Introduction
One of the most remarkable demonstrations of Allah’s ﷻ might is the creation of humankind,
which He divided into four distinct categories. The first human, Adam (alayhi salam), was
formed without parents. Then, Hawwa, Adam’s wife, was created from a male (Adam alayhi
salam) without a mother. Subsequently, Allah ﷻ created the rest of their descendants
through the union of males and females.
Allah ﷻ said, “O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women…” [Quran: 4:1].
The fourth category represents the unique creation of Isa (alayhi salam), son of Maryam (alayha salam), whom Allah ﷻ brought into existence from a female without a male. [Tafsir Ibn Kathir, 2003, pp. 242-243].
The life of Prophet Isa (alayhi salam) has been a subject of widespread interest, and his
influence has been significant across the three major world religions. As one of Allah’s ﷻ
most esteemed prophets, Isa’s (alayhi salam) birth was marked by numerous miraculous
events, which led to deviations regarding his status among the People of the Book. The
Qur’an, revealed by Allah ﷻ, contains countless verses in various chapters that describe the
circumstances surrounding Isa’s (alayhi salam) birth.
[Jibril, n.d. p,1].
The Birth of Isa (Alayhi Salam):
The Qur’an recounts that Maryam (alayha salam) secluded herself from her community on
the eastern side of the Sacred Mosque in Jerusalem. Allah ﷻ sent His messenger, Angel
Jibrail, who appeared to her as a man. Upon seeing him, Maryam (alayha salam) became
frightened and sought protection from Allah ﷻ if he was God-fearing. Angel Jibrail
informed her that Allah ﷻ had sent him to bestow upon her a virtuous son. Maryam (alayha
salam), astonished, inquired about how she could bear a child when no man had ever touched her, and she had never engaged in immoral acts. Angel Jibrail conveyed Allah’s ﷻ message:
“He said, “Thus [it will be]; your Lord says, ‘It is easy for Me, and We will make him a sign
to the people and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter [already] decreed.’” [Quran: 19:21].
Subsequently, Maryam (alayha salam) became pregnant and retreated to a secluded location.
“And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said, ‘Oh, I wish I had
died before this and was in oblivion, forgotten.’”
[Quran: 19:23].
In her distress and sorrow, a voice called out to console her, informing her that Allah ﷻ had
provided fresh, ripe dates and water for her nourishment. The voice encouraged her to eat,
drink, and not worry, entrusting her concerns to her lord.
“So, eat and drink and be contented. And if you see from among humanity anyone, say, ‘Indeed, I have vowed to the Most Merciful abstention, so I will not speak today to [any] man.’”
[Quran: 19:26] [Tafsir Ibn Kathir, 2003].
The Miraculous Speech of Isa (Alayhi Salam) as an Infant:
When Maryam (alayha salam) brought her newborn child back to her community, they began
to criticise and accuse her.
The Qur’an recounts, “Then she brought him to her people, carrying him. They said, ‘O Mary, you have certainly done a thing unprecedented. O sister [i.e., descendant] of Aaron, your father was not a man of evil, nor was your mother unchaste.’”
[Quran 19:27-28].
Maryam (alayha salam) remained quiet, as instructed, and gestured to the
baby to speak, as she was observing a vow of silence. The people were scolding her,
believing that she was making fun of them.
“So she pointed to him. They said, ‘How can we speak to one who is in the cradle, a child?’”
[Quran 19:29].
At that moment, Isa (alayhi salam) spoke to them, first proclaiming the exalted status of his
Lord, and affirming that God is above having offspring. He also declared himself to be a
servant of God.
As stated in the Quran, “[Jesus] said, ‘Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He
has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet… And peace is on me the day I was born
and the day I will die and the day I am raised alive.’”
[Quran 19:30-33].
Isa (alayhi salam) concluded his statement by emphasizing that he is a being created by Allah
ﷻ, subject to life, death, and resurrection like all other creations of Allah ﷻ. He instructed
his followers to worship Allah ﷻ alone.
“[Jesus said], ‘And indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is a straight path.’”
[Quran 19:36] [Tafsir Ibn Kathir, 2003, pp. 250-256].
The Interrogation of Isa (Alayhi Salam) on the Judgement Day:
From the beginning, Isa (alayhi salam) distanced himself from being considered God’s son
and urged people to worship Allah ﷻ exclusively. However, Christians strayed from the
correct path, asserting that Isa (alayhi salam) is God’s son. The Quran reveals that on
Judgment Day, Allah ﷻ will address Isa (alayhi salam) before those who worshipped him
and his mother as deities alongside Allah ﷻ. Isa (alayhi salam) will then reject the
disbelieving Christians.
Allah ﷻ said: “And [beware the Day] when Allah will say, ‘O Jesus, Son of Mary, did you say to the people, ‘Take me and my mother as deities besides Allah?’ He will say, ‘Exalted are You! It was not for me to say that to which I have no right. If I had said it, You would have known it. You know what is within myself, and I do not know what is within Yourself…Indeed, it is You who is Knower of the unseen.’”
[Quran: 19:116].
Conclusion
Allah’s ﷻ creation of Isa (alayhi salam) without a father is comparable to His creation of
Adam (alayhi salam). When Allah ﷻ desires something, He simply commands and it comes
into existence, according to His will.
As stated in the Quran, “Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allah is like that of Adam. He created him from dust; then He said to him, ‘Be,’ and he was.”
[Quran: 3:59].
Consequently, Isa (alayhi salam) is merely a servant, word, and Messenger of Allahﷻ.
Written by: Isatou Ceesay
Edited by: The Editorial Team
© The Islamic Reflections Blog
References:
Jibril, A. M. (n.d.). The Life of Jesus Peace Be Upon Him.
https://www.kalamullah.com/Books/en_The_Life_of_Isa_in_Islam.pdf
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (ABRIDGED) (Second, Vol. 6). (2003). Maktaba Dar-us-Salam.
https://www.kalamullah.com/Books/Tafsir%20Ibn%20Kathir%20-
%20Volume%2001-10%20-%20English.pdf
Translation of the meanings Surah An-Nisā’ – English Translation – Saheeh International –
The Noble Qur’an Encyclopedia. (n.d.). The Noble Qur’an Encyclopedia.
https://quranenc.com/en/browse/english_saheeh/4
