Divine Justice: Tracing the Theme of
Jul 01, 2025
The Prophet Muhammad, PBUH, said:
أَنَا أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِعِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ
Both in this world and in the Hereafter, I am the nearest of all the people to Jesus, PBUH, the son of Mary. (Sahih Bukhari:3443)
*…..*…..*
While we have all heard of Jesus and his importance in Abrahamic religions, what does Islam truly teach about one of history’s most influential religious figures?
The Quran extensively describes the lives and missions of numerous prophets throughout history. Among these, Jesus (Isa Alayhissalam), a central figure in Islam, is revered as one of Allah’s (SWT) greatest messengers. Muslims believe he was a devoted servant of God, sent down to guide the Bani Israel (the children of Israel) and spread a message centered on monotheism, righteousness, and submission to the will of Allah (SWT).
Allah (SWT) says in the Holy Quran:
إِذْ قَالَ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ يَـٰبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ إِنِّى رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ إِلَيْكُم
And [mention] when Jesus, the son of Mary, said, “O children of Israel, indeed I am the messenger of Allah to you. (Surah Saff:06)
Islam teaches that he was a human being and a noble prophet of Allah (SWT). His life and mission were a clear reflection of Allah’s mercy, and he remains an impressive model of piety, humility, and devotion. According to the Quran, Jesus is honored among the greatest messengers and plays a significant role in Islamic eschatology, including his return before the Day of Judgment. From his miraculous birth to his eventual return, his story powerfully demonstrates the divine will of Allah (SWT) and His boundless providence.
Throughout the Quran, Jesus is presented as one of the mighty messengers of Allah (SWT), mainly chosen to convey the divine message to the Bani Israel. His name alone appears over 25 times in the Quran, often alongside other great prophets like Moses and Abraham.
In Surah As-Saff, Jesus is called a “Rasul” (messenger), and remarkably, in Surah Maryam, he speaks from the cradle to declare his prophethood.
Allah (SWT) states Jesus’ words as:
And (Allah) made me a prophet. (Surah Maryam: 30)
Prophet Isa (PBUH) was sent to guide humanity towards the worship of the one true God and to correct misunderstandings in the teachings of previous scriptures. The Quran repeatedly stresses that Jesus was not divine but a humble servant of Allah (SWT).
The Quran further records his words:
[Jesus] said, “Indeed, I am the servant of Allah.” (Surah Maryam: 30)
In Islamic tradition, the birth of Jesus is considered one of the most profound miracles in history. The Quran recounts that Maryam (the mother of Jesus) was divinely chosen by Allah (SWT) to give birth to him without a father, a powerful demonstration of God’s magnificent power.
Maryam was told by an angel that she would conceive a son despite being a virgin. The Quran strongly emphasizes her chastity, purity, and obedience to Allah’s command. Jesus’ scientifically inexplicable birth is a sign of Allah’s will and foreshadows the grand mission he was destined to undertake. For the complete story of his birth, one can refer to Surah Maryam, specifically from verses 16 to 34
Jesus is often referred to as “Ruh Allah” (Spirit from Allah) to emphasize his special creation and elevated status among the prophets. This esteemed title underscores that he was created through Allah’s divine command and endowed with a special spirit directly from Him.
However, it does not imply divinity but rather signifies the exceptional nature of his birth and his crucial role as a messenger. This unique connection to the spirit from Allah (SWT) serves as a reminder of God’s absolute power to create life as He wills.
Prophet Isa (PBUH) was commissioned as a messenger specifically for the Bani Israel to guide them back to the worship of Allah (SWT).
As the Almighty said in Holy Quran:
And [make him] a messenger to the Children of Israel. (Surah A’al e Imran: 49)
Jesus dutifully called people to follow the straight path and embrace the oneness of God (Tawhid). His message, full of compassion, justice, and righteousness, urged them to live a life based on the Divine commandments. He also warned against materialism and sin, emphasizing the importance of inner purity and sincerity in worship.
In the Quran, Allah (SWT) conveys Jesus’ words:
“Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet” (Surah Maryam: 30).
Throughout his life, Jesus performed numerous miracles by the will of God, which are mentioned in the Quran. Some of these miracles were healing the blind and the leper, raising the dead, and even bringing a table full of food from heaven.
These miracles were not for the mere purpose of displaying personal power but to confirm his prophethood and to encourage faith in Allah’s power. Jesus’ ability to perform such miracles was a clear sign to the people that he was indeed was a divine messenger sent by God.
Allah (SWT) states in the Quran:
(After receiving prophethood, Jesus PBUH said to his people) Indeed I have come to you with a sign from your Lord in that I design for you from clay [that which is] like the form of a bird, then I breathe into it and it becomes a bird by permission of Allah. And I cure the blind and the leper, and I give life to the dead – by permission of Allah. And I inform you of what you eat and what you store in your houses. Indeed in that is a sign for you, if you are believers. (Surah A’al e Imran:49)
Like how the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Islam explains that Jesus also received a divine scripture called the Injil (Gospel), which guided him and his followers.
The Quran explains:
وَقَفَّيْنَا عَلَى آثَارِهِمْ بِعِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ مُصَدِّقًا لِمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَآتَيْنَاهُ الْإِنْجِيلَ فِيهِ هُدًى وَنُورٌ
And We sent, following in their footsteps, Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming that which came before him in the Torah; and We gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and light. (Surah Maidah: 46).
