, and glorify Him with the greatest magnification." (Ch 17:111)
It is reported that the pagans once asked the Prophet Muhammad about the lineage of his Lord, His ancestors and descendants. It is also said that the Jews claimed to worship Ezra as the son of Allah, the Christians claimed Jesus as the son of Allah, the Magians worshipped the sun and moon, and the pagans worshipped idols. In answer to all of them, Allah revealed a clear declaration of His unity and uniqueness: "Say, He is Allah, the One. Allah, the Self Sufficient Master, whom all creation depends upon, He neither eats nor drinks. He begets not, nor was He begotten, and there is none comparable to Him." (Ch 112:1–4)