'Eissa, Jesus Christ, in the Holy Quran By Hassan Ali El-Najjar

Islam:

God's Message of Guidance to Humanity

السابع من صفر 1334 - الحادي والعشرون من ديسمبر 2012

تمت مراجعة هذا الفصل في السابع والعشرين من شعبان 1438 - الثالث والعشرين من مايو 2017

Most Christians (Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox) celebrate the birth of 'Eissa Al-Masie'h (Jesus, the Christ), peace and blessings be upon him (pbbuh), on December 25 every year. However, Oriental Orthodox Christians (such as Copts and Armenians) celebrate it on January 7.

While Muslims do not observe structured celebrations of birthdays of Messengers of God, they rejoice the remembrance of Jesus Christ, his birth, his mission, his miracles, and his teachings, as he is one of the five major Messengers of God, who were supported with the power of miracles. The other four are Noo'h (Noah), Ibrahim (Abraham), Moussa (Moses), and Muhammed, peace and blessings of Allah be upon all of them.

In this Chapter, verses of the Holy Quran about 'Eissa (Jesus Christ) are presented to shed some light on his birth, life, mission, miracles, nature, ordeal, ascendance to heavens, and his future return to Earth. The verses also provide answers to the disagreements between Jews and Christians about him.

The name of 'Eissa Bin Maryam (Jesus, the Son of Mary), peace and blessings of God be upon him, is mentioned 25 times in the Holy Quran, in the following verses: 2: 87,136, 253; 3:45, 52, 55, 59, 84; 4:163, 171; 5:46, 78, 110, 112, 114, 116; 6:85; 19:34; 33:7; 42:13; 43:63; 57:27; and 61:6, 14.

Fourteen of these verses mention him, in separate contexts, as one of the prominent Messengers of God, peace be upon all of them, giving some information about him and about his mission.

The other eleven verses mention him in a context of giving more information about him, particularly about his birth, life, miracles, ordeal, and the end of his first mission on Earth. Thus, more information about Jesus Christ, peace be upon him, can be found in verses 4:156-158, 171-172; 5:110-120, and 19:16-35 of the Holy Quran.

The following is a presentation about the Messenger of Allah, 'Eissa (Jesus), peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, in a sequence based on the above-mentioned verses of the Holy Quran.

The Angels came to Maryam (Mary) and told her that Allah, praise to Him, had chosen her to be the mother of Jesus Christ, by a word from Him. They explained to her that her conception of him would be a miracle for people, and he would be supported with many miracles, to help him persuade people of his mission, as mentioned in verses 12-28 of Surat Maryam (Chapter 19) and verses 42-48 of Surat Al-'Imran (Chapter 3) of the Holy Quran.

وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ مَرْيَمَ إِذِ انتَبَذَتْ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا مَكَانًا شَرْقِيًّا ﴿١٦﴾ فَاتَّخَذَتْ مِن دُونِهِمْ حِجَابًا فَأَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْهَا رُوحَنَا فَتَمَثَّلَ لَهَا بَشَرًا سَوِيًّا ﴿١٧﴾ قَالَتْ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِالرَّحْمَـٰنِ مِنكَ إِن كُنتَ تَقِيًّا ﴿١٨﴾ قَالَ إِنَّمَا أَنَا رَسُولُ رَبِّكِ لِأَهَبَ لَكِ غُلَامًا زَكِيًّا ﴿١٩﴾ قَالَتْ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِي غُلَامٌ وَلَمْ يَمْسَسْنِي بَشَرٌ وَلَمْ أَكُ بَغِيًّا ﴿٢٠﴾ قَالَ كَذَٰلِكِ قَالَ رَبُّكِ هُوَ عَلَيَّ هَيِّنٌ ۖ وَلِنَجْعَلَهُ آيَةً لِّلنَّاسِ وَرَحْمَةً مِّنَّا ۚ وَكَانَ أَمْرًا مَّقْضِيًّا ﴿٢١﴾ (مريم ، 19: 16-21).

And mention (O Muhammad), in the Book ([the story of) Maryam (Mary), when she withdrew from her family to a place toward the east. (16)

And she took, in seclusion from them, a screen. Then, We sent to her Our Spirit (Jibril, Gabriel), and he represented himself to her as a well-proportioned human (being). (17)

She said, "I seek refuge with the Beneficent (God) from you, (so leave me alone) if you are righteous." (18)

He said, "I am only the Messenger of your Lord, to give you a boy, (who is) pure of sins." (19)

She said, "How can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?" (20)

He said, "Thus, your Lord said, '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.' " (21) (Maryam, 19: 16-21). [1]

وَإِذْ قَالَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ يَا مَرْيَمُ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ اصْطَفَاكِ وَطَهَّرَكِ وَاصْطَفَاكِ عَلَىٰ نِسَاءِ الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿٤٢﴾ يَا مَرْيَمُ اقْنُتِي لِرَبِّكِ وَاسْجُدِي وَارْكَعِي مَعَ الرَّاكِعِينَ ﴿٤٣﴾ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ أَنبَاءِ الْغَيْبِ نُوحِيهِ إِلَيْكَ ۚ وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيْهِمْ إِذْ يُلْقُونَ أَقْلَامَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ يَكْفُلُ مَرْيَمَ وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيْهِمْ إِذْ يَخْتَصِمُونَ ﴿٤٤﴾ إِذْ قَالَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ يَا مَرْيَمُ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ يُبَشِّرُكِ بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنْهُ اسْمُهُ الْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ وَجِيهًا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ وَمِنَ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ ﴿٤٥﴾ وَيُكَلِّمُ النَّاسَ فِي الْمَهْدِ وَكَهْلًا وَمِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ ﴿٤٦﴾ قَالَتْ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِي وَلَدٌ وَلَمْ يَمْسَسْنِي بَشَرٌ ۖ قَالَ كَذَٰلِكِ اللَّـهُ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَاءُ ۚ إِذَا قَضَىٰ أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُونُ ﴿٤٧﴾ وَيُعَلِّمُهُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَالتَّوْرَاةَ وَالْإِنجِيلَ ﴿٤٨﴾ (آل عمران ، 3: 42-48).

And (mention that) the angels said, "O Maryam (Mary), Allah has chosen you, purified you, and chosen you above the women of the worlds. (42)

O Mary, be devoutly obedient to your Lord, prostrate, and bow with those who bow (in prayer)." (43)

That is from the news of the unseen, which We reveal to you, (O Muhammad). And you were not with them when they cast their pens, as to who of them should be responsible for Maryam. Nor were you with them when they disputed (about it). (44)

(And mention that) the angels said, "O Maryam, indeed Allah gives you glad tidings of a Word from Him, whose name is the Messiah, 'Eissa (Jesus), the son of Mary, prominent in this life and the Hereafter, and among those close (to Allah). (45)

He speaks to the people in the cradle, as a Kahl (starting at age 33), [2] and (he will be) of the righteous." (46)

She said, "My Lord, how will I have a child when no man has touched me?" (The angel) said, "Thus, Allah creates what He wills. If He decides a matter, He (only) says to it, 'Be,' and it is. (47)

And He will teach him writing, wisdom, the Torah, and the Engel (Gospel) (48) (Al-'Imran, 3: 42-48).

