The Story of Prophet Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)

Before we begin the story of Prophet Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), note that some details of family lineage and the context of certain early life events have been more extensively covered in the story of Prophet Zakariya (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). Since their timelines overlap, their stories have a lot of crossovers. We briefly summarize the relevant information so you, the reader listener, may understand the story of Prophet Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) without prior knowledge. We still strongly encourage reading to the story of Zakariyah (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) to understand the differences in scholarly opinions.

She vowed that if she were ever granted a child, its life would be dedicated to Allah’s (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) service at Masjid Al-Aqsa, just like her husband Imran.

Imran was a righteous man who had surrendered his life in Allah’s (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) service. He was said to be a leader of the Israelites and spent his days leading his people in prayer and engaging in acts of worship at Masjid Al-Aqsa.

Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) mentions in the Qur'an:

And so, Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) answered her prayer and blessed the couple with a child.

Although Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) had planned a great future for Imran’s child and its progeny, Imran passed away before getting to see the birth of his child.

When the child was born, Imran’s wife was a little surprised to find out it was a girl. She was expecting a boy, as a boy would be better suited to fulfill the duties inside the masjid. How would she keep her vow to Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ)?

MARYAM’S GUARDIAN

In Islam, a child who loses their father before reaching maturity is considered an orphan. Seen as vulnerable yet deserving, such children need support to flourish. The Qur'an speaks about the Muslim community's duty to care for those less fortunate:

Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) had a rough childhood, losing both his parents early on in his life. He further emphasized the importance and reward of caring for an orphan in many ahadith.

With the vow fresh in her mind, Hannah wrapped her daughter in a sheet and handed her to the leaders of the mosque to appoint a guardian and sponsor the child.

Prophet Zakariyah (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) , who was also a prominent leader at the masjid, stepped forward to claim guardianship of Maryam رضی اللہ عنہ as he was a relative to her. This sparked an intense debate among priests and other religious leaders who all wanted to sponsor Maryam رضی اللہ عنہ. The people at the masjid said, "She is the daughter of our Imam." They recognized Maryam رضی اللہ عنہ as a special child who came from a blessed family, and they wanted to be the one to support her.

The men drew their quills and placed them in a container, inviting a child to select one. They decided that the owner of the chosen quill would claim their right over Maryam. By Allah’s (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) will, Prophet Zakariyah's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) quill was chosen. However, this did not satisfy the contenders, so they decided to let nature choose the rightful guardian.

The priests placed the quills in a stream, ruling that the last quill to resist the water's current would claim guardianship.

GROWING UP IN AL-AQSA MASJID

Prophet Zakariyah (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was the imam of Al-Aqsa mosque and spent most of his days there in service to Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ). He had built a separate chamber just for Maryam رضی اللہ عنہ so he could leave her there alone in her studies and worship. No one was provided entry to her chamber but Prophet Zakariyah (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) .

She was commanded by the angels to increase in acts of worship, to prostrate, submit, and remember Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) often. She lived and grew up inside Masjid Al-Aqsa, spending countless hours in service to Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ).

Much to his surprise, each time Zakariyah (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) visited Maryam’s sanctuary, he found fresh fruit. Fruits that grew in summer were found fresh in her room during winter, and fruits that grew in winter were found fresh in her room during summer. Zakariyah (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) found it a miracle and was curious as to who would supply these fresh fruits when only he had access to her chamber.

MARYAM RECEIVES NEWS OF A CHILD

One day, while Maryam رضی اللہ عنہ was praying by herself in her chamber, she was confronted by the presence of an unknown man. This intrusion sent a wave of fear through her body, her heart racing as she did not know the intentions of the man. Was he here to harm her? And how had he been given access to her room? Her sanctuary was safeguarded from any outsider, only permitting Zakariyah (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) entrance.

She then prayed, saying,
"I truly seek refuge in the Most Compassionate from you! So leave me alone if you are God-fearing."
— Surah Maryam, ayah 18

The man calmly responded,
"I am just a message-bearer of your Lord"
— Surah Maryam, ayah 19

The Qur'an clarifies the man's identity, stating,

Thus, it was Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) who had sent down His angel bearing some good news. He continued by informing her he was sent down to announce the blessing of a pure son (pure signifying a righteous son who is free from all faults and sins).

