Isa (Jesus) in Islam
عيسى
How Islam reimagines Jesus - calling him Messiah while denying his central message, death, and resurrection.
The Central Contradiction
Islam claims to honor Jesus while systematically denying everything he taught about himself:
- •Jesus claimed: "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30). Islam says: Blasphemy.
- •Jesus claimed: "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). Islam says: Muhammad is the final way.
- •Jesus predicted: His death and resurrection (Mark 8:31). Islam says: Never happened.
You cannot honor someone by calling them a liar. Either Jesus was who he claimed to be, or he wasn't.
Islamic vs. Biblical Claims About Jesus
Jesus (Isa) was born of a virgin
ISLAMIC VIEW
Yes - Mary conceived by Allah's command
BIBLICAL VIEW
Yes - conceived by the Holy Spirit
Both agree on the virgin birth, but Islam denies its significance
Jesus performed miracles
ISLAMIC VIEW
Yes - healed, raised dead, created life from clay
BIBLICAL VIEW
Yes - healed, raised dead, showed power over nature
Islam credits Allah acting through Jesus, not Jesus' own divine nature
Jesus is the Messiah
ISLAMIC VIEW
Yes - Al-Masih (the Messiah)
BIBLICAL VIEW
Yes - the promised Messiah/Christ
Islam uses the title but empties it of meaning
Jesus died on the cross
ISLAMIC VIEW
No - it only appeared so; someone else was crucified
BIBLICAL VIEW
Yes - central to the faith, attested by eyewitnesses
Islam contradicts all historical evidence
Jesus rose from the dead
ISLAMIC VIEW
No - he didn't die, so no resurrection
BIBLICAL VIEW
Yes - the foundation of Christianity
Islam denies the core Christian belief
Jesus is the Son of God
ISLAMIC VIEW
Absolutely not - shirk (unforgivable sin)
BIBLICAL VIEW
Yes - God incarnate, second person of Trinity
Islam's strongest condemnation
Jesus will return
ISLAMIC VIEW
Yes - to break the cross and establish Islam
BIBLICAL VIEW
Yes - to judge and reign as King
Different purposes and outcomes
Denying the Crucifixion
"And [for] their saying, 'Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.' And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them."— Quran 4:157
This single verse, written 600 years after the events, contradicts:
- •Four Gospel accounts written within decades of the events
- •Paul's letters (50s AD), stating Jesus "was crucified" (1 Cor 2:2)
- •Roman historian Tacitus (116 AD): "Christus... suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius"
- •Jewish historian Josephus (93 AD): "Pilate... condemned him to be crucified"
- •The testimony of Jesus' own disciples who died for this belief
The substitution theory (that someone else was made to look like Jesus and crucified in his place) raises more questions: Did Allah deceive everyone? Did he allow an innocent person to be crucified? Why would God trick Jesus' followers into believing a lie for 600 years?
What the Quran Says About Jesus
Interestingly, the Quran gives Jesus unique titles and attributes given to no other prophet:
Al-Masih (The Messiah)
Quran 3:45
Used 11 times
Word of Allah
Quran 4:171
Kalimatu Allah
Spirit from Allah
Quran 4:171
Ruhun minhu
Born of a virgin
Quran 19:20-21
Miraculous birth
Sinless
Quran 19:19
"Pure son"
Created life
Quran 3:49
Made birds from clay
Raised the dead
Quran 3:49
By Allah's permission
Will return
Quran 43:61
Sign of the Hour
The question: If Jesus was just a human prophet, why does the Quran give him titles like "Word of Allah" and "Spirit from Allah"? Why was he born of a virgin when no other prophet was? Why could he create life and raise the dead when Muhammad performed no such miracles?
Jesus' Return in Islamic Tradition
Islamic tradition teaches that Jesus (Isa) will return before the Day of Judgment. But his mission is radically different from Christianity:
- •Break the cross: Destroy Christianity and its symbol
- •Kill the swine: Abolish what is forbidden
- •Abolish jizya: No more protection tax - Islam only
- •Establish Islam: Rule as a Muslim, pray toward Mecca
- •Kill the Dajjal: Defeat the Antichrist
- •Marry and die: Finally die and be buried next to Muhammad
Consider: In Islam, Jesus returns not to save but to destroy Christianity. Not to reign as King of Kings but to serve as a Muslim subordinate to Muhammad's message. This is a complete inversion of biblical prophecy.
Questions to Consider
- 1.How can one claim to honor Jesus while denying everything he said about himself?
- 2.Why should a claim from 600 years later override multiple contemporary eyewitness accounts?
- 3.If Jesus was just a prophet, why does even the Quran give him unique divine attributes?
- 4.Would a truthful God allow billions to believe a "lie" about Jesus for 600 years before "correcting" it?
- 5.Why would Jesus return to destroy the faith he died (or allegedly didn't die) to establish?
Jesus' Own Words
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."— Matthew 11:28-29
Jesus offers rest, not rituals. Relationship, not rules. Grace, not uncertainty. Consider investigating who Jesus claimed to be, not just what Islam claims about him.