Isa (AS)

Maryam (Mary) was a pious, devoted woman who lived in the temple. The Angel Jibril appeared to her in human form and announced that she would conceive a child through the breath of Allah — without any father. 'She said, My Lord, how will I have a child when no man has touched me? He said, Such is Allah; He creates what He wills. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, Be, and it is.' (3:47) Isa (AS) is called 'Kalimatullah' — the Word of Allah — because he came into existence through Allah's direct command.

Isa (AS) performed extraordinary miracles, all with the explicit permission of Allah:

• Spoke as a newborn infant in the cradle to defend his mother's honor
• Created the form of a bird from clay and breathed life into it
• Healed the blind and the leper
• Raised the dead back to life
• Brought down a table spread of food from the heavens (Al-Ma'idah)
• Knew what people hid in their homes

Isa (AS) called his people — the Children of Israel — back to the pure monotheism of Ibrahim (AS) and Musa (AS). He said: 'Indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is the straight path.' (3:51) He foretold the coming of a final prophet after him: 'O Children of Israel, indeed I am the Messenger of Allah to you, confirming what came before me of the Torah, and bringing good tidings of a messenger to come after me whose name is Ahmad.' (61:6)

Islam is clear: Isa (AS) was not crucified. Allah raised him to the heavens before the crucifixion could take place. Another was made to resemble him. 'And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but it was made to appear so to them.' (4:157) Isa (AS) is alive in the heavens and will return before the Day of Judgment as a just ruler. He will pray behind the Imam of the Muslims, break the cross (cancelling his false deification), kill the Dajjal (False Messiah), and establish justice on earth.