Who is Allah?

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Sunrise over the Sea of Galilee

One teacher, three readings

Jesus

(peace be upon him)
יֵשׁוּעַعيسىYeshuaʿ · ʿĪsā

A Jewish teacher of Galilee. Each faith says who he is in its own words.

▶ Watch the three tellingsc. 4 BCE – c. 30 CE
Stand-in photograph: Grant Barclay · CC BY 2.0

The name in three scripts

HebrewיֵשׁוּעַYeshuaʿHebrew and Aramaic
GreekἸησοῦςIēsoustitle Χριστός, Christos, “Anointed”
ArabicعيسىʿĪsātitle al-Masīḥ, “the Messiah”; Arab Christians say يسوع Yasūʿ

One-minute snapshot

In a minute

c. 4 BCE – c. 30 CERead time 1 min
GospelQur'an

Jesus (peace be upon him) was a Jewish teacher from Galilee in the 1st century. Christians believe he is the Son of God and Saviour, who died on the cross and rose again. Muslims believe he is the Messiah, born of the virgin Mary (peace be upon her), a great prophet and miracle-worker given the Gospel (Injil), and not crucified but raised to God. Jews regard him as a Jewish teacher of his time, not the Messiah. All three can agree he taught love of God and neighbour.

Each column gives that faith's own belief, in its own words. This page shows no people.

Sunrise over a calm lake with hills beyond.
Sunrise on the Sea of Galilee. American Colony (Jerusalem) Photo Dept. / Matson Photo Service, Library of Congress (public domain)

Watch

Films from each tradition

Each told by its own community, in its own words, side by side. More on F-ILM.

A Christian telling

Gospel of Luke Summary: A Complete Animated Overview (Part 1)BibleProject · 8 min Shows prophets (a film-maker's portrayal)BibleProject Luke part 1: Jesus' life as one Gospel tells it; 8 minutes.

A Muslim telling

Gems from the Miracles and Manners of Jesus (as) | Khutbah by Dr. Omar SuleimanYaqeen Institute · 22 minOmar Suleiman: the miracles and manners of 'Isa in the Qur'an.

For everyone

Jesus, What Do We Really Know About Him?History Hit · 23 minHistory Hit: what historians know about Jesus; neutral context.

Side by side

Three tellings

Quotations: Torah and Hebrew Bible, JPS 1917 · New Testament, World English Bible (British Edition) · Qur'an, Pickthall (1930). Translations and sources

Hebrew Bible · Jewish view

In Jewish tradition's own words.

The old city of Jerusalem seen from the Mount of Olives.
Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, early 20th century. American Colony (Jerusalem) Photo Dept. / Matson Photo Service, Library of Congress (public domain)
  • He lived after the Hebrew Bible was completed.
  • Jewish tradition does not regard him as the Messiah or as divine: the hopes of an age of peace, the ingathering of exiles and the rebuilt Temple are understood as not yet fulfilled (Maimonides, Mishneh Torah, Laws of Kings 11–12).
  • Many modern Jewish scholars study him as a Jew of his time.
“HEAR, O ISRAEL: THE LORD OUR GOD, THE LORD IS ONE.”Deuteronomy 6:4 · JPS 1917 · the Shema, which Jesus called the first commandment (Mark 12:29)

Amy-Jill Levine, The Misunderstood Jew (2006), is one modern Jewish reading.

Key passages: Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29

Is this how your tradition would say it? Tell us →

The Christian telling

In Christian tradition's own words.

The River Jordan flowing between trees at a shallow ford.
The River Jordan at the ford. American Colony (Jerusalem) Photo Dept. / Matson Photo Service, Library of Congress (public domain)
  • Christians believe he is the Word made flesh, the Son of God.
  • He taught, healed and gathered disciples in Galilee.
  • He was crucified under Pontius Pilate and, Christians believe, rose on the third day.
  • Christians confess this in the Nicene Creed (325/381).
“The Word became flesh and lived amongst us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the only born Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.”John 1:14 · WEB (British Edition)

The Trinity, the Incarnation, the cross and resurrection (Easter), Christmas and the sacraments are shared across the churches, which differ on many other points.

Key passages: John 1:1–18; Philippians 2:5–11; the four Gospels and Acts

Is this how your tradition would say it? Tell us →

The Qur'an

In Islamic tradition's own words.

A page of a 12th-century Qur'an in bold script with gold ornament.
Page from a Qur'an with Surah al-Nisa 4:157–58, Seljuk Iran, 1100s. Seljuk Iran, Cleveland Museum of Art (CC0)
  • Muslims believe he is the Messiah, born of the virgin Mary (peace be upon her), and speaks from the cradle.
  • He heals the blind and the leper and gives life “by Allah's leave”.
  • He is given the Gospel (Injīl).
  • The Qur'an says he was not killed or crucified, “but it appeared so unto them” (4:157); most Muslims believe he was raised alive and will return.
“He spake: Lo! I am the slave of Allah. He hath given me the Scripture and hath appointed me a Prophet,”Qur'an 19:30 · Pickthall (1930)

His return before the Last Day is narrated in hadith (Bukhari 3448; Muslim 155).

“I am the closest of people to Jesus (peace be upon him) son of Mary (peace be upon her); the prophets are brothers” (Bukhari 3443, paraphrased).

Key passages: Qur'an 3:45–59; 4:157–159; 4:171; 5:46; 5:110–118; 19:16–36; 43:57–65; 61:6

Is this how your tradition would say it? Tell us →

Read the passages Hebrew Bible · Jewish view · 2

Deuteronomy 6:4 · Hebrew Bible · JPS 1917

4

שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ יְהוָה אֶחָד׃

HEAR, O ISRAEL: THE LORD OUR GOD, THE LORD IS ONE.

Mark 12:29 · New Testament · WEB British Edition

29

Jesus answered, “The greatest is: ‘Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.

Read the passages The Christian telling · 2

John 1:1–18 · New Testament · WEB British Edition

1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2

The same was in the beginning with God.

3

All things were made through him. Without him, nothing was made that has been made.

4

In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

5

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn’t overcome it.

6

There came a man sent from God, whose name was John.

7

The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him.

8

He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light.

9

The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.

10

He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world didn’t recognise him.

The passage continues; open it in the player or your own Bible or Qur'an.

Philippians 2:5–11 · New Testament · WEB British Edition

5

Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus,

6

who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped,

7

but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.

8

And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross.

9

Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name,

10

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth,

11

and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Read the passages The Qur'an · 8

Qur'an 3:45–59 · The Qur'an · Pickthall (1930)

45

إِذْ قَالَتِ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ يَٰمَرْيَمُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكِ بِكَلِمَةٍۢ مِّنْهُ ٱسْمُهُ ٱلْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ وَجِيهًۭا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْءَاخِرَةِ وَمِنَ ٱلْمُقَرَّبِينَ

(And remember) when the angels said: O Mary! Lo! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a word from him, whose name is the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, illustrious in the world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near (unto Allah).

46

وَيُكَلِّمُ ٱلنَّاسَ فِى ٱلْمَهْدِ وَكَهْلًۭا وَمِنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ

He will speak unto mankind in his cradle and in his manhood, and he is of the righteous.

47

قَالَتْ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِى وَلَدٌۭ وَلَمْ يَمْسَسْنِى بَشَرٌۭ ۖ قَالَ كَذَٰلِكِ ٱللَّهُ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُ ۚ إِذَا قَضَىٰٓ أَمْرًۭا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ

She said: My Lord! How can I have a child when no mortal hath touched me? He said: So (it will be). Allah createth what He will. If He decreeth a thing, He saith unto it only: Be! and it is.