فَحَمَلَتْهُ فَانتَبَذَتْ بِهِ مَكَانًا قَصِيًّا ﴿٢٢﴾ فَأَجَاءَهَا الْمَخَاضُ إِلَىٰ جِذْعِ النَّخْلَةِ قَالَتْ يَا لَيْتَنِي مِتُّ قَبْلَ هَـٰذَا وَكُنتُ نَسْيًا مَّنسِيًّا ﴿٢٣﴾ فَنَادَاهَا مِن تَحْتِهَا أَلَّا تَحْزَنِي قَدْ جَعَلَ رَبُّكِ تَحْتَكِ سَرِيًّا ﴿٢٤﴾ وَهُزِّي إِلَيْكِ بِجِذْعِ النَّخْلَةِ تُسَاقِطْ عَلَيْكِ رُطَبًا جَنِيًّا ﴿٢٥﴾ فَكُلِي وَاشْرَبِي وَقَرِّي عَيْنًا ۖ فَإِمَّا تَرَيِنَّ مِنَ الْبَشَرِ أَحَدًا فَقُولِي إِنِّي نَذَرْتُ لِلرَّحْمَـٰنِ صَوْمًا فَلَنْ أُكَلِّمَ الْيَوْمَ إِنسِيًّا ﴿٢٦﴾ فَأَتَتْ بِهِ قَوْمَهَا تَحْمِلُهُ ۖ قَالُوا يَا مَرْيَمُ لَقَدْ جِئْتِ شَيْئًا فَرِيًّا ﴿٢٧﴾ يَا أُخْتَ هَارُونَ مَا كَانَ أَبُوكِ امْرَأَ سَوْءٍ وَمَا كَانَتْ أُمُّكِ بَغِيًّا ﴿٢٨﴾ (مريم ، 19: 22-28).

And the pain 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." (23)

But (Jibril, Gabriel) called her from (a place) lower than her (saying), "Do not grieve; your Lord has provided beneath you a stream (for you to drink from). (24)

And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates. (25)

So, eat and drink and be contented. And if you see from among humans anyone, say, 'I have vowed to the Beneficent (God) a fast (abstention from talking), so I will not speak today to (any) human.' " (26)

Then, she brought him to her people, carrying him. They said, "O Maryam, you have certainly done an awful thing. (27)

O sister (relative) of Haroon (Aaron), your father was not a man of evil, and your mother was not unchaste." (28) (Maryam, 19: 22-28). [3]

Allah, praise to Him, supported His Messenger, 'Eissa Bin Maryam (Jesus, Son of Mary), with the Spirit of the Holy (Jibril, Gabriel), who helped him perform many miracles, particularly medical ones, to persuade people of his mission, as a Messenger of God.

Verses from the Holy Quran tell us that he spoke while in the cradle, defending his mother. He healed many sick people, and even brought some people from the dead. He created birds out of clay then he blew in them, giving them life and leading them to fly away. He told people what they hold in their homes, and in response to a test from his disciples, he asked Allah to descend a table spread with food, which Allah answered and descended it to them. These miracles were mentioned in verses 35-29 of Surat Maryam (Chapter 19), verses 49-51 of Surat Al-'Imran (Chapter 3), and verses 110-115 of Surat Al-Ma-ida (Chapter 5) of the Holy Quran.

فَأَشَارَتْ إِلَيْهِ ۖ قَالُوا كَيْفَ نُكَلِّمُ مَن كَانَ فِي الْمَهْدِ صَبِيًّا ﴿٢٩﴾ قَالَ إِنِّي عَبْدُ اللَّـهِ آتَانِيَ الْكِتَابَ وَجَعَلَنِي نَبِيًّا ﴿٣٠﴾ وَجَعَلَنِي مُبَارَكًا أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُ وَأَوْصَانِي بِالصَّلَاةِ وَالزَّكَاةِ مَا دُمْتُ حَيًّا ﴿٣١﴾ وَبَرًّا بِوَالِدَتِي وَلَمْ يَجْعَلْنِي جَبَّارًا شَقِيًّا ﴿٣٢﴾ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَيَّ يَوْمَ وُلِدتُّ وَيَوْمَ أَمُوتُ وَيَوْمَ أُبْعَثُ حَيًّا ﴿٣٣﴾ ذَٰلِكَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ ۚ قَوْلَ الْحَقِّ الَّذِي فِيهِ يَمْتَرُونَ ﴿٣٤﴾ مَا كَانَ لِلَّـهِ أَن يَتَّخِذَ مِن وَلَدٍ ۖ سُبْحَانَهُ ۚ إِذَا قَضَىٰ أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُونُ ﴿٣٥﴾ (مريم ، 19: 29-35).

So, she pointed to him. They said, "How can we speak to one who is in the cradle, a child?" (29)

('Eissa, Jesus) said, "I am the worshipper of Allah. 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 (to perform) prayer and (give) Zakah (charity), as long as I am alive (31)

And (He has made me) dutifully good 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 die, and the day I am resurrected alive." (33)

That was 'Eissa (Jesus), the Son of Maryam, the Saying of the Truth, about whom they are in dispute. (34) [4]

It is not (befitting) for Allah to take a son; exalted is He! When He decides a matter, He only says to it, "Be," and it is. (35) (Maryam, 19: 29-35).

وَرَسُولًا إِلَىٰ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ أَنِّي قَدْ جِئْتُكُم بِآيَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ۖ أَنِّي أَخْلُقُ لَكُم مِّنَ الطِّينِ كَهَيْئَةِ الطَّيْرِ فَأَنفُخُ فِيهِ فَيَكُونُ طَيْرًا بِإِذْنِ اللَّـهِ ۖ وَأُبْرِئُ الْأَكْمَهَ وَالْأَبْرَصَ وَأُحْيِي الْمَوْتَىٰ بِإِذْنِ اللَّـهِ ۖ وَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا تَأْكُلُونَ وَمَا تَدَّخِرُونَ فِي بُيُوتِكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَةً لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٤٩﴾ وَمُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيَّ مِنَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَلِأُحِلَّ لَكُم بَعْضَ الَّذِي حُرِّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ ۚ وَجِئْتُكُم بِآيَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ فَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ ﴿٥٠﴾ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ رَبِّي وَرَبُّكُمْ فَاعْبُدُوهُ ۗ هَـٰذَا صِرَاطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ ﴿٥١﴾ (آل عمران ، 49-51).

