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PROPHET EESA OR ISA

Prophet Eesa or Isa عليه السلام is the Messenger of Allah (Glory be to Him)and has been born miraculously to Virgin Mary, real name of Mary is Mariam عليه السلام. His real name is Eesa as mentioned in Qur’an and in the teachings of Prophet Muhamamad(S) but few cal him as JESUS.

Table of Contents
His titles in Qur’an Hadith News of Prophet Eesa in Qur’an Birth of Prophet Eesa as a sign for Mankind and Mercy from Allah Maryam comes back to Jerusalem Eesa spoke in the cradle Miracles of Prophet Eesa Islamic views that refute the claim that Jesus was the son of God Death of Jesus? Second Coming of Eesa References

His titles in Qur’an

Eesa عليه السلامis mentioned by name the same number of times as Prophet Adam i.e., twenty times- in different places of the Quran, he is also addressed with respect as: "IBNE MARYAM" - son of Mary in Surah Maidah 5:116,; as MASIH - (Heb) Messiah - translated as Christ, Surah Maidah 5:116; "ABD-ULLAH" – Slave of Allah in Surah Maryam 19:30; "Rasul-ullah" - Messenger of Allah, Surah Maidah 5:116.

Hadith

Abu Hurayrah(R) said that the Messenger of Allahﷺsaid, "The Prophet ﷺsaid, 'No child is born but that, Satan touches it when it is born whereupon it starts crying loudly because of being touched by Satan, except Mary and her son." Abu Huraira then said, "Recite, if you wish: "And I seek Refuge with You (Allah) for her and her offspring from Satan, the outcast." (Qur’an3.36) Sahih Al Bukhari 4590 (Vol. 6, 71) and Sahih Muslim 2366

News of Prophet Eesa in Qur’an

Quran describes the news of Eesa عليه السلامto mother Mariam عليه السلامas: [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 ]. He will speak to the people in the cradle and in maturity and will be of the righteous." Quran Surah Aa’le Imran 3:45-46

In the Qur’an Surah Maryam, Allah describes this instance: And mention, [O Muhammad], in the Book [the story of] Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place toward the east. And she took, in seclusion from them, a screen. Then We sent to her Our Angel, and he represented himself to her as a well-proportioned man. She said, "Indeed, I seek refuge in the Most Merciful from you, [so leave me], if you should be fearing of Allah ." He said, "I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you [news of] a pure boy." Quran Surah Maryam 19: 16-19

Birth of Prophet Eesa as a sign for Mankind and Mercy from Allah

Quran gives the detail description as: She said, "How can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?" 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.' " So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a remote place. (i.e. Bethlehem valley about 4-6 miles from Jerusalem). And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said, "Oh, I wish I had died before this and was in oblivion, forgotten." But he called her from below her, "Do not grieve; your Lord has provided beneath you a stream. And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates. So eat and drink and be contented. And if you see from among humanity anyone, say, 'Indeed, I have vowed to the Most Merciful abstention, so I will not speak today to [any] man.' " Quran Surah Maryam 19: 20-26

Maryam comes back to Jerusalem

After giving birth to Prophet Isa (Jesus) عليه السلام, Maryam عليه السلام came back to Jerusalem with her child. Since she was widely considered to be a pure and pious woman, the people of Jerusalem were amazed to see a child with Maryam. They asked her about his father but she said nothing and pointed to the child. This further confused the people because there was no point in asking an infant about his birth. Allah said in Surah Maryam:

Then she brought him to her people, carrying him. They said, "O Mary, you have certainly done a thing unprecedented. O sister of Aaron (she was of his descendants), your father was not a man of evil, nor was your mother unchaste." So she pointed to him. They said, "How can we speak to one who is in the cradle a child? Quran Surah Maryam 19: 27-29

Eesa spoke in the cradle

While the people (mostly Jews of the time) were taunting Maryam عليه السلامasking her about the child’s father, a miracle happened. The infant which was still in cradle started speaking to the Jews. The Quran mentions the words of the infant as follows: [Jesus] said, "Indeed, I am the servant of Allah . He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet. And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and zakah as long as I remain alive. And [made me] dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me a wretched tyrant. And peace is on me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I am raised alive." Quran Surah Maryam 19: 30-33 ^[1]

Miracles of Prophet Eesa

Eesa’ birth and his speech in the cradle are clear signs of his miracles. The Fifth surah of the Noble Quran ‘Al-Maida’(surah number 5) is named after another miraculous incident in the life of Jesus. [for detail context read Surah Maidah 5:110-120] Once, his disciples asked him to request Allah for a table laden with food. His request was granted and his disciples witnessed how the heavenly table laden with heavenly food, descended from the skies for them.