48

وَيُعَلِّمُهُ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ وَٱلْإِنجِيلَ

And He will teach him the Scripture and wisdom, and the Torah and the Gospel,

49

وَرَسُولًا إِلَىٰ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ أَنِّى قَدْ جِئْتُكُم بِـَٔايَةٍۢ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ۖ أَنِّىٓ أَخْلُقُ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلطِّينِ كَهَيْـَٔةِ ٱلطَّيْرِ فَأَنفُخُ فِيهِ فَيَكُونُ طَيْرًۢا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَأُبْرِئُ ٱلْأَكْمَهَ وَٱلْأَبْرَصَ وَأُحْىِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا تَأْكُلُونَ وَمَا تَدَّخِرُونَ فِى بُيُوتِكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَةًۭ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

And will make him a messenger unto the Children of Israel, (saying): Lo! I come unto you with a sign from your Lord. Lo! I fashion for you out of clay the likeness of a bird, and I breathe into it and it is a bird, by Allah's leave. I heal him who was born blind, and the leper, and I raise the dead, by Allah's leave. And I announce unto you what ye eat and what ye store up in your houses. Lo! herein verily is a portent for you, if ye are to be believers.

50

وَمُصَدِّقًۭا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَىَّ مِنَ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ وَلِأُحِلَّ لَكُم بَعْضَ ٱلَّذِى حُرِّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ ۚ وَجِئْتُكُم بِـَٔايَةٍۢ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ

And (I come) confirming that which was before me of the Torah, and to make lawful some of that which was forbidden unto you. I come unto you with a sign from your Lord, so keep your duty to Allah and obey me.

51

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمْ فَٱعْبُدُوهُ ۗ هَٰذَا صِرَٰطٌۭ مُّسْتَقِيمٌۭ

Lo! Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is a straight path.

52

۞ فَلَمَّآ أَحَسَّ عِيسَىٰ مِنْهُمُ ٱلْكُفْرَ قَالَ مَنْ أَنصَارِىٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ ۖ قَالَ ٱلْحَوَارِيُّونَ نَحْنُ أَنصَارُ ٱللَّهِ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَٱشْهَدْ بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ

But when Jesus became conscious of their disbelief, he cried: Who will be my helpers in the cause of Allah? The disciples said: We will be Allah's helpers. We believe in Allah, and bear thou witness that we have surrendered (unto Him).

53

رَبَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا بِمَآ أَنزَلْتَ وَٱتَّبَعْنَا ٱلرَّسُولَ فَٱكْتُبْنَا مَعَ ٱلشَّٰهِدِينَ

Our Lord! We believe in that which Thou hast revealed and we follow him whom Thou hast sent. Enrol us among those who witness (to the truth).

54

وَمَكَرُوا۟ وَمَكَرَ ٱللَّهُ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ خَيْرُ ٱلْمَٰكِرِينَ

And they (the disbelievers) schemed, and Allah schemed (against them): and Allah is the best of schemers.

The passage continues; open it in the player or your own Bible or Qur'an.

Qur'an 4:157–159 · The Qur'an · Pickthall (1930)

157

وَقَوْلِهِمْ إِنَّا قَتَلْنَا ٱلْمَسِيحَ عِيسَى ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ وَمَا صَلَبُوهُ وَلَٰكِن شُبِّهَ لَهُمْ ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ فِيهِ لَفِى شَكٍّۢ مِّنْهُ ۚ مَا لَهُم بِهِۦ مِنْ عِلْمٍ إِلَّا ٱتِّبَاعَ ٱلظَّنِّ ۚ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ يَقِينًۢا

And because of their saying: We slew the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, Allah's messenger - they slew him not nor crucified him, but it appeared so unto them; and lo! those who disagree concerning it are in doubt thereof; they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture; they slew him not for certain.

158

بَل رَّفَعَهُ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًۭا

But Allah took him up unto Himself. Allah was ever Mighty, Wise.