And (Allah made him) a Messenger to the Children of Israel, (who said to them), 'I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I create 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. In that, (there) is a sign for you, if you are believers. (49)

And (I have come) confirming what was before me of the Torah, and to make permissable (lawful) for you some of what was forbidden to you. And I have come to you with a sign from your Lord. So, avoid Allah's anger, and obey me. (50)

Allah is my Lord and your Lord. So, worship Him. That is a straight path." (51) (Al-'Imran, 3: 49-51).

إِذْ قَالَ اللَّـهُ يَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ اذْكُرْ نِعْمَتِي عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَىٰ وَالِدَتِكَ إِذْ أَيَّدتُّكَ بِرُوحِ الْقُدُسِ تُكَلِّمُ النَّاسَ فِي الْمَهْدِ وَكَهْلًا ۖ وَإِذْ عَلَّمْتُكَ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَالتَّوْرَاةَ وَالْإِنجِيلَ ۖ وَإِذْ تَخْلُقُ مِنَ الطِّينِ كَهَيْئَةِ الطَّيْرِ بِإِذْنِي فَتَنفُخُ فِيهَا فَتَكُونُ طَيْرًا بِإِذْنِي ۖ وَتُبْرِئُ الْأَكْمَهَ وَالْأَبْرَصَ بِإِذْنِي ۖ وَإِذْ تُخْرِجُ الْمَوْتَىٰ بِإِذْنِي ۖ وَإِذْ كَفَفْتُ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ عَنكَ إِذْ جِئْتَهُم بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ فَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْهُمْ إِنْ هَـٰذَا إِلَّا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ ﴿١١٠﴾ وَإِذْ أَوْحَيْتُ إِلَى الْحَوَارِيِّينَ أَنْ آمِنُوا بِي وَبِرَسُولِي قَالُوا آمَنَّا وَاشْهَدْ بِأَنَّنَا مُسْلِمُونَ ﴿١١١﴾ إِذْ قَالَ الْحَوَارِيُّونَ يَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ هَلْ يَسْتَطِيعُ رَبُّكَ أَن يُنَزِّلَ عَلَيْنَا مَائِدَةً مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ ۖ قَالَ اتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ﴿١١٢﴾ قَالُوا نُرِيدُ أَن نَّأْكُلَ مِنْهَا وَتَطْمَئِنَّ قُلُوبُنَا وَنَعْلَمَ أَن قَدْ صَدَقْتَنَا وَنَكُونَ عَلَيْهَا مِنَ الشَّاهِدِينَ ﴿١١٣﴾ قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ اللَّـهُمَّ رَبَّنَا أَنزِلْ عَلَيْنَا مَائِدَةً مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ تَكُونُ لَنَا عِيدًا لِّأَوَّلِنَا وَآخِرِنَا وَآيَةً مِّنكَ ۖ وَارْزُقْنَا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ الرَّازِقِينَ ﴿١١٤﴾ قَالَ اللَّـهُ إِنِّي مُنَزِّلُهَا عَلَيْكُمْ ۖ فَمَن يَكْفُرْ بَعْدُ مِنكُمْ فَإِنِّي أُعَذِّبُهُ عَذَابًا لَّا أُعَذِّبُهُ أَحَدًا مِّنَ الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿١١٥﴾ (المائدة ، 5: 110-115).

(On the Day of Judgment), Allah will say, "O 'Eissa (Jesus), Son of Maryam, remember My favor upon you, and upon your mother when I supported you with the Spirit of the Holy (Jibril, Gabriel) when you spoke to the people in the cradle, and as a Kahl.

And when I taught you writing, wisdom, the Torah, and the Engel (Gospe), and when you created from clay (what was) like the form of a bird with My permission, then you breathed into it, and it became a bird with My permission.

And (when) you healed the blind and the leper with My permission; and when you brought forth the dead with My permission; and when I restrained the Children of Israel from (killing) you when you came to them with clear proofs (but) those who disbelieved among them said, "This is not (anything) but obvious magic." (110)

And when I inspired to the Disciples, "Believe in Me and in My messenger ('Eissa, Jesus)." They said, "We have believed, so bear witness that we are Muslims (in submission to Allah)." (111)

(And) when the Disciples said: "O 'Eissa (Jesus), Son of Maryam, can your Lord send down to us a table (spread with food) from the heaven? ('Eissa, Jesus) said," Avoid Allah's anger, if you are believers." (112)

They said, "We want to eat from it, let our hearts be reassured, know that you have been truthful to us, and (we want to) be among its witnesses." (113)

'Eissa (Jesus), the Son of Maryam, said, "O Allah, our Lord, send down to us a table (spread with food) from the heaven to be for us a festival for the first of us and the last of us, and a sign from You. And provide for us, You are the Best of Providers." (114)

Allah said, "I will send it down to you, but whoever disbelieves afterwards from among you, then I will punish him with a punishment by which I have not punished anyone from the worlds." (115) (Al-Maeda, 5: 110-115).

Despite all of his miracles and signs of proof that he was the Messenger of God, still a faction of the Children of Israel not only did not believe in him but also plotted to have him killed. However, Allah, praise to Him, saved him by lifting him alive to heavens.

Allah, Almighty, did not allow them to kill him or crucify him. Instead, they had another person, who was made to look like him.

Allah, praise to Him, promised to make those who believed in him dominant over those who rejected him, as revealed in the following verses from the Holy Quran.

وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ وَقَفَّيْنَا مِن بَعْدِهِ بِالرُّسُلِ ۖ وَآتَيْنَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَيَّدْنَاهُ بِرُوحِ الْقُدُسِ ۗ أَفَكُلَّمَا جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ بِمَا لَا تَهْوَىٰ أَنفُسُكُمُ اسْتَكْبَرْتُمْ فَفَرِيقًا كَذَّبْتُمْ وَفَرِيقًا تَقْتُلُونَ (البقرة ، 2: 87).

And We did give Moussa (Moses) the Book (the Torah), and followed up after him with messengers. And We gave 'Eissa (Jesus), the Son of Maryam, clear proofs and supported him with the Spirit of the Holy (Jibril, Gabriel). Was it that every time a messenger came to you, (O Children of Israel), with what your souls did not desire, you got arrogant? And a party (of the messengers) you belied (accused them of lying) and another party you killed? (Al-Baqara, 2: 87).