The Injil, like the other Holy books such as the Torah (given to Moses) and the Quran (given to Prophet Muhammad), was a book of guidance for its time. However the original message of the Injil has been altered over time, and only the Quran remains in its pure form. This is because while the responsibility of preserving the earlier divine books was entrusted to the scholars of that time, Allah Almighty Himself took the responsibility of preserving the Quran.
Allah Almighty says:
إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ
Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur’an and indeed, We will be its guardian. (Surah Al-Hijr: 09)
Jesus was born without a father, leading many to believe he was God. However, the truth is that his birth was a demonstration of Allah’s power, and in reality, he was a servant and messenger of Allah (SWT). Therefore Jesus’ teachings, as conveyed in the Quran, emphasized the oneness of God and living a righteous life. He called people to worship Allah alone and to live according to His commandments.
In the Quran, Jesus is quoted as saying:
They have certainly disbelieved who say, “Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary” while the Messiah has said, “O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.” Indeed, he who associates others with Allah – Allah has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire. And there are not for the wrongdoers any helpers. (Surah Maida: 72)
Other common themes in his teachings included kindness to others, charity, humility, and the importance of sincerity in worship. He condemned hypocrisy and the pursuit of worldly desires, urging his followers to prioritize their relationship with Allah (SWT).
One of the key differences between Islamic and Christian beliefs is their perspective on the crucifixion. In Christianity, Jesus was crucified for humanity’s sins and salvation. However, in Islam, it is believed that Jesus was not crucified; instead Allah (SWT) raised him up to Himself.
He says in the holy Quran:
وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ وَمَا صَلَبُوهُ وَلَكِنْ شُبِّهَ لَهُمْ
And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. (Surah An-Nisa: 157)
The Quran refutes the entire notion that Jesus was crucified, asserting instead that Allah Almighty saved him and he will return before the Day of Judgment to restore justice. According to Hadith, he will descend to earth in the city of Damascus, defeat the false messiah (Dajjal), and establish a period of peace and justice.
Allah’s messenger said:
By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, son of Mary (Jesus) will shortly descend amongst you people (Muslims) as a just ruler and will break the Cross and kill the pig and abolish the Jizya (a tax taken from the non-Muslims, who are in the protection, of the Muslim government). Then there will be abundance of money and nobody will accept charitable gifts. (Sahih Bukhari: 2222)
His return will reaffirm the oneness of Allah and abolish false ideologies. This second coming is an integral part of Islamic eschatology, highlighting Jesus’ pivotal role before the world comes to an end.
In Islam, Jesus is seen as the epitome of humility and submission to Allah. He lived a simple life, focused on worship and devotion, and was completely obedient to Allah’s will. His life exemplifies submission (Islam) to the divine plan, and he is considered a model of piety. His humility is further reflected in the Quran, where he is described as someone who, despite his miracles, never claimed divinity but always pointed to Allah as the source of his power.
Believing in Jesus as the messenger and servant of Allah (SWT) is part of a Muslim’s faith; one’s Iman (faith) cannot be complete until they believe in Jesus.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
If anyone testifies that None has the right to be worshipped but Allah Alone Who has no partners, and that Muhammad is His Slave and His Apostle, and that Jesus is Allah’s Slave and His Apostle and His Word which He bestowed on Mary and a Spirit created by Him, and that Paradise is true, and Hell is true, Allah will admit him into Paradise with the deeds which he had done even if those deeds were few. (Sahih Bukhari: 3435)
Islam firmly rejects the notion of Jesus’ divinity, which opposes a central Christian belief. The Quran repeatedly affirms that Jesus was a prophet of Allah (SWT), not a divine figure.
Allah (SWT) says in the Holy Quran:
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. (Surah An’Nisa: 171).
Muslims firmly reject the concept of the Trinity, upholding the oneness of Allah (SWT) as a core belief. Attributing divinity to Jesus contradicts the fundamental principle of Tawhid (oneness of God). In Islamic theology, Jesus is revered as a prophet whose message was always one of submission to the one true God.
Allah (SWT) states in the Holy Quran:
They have certainly disbelieved who say, “Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary,” while the Messiah has said, “O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.” Indeed, he who associates others with Allah – Allah has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire. And there is not for the wrongdoers any helper. (Surah Al-Maidah: 72)
Jesus is known as one of the five greatest prophets in Islam, honored as the “Ulul Azm” prophets. This title is given to those who were divinely chosen by Allah (SWT) for their exceptional patience, unwavering perseverance, and consistent dedication in their missions.
The other distinguished prophets in this group are Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Muhammad (peace be upon them all). Jesus’ inclusion in this prestigious group highlights his elevated status and the significance of his role in conveying Allah’s message to the world.
Jesus holds a central and honored place in Islam, revered not only for his role as a prophet but also for his exemplary life and teachings. He is a model of humility, devotion, and submission to Allah (SWT), and his message of monotheism and righteousness continues to resonate with Muslims today. His return before the Day of Judgment is a cornerstone of Islamic eschatology, and his legacy serves as a reminder of Allah’s mercy and guidance for humanity.
Note: For an introduction to the most scholarly books on numerous other topics of Darussalam, just visit:
