Do Muslims Believe in Jesus?

It is a requirement in Islam to believe in Jesus. Jesus was both a Prophet and a great Messenger of God who brought the Gospel. God in the Qur’an actually tells of miracles Jesus performed (by God’s Power) that are not even mentioned in the Bible. The Qur’an also confirms that Jesus was born to a virgin mother, Mary, and that he is the Messiah.

No other major religion besides Christianity honors Jesus except Islam, and Islam is the only religion that says Jesus was sent by God—not a God himself. Furthermore, Muslims are more observant of Jesus’ own religious traditions, teachings, Biblical law, and the general laws of the Prophets than the majority of Christians and Christian denominations. For example, Muslims are pure monotheists, avoid pork and alcohol, prostrate to God, greet each other with “peace,” fast periodically, practice modesty, etc.

Jesus taught the same message as other Prophets sent by God: worship God alone and follow Divine Prophetic guidance in doing good (i.e. Islam).Yet following his leaving this world, Islam teaches that much of the message of Jesus as well as the Gospel was altered or lost.

Today, many secular and even religious scholars in the West would agree with this. They say the historical Jesus never called on people to worship him. The concept of the Trinity was developed much later, and Jesus preached his message primarily to the Jewish people—not intending to bring a religion to humanity as a whole.

This is what Muslims have said all along.

It is difficult to distinguish in the New Testament what Jesus actually said or even taught from what others later mistakenly attributed to him. Much of the theology and practices of Christianity developed long after Jesus, over centuries.

Muslims therefore rely on revelation from God Himself to understand Jesus. The Qur’an is revelation; but unlike the original Gospel, it has been perfectly preserved and is meant for all humanity. In it, God sets the record straight on Jesus. Here is one example:

“O People of the Book [Jews and Christians]!  Do not exceed the limits in your religion, and attribute to God nothing except the truth.  The Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, was only a Messenger of God, and His command that He conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit from Him.  So believe in God and in His Messengers, and do not say: ‘God is a Trinity.’ Give up this assertion; it would be better for you.  For God is indeed (the only) One God.  Far be it from His glory that He should have a son.  To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and in the earth.  And God is sufficient for a guardian.” (Qur’an 4:171)