159

وَإِن مِّنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ إِلَّا لَيُؤْمِنَنَّ بِهِۦ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِۦ ۖ وَيَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَهِيدًۭا

There is not one of the People of the Scripture but will believe in him before his death, and on the Day of Resurrection he will be a witness against them -

Qur'an 4:171 · The Qur'an · Pickthall (1930)

171

يَٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لَا تَغْلُوا۟ فِى دِينِكُمْ وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلْحَقَّ ۚ إِنَّمَا ٱلْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ وَكَلِمَتُهُۥٓ أَلْقَىٰهَآ إِلَىٰ مَرْيَمَ وَرُوحٌۭ مِّنْهُ ۖ فَـَٔامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ ۖ وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ ثَلَٰثَةٌ ۚ ٱنتَهُوا۟ خَيْرًۭا لَّكُمْ ۚ إِنَّمَا ٱللَّهُ إِلَٰهٌۭ وَٰحِدٌۭ ۖ سُبْحَٰنَهُۥٓ أَن يَكُونَ لَهُۥ وَلَدٌۭ ۘ لَّهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ وَكِيلًۭا

O People of the Scripture! Do not exaggerate in your religion nor utter aught concerning Allah save the truth. The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only a messenger of Allah, and His word which He conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers, and say not "Three" - Cease! (it is) better for you! - Allah is only One God. Far is it removed from His Transcendent Majesty that He should have a son. His is all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is sufficient as Defender.

Qur'an 5:46 · The Qur'an · Pickthall (1930)

46

وَقَفَّيْنَا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَٰرِهِم بِعِيسَى ٱبْنِ مَرْيَمَ مُصَدِّقًۭا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ ۖ وَءَاتَيْنَٰهُ ٱلْإِنجِيلَ فِيهِ هُدًۭى وَنُورٌۭ وَمُصَدِّقًۭا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ وَهُدًۭى وَمَوْعِظَةًۭ لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ

And We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow in their footsteps, confirming that which was (revealed) before him in the Torah, and We bestowed on him the Gospel wherein is guidance and a light, confirming that which was (revealed) before it in the Torah - a guidance and an admonition unto those who ward off (evil).

Qur'an 5:110–118 · The Qur'an · Pickthall (1930)

110

إِذْ قَالَ ٱللَّهُ يَٰعِيسَى ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ ٱذْكُرْ نِعْمَتِى عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَىٰ وَٰلِدَتِكَ إِذْ أَيَّدتُّكَ بِرُوحِ ٱلْقُدُسِ تُكَلِّمُ ٱلنَّاسَ فِى ٱلْمَهْدِ وَكَهْلًۭا ۖ وَإِذْ عَلَّمْتُكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ وَٱلْإِنجِيلَ ۖ وَإِذْ تَخْلُقُ مِنَ ٱلطِّينِ كَهَيْـَٔةِ ٱلطَّيْرِ بِإِذْنِى فَتَنفُخُ فِيهَا فَتَكُونُ طَيْرًۢا بِإِذْنِى ۖ وَتُبْرِئُ ٱلْأَكْمَهَ وَٱلْأَبْرَصَ بِإِذْنِى ۖ وَإِذْ تُخْرِجُ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ بِإِذْنِى ۖ وَإِذْ كَفَفْتُ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ عَنكَ إِذْ جِئْتَهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ فَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ إِنْ هَٰذَآ إِلَّا سِحْرٌۭ مُّبِينٌۭ

When Allah saith: O Jesus, son of Mary! Remember My favour unto thee and unto thy mother; how I strengthened thee with the holy Spirit, so that thou spakest unto mankind in the cradle as in maturity; and how I taught thee the Scripture and Wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel; and how thou didst shape of clay as it were the likeness of a bird by My permission, and didst blow upon it and it was a bird by My permission, and thou didst heal him who was born blind and the leper by My permission; and how thou didst raise the dead by My permission; and how I restrained the Children of Israel from (harming) thee when thou camest unto them with clear proofs, and those of them who disbelieved exclaimed: This is naught else than mere magic;

111

وَإِذْ أَوْحَيْتُ إِلَى ٱلْحَوَارِيِّۦنَ أَنْ ءَامِنُوا۟ بِى وَبِرَسُولِى قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَٱشْهَدْ بِأَنَّنَا مُسْلِمُونَ

And when I inspired the disciples, (saying): Believe in Me and in My messenger, they said: We believe. Bear witness that we have surrendered (unto Thee) "we are muslims".

