Jesus (as) the son of virgin Mary - Part 1
An Islamic Perspective: Virgin Mary and the early years of Jesus's (as), sourced from the Quran and Sunnah.
Before we start let’s be clear, this article isn’t my opinion or Islamic scholars direct opinions, rather it’s facts from the Quran and sayings in the Sunnah. The Quran is the verbatim word of God revealed to Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) through angel Jebril. The Sunnah is Islamic Sayings recorded and documented from the time of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) by close family or companions. Jesus (as) in Islam is known by the name Essa, Issa or Eissa. Mary is known as Maryam. Allah means God in Arabic.
First, Let’s be objective and reflect
Prophets came with miracles that exceeded a typical humans capabilities e.g Solomon spoke to animals and Moses parted the sea with his staff .
These miracles were ONLY possible by the will of God.
God gave them that ability and power.
Adam and Jesus (as)
Adam and Jesus (as) both existed in a distinct and miraculous way without a parent or two. If we were to be ordered to worship a human who existed unconventionally, wouldn’t Adam (as) take priority over Jesus as he was created from Clay or dust with no father or mother and existed first?
Quran (3:59)
All prophets from Adam (as) to Muhammed (pbuh) called their people to the same message of Strict Monotheism - The belief that only one God is worthy of worship. -
Jesus (as) is no different, Jesus never told people to worship or take him as God. Though, some misunderstood and misinterpreted over time.
Jesus (as) will return to earth at the end of times, kill the Anti-christ (Dajal) and be a just ruler for a few years.
On the Day of Judgement, God will ask Jesus (as) if he told people to worship him and he will say deny as mentioned below in the Quran.
And [beware the Day] when Allāh (God) will say, "O Jesus, Son of Mary, did you say to the people, 'Take me and my mother as deities besides Allāh (God)?'" He will say, "Exalted are You! It was not for me to say that to which I have no right. If I had said it, You would have known it. You know what is within myself, and I do not know what is within Yourself. Indeed, it is You who is Knower of the unseen. (Quran 5:116)
This article isn’t meant to disrespect other religions, rather the sincere should take this as a sign to seek truth, reflect and make a decision after learning the facts. After watching a live genocide for over a year, We understand what it’s like to be deceived and live a lie. We don’t want others to face the same in their own personal beliefs which makes up a large part of one’s life. At the end of the day, Only God can guide peoples hearts not even your own self!
Mary’s Mother, also Jesus’s Grandmother
Mary’s Mother is mentioned in the Quran as “The Wife of Imran” which I am not sure of any English equivalent, though Imran was from the descendants of Solomon annd d they were a very pious family. The Wife of Imran was barren, she saw a bird feeding it’s chick one day, then asked God to bless her with a child and vowed to dedicate that child to God.
Mary’s mother was very pioused and her supplication was granted. Vowing was a common religious practice at the time. Marys Mother vowed to free the child from worldly services and chores and have them dedicate their life in worship to God and in service of the worshippers at the monastery.
After giving birth to a girl, Mary’s Mother was upset as she knew Males had different and distinct qualities over females in service to the worshipers. However, God accepted the girl, due to her sincerity and the girl’s status became distinct from all other women. Refer to (Quran 3:35-36). To read the full Interpretation with footnotes click on the book icon (Tafsir).
Care-taker of Mary
Mary’s father “Imran” was also a pioused man who passed away during the pregnancy, so Mary became an orphan. Many people wanted to care and provide for Mary (as) when staying in the Monastery as she was a female and needed someone to care and provide for her.
Due to the piousness of the Family of Imran known amongst the children of Israel, many came forward wanting that honour to care for Mary and among them was prophet Zachariah. Mary and the mother of John (Yehya) were siblings. Zachariah insisted on care taking for Mary though the people didn’t initially agree so they drew a lot with pens and a young child would choose the pen of the nominated person which would always be Zachariah.
Prophet Zakaria (as) (Zachariah) her uncle was appointed to raise, provide and teach Mary. Many miracles surrounded Mary (as) e.g Zachariah (as) used to bring her food and would strangely find her with a variety of fruits not in season, e.g summer fruits available in winter, winter fruits available in summer. When asked, Mary would say this is from God.