وَإِذْ قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ إِنِّي رَسُولُ اللَّـهِ إِلَيْكُم مُّصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيَّ مِنَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَمُبَشِّرًا بِرَسُولٍ يَأْتِي مِن بَعْدِي اسْمُهُ أَحْمَدُ ۖ فَلَمَّا جَاءَهُم بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ قَالُوا هَـٰذَا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ (الصف ، 61: 6).

And (mention) when 'Eissa (Jesus), the Son of Maryam, said, "O children of Israel, I am the Messenger of Allah to you, confirming what is in between my hands of the Torah, and bringing glad tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name is Ahmed." But when he came to them with clear pieces of evidence, they said, "This is obvious magic" (Al-Saf, 61: 6).

لُعِنَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِن بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ عَلَىٰ لِسَانِ دَاوُودَ وَعِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِمَا عَصَوا وَّكَانُوا يَعْتَدُونَ (المائدة ، 5: 78).

Cursed were those who disbelieved among the Children of Israel by the tongue of Dawood (David) and of 'Eissa (Jesus), the Son of Maryam. That was because they disobeyed (God) and they used to transgress (Al-Maeda, 5: 78).

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا أَنصَارَ اللَّـهِ كَمَا قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ لِلْحَوَارِيِّينَ مَنْ أَنصَارِي إِلَى اللَّـهِ ۖ قَالَ الْحَوَارِيُّونَ نَحْنُ أَنصَارُ اللَّـهِ ۖ فَآمَنَت طَّائِفَةٌ مِّن بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ وَكَفَرَت طَّائِفَةٌ ۖ فَأَيَّدْنَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا عَلَىٰ عَدُوِّهِمْ فَأَصْبَحُوا ظَاهِرِينَ (الصف ، 61: 14).

O you who have believed, be supporters of Allah, as when 'Eissa (Jesus), the Son of Maryam, said to the Disciples, "Who are my supporters to (the path of) Allah?" The Disciples said, "We are supporters of Allah." And a faction of the Children of Israel believed and a faction disbelieved. So, We supported those who believed against their enemy, and they became dominant (over them) (Al-Saf, 61: 14).

وَبِكُفْرِهِمْ وَقَوْلِهِمْ عَلَىٰ مَرْيَمَ بُهْتَانًا عَظِيمًا ﴿١٥٦﴾ وَقَوْلِهِمْ إِنَّا قَتَلْنَا الْمَسِيحَ عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولَ اللَّـهِ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ وَمَا صَلَبُوهُ وَلَـٰكِن شُبِّهَ لَهُمْ ۚ وَإِنَّ الَّذِينَ اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ لَفِي شَكٍّ مِّنْهُ ۚ مَا لَهُم بِهِ مِنْ عِلْمٍ إِلَّا اتِّبَاعَ الظَّنِّ ۚ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ يَقِينًا ﴿١٥٧﴾ بَل رَّفَعَهُ اللَّـهُ إِلَيْهِ ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّـهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا ﴿١٥٨﴾ وَإِن مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ إِلَّا لَيُؤْمِنَنَّ بِهِ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ ۖ وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَهِيدًا ﴿١٥٩﴾ (النساء ، 4: 156-159).

And (We cursed them) for their disbelief and their saying against Maryam a great slander, (156)

And [(for) their saying, "We have killed the Messiah, 'Eissa (Jesus), the Son of Maryam, the Messenger of Allah." And they neither killed him, nor crucified him; but he was resembled to them (by another man). And indeed, those who differed about him are in doubt about him. They have no knowledge of him except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain. (157)

Rather, Allah raised him to Himself. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise. (158)

And there is none from the People of the Scripture (Jews) but that he will surely believe in him (in 'Eissa, Jesus) before his death (after his return to Earth). And on the Day of Resurrection, he will be a witness on them (159) (Al-Nissa, 4: 156-159).

فَلَمَّا أَحَسَّ عِيسَىٰ مِنْهُمُ الْكُفْرَ قَالَ مَنْ أَنصَارِي إِلَى اللَّـهِ ۖ قَالَ الْحَوَارِيُّونَ نَحْنُ أَنصَارُ اللَّـهِ آمَنَّا بِاللَّـهِ وَاشْهَدْ بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ ﴿٥٢﴾ رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا بِمَا أَنزَلْتَ وَاتَّبَعْنَا الرَّسُولَ فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّاهِدِينَ ﴿٥٣﴾ وَمَكَرُوا وَمَكَرَ اللَّـهُ ۖ وَاللَّـهُ خَيْرُ الْمَاكِرِينَ ﴿٥٤﴾ إِذْ قَالَ اللَّـهُ يَا عِيسَىٰ إِنِّي مُتَوَفِّيكَ وَرَافِعُكَ إِلَيَّ وَمُطَهِّرُكَ مِنَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَجَاعِلُ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوكَ فَوْقَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ ۖ ثُمَّ إِلَيَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأَحْكُمُ بَيْنَكُمْ فِيمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ ﴿٥٥﴾ فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فَأُعَذِّبُهُمْ عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّاصِرِينَ ﴿٥٦﴾ وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ فَيُوَفِّيهِمْ أُجُورَهُمْ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الظَّالِمِينَ ﴿٥٧﴾ ذَٰلِكَ نَتْلُوهُ عَلَيْكَ مِنَ الْآيَاتِ وَالذِّكْرِ الْحَكِيمِ ﴿٥٨﴾ (آل عمران ، 3: 52-58).

When 'Eissa (Jesus) felt disbelief from them, he said, "Who are my supporters to (the path of) Allah?" The Disciples said, "We are supporters of Allah. We have believed in Allah, and bear witness (on us) that we are Muslims (submitting to Him). (52)

Our Lord, we have believed in what You have revealed, and have followed the Messenger ('Eissa, Jesus). So, write us among the witnesses." (53)

And they (the disbelievers) planned (to kill 'Eissa, Jesus), but Allah planned (to save him). And Allah is the best of planners. (54)

(Mention) when Allah said, "O 'Eissa (Jesus), I am ending your record (on Earth) and raising you to Myself, and purifying you from those who have disbelieved, and making those who have followed you (dominant) over those who have disbelieved until the Day of Resurrection. Then, to Me is your return, and I will judge between you concerning that in which you used to differ. (55)

And as for those who have disbelieved, I will punish them with severe punishment in this life and the Hereafter, and they will have no supporters." (56)

But as for those who have believed and did good deeds, He will give them their rewards, and Allah does not like the oppressors (disbelievers). (57)

This is what We recite to you, (O Muhammad), of (Our) verses and the wise remembrance. (58) (Al-'Imran, 3: 52-58).

Instead of concentrating on the message and the teachings of the Messiah, 'Eissa (Jesus Christ), many of his followers have concentrated on his nature, and many of them have worshipped him as a deity, in addition or together with Almighty Allah, Who created him.