112

إِذْ قَالَ ٱلْحَوَارِيُّونَ يَٰعِيسَى ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ هَلْ يَسْتَطِيعُ رَبُّكَ أَن يُنَزِّلَ عَلَيْنَا مَآئِدَةًۭ مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ ۖ قَالَ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

When the disciples said: O Jesus, son of Mary! Is thy Lord able to send down for us a table spread with food from heaven? He said: Observe your duty to Allah, if ye are true believers.

113

قَالُوا۟ نُرِيدُ أَن نَّأْكُلَ مِنْهَا وَتَطْمَئِنَّ قُلُوبُنَا وَنَعْلَمَ أَن قَدْ صَدَقْتَنَا وَنَكُونَ عَلَيْهَا مِنَ ٱلشَّٰهِدِينَ

(They said:) We wish to eat thereof, that we may satisfy our hearts and know that thou hast spoken truth to us, and that thereof we may be witnesses.

114

قَالَ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ ٱللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَآ أَنزِلْ عَلَيْنَا مَآئِدَةًۭ مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ تَكُونُ لَنَا عِيدًۭا لِّأَوَّلِنَا وَءَاخِرِنَا وَءَايَةًۭ مِّنكَ ۖ وَٱرْزُقْنَا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلرَّٰزِقِينَ

Jesus, son of Mary, said: O Allah, Lord of us! Send down for us a table spread with food from heaven, that it may be a feast for us, for the first of us and for the last of us, and a sign from Thee. Give us sustenance, for Thou art the Best of Sustainers.

115

قَالَ ٱللَّهُ إِنِّى مُنَزِّلُهَا عَلَيْكُمْ ۖ فَمَن يَكْفُرْ بَعْدُ مِنكُمْ فَإِنِّىٓ أُعَذِّبُهُۥ عَذَابًۭا لَّآ أُعَذِّبُهُۥٓ أَحَدًۭا مِّنَ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

Allah said: Lo! I send it down for you. And whoso disbelieveth of you afterward, him surely will I punish with a punishment wherewith I have not punished any of (My) creatures.

116

وَإِذْ قَالَ ٱللَّهُ يَٰعِيسَى ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ ءَأَنتَ قُلْتَ لِلنَّاسِ ٱتَّخِذُونِى وَأُمِّىَ إِلَٰهَيْنِ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ قَالَ سُبْحَٰنَكَ مَا يَكُونُ لِىٓ أَنْ أَقُولَ مَا لَيْسَ لِى بِحَقٍّ ۚ إِن كُنتُ قُلْتُهُۥ فَقَدْ عَلِمْتَهُۥ ۚ تَعْلَمُ مَا فِى نَفْسِى وَلَآ أَعْلَمُ مَا فِى نَفْسِكَ ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ عَلَّٰمُ ٱلْغُيُوبِ

And when Allah saith: O Jesus, son of Mary! Didst thou say unto mankind: Take me and my mother for two gods beside Allah? he saith: Be glorified! It was not mine to utter that to which I had no right. If I used to say it, then Thou knewest it. Thou knowest what is in my mind, and I know not what is in Thy Mind. Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Knower of Things Hidden?

117

مَا قُلْتُ لَهُمْ إِلَّا مَآ أَمَرْتَنِى بِهِۦٓ أَنِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ رَبِّى وَرَبَّكُمْ ۚ وَكُنتُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَهِيدًۭا مَّا دُمْتُ فِيهِمْ ۖ فَلَمَّا تَوَفَّيْتَنِى كُنتَ أَنتَ ٱلرَّقِيبَ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ وَأَنتَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ شَهِيدٌ

I spake unto them only that which Thou commandedst me, (saying): Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. I was a witness of them while I dwelt among them, and when Thou tookest me Thou wast the Watcher over them. Thou art Witness over all things.