ISA (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) AND ADAM (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)

Just as Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) miraculously created Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) without a father or mother, He created Isa (may peace be upon him) without a father. In Islam, Jesus (Isa) is not considered the son of God, as he is in Christian belief.

The Qur'an says Jesus was made like Adam in the sense of a miracle birth and shared attributes. However, Christians do recognize Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) as the first man. And there is agreement between the two faiths that he was fashioned out of clay and mud.

We're told in Surah Sad, ayah 72 after Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) created him, he breathed into him a (ruh) spirit and the angels then prostrated before him.

So, if Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was not born in a normal way, and his status was not elevated, the same logic should apply to Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

It's common for human nature to believe that what they follow is superior to others. In Islam, it is recognized that each Prophet was endowed with special gifts or miracles to convey Allah's (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) message relevant to the historical period they lived in. However, their followers attached too much significance to the miracles of their Prophet and tried to discredit or deny the Prophets who succeeded them or came prior. And we see this, believers in Musa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) discredit Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and deny him as being a prophet of God.

MARYAM SECLUDES HERSELF FOR THE BIRTH

Fearing the tales of the townsfolk for carrying a child out of wedlock, Maryam decides to seclude herself until the birth of the baby. Although she knew that she was fulfilling a divine duty, the anxieties of facing people consumed her mind day and night. Everyone knew that she came from a respectable family and that both her father and mother were righteous people who dedicated their lives to the worship of One true God. How would the people react when they found out she had no husband? What would she tell them when they asked about the baby’s father?

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After some months, Maryam (ra) could no longer contain the mental strain. Consumed with anxiety for the future, she left Nazareth, "...she withdrew with him to a remote place" (Surah Maryam, ayah 22). She hadn’t gone far when she was overcome with the pains of childbirth. It was finally time for the birth of her miracle baby. Alone and in immense pain, she settled herself beneath a palm tree to give birth.

As Maryam رضی اللہ عنہ looked down at her son, her fears intensified, and she cried out in distress,

This outcry reflects the immense emotion burden she carried, the pains of childbirth, the daunting task of nurturing a baby alone, without a husband, and forced to leave and live in isolation. Despite her revered status among the worshippers, she faced judgment and knew people would not believe her. All these emotions came crashing down in this moment.

Iron deficiency and anemia are two common conditions that women can suffer from during as well as after birth. This can negatively affect the long-term health of both the mother and her child. It's a blessing from Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) that after Maryam رضی اللہ عنہ gave birth, he told her to shake the tree, and the dates fell down. It's through these gifts Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) reassured Maryam رضی اللہ عنہ and gave her the resolve to return to her people.

Today, many studies have been conducted on dried dates, especially around labor. Some reports show eating dates in the later stages of pregnancy can promote a healthy and natural childbirth. Moreover, dates are considered to be a superfood; they are dense in many nutrients, specifically iron, which is much needed after labor. Another study showed that pregnant women who ate 6 dates a day for 4 weeks before their due date had a shorter first stage of labor. Eating dates in late pregnancy has also been shown to lessen the need for oxytocin, the medication used to start or speed up labor. This is one of the many marvels mentioned in the Qur'an.

THE BABY IN THE CRADLE SPEAKS

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As Maryam returned, the townsfolk watched with curiosity, horror, and disgust. As expected, a barrage of questions and criticisms ensued.
“Then she came to her people, carrying her baby. They said: 'O Mary! You have committed a monstrous thing. O sister of Aaron! Your father was not an evil man, nor was your mother an unchaste woman."
— Surah Maryam, ayat 27-28

With the strength from Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) and his reassurance, Maryam pointed to the baby in the cradle. The people exclaimed:
"How can we speak to one who is in the cradle, a mere child?"
— Surah Maryam, ayah 29.

Realizing that the baby was not ordinary, many of the townsfolk ceased their harassment of Maryam رضی اللہ عنہ. Some thought it was a strange trick, but at least she could stay in Nazareth without being harassed.

