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Christians and anyone curious

What do Muslims believe about Jesus?

Updated 24 October 2026 · Reviewed by Maulana Ruhul Amin Sekh, Imam, Jama Masjid, Ranmahal Kha Para

Many people are surprised to learn that Jesus is one of the most honoured figures in Islam. The Qur'an mentions him by name more often than it mentions the Prophet Muhammad, and Muslims say "peace be upon him" whenever his name is mentioned. Here is what Muslims believe, in their own scripture's words, and where that differs from Christian belief.

What Muslims and Christians share

  • Jesus is the Messiah (al-Masih in Arabic) [1].
  • He was born to the Virgin Mary without a father, by Allah's command [2]. Mary is honoured as chosen "above the women of the worlds" [3].
  • He performed miracles by Allah's permission: he spoke as a newborn, healed the blind and those with leprosy, and brought the dead back to life [4].
  • Allah gave him a scripture, the Gospel (Injil), with guidance and light [5].
  • He will return before the end of time [6].

Where the beliefs differ

The Qur'an presents Jesus as a prophet and a servant of Allah, not as divine and not as a son of Allah. In the Qur'an, the infant Jesus' first words are "I am the servant of Allah" [7]. It also asks people not to say "three" about Allah [8].

On the crucifixion, the Qur'an states that Jesus was not killed and not crucified, though it was made to appear so, and that Allah raised him up to Himself [9]. This is one of the clearest differences between the two faiths.

Why this matters to Muslims
Muslims see Jesus as part of one long line of prophets, from Adam and Noah to Abraham, Moses and Muhammad, all calling people to worship Allah alone. Believing in Jesus is part of being Muslim [10].

If you want to read these passages yourself, Day 17 of our 30-day reader covers the story of Mary and Jesus from the Qur'an's chapter named after her.

Want to read the Qur'an itself?

Thirty short passages, ten minutes a day.

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Sources

  1. Qur'an 3:45: the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary
  2. Qur'an 19:19–22 and 3:47: the virgin birth
  3. Qur'an 3:42: Mary chosen above the women of the worlds
  4. Qur'an 5:110 and 19:29–30: his miracles
  5. Qur'an 5:46: the Gospel given to Jesus
  6. Sahih al-Bukhari 3448: the return of Jesus
  7. Qur'an 19:30: "I am the servant of Allah"
  8. Qur'an 4:171: do not say "three"
  9. Qur'an 4:157–158: the crucifixion
  10. Qur'an 2:136: belief in all the prophets