And We sent ‘Isa son of Maryam following in their footsteps, confirming the Torah that came before him. We gave him the Gospel [Injil] containing guidance and light, corroborating what was revealed in the Torah that came before it, and as guidance and admonition for those who fear Allah. (Surat al-Ma’ida, 46)
The Prophet ‘Isa (as) was one of the messengers to whom Allah revealed a book. He (as) was born to the world without a father. This is one of the miracles in his life. Right from the time of his birth on, the Prophet ‘Isa (as) was given a number of miracles to perform. The Qur’an informs us about the creation of the Prophet ‘Isa (as):
‘Isa is like Adam in the sight of Allah. He created him from earth and then He said to him, “Be!” and he was. This is the truth from your Lord so do not be among the doubters. (Surah Al ‘Imran, 59-60)
The Prophet ‘Isa (as) Informed Us That He Was A
Servant Of Allah And His Messenger When Hews
Still In The Cradle And Spoke Of The Blessings
Given To Him
While he was still in the cradle, the Prophet ‘Isa (as) worked a great miracle by starting to speak. The Prophet ‘Isa (as) communicated to the people around him his status as a messenger:
He said, “I am the servant of Allah, He has given me the Book and made me a Prophet. He has made me blessed wherever I am and directed me to be steadfast in prayer and give alms to the poor as long as I live, and to show devotion to my mother. He has not made me insolent or arrogant. Peace be upon me the day I was born, and the day I die and the day I am raised up again alive.” Such was ‘Isa, the son of Maryam. That is the whole truth about which they are still in doubt. (Surah Maryam, 30-34)
The Prophet ‘Isa (as) Informed His People
About The Purpose Of His Being Sent As
A Messenger
One of the most important features of the societies living distant from Allah is that they are unable to come to terms with one another; they are in constant conflict and fail to reach a consensus.
Because their moral understanding is not based on fear of Allah, this conflict applies to almost all issues. Allah sent His messengers to these nations in order to settle the conflicts between them and to guide them to His religion. The Prophet ‘Isa (as) also made known the purpose of his being sent as a messenger to his people. This is related in the Qur’an as follows:
And when ‘Isa came with the Clear Signs, he said, “I have come to give you wisdom and to clarify for you some of the things about which you have differed. Therefore fear Allah and obey me.” (Surat az-Zukhruf, 63)
The Prophet ‘Isa (as) Admonished His
Disciples To Fear Only Allah
The Prophet ‘Isa’s (as) disciples were those who declared that they had faith in Allah and that they were with Allah’s messengers. However, they later asked the Prophet ‘Isa (as) to work miracles and asked, “Isa, son of Maryam! Can your Lord send down to us from heaven a table spread with food?” (Surat al-Maida, 112) No one should need a miracle to believe, for Allah's existence is an obvious fact. Prophet ‘Isa (as) therefore, answered this wish of his disciples as follows:
… “Fear Allah if you are believers!” (Surat al-Ma’ida,112)
However, when they said they needed it so that their hearts could be at peace, the Prophet ‘Isa (as) then called upon Allah and asked for a table:
They [the disciples] said, “We want to eat from it so that our hearts may be at peace and to know that you have told us the truth and to be among those who witness it.” ‘Isa son of Maryam said, “Allah, our Lord, send down to us from heaven a table spread with food to be a feast for us, and for those who will come after us, and as a Sign from You. Provide for us! You are the Best of Providers!”(Surat al-Ma’ida, 113-114)
The Prophet ‘Isa (as) Gave The Good Tidings
Of A Messenger Who Would Come After Him
As is known, the prophet who was sent after the Prophet ‘Isa(as) was the Prophet Muhammad (saas), whose other name was Ahmad. The Prophet ‘Isa (as) gave the good news of this succeeding prophet:
“Tribe of Israel, I am the Messenger of Allah to you, confirming the Torah which came before me and giving you the good news of a Messenger after me whose name is Ahmad…” (Surat as-Saff, 6)
The Prophet ‘Isa (as) Summoned His People
To Believe In Allah And Be Servants To Him
As with all the other prophets, the Prophet ‘Isa (as) also told his people about Allah’s existence, that He was the Creator of everything, that He was exalted above anything associated with Him, that He was the Possessor of all beautiful names, and that He was the All-Powerful and All-Just. And like all other prophets, he summoned his people to fear Allah and to worship Him.
“I come confirming the Torah I find already revealed, and to make lawful for you some of what was previously forbidden. I have brought you a Sign from your Lord. So fear Allah and obey me. Allah is my Lord and your Lord so worship Him. That is the straight path.” (Surah Al ‘Imran,50-51)
“Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. This is a straight path.” (Surat az-Zukhruf, 64)