118

إِن تُعَذِّبْهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ عِبَادُكَ ۖ وَإِن تَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ فَإِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ

If Thou punish them, lo! they are Thy slaves, and if Thou forgive them (lo! they are Thy slaves). Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Mighty, the Wise.

Qur'an 19:16–36 · The Qur'an · Pickthall (1930)

16

وَٱذْكُرْ فِى ٱلْكِتَٰبِ مَرْيَمَ إِذِ ٱنتَبَذَتْ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا مَكَانًۭا شَرْقِيًّۭا

And make mention of Mary in the Scripture, when she had withdrawn from her people to a chamber looking East,

17

فَٱتَّخَذَتْ مِن دُونِهِمْ حِجَابًۭا فَأَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَيْهَا رُوحَنَا فَتَمَثَّلَ لَهَا بَشَرًۭا سَوِيًّۭا

And had chosen seclusion from them. Then We sent unto her Our Spirit and it assumed for her the likeness of a perfect man.

18

قَالَتْ إِنِّىٓ أَعُوذُ بِٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ مِنكَ إِن كُنتَ تَقِيًّۭا

She said: Lo! I seek refuge in the Beneficent One from thee, if thou art God-fearing.

19

قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ رَسُولُ رَبِّكِ لِأَهَبَ لَكِ غُلَٰمًۭا زَكِيًّۭا

He said: I am only a messenger of thy Lord, that I may bestow on thee a faultless son.

20

قَالَتْ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِى غُلَٰمٌۭ وَلَمْ يَمْسَسْنِى بَشَرٌۭ وَلَمْ أَكُ بَغِيًّۭا

She said: How can I have a son when no mortal hath touched me, neither have I been unchaste?

21

قَالَ كَذَٰلِكِ قَالَ رَبُّكِ هُوَ عَلَىَّ هَيِّنٌۭ ۖ وَلِنَجْعَلَهُۥٓ ءَايَةًۭ لِّلنَّاسِ وَرَحْمَةًۭ مِّنَّا ۚ وَكَانَ أَمْرًۭا مَّقْضِيًّۭا

He said: So (it will be). Thy Lord saith: It is easy for Me. And (it will be) that We may make of him a revelation for mankind and a mercy from Us, and it is a thing ordained.

22

۞ فَحَمَلَتْهُ فَٱنتَبَذَتْ بِهِۦ مَكَانًۭا قَصِيًّۭا

And she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place.

23

فَأَجَآءَهَا ٱلْمَخَاضُ إِلَىٰ جِذْعِ ٱلنَّخْلَةِ قَالَتْ يَٰلَيْتَنِى مِتُّ قَبْلَ هَٰذَا وَكُنتُ نَسْيًۭا مَّنسِيًّۭا

And the pangs of childbirth drove her unto the trunk of the palm-tree. She said: Oh, would that I had died ere this and had become a thing of naught, forgotten!

24

فَنَادَىٰهَا مِن تَحْتِهَآ أَلَّا تَحْزَنِى قَدْ جَعَلَ رَبُّكِ تَحْتَكِ سَرِيًّۭا

Then (one) cried unto her from below her, saying: Grieve not! Thy Lord hath placed a rivulet beneath thee,

25

وَهُزِّىٓ إِلَيْكِ بِجِذْعِ ٱلنَّخْلَةِ تُسَٰقِطْ عَلَيْكِ رُطَبًۭا جَنِيًّۭا

And shake the trunk of the palm-tree toward thee, thou wilt cause ripe dates to fall upon thee.

The passage continues; open it in the player or your own Bible or Qur'an.