THE PROPHETHOOD OF ISA (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)

When Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was just a child, he found himself wandering into the temples to listen to sermons of the Rabbis amongst a crowd of adults. He would listen to them intently, question them, and express his opinion without fear or intimidation. This was, however, not welcomed by learned Rabbis who felt threatened by having their authority challenged by a child.

He was great at debating, and they often failed to respond to his questions, so instead, they tried to silence him. But, he would not shy away from ressing his views.

As Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) grew older, the wisdom and the special abilities that Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) bestowed upon him became apparent to those around him. As was the mystery and miraculous nature surrounding his conception and birth, his entire life was filled with unexplainable miracles – this was a clear sign to the people of his prophethood. All the while, he called out to his people to worship Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ), the One true God:

Now, into his adulthood, on the day of Sabbath, the Jewish priests maintained a holy day for complete rest. Although this day was chosen by Prophet Musa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) to dedicate for Allah’s (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) worship, strange practices were maintained by the Jews. Followers could not light or extinguish a fire, women could not braid their hair, nor could they call a doctor to save a patient who was in critical condition. On this day, Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), who was well aware of the apparently sacred practices of Sabbath, picked fruits to feed a hungry child and lit a fire to keep an old woman warm – practices that violated the law.

Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was observant of the monetization that occurred in the name of faith and worship. He observed how the priests earned a hefty living through the temple; he watched on as the temple had been transformed into a marketplace selling sheep and doves for sacrifice and was astonished at how the poor could not afford the rates.

Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) failed to understand why offerings were burned in the temple when thousands of poor people were starving outside the temple walls. It was on this night that Prophets Zakariyah (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and Yahya (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) were killed, and Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) received the message from his Lord. In his first revelation, Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) commanded Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) to begin preaching the truth to the Children of Israel who were clearly led astray.

THE MESSAGE OF ISA (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)

Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) openly denounced the materialistic life of luxury and invited his people to lead a humble life. He appealed to his people to refrain from hoarding wealth and to spend their time in the worship of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) so that they may have a prosperous afterlife. He preached forgiveness and mercy to each other and the creatures that roam the earth. It was very clear from all accounts that Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was not seeking worldly power, either as a ruler or through financial means. His mission was to establish the worship of one creator in the manner the creator commanded.

He denounced the practices held by the Pharisees, one of the more prominent Jewish sects. It was in conflict with the Jews' superficial interpretation of the Torah. Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) informed them that he did not wish to denounce the Torah but aimed to help people understand the true essence of its words. He knew they were hypocrites; they said one thing but did another. They taught about God, but they did not do things for the love of God.

He further clarified some of the teachings of the Ten Commandments. For example, the Sixth Commandment prohibits adultery. However, this does not mean just the physical contact between a man and a woman, but all unlawful acts that might lead one to adultery. This begins with the gaze. The eye commits adultery when it looks at anything with passion, and therefore, lowering one's gaze would protect one from any unlawful desire.

These teachings further threatened the position and authority of the high priests. They thus began their schemes to take down Prophet Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

THE ATTEMPT TO DISCREDIT OF ISA (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)

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One day, the priests dragged a known adulteress to Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and asked him:
“Does not the [Mosaic] law stipulate the stoning of the adulteress?”

When Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) replied' yes,' they declared:
“This woman is an adulteress.”

Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) understood their plot. He knew that if he approved the application of the Mosaic law, he would contradict his teachings of forgiveness and mercy. He also knew that the priests had more sins to their names than the woman standing before him.

As Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) left the temple, the woman followed him. She knelt before him, washed his feet with perfume and her tears, and dried them with her hair.

Through this gesture, Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) showed the high priests that those in the path of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) are not executioners but those who show mercy.

ISA (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) GIFT OF MIRACLES

Some Qur'anic commentators believe, with Allah’s (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) help and permission, Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) brought the dead to life. A total of four people were brought to life: a friend of Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) named Al-Azam, an older woman’s son, a woman’s only daughter, and a man by the name of Sam Ibn Noah.

