Mary and Jesus in Islam
Two of the most honoured figures in the Qur'an
Mary (Maryam) is the only woman named in the Qur'an — she has a chapter named after her. Jesus (Isa) is honoured as a prophet, born of a virgin, who performed miracles by God's permission. Muslims believe in him without believing he is God.
Overview
Mary and Jesus, peace be upon them, are honoured deeply in Islam. Mary (Maryam) is the only woman named by her personal name in the Qur'an — chapter 19 is named after her. Jesus (Isa) is mentioned more times than Muhammad ﷺ himself. For many Christians who begin reading the Qur'an, this comes as a surprise.
And [mention] when the angels said, 'O Mary, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds.'— Translation of the meaning by Sahih International
[And mention] when the angels said, 'O Mary, indeed Allah gives you good tidings of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary — distinguished in this world and the Hereafter and among those brought near [to Allah].'— Translation of the meaning by Sahih International
What this means
The Qur'an affirms that Jesus was born of Mary miraculously, without a father, by a direct act of God. It affirms that he performed miracles — healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, raising the dead — always with God's permission. It affirms that he was given a scripture (the Injil, or Gospel) and was a prophet.
[Jesus] said, 'Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet.'— Translation of the meaning by Sahih International
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.— Translation of the meaning by Sahih International
What this means
Muslims believe in Jesus. What Muslims do not affirm is that Jesus is God, or the son of God in a literal divine sense, or a third person of a Trinity. The Qur'an insists that Jesus is a servant of God and His messenger — highly honoured, but not divine. This is the main theological difference between Muslims and Christians on this figure.
What this does not mean
Muslim disagreement with Christian doctrine about Jesus does not mean disrespect towards Jesus. If a Muslim were to speak dismissively of Jesus, they would themselves be departing from Islamic teaching. Similarly, Muslims believe Mary was pure and chosen — not a figure to argue about.
Application today
For a Christian reader, Surah Maryam (chapter 19) is one of the most fruitful early readings of the Qur'an — it tells the story of Mary and the birth of Jesus in a form both familiar and different. Reading it slowly in a good translation is a gentle way to see what Muslims mean when they say they honour Jesus without divinising him.
Reflection
How does the Qur'an's treatment of Mary and Jesus compare with what you were previously told about Islam's view of them?