Quran (3:42-50)
A Miraculous Pregnancy
One day, Mary was worshipping God and an angel named Jebril came to her in the form of a man informing her of a miraculous son. She became angry and asked how this would be possible as she was an untouched virgin and hadn’t committed a sin.
“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. (Q 19:21)”
When Mary became pregnant she withdrew from others to avoid seeing people. One day, Mary’s sister (also pregnant with John the baptist - Yahya- at the time), asked Mary if she was pregnant? She said yes. She said I can see what is in my stomach prostrate to what is in yours which happened out of honour and praise (Prostrating was allowed at the time), so she hugged her and they both cried.
On the other hand, Zakariah (as) had a bit of doubt towards the situation, so he indirectly asked. He asked, can plants grow without seeds? She said yes, Who created the first plant that existed on Earth. He asked, can a baby be born without a father? She said yes, God created Adam without a male or Female. So he said tell me about your situation. she said God has informed me of a pioused son named the Messiah Essa (Jesus).
Giving Birth
Mary (as) withdrew to a remote area called Bayt Lahm (Bethlehm) near bayt Elmaqdes (Jerusalem) when she felt labour pains. The childbirth pains drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She cried and said I wish I had died before this situation, I wish I was never born, as she feared ill talk of her people and didn’t think she would patiently endure. During her labour, Mary was consoled as the angel told her not to be upset or scared, a small canal of water is available for you and she was told to shake the trunk of the palm tree for fresh ripe dates to drop and eat. She was also advised to remain silent and not speak upon returning to her people. Remaining silent was a form of worship before Islam where people would not speak from dawn to dusk.
Mary and her son after giving birth
When Mary returned carrying the baby, the people were shocked and said you have done an unprecedented thing.
Quran (19:27-36)
They were in greater shock as they knew of her pioused ancestors, family and pioused mother whom performed righteous deeds and worshipped God. She pointed to the newly born child and remained silent, people asked her how can we speak to a child in the cradle? Jesus (as) miraculously spoke by the will of God in the cradle and said the below to defend his mother and inform people of his status.
[Jesus] said, "Indeed, I am the servant of Allāh (God). He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet (30). And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and zakāh as long as I remain alive (31). And [made me] dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me a wretched tyrant. (32). And peace is on me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I am raised alive." (33). That is Jesus, the son of Mary - the word of truth about which they are in dispute (34). It is not [befitting] for Allāh(God) to take a son; exalted is He!1 When He decrees an affair, He only says to it, "Be," and it is. (35). [Jesus said], "And indeed, Allāh (God) is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is a straight path"(36) (Quran Ch. 19 Maryam, Verse 30-36)
***It is said that a lot of miracles surrounded Jesus (as) since young age and the Jews expressed hatred towards him. The Jews at the time spoke ill words towards Maryam (as) and continued to accuse her of fornication.
Conclusion
We hope this gives you a greater outlook about Jesus (as) from an Islamic perspective. This article is written in plain English focusing on facts from the Quran and Sunnah, for you to read and reflect. We have released part 2 about the miracles of Jesus (as) , the journey of calling his people to Monotheism. Part 3 will be out soon.
***Verses of the Quran have a detailed Interpretation that explains more detail. You can find this on the website Quran.com then click on the book next to the verse.
Additional resources:
Jesus: Man, Messenger, Messiah Free book (Happy to pay for your shipping if needed)
Distortion of the Scriptures - The trinity Refuted - detailed book
Story of Jesus (pbuh) in short - 30 min video by Mufti Menk
Do Muslims believe in Jesus? Our short post
Life of Jesus by Omar Suleiman - Longer Video
Our post with all the resources
** More information about Jesus (as) is available in the Sunnah or by reading the Interpretation of the verses. In Arabic Jesus is known as Issa or E’ssa and the verses are in different chapters. Feel free to Pm any other Questions about this topic.
*** Thumbnail Preview by Ollie Craig via Pexel