It is revealed that when the Prophet Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) brought back the first three, who had died during the lifetime of Prophet Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), the disbelievers charged that Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) only brought back people who died recently and argued that perhaps these people did not die at all but had simply fainted. The disbelievers then issued Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) a challenge to bring back the man named Sam Ibn Noah to life, who had died before the lifetime of Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) did not shy away from the challenge as he was aware that Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) was by his side, so he asked the contenders to point him to the deceased’s grave. Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) invoked Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) to bring the man back to life. Before long, a grey-haired Sam Ibn Noah climbed out of his grave.

These miracles are mentioned in the following verses of the Qur'an.

This verse importantly repeats the phrase, "by My leave," meaning these miracles are performed with Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) blessing. Thus, it is not really Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) who independently acted and raised the dead or gave life to inanimate objects, but rather it is through the power and permission of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) that enabled him to do so.

The sixth and final miracle we are told of in the Qur'an is famously known in the Christian faith as 'The Last Supper.' In Islamic tradition, this event is referenced as "Table Spread" or "The Feast." This is the title of the fifth surah of the Qur'an (Surah Maidah).

A FEAST FOR THE FOLLOWERS

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After thirty days of fasting, commanded by Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in service of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ), the believers requested Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) to provide food from the heavens to break their fast.

“O Isa, son of Maryam! Would your Lord be willing to send down to us a table spread with food from heaven?”
— (Surah Ma’idah, ayah 112)

Commentators of this verse suggest that the apostles of Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) were not well-intentioned when they asked whether it would be possible for Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) to provide them food from heaven. Their question was seen as a sign of disrespect, challenging Allah's ability and asking the Prophet for yet another miracle because they lacked faith.

This came as a warning, the better the blessing, the worse the curse of ingratitude. When Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) bestows His gifts on a person, it is a test to see whether we will be grateful and see His signs. This was the test of Al-Khidr from the story of Musa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)

And so, by the command of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ), the followers of Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) were treated with an amazing feast with foods from jannah. It is related that thousands ate from the food sent down from heaven, and yet they never exhausted it.

THE CRUCIFIXION OF ISA (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)

Whenever Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) sent His messengers to this world, the majority often met them with disbelief and rejection. These prophets faced attempts to silence their sincere calls through intimidation and bullying tactics. However, when these efforts inevitably failed, they resorted to violence to put an end to their message. This case with Prophet (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was no different.

As the religion of Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) began to attract more followers, the high priests grew increasingly fearful of their waning influence. They saw the potential threat to their enterprise. As a result, they conspired against him, accusing him of sorcery, violating the Mosaic law, and being in allegiance with the devil. When all these attempts to slander and defame Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) failed, they escalated their efforts. They held secret meetings to plot his demise. Here, they came up with a plan; since they lacked the authority to impose a death sentence, the priests decided to convince the Roman Governor that Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) posed a threat to the security of the Roman Empire. Alarmed by these claims and unwilling to take any risk, the Governor ordered the arrest of Prophet Isa.

It is believed one of Isa's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) disciples named Judas, was at the meeting when they plotted to kill him.

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He spoke up,
"What will you give me if I deliver him to you?"

The council proposed some silver shekels, and they negotiated back and forth until agreeing upon thirty shekels.

Note, however, The Qur'an hasn't explored the narrative of Judas, and only Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) knows what really transpired.

The Islamic belief holds that Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was protected and saved by Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ). Some Qur'an exegetes believe that it was the betrayer of Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) who was made to resemble him and was crucified in his place, while Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was raised to heaven.

THE WORSHIPPERS OF ISA (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)

From the Qur'anic perspective, the key mistake of the Jewish faith was in the denial of certain prophets like Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) , who were sent to guide them. Conversely, the error in Christianity was in its exaggeration of Isa's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) status, ascribing divinity and making partners with God. Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) while he was alive never claimed himself God. Nor did any of his disciples think of him as one.

And so, over time, deviations from the original scripture which were sent by Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) became more pronounced. It tarnished the credibility of these scriptures as the manner of worship and law cannot be determined by man. This prompted Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) to once more send down His final revelation through Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to reconcile these differences and to preserve His word.