Qur'an 43:57–65 · The Qur'an · Pickthall (1930)

57

۞ وَلَمَّا ضُرِبَ ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ مَثَلًا إِذَا قَوْمُكَ مِنْهُ يَصِدُّونَ

And when the son of Mary is quoted as an example, behold! the folk laugh out,

58

وَقَالُوٓا۟ ءَأَٰلِهَتُنَا خَيْرٌ أَمْ هُوَ ۚ مَا ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلًۢا ۚ بَلْ هُمْ قَوْمٌ خَصِمُونَ

And say: Are our gods better, or is he? They raise not the objection save for argument. Nay! but they are a contentious folk.

59

إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبْدٌ أَنْعَمْنَا عَلَيْهِ وَجَعَلْنَٰهُ مَثَلًۭا لِّبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ

He is nothing but a slave on whom We bestowed favour, and We made him a pattern for the Children of Israel.

60

وَلَوْ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلْنَا مِنكُم مَّلَٰٓئِكَةًۭ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يَخْلُفُونَ

And had We willed We could have set among you angels to be viceroys in the earth.

61

وَإِنَّهُۥ لَعِلْمٌۭ لِّلسَّاعَةِ فَلَا تَمْتَرُنَّ بِهَا وَٱتَّبِعُونِ ۚ هَٰذَا صِرَٰطٌۭ مُّسْتَقِيمٌۭ

And lo! verily there is knowledge of the Hour. So doubt ye not concerning it, but follow Me. This is the right path.

62

وَلَا يَصُدَّنَّكُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنُ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّۭ مُّبِينٌۭ

And let not Satan turn you aside. Lo! he is an open enemy for you.

63

وَلَمَّا جَآءَ عِيسَىٰ بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ قَالَ قَدْ جِئْتُكُم بِٱلْحِكْمَةِ وَلِأُبَيِّنَ لَكُم بَعْضَ ٱلَّذِى تَخْتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ ۖ فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ

When Jesus came with clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty), he said: I have come unto you with wisdom, and to make plain some of that concerning which ye differ. So keep your duty to Allah, and obey me.

64

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمْ فَٱعْبُدُوهُ ۚ هَٰذَا صِرَٰطٌۭ مُّسْتَقِيمٌۭ

Lo! Allah, He is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him. This is a right path.

65

فَٱخْتَلَفَ ٱلْأَحْزَابُ مِنۢ بَيْنِهِمْ ۖ فَوَيْلٌۭ لِّلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مِنْ عَذَابِ يَوْمٍ أَلِيمٍ

But the factions among them differed. Then woe unto those who do wrong from the doom of a painful day.

Qur'an 61:6 · The Qur'an · Pickthall (1930)

6

وَإِذْ قَالَ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ يَٰبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ إِنِّى رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ إِلَيْكُم مُّصَدِّقًۭا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَىَّ مِنَ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ وَمُبَشِّرًۢا بِرَسُولٍۢ يَأْتِى مِنۢ بَعْدِى ٱسْمُهُۥٓ أَحْمَدُ ۖ فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ قَالُوا۟ هَٰذَا سِحْرٌۭ مُّبِينٌۭ

And when Jesus son of Mary said: O Children of Israel! Lo! I am the messenger of Allah unto you, confirming that which was (revealed) before me in the Torah, and bringing good tidings of a messenger who cometh after me, whose name is the Praised One. Yet when he hath come unto them with clear proofs, they say: This is mere magic.

Common ground

Where they agree

  • Christians and Muslims: his virgin birth, that he is the Messiah, his miracles, and his return at the end of time.
  • All three: a Jew of Galilee who taught love of God and neighbour, and who quoted the Shema (Mark 12:29).

Said plainly, ranked never

Where they differ

  • Who he is: the divine Son in Christianity; a prophet and servant of God in Islam; not the Messiah in Judaism.
  • The crucifixion and resurrection: central in Christianity; the Qur'an says it only appeared so (4:157); in Jewish tradition, a historical event without religious meaning.
  • The Trinity is Christian teaching; Islam (4:171) and Judaism do not accept it.
  • The reading of the Hebrew prophecies, such as Isaiah 7:14, where JPS 1917 has “the young woman”.

