الدين ببساطة

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Story chaptersMaryam receives news of Isa

01Maryam receives news of Isa

Illustrative landscape accompanying the story — Illustrative scene

Maryam withdrew from her family to an eastern place and screened herself from them. When an angel appeared in human form, she sought refuge in the Most Merciful.

He told her that he was her Lord's messenger, bringing news of a pure son. She asked how this could be when no man had touched her. It was easy for Allah and would be a sign and mercy from Him.

She conceived and withdrew to a distant place. The pains of childbirth brought her to a palm tree, where her distress was so great that she wished she had died and been forgotten.

She was reassured and given water and dates. She was told to shake the palm's trunk, eat and drink. Divine care did not exclude a practical effort within her ability.

She was instructed to refrain from speaking to people that day. This was a particular instruction in her account, not a general rule for Muslims to take vows of silence.

She returned carrying her child. Though she faced painful accusations, Allah would vindicate her through the child himself.

02Isa speaks and declares his servanthood

Maryam's people challenged her, recalling the goodness of her family. She pointed to the child, and they wondered how they could speak to an infant.

Isa declared that he was Allah's servant, given scripture and prophethood. He spoke of blessing, prayer, charity and kindness to his mother, and of not being arrogant or wretched.

Isa, son of Maryam, is the honoured Messiah. Descriptions of him as Allah's word and a spirit from Him do not make him a part of Allah: he was created by His command, and the attribution conveys honour.

His miraculous birth does not establish divine sonship. The Qur'an compares his creation with Adam's. Faith neither denies Isa's prophethood nor raises him to divinity.

He called people to worship Allah, his Lord and their Lord, identifying this as the straight path.

Islam honours Isa and his mother with love and belief in what Allah revealed about them, while clearly distinguishing that honour from worship.

03The message and miracles of Isa

Isa was sent to the Children of Israel. Allah gave him the Injil, containing guidance and light, confirming the Torah and permitting some things previously forbidden to them.

His call was to fear Allah, obey His messenger and worship Allah alone.

By Allah's permission, he fashioned a bird-like form from clay and breathed into it, healed those born blind and those with leprosy, brought the dead to life, and told people what they ate and stored in their homes.

The repeated phrase “by Allah's permission” is essential. Allah is the Creator, Healer and Giver of life, and He grants whatever knowledge of the unseen a messenger receives.

These signs established the truth of Isa's mission; they did not establish divinity. Musa and other prophets also received extraordinary signs without becoming objects of worship.

Muslims believe in the Injil revealed to Isa. That revelation should be distinguished from later writings associated with his life and teachings.

04The disciples and the table spread

Isa asked who would support him in Allah's cause. The disciples affirmed their faith and submission to Allah.

They prayed to be counted among the witnesses to the truth. Their allegiance was to revelation, not a cult of personality.

When they asked about a table spread descending from heaven, Isa first urged them to fear Allah if they were believers.

They explained their wish to eat from it, have their hearts reassured and bear witness. Their request is not best presented as a simple denial of Allah's power.

Isa prayed for a table that would be a festival for the first and last of them, a sign from Allah and provision from the best Provider. Allah promised to send it down.

The promise came with a warning: rejection after such a sign would bring severe punishment. Greater evidence brings greater responsibility.

05The plot and Allah's raising of Isa

Isa's opponents plotted against him, but Allah's plan prevailed. The Qur'an speaks of taking him, raising him and purifying him from those who disbelieved.

Scholars explain the wording concerning his being taken in light of the wider texts, including his future return. It should not be used in isolation to ignore the authentic teaching that he was raised alive.

The Qur'an explicitly denies that his enemies killed or crucified him and describes their uncertainty about what happened.

It says that the matter was made to appear so to them, without naming a substitute or explaining the entire mechanism. Different interpretive reports should not be presented as a single certain account.

Isa was raised, body and soul, and will return. His rescue was Allah's act and does not make him divine.

The Qur'an also describes his testimony at judgement: he called people to worship Allah and did not tell them to worship himself or his mother. Later deviations are not his teaching.

06Isa's return

Authentic reports describe Isa returning as a just ruler, one of the major signs preceding the Last Day. His return follows the life Allah preserved for him.

He will rule according to the Qur'an and the law brought by Muhammad, not bring a new religious message or replace it with another scripture.

The reports describe his defeat of the Dajjal, breaking the cross, killing swine and ending the collection of jizyah. These events expose false claims and establish truth.

The accounts describe justice and abundance. Their purpose is to strengthen faith against trials, not to provide material for sensational predictions.

Isa will eventually die, as human beings do. Only Allah is eternally living and never dies.

No date should be assigned to his return, nor should uncertain political events be declared a definitive timetable. The practical response is steadfastness, seeking protection from trials and continuing righteous action.

Isa (Jesus)