Yes, Jesus (known as Isa in Arabic) is considered a prophet in Islam.
While Muslims do not believe Jesus is divine or the son of God, he holds a revered position as one of the most important prophets in Islam. He is mentioned frequently in the Quran and considered a messenger of God.
Here's a breakdown:
- Prophet Isa (Jesus): Muslims believe that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary (Maryam) and performed miracles with God's permission.
- Messenger of God: He is considered a messenger sent by God to guide the Israelites.
- The Messiah (al-Masih): The Quran refers to Jesus as the Messiah, signifying his importance and divinely appointed role. However, the Islamic understanding of "Messiah" differs from the Christian understanding; it signifies his prophetic message, not a divine mission as understood in Christianity.
- Not Divine: A core tenet of Islam is the concept of tawhid (the oneness of God). Therefore, Muslims do not believe that Jesus is part of a Trinity or is divine in any way.
- Belief in the Gospels: Muslims believe in the original Gospels (Injil) revealed to Jesus, but believe that they have been altered over time.
- Jesus' Return: Islamic eschatology includes the belief that Jesus will return to Earth before the Day of Judgment.
Therefore, while Islamic theology differs significantly from Christian theology regarding Jesus' nature and role, Islam unequivocally recognizes Jesus as a prophet of God.