Era and place

The world of Jesus

Where
Nazareth, Capernaum, the Sea of Galilee and Jerusalem.
When
About 4 BCE to about 30 CE.
What archaeology can and cannot say
The Pilate Stone (Caesarea, found 1961), the Caiaphas ossuary (1990), the Sea of Galilee boat (found 1986), and the synagogues of Capernaum and Magdala. The Roman historian Tacitus (Annals 15.44) and Josephus mention Jesus; most historians accept that he lived and was crucified under Pontius Pilate.
The Jordan rift valley seen from the air, looking north.
The Jordan valley from the air, looking north. American Colony (Jerusalem) Photo Dept. / Matson Photo Service, Library of Congress (public domain)

Gallery

The world of Jesus

Like everything on this page, they show places, plants and objects, never people.

The Church of the Multiplication at Tabgha, where the 5th-century loaves and fishes mosaic lies before the altar
The Church of the Multiplication at Tabgha, where the 5th-century loaves and fishes mosaic lies before the altarIsrael-05496 - Loaves and Fishes, archer10 (Dennis), CC BY-SA 2.0
A red anemone of Galilee in spring
A red anemone of Galilee in springAnemone Coronaria, Zachi Evenor, CC BY-SA 2.0
The limestone walls of the synagogue at Capernaum
The limestone walls of the synagogue at CapernaumCapernaum Synagogue, wmrice, CC BY 2.0
Ancient olive trees
Ancient olive treesOstuni olive grove SS379-3339.jpg, Isiwal, CC BY-SA 4.0
Dusk over the Dead Sea and the Judaean desert
Dusk over the Dead Sea and the Judaean desertThe Dead Sea and Judean Desert at dusk with Jordan on the background, Jorge Lascar, CC BY 2.0

Go deeper

Go deeper

An open Byzantine Gospel book with Greek text.
Gospel Book with Commentaries, Constantinople, about 1000–1100. Byzantium, Constantinople, Cleveland Museum of Art (CC0)
The stories
Jewish view

Maimonides set out the Jewish messianic hope in the Mishneh Torah (Laws of Kings 11–12). Geza Vermes, Jesus (peace be upon him) the Jew (1973), and Amy-Jill Levine are among scholars who read Jesus within the Judaism of his day.

Christian tradition

The creeds of Nicaea (325) and Constantinople (381) state the shared Christian faith in Christ as true God and true man. Christmas and Easter are the great feasts of his birth and resurrection.

Tafsir and hadith

Ibn Kathir, on 19:16 and 4:157, explains the Qur'an's account of his birth and its denial of the crucifixion. Tarif Khalidi's The Muslim Jesus (peace be upon him) (2001) gathers the sayings of Jesus preserved in Islamic literature.

Read the passages Qur'an 19:16, Qur'an 4:157

Qur'an 19:16 · The Qur'an · Pickthall (1930)

16

وَٱذْكُرْ فِى ٱلْكِتَٰبِ مَرْيَمَ إِذِ ٱنتَبَذَتْ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا مَكَانًۭا شَرْقِيًّۭا

And make mention of Mary in the Scripture, when she had withdrawn from her people to a chamber looking East,

Qur'an 4:157 · The Qur'an · Pickthall (1930)

157

وَقَوْلِهِمْ إِنَّا قَتَلْنَا ٱلْمَسِيحَ عِيسَى ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ وَمَا صَلَبُوهُ وَلَٰكِن شُبِّهَ لَهُمْ ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ فِيهِ لَفِى شَكٍّۢ مِّنْهُ ۚ مَا لَهُم بِهِۦ مِنْ عِلْمٍ إِلَّا ٱتِّبَاعَ ٱلظَّنِّ ۚ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ يَقِينًۢا

And because of their saying: We slew the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, Allah's messenger - they slew him not nor crucified him, but it appeared so unto them; and lo! those who disagree concerning it are in doubt thereof; they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture; they slew him not for certain.

Sources and further reading
Picture credits

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