The following verses of the Holy Quran tell us that Jesus Christ was created by God, just like Adam was created. The Creator of the Heavens and the Earth is capable of creating both of them without a father. He is in no need of a wife or a son. He is the Eternally Living One God, Who has no partners.

'Eissa, the Messiah (Jesus Christ) was a Messenger of God, who worshipped his Creator, and who never said to the people to worship him and his mother, instead of or beside God, as we read in the following verses.

إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِيسَىٰ عِندَ اللَّـهِ كَمَثَلِ آدَمَ ۖ خَلَقَهُ مِن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُونُ (آل عمران ، 3: 59).

The example of 'Eissa (Jesus) to Allah is like the example of Adam. He created Him from dust (soil); then He said to him, "Be," and he was (Al-'Imran, 3: 59).

وَزَكَرِيَّا وَيَحْيَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَإِلْيَاسَ ۖ كُلٌّ مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ (الأنعام ، 6: 85).

And Zakariya, Ya'hya (John), 'Eissa (Jesus), and Elyas. All were of the righteous (Al-An'am, 6: 85).

وَإِذْ قَالَ اللَّـهُ يَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ أَأَنتَ قُلْتَ لِلنَّاسِ اتَّخِذُونِي وَأُمِّيَ إِلَـٰهَيْنِ مِن دُونِ اللَّـهِ ۖ قَالَ سُبْحَانَكَ مَا يَكُونُ لِي أَنْ أَقُولَ مَا لَيْسَ لِي بِحَقٍّ ۚ إِن كُنتُ قُلْتُهُ فَقَدْ عَلِمْتَهُ ۚ تَعْلَمُ مَا فِي نَفْسِي وَلَا أَعْلَمُ مَا فِي نَفْسِكَ ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ ﴿١١٦﴾ مَا قُلْتُ لَهُمْ إِلَّا مَا أَمَرْتَنِي بِهِ أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّـهَ رَبِّي وَرَبَّكُمْ ۚ وَكُنتُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَهِيدًا مَّا دُمْتُ فِيهِمْ ۖ فَلَمَّا تَوَفَّيْتَنِي كُنتَ أَنتَ الرَّقِيبَ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ وَأَنتَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَهِيدٌ ﴿١١٧﴾ إِن تُعَذِّبْهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ عِبَادُكَ ۖ وَإِن تَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ فَإِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ ﴿١١٨﴾ قَالَ اللَّـهُ هَـٰذَا يَوْمُ يَنفَعُ الصَّادِقِينَ صِدْقُهُمْ ۚ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا ۚ رَّضِيَ اللَّـهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ ﴿١١٩﴾ لِلَّـهِ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا فِيهِنَّ ۚ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ﴿١٢٠﴾ (المائدة ، 5: 116-120).

(On the Day of Judgment) Allah will say, "O 'Eissa (Jesus), Son of Maryam, did you say to the people, 'Take me and my mother as deities instead of Allah?'" He said, "Exalted You are! It is not for me to say that to which I have no right about. If I had said it, You would have known it. You know what is in myself, and I do not know what is in Yourself. You are the Knower of the unknown. (116)

I did not say to them except what You commanded me to (say): Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. And I was a witness over them as long as I was among them; but when You ended my record (by lifting me up from Earth), You were the Observer over them, and You are, over all things, Witness. (117)

If You (should decide to) punish them, they are Your worshippers; but if You forgive them, You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise. (118)

Allah will say (on the Day of Judgment), "This is the Day when the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness." For them (there) are gardens (in Paradise) beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will be everlasting forever, Allah will be pleased with them, and they will be pleased with Him. That is the great winning (attainment). (119)

To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the Earth and whatever is within them. And He is Capable over all things (120) (Al-Maeda, 5: 116-120).

يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ لَا تَغْلُوا فِي دِينِكُمْ وَلَا تَقُولُوا عَلَى اللَّـهِ إِلَّا الْحَقَّ ۚ إِنَّمَا الْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولُ اللَّـهِ وَكَلِمَتُهُ أَلْقَاهَا إِلَىٰ مَرْيَمَ وَرُوحٌ مِّنْهُ ۖ فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّـهِ وَرُسُلِهِ ۖ وَلَا تَقُولُوا ثَلَاثَةٌ ۚ انتَهُوا خَيْرًا لَّكُمْ ۚ إِنَّمَا اللَّـهُ إِلَـٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ ۖ سُبْحَانَهُ أَن يَكُونَ لَهُ وَلَدٌ ۘ لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّـهِ وَكِيلًا ﴿١٧١﴾

لَّن يَسْتَنكِفَ الْمَسِيحُ أَن يَكُونَ عَبْدًا لِّلَّـهِ وَلَا الْمَلَائِكَةُ الْمُقَرَّبُونَ ۚ وَمَن يَسْتَنكِفْ عَنْ عِبَادَتِهِ وَيَسْتَكْبِرْ فَسَيَحْشُرُهُمْ إِلَيْهِ جَمِيعًا ﴿١٧٢﴾

فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ فَيُوَفِّيهِمْ أُجُورَهُمْ وَيَزِيدُهُم مِّن فَضْلِهِ ۖ وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ اسْتَنكَفُوا وَاسْتَكْبَرُوا فَيُعَذِّبُهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا وَلَا يَجِدُونَ لَهُم مِّن دُونِ اللَّـهِ وَلِيًّا وَلَا نَصِيرًا ﴿١٧٣﴾ (النساء ، 6: 171).

O People of the Book (Christians), do not commit excess in your religion, and do not say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, 'Eissa (Jesus), the Son of Maryam, was but a messenger of Allah and His word, which He threw to Maryam, and a spirit from Him. So, believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, "Three." Desist (stop saying that), it is better for you. Allah is but One God. Exalted He is above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the Earth. And sufficient is Allah as Disposer (of His Dominion's affairs) (171)

The Messiah would never disdain to be a worshipper of Allah, nor would the angels (who are) close (to Allah). And whoever disdains His worship and is arrogant, He will gather them to Himself all together (172)

And as for those who believed and did good deeds, He will give them in full their rewards and grant them extra from His bounty. But as for those who disdained and were arrogant, He will punish them with a painful punishment, and they will not find for themselves any protector (patron) or supporter, other than Allah (173) (Al-Nissa, 4: 171-173).

قُلۡ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ (١) ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ (٢) لَمۡ يَلِدۡ وَلَمۡ يُولَدۡ (٣) وَلَمۡ يَكُن لَّهُ ۥ ڪُفُوًا أَحَدُۢ (٤) (الإخلاص ، 112: 1-4).