Jesus was also blessed by Allah the Almighty with the miracle of healing lepers and blinds. He could also breathe life into objects made of clay and raise the dead from their graves, as willed by Allah the Almighty. He could tell what people had eaten and what they had stored in their houses. The Quran (Surah A’ale Imran3:49 and Surah Maidah 5:110) clearly states that his miracles were purely granted by Allah and in no way it could be inferred that he had Godly powers, as believed by Christians.

Islamic views that refute the claim that Jesus was the son of God

Allah strongly refutes in the Quran about Jesus (Eesa) being the son of God. Allah the Almighty has always referred to Jesus as ‘Isa, Ibn-e-Mariam’ (Jesus, son of Mary) (Surah 5:116), "ABD-ULLAH" – Slave of Allah(Surah 19:30); "Rasul-ullah" - Messenger of Allah in the glorious Quran, Surah Maidah 5:116 . Allah states in the Quran that it does not befit Allah, the Creator of the universe, to bear children. Allah said: And they say, "The Most Merciful has taken [for Himself] a son." You have done an atrocious thing. The heavens almost rupture therefrom and the earth splits open and the mountains collapse in devastation. That they attribute to the Most Merciful a son. And it is not appropriate for the Most Merciful that He should take a son. Qur’an Surah Maryam 19:88-92

Jesus was born without a father because of the miracle of Allah, a power that only Allah holds. Allah states in the Quran that the birth of Jesus is similar to Adam, who was born without parents. Therefore, Islamic teachings hold that Eesa (Jesus) was a prophet and messenger, similar to all other prophets that came before him and also similar to Prophet Muhammad who came as the final prophet and messenger of Allah to revive Allah / God’s message. The Muslims, therefore, do not attribute any divinity to Eesa (Jesus) as Christians do.

Death of Jesus?

The Islamic and the Christian views differ greatly regarding the death of Jesus. The Noble Quran clearly states that Jesus did not die. Allah the Almighty made him ascend to the heavens before his alleged crucifixion, as mentioned in Quran Surah Nisa 4:156-158 and Surah Maryam 19:33 and the person who was instead crucified was not Jesus but a man of his resemblance.

The story as stated in the Quran and explained by Ibn Kathir is that when certain Jews of the time realized that many people had started to turn to Jesus to get divine guidance, they decided to kill him by crucifying him and making him wear a crown of thorns. Jesus came to know about these plans when he was with his disciples.

According to Ibn Kathir, Jesus asked his twelve companions who would volunteer to be made to look like him. This obviously was according to Allah’s will. Jesus (peace by upon him) also promised that whoever volunteered to become like him, would be with him in the heavens. One of his very young disciples agreed to this and stepped up to the task. Hence, Allah the Almighty made that person look exactly like Jesus and instead raised Jesus / Eesa up to the Heavens. After Jesus had ascended, the disciples came out of the house and the Jews found the man who resembled Jesus and believing that he was Jesus, crucified him.

Abu Hurayrah(R) said that the Prophet ﷺsaid: “I am the closest of people to ‘Eesa ibn Maryam because there was no Prophet between him and me…” Then he mentioned his descent at the end of time. Then he said: “And he will remain for as long as Allaah wills he should remain, then he will die and the Muslims will offer the funeral prayer for him and bury him.” Musnad Ahmad 9349 and Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah 2182 ^[2]

Second Coming of Eesa

Narrated Abu Hurairah (R): Allah's Apostle ﷺsaid, "The Hour will not be established until the son of Mary (i.e. Jesus) descends amongst you as a just ruler, he will break the cross, kill the pigs, and abolish the Jizya tax. Money will be in abundance so that nobody will accept it (as charitable gifts).Sahih Al Bukhari Vol 3: 425, 656 or 2222(NE).

Prophet Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) is reported to have said: "How will you be when the son of Mary (i.e. Jesus) descends amongst you and he will judge people by the Law of the Qur'an and not by the law of the Gospel”. Sahih Al Bukhari Vol 4:658.

Allah's Messenger ﷺsaid: The Dajjal would appear in my Ummah and he would stay (in the world) for forty-I cannot say whether he meant forty days, forty months or forty years. And Allah would then send Jesus son of Mary who would resemble 'Urwa b Mas'ud. He (Jesus Christ) would chase him and kill him (Dajjal). Sahih Al Muslim 7023.