Prophet Muhammad held Jesus (Isa) in high esteem, emphasizing their close relationship and shared religious heritage. He viewed Jesus as a vital prophet in the lineage of prophets sent by God.
Muhammad's statements highlight several key aspects of Jesus's significance within Islam:
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Proximity: He said, "Both in this world and in the Hereafter, I am the nearest of all people to Jesus, the son of Mary." This underscores the spiritual connection and shared mission between the two prophets.
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Shared Religious Foundation: Muhammad stated, "The prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one." This signifies that while prophets may appear in different times and places with varying specific laws, they all share the same fundamental message of submission to God (Islam).
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Jesus as a Prophet of God: The Quran, which Muslims believe to be the word of God revealed to Muhammad, affirms Jesus's role as a prophet, born of the Virgin Mary through a miraculous conception. The Quran quotes angels addressing Mary, "O Mary! God gives you glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the Hereafter, and of (the company of) those nearest to God" (Quran 3:45).
Essentially, Muhammad recognized and revered Jesus as a significant prophet, emphasizing their common spiritual ancestry and the shared foundation of their messages, while affirming his own role as the final prophet in that lineage.