I seek refuge with Allah from the stoned Shaytan
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Say: He is Allah, (the) One; (1) Allah, the Eternal; (2) He did not beget (give birth) and He was not begotten (given birth to); (3) And there has never been anyone equal to Him. (4)

The following four verses of the Holy Quran mention the future decent of 'Eissa (Jesus), peace be upon him, from heavens and his return to Earth. Verses 3:46 and 5:110 mention that he will be a Kahl (33 years of age) when he returns and speaks to people again. Verse 4:159 mentions that Jews will believe in him when he returns and Verse 43:61 mentions that the return of 'Eissa (Jesus) is a sign of the Hour, which has to happen before the Last Day.

وَيُكَلِّمُ النَّاسَ فِي الْمَهْدِ وَكَهْلًا وَمِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ (آل عمران ، 3: 46).

He will speak to the people in the cradle and as a Kahl (33 years and older) and will be of the righteous (Al-'Imran, 3: 46).

(The Day) when Allah will say, "O 'Eissa (Jesus), Son of Maryam, remember My favor upon you and upon your mother, when I supported you with the Spirit of the Holy (Jibril, Gabriel), (enabling you to) speak to the people in the cradle and as a Kahl (33 years and older) (Al-Maeda, 5: 110).

وَإِن مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ إِلَّا لَيُؤْمِنَنَّ بِهِ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ ۖ وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَهِيدًا (النساء ، 4: 159).

And there is none from the People of the Book (Jews) but that he will surely believe in him (in 'Eissa, Jesus) before his death (after his return). And on the Day of Resurrection he will be a witness on them (Al-Nissa, 4: 159).

وَإِنَّهُ لَعِلْمٌ لِّلسَّاعَةِ فَلَا تَمْتَرُنَّ بِهَا وَاتَّبِعُونِ ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَاطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ (الزخرف ، 43: 61).

And indeed, he ('Eissa, Jesus) will be a sign for of the Hour. So, do not be in doubt of it, and follow Me. This is a straight path (Al-Zukhruf, 43: 61).

There are also many Hadiths (sayings of Prophet Muhammed, pbbuh) about the return of 'Eissa (Jesus), pbbuh, here's one of them.

عن أبي هريرة ، رضي الله عنه ، أن النبي ، صلى الله عليه وسلم ، قال:

" يوشك أن ينزل فيكم ابن مريم ، حكما مقسطا ، يكسر الصليب ، ويقتل الخنزير ، ويضع الجزية ، ويفيض المال حتى لا يقبله أحد" (مسند أحمد - باقي مسند المكثرين - 7227 ).

In a Hadith narrated by Companion Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

"When the Son of Maryam descends among you, he will be a just ruler, who breaks the cross, kills the pig, cancels taxes, and the surplus money (charity) does not find whomever accepts it (This means that there will be no poor people at that time)" (Source: Musnad Ahmed, # 7227).

His Mission: Preaching God's Message, the Torah, and updating it with the Engel (The New Testament)

Children of Israel went astray of the teachings of the Messenger of God, Moussa, and the Prophets after him. So, Allah, praise to Him, sent Jesus Christ to remind them of God's Message, the Old Testament, to explain it, and provide them with new clarifications, a New Testament, as guidance to the righteous worshippers of God.

The Messengers of God are obligated to tell his Message to people, no matter how much difficult the mission may turn to be. They have to be persistent in their preaching, using the miracles God made available to them, in order to persuade people.

In the case of 'Eissa (Jesus), peace be upon him, some of the Children of Israel rejected him and even plotted to kill him. However, others believed in him and in his message. These, Allah placed in their hearts compassion and mercy and some of them innovated monasticism, which Allah did not prescribe for them. They did so, seeking the approval of Allah. But later, they did not observe it with due observance.

So, it's time for followers of 'Eissa (Jesus) to return to his true teachings of mercy and compassion, as we read in the following verses.

وَقَفَّيْنَا عَلَىٰ آثَارِهِم بِعِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ التَّوْرَاةِ ۖ وَآتَيْنَاهُ الْإِنجِيلَ فِيهِ هُدًى وَنُورٌ وَمُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَهُدًى وَمَوْعِظَةً لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ (المائدة ، 5: 46).

And We sent, following in their footsteps, 'Eissa (Jesus), the Son of Maryam, confirming that which came before him in the Torah; and We gave him the Engel (Gospel), in which was guidance and light and confirming that which preceded it of the Torah, as well as guidance and instruction for the righteous (Al-Maeda, 5: 46).

وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِنَ النَّبِيِّينَ مِيثَاقَهُمْ وَمِنكَ وَمِن نُّوحٍ وَإِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ ۖ وَأَخَذْنَا مِنْهُم مِّيثَاقًا غَلِيظًا (الأحزاب ، 33: 7).

And (mention, O Muhammad that) We took from the prophets their covenant and from you, and from Noo'h (Noah), Ibrahim (Abraham), Moussa (Moses) and 'Eissa (Jesus), the Son of Maryam; and We took from them a solemn covenant (Al-A'hzab, 33: 7).

شَرَعَ لَكُم مِّنَ الدِّينِ مَا وَصَّىٰ بِهِ نُوحًا وَالَّذِي أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ وَمَا وَصَّيْنَا بِهِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ ۖ أَنْ أَقِيمُوا الدِّينَ وَلَا تَتَفَرَّقُوا فِيهِ ۚ كَبُرَ عَلَى الْمُشْرِكِينَ مَا تَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَيْهِ ۚ اللَّـهُ يَجْتَبِي إِلَيْهِ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي إِلَيْهِ مَن يُنِيبُ (الشورى ، 42: 13).

He has ordained for you of religion what He enjoined upon Noo'h (Noah), and that which We have revealed to you, (O Muhammad), and what We enjoined upon Ibrahim (Abraham), Moussa (Moses) and 'Eissa (Jesus): To establish the religion and not be divided therein. Difficult for those who associate others with Allah is that to which you invite them. Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills and guides to Himself whoever turns back (to Him) (Al-Shoura, 42: 13).

وَلَمَّا جَاءَ عِيسَىٰ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ قَالَ قَدْ جِئْتُكُم بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَلِأُبَيِّنَ لَكُم بَعْضَ الَّذِي تَخْتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ ۖ فَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ ﴿٦٣﴾

إِنَّ اللَّـهَ هُوَ رَبِّي وَرَبُّكُمْ فَاعْبُدُوهُ ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَاطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ ﴿٦٤﴾ (الزخرف ، 43: 63-64).

And when 'Eissa (Jesus) brought clear proofs, he said, "I have come to you with wisdom and to make clear to you some of that over which you differ. So, avoid the anger of Allah and obey me. (63)

Allah is my Lord and your Lord. So, worship Him. This is a straight path" (64) (Al-Zukhruf, 43: 63-64).

وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا وَإِبْرَاهِيمَ وَجَعَلْنَا فِي ذُرِّيَّتِهِمَا النُّبُوَّةَ وَالْكِتَابَ ۖ فَمِنْهُم مُّهْتَدٍ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَاسِقُونَ ﴿٢٦﴾

ثُمَّ قَفَّيْنَا عَلَىٰ آثَارِهِم بِرُسُلِنَا وَقَفَّيْنَا بِعِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ وَآتَيْنَاهُ الْإِنجِيلَ وَجَعَلْنَا فِي قُلُوبِ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُ رَأْفَةً وَرَحْمَةً وَرَهْبَانِيَّةً ابْتَدَعُوهَا مَا كَتَبْنَاهَا عَلَيْهِمْ إِلَّا ابْتِغَاءَ رِضْوَانِ اللَّـهِ فَمَا رَعَوْهَا حَقَّ رِعَايَتِهَا ۖ فَآتَيْنَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْهُمْ أَجْرَهُمْ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَاسِقُونَ ﴿٢٧﴾ (الحديد ، 57: 26-27).

And We have already sent Noo'h (Noah) and Ibrahim (Abraham) and placed in their descendants the prophethood and the Book; and among them is he who is guided, but many of them are defiantly disobedient. (26)

Then We sent Our messengers, following their footsteps, and followed (them) with 'Eissa (Jesus), the Son of Maryam, and gave him the Engel (the Gospel). And We placed in the hearts of those who followed him compassion, mercy, and monasticism, which they innovated; We did not prescribe it for them except. (They did so) seeking the approval of Allah. But they did not observe it with due observance. So, We gave the ones who believed among them their reward, but many of them are disobedient (27) (Al-'Hadeed, 57: 26-27).

Allah, praise to Him, dealt with His Messengers differently, as different circumstances needed. He spoke to some of them, like Adam, Ibrahim (Abraham), Moussa (Moses), and Muhammed, peace and blessings of Allah be upon all of them. He also supported them with different miracles to persuade people in different times and territories. But He revealed His messages to all of them by inspiration, as mentioned in the following verses.

Though, Allah, praise to Him, dealt with His Messengers differently, believers are commanded not to make distinction among them, and mention all of them with utmost honor and respect.

تِلْكَ الرُّسُلُ فَضَّلْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ ۘ مِّنْهُم مَّن كَلَّمَ اللَّـهُ ۖ وَرَفَعَ بَعْضَهُمْ دَرَجَاتٍ ۚ وَآتَيْنَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَيَّدْنَاهُ بِرُوحِ الْقُدُسِ (البقرة ، 2: 253).

Those messengers, some of them We preferred more than others. Among them were those to whom Allah spoke, and He raised some of them in degree. And We gave 'Eissa (Jesus), the Son of Maryam, the clear proofs, and We supported him with the Spirit of the Holy (Jibril, Gabriel) (Al-Baqara, 2: 253).

قُولُوا آمَنَّا بِاللَّـهِ وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَالْأَسْبَاطِ وَمَا أُوتِيَ مُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَمَا أُوتِيَ النَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ (البقرة ، 2: 136).

Say, (O believers), "We have believed in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Ibrahim (Abraham), Isma'il, Iss'haq (Isaac), Ya'coob (Jacob), and the Children of Ya'coob (Jacob), and what was given to Moussa (Moses), and Eissa (Jesus), and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims (in submission) to Him" (Al-Baqara, 2: 136).

إِنَّا أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ كَمَا أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَىٰ نُوحٍ وَالنَّبِيِّينَ مِن بَعْدِهِ ۚ وَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَالْأَسْبَاطِ وَعِيسَىٰ وَأَيُّوبَ وَيُونُسَ وَهَارُونَ وَسُلَيْمَانَ ۚ وَآتَيْنَا دَاوُودَ زَبُورًا (النساء ، 4: 163).

We have revealed to you, (O Muhammad), as We revealed to Noo'h (Noah) and the prophets after him. And we revealed to Ibrahim (Abraham), Isma'il, Iss'haq (Isaac), Ya'coob (Jacob), the Children of Ya'coob (Jacob), 'Eissa (Jesus), Ayoob (Job), Younus (Jonah), Haroon (Aaron), and Sulayman (Solomon), and We gave Dawood (David) the book (of Psalms) (Al-Nissa, 4: 163).

Al-Masie'h, 'Eissa Bin Maryam (The Messiah, Jesus, the Son of Mary), peace and blessings of God be upon him, was one of the five major Messengers of God, who were sent with His Message of Guidance to humanity. He was created with a miracle, without a father, just like Adam.

He was supported by God through enabling him to perform various miracles, in order to convince people that he was a true Messenger of God. However, some of them not only rejected him and his message but also libeled him with great slander. They even plotted to have him killed but Almighty Allah rescued him by lifting him alive to heavens, giving them a person who looked like him.

Descendants of those who believed in him also did him injustice by considering him as the son of God and worshipping him as God.

The Holy Quran answers both parties, confirming that 'Eissa (Jesus) was the Messiah, a true Messenger of God, who was created with a miracle, without a father. However, it has pointed to his followers that they have exaggerated their faith by worshipping him as God.

Because Jesus was rescued and lifted to heavens, he is still alive waiting for the time when he is needed again on Earth. Then, God will command him to descend to Earth, in order to kill the tyrant Dajjal (fake Christ) and establish the rule of justice and prosperity, just before the end of life on Earth.

For centuries, many followers of Christ have concentrated on the nature of the Messenger, instead of following God's Message of Guidance that he preached, as did other Messengers of God before him.

In today's world, which has been infested with bloodshed, aggression, corruption, tyranny, greed, and indifference, followers of Jesus Christ, need to follow his message of righteousness, love, compassion, mercy, and peace.

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[1] This author is solely responsible for the translation of the meanings of the verses of the Holy Quran in this Chapter and throughout the Book, though he has consulted with other translations, particularly Sahih International, at www.tanzil.net.

Special credit and thanks should be given to our predecessors, particularly Al-Tabari, Al-Qurtubi, and Ibn Katheer, whose interpretations of the Holy Quran have been of great benefit for this author. These are published online at http://quran.al-islam.com/Loader.aspx?pageid=215.

May Allah reward all of these interpreters, translators, and those who made their works available online, for their great services to humanity.

[2] The Arabic dictionary "Lessan Al-'Arab" defines the lifespan of a human being into four age periods. The first is a 'Hadath, from birth to 16. The second is a Shab, from 17 to 32. The third is a Kahl, from 33 to 50. The fourth is a Shaikh, from 51 to the end of life.

[3] Sister of Haroon (Aaron) means his relative, as they all are descendants of Ibrahim (Abraham). It does not mean an actual sister of him. In religious contexts, Christians and Muslims still refer to each other as brothers and sisters.

