Do Muslims believe in Jesus?
Yes, and rejecting him would put a person outside Islam. Muslims believe Jesus (‘Īsā) was a prophet and messenger, born of the Virgin Mary without a father, who performed miracles by Allah’s permission and will return before the end of time. What Muslims do not accept is that he was God, the son of God, or that he was crucified — the Qur’an says he was raised to Allah instead.
The four schools concur on this.
Jesus is one of the most honoured figures in the Qur’an. He is named around twenty-five times, his mother Mary has a chapter named after her, and she is the only woman named in the entire Qur’an.
What Muslims affirm:
- His virgin birth. It is stated plainly and is not a point of dispute.
- That he spoke in the cradle: “Jesus said, "Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet.” (Qur’an 19:30)
- His miracles — healing the blind and the leper, and raising the dead — performed by Allah’s permission.
- That he was given a scripture, the Injīl.
- That he will return.
What Muslims do not affirm, and this is where the difference lies:
“O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul created at a command from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, "Three"; desist - it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs.” (Qur’an 4:171)
The objection is specific. It is not that Jesus was unimportant, or a fraud, or a mere teacher — it is that calling him God or the son of God assigns divinity to a created being, which is the one thing Islam is built on refusing. The Qur’an’s argument is that a virgin birth no more makes him divine than Adam’s creation without either parent makes Adam divine.
Muslims also hold that he was not crucified but raised to Allah, and that someone was made to appear so to those present.
Two practical notes. A Muslim will say “peace be upon him” after his name, as with every prophet. And if you have converted from Christianity, you have not renounced Jesus — you have changed what you believe about his nature, while keeping the belief that he was sent by God and spoke the truth. Many converts find that distinction is the one their families most need explained, and the one that lowers the temperature fastest.
- Qur’anQur’an 19:30
- Qur’anQur’an 4:171