[4] This is a reference to the dispute between Jews and Christians about who was 'Eissa (Jesus). Jews say that he was the son of Joseph and Mary, thus denying the miracle of creating him without a father. Christians went to the other extreme, saying that he is the son of God. The Holy Quran corrected both viewpoints, saying that he was created without a father, as a miracle from God. However, he was not the son of God.

هُنَالِكَ دَعَا زَكَرِيَّا رَبَّهُ ۖ قَالَ رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِن لَّدُنكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً ۖ إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ الدُّعَاءِ ﴿٣٨﴾ فَنَادَتْهُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ يُصَلِّي فِي الْمِحْرَابِ أَنَّ اللَّـهَ يُبَشِّرُكَ بِيَحْيَىٰ مُصَدِّقًا بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّـهِ وَسَيِّدًا وَحَصُورًا وَنَبِيًّا مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ ﴿٣٩﴾ قَالَ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِي غُلَامٌ وَقَدْ بَلَغَنِيَ الْكِبَرُ وَامْرَأَتِي عَاقِرٌ ۖ قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ اللَّـهُ يَفْعَلُ مَا يَشَاءُ ﴿٤٠﴾ قَالَ رَبِّ اجْعَل لِّي آيَةً ۖ قَالَ آيَتُكَ أَلَّا تُكَلِّمَ النَّاسَ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ إِلَّا رَمْزًا ۗ وَاذْكُر رَّبَّكَ كَثِيرًا وَسَبِّحْ بِالْعَشِيِّ وَالْإِبْكَارِ ﴿٤١﴾ (آل عمران ، 3: 38-41).

At that (time), Zakariya (Zacharias) called upon his Lord, saying, “My Lord, grant me from Yourself a good offspring. You are the Hearer of supplication.” (38)

So, the angels called him while he was standing in prayer in the chamber (saying), “Allah gives you good tidings of Ya'hya (John), confirming a word from Allah and (who will be) honorable, abstaining (from women), and a prophet from among the righteous.” (39)

He said, “My Lord, how will I have a boy when I have reached old age and my wife is barren?” (An angel) said, “Such is Allah; He does what He wills.” (40)

He said, “My Lord, make for me a sign.” He Said, “Your sign is that you will not (be able to) speak to the people for three days except by gesture. And remember your Lord much and exalt (Him with praise) in the evening and the morning.” (41) (Al-Imran, 3: 38-41).

كهيعص ﴿١﴾ ذِكْرُ رَحْمَتِ رَبِّكَ عَبْدَهُ زَكَرِيَّا ﴿٢﴾ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ نِدَاءً خَفِيًّا ﴿٣﴾ قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّي وَهَنَ الْعَظْمُ مِنِّي وَاشْتَعَلَ الرَّأْسُ شَيْبًا وَلَمْ أَكُن بِدُعَائِكَ رَبِّ شَقِيًّا ﴿٤﴾ وَإِنِّي خِفْتُ الْمَوَالِيَ مِن وَرَائِي وَكَانَتِ امْرَأَتِي عَاقِرًا فَهَبْ لِي مِن لَّدُنكَ وَلِيًّا ﴿٥﴾ يَرِثُنِي وَيَرِثُ مِنْ آلِ يَعْقُوبَ ۖ وَاجْعَلْهُ رَبِّ رَضِيًّا ﴿٦﴾ يَا زَكَرِيَّا إِنَّا نُبَشِّرُكَ بِغُلَامٍ اسْمُهُ يَحْيَىٰ لَمْ نَجْعَل لَّهُ مِن قَبْلُ سَمِيًّا ﴿٧﴾ قَالَ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِي غُلَامٌ وَكَانَتِ امْرَأَتِي عَاقِرًا وَقَدْ بَلَغْتُ مِنَ الْكِبَرِ عِتِيًّا ﴿٨﴾ قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ قَالَ رَبُّكَ هُوَ عَلَيَّ هَيِّنٌ وَقَدْ خَلَقْتُكَ مِن قَبْلُ وَلَمْ تَكُ شَيْئًا ﴿٩﴾ قَالَ رَبِّ اجْعَل لِّي آيَةً ۚ قَالَ آيَتُكَ أَلَّا تُكَلِّمَ النَّاسَ ثَلَاثَ لَيَالٍ سَوِيًّا ﴿١٠﴾ فَخَرَجَ عَلَىٰ قَوْمِهِ مِنَ الْمِحْرَابِ فَأَوْحَىٰ إِلَيْهِمْ أَن سَبِّحُوا بُكْرَةً وَعَشِيًّا ﴿١١﴾ (مريم ، 19: 1-11).

(This is) a mention of the mercy of your Lord to His worshipper Zakariya (Zacharias), (2)

He said, "My Lord, my bones have weakened, and my head has (been) filled with white (hair), and never have I been in my supplication to You, my Lord, unhappy. (4)

And I fear the successors after me, and my wife has been barren. So, give me from Yourself an heir (5)

Who will inherit me and inherit from the family of Ya'coob (Jacob). And make him, my Lord, pleasing (to You)." (6)

(Allah said), "O Zakariya (Zacharias), We give you good tidings of a boy whose name will be Ya'hya (John). We have not assigned (this) name to any before." (7)

He said, "My Lord, how will I have a boy when my wife has been barren and I have reached extreme old age?" (8)

(An angel) said, "Thus (it will be). Your Lord said, 'It is easy for Me, for I created you before, while you were nothing.' " (9)

(Zakariya) said, "My Lord, make for me a sign." He said, "Your sign is that you will not (be able to) speak to the people for three nights, (even if you are) sound." (10)

So, he came out to his people from the prayer chamber and signaled to them to exalt (Allah) in the morning and the afternoon. (11) (Maryam, 19: 1-11).

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* The author of this book has a Ph.D. in Sociology and a Master’s degree in Cultural Anthropology. He was born in Gaza, Palestine in 1369 Hijriya (1950) but he has been living in the United States since 1986.

The authentic Quran Arabic text is used as a reference for the translation of the meanings of the Quran verses, particularly from www.tanzil.net.

The works of the three renowned Islamic scholars Al-Tabari, Al-Qurtubi, and Ibn Katheer, have been used throughout the chapters of this book, as these are the most credited interpretations of the Holy Quran, for their use of 'Hadith, companions' interpretations, and their thorough knowledge of the Arabic language.

يُرِيدُونَ لِيُطْفِئُوا نُورَ اللَّـهِ بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَاللَّـهُ مُتِمُّ نُورِهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ (الصف ، 61: 8).

They want to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah will perfect His light, although the disbelievers dislike it (Al-Saff, 61: 8).