Description

LINEAGE

Prophet Isa (AS) is believed to be the penultimate prophet and messenger of Allah. He is also considered to be the prophet sent to guide the Children of Israel (Banī Israīl), being revealed the third holy book called the Injīl.

Maryam (AS) (Mother of Isa (AS)) was a pure and pious woman. By the will and commands of Allah, the pious Maryam bore a child in her womb who was Prophet Isa (AS). Although she was worried and scared when she got to know about her pregnancy. She secluded herself from the people fearing that they would accuse her of being pregnant before marriage and judge her. When the time of delivery approached, Maryam left the place to avoid facing people and their questions about her piousness and chastity. Maryam stopped under a palm tree when her labor pains increased, and she gave birth to Prophet Isa (AS) there. When she saw her beautiful child, she got anxious and worried thinking about the reaction of people seeing her with a baby. When she entered the city, people started questioning her about the baby. She then pointed to the baby and did not speak a word herself.

The newborn baby began to speak clearly and said: “I am truly a servant of Allah. He has destined me to be given the Scripture and to be a prophet”.” And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and zakāh as long as I remain alive”.” And to be kind to my mother. He has not made me arrogant or defiant”. (Quran 19:30, 31, 32)

Most of the people agreed and realized that this baby was not a usual baby, however, few considered it a strange trick and did not believe in Him.

LIFE

In the Quran, Isa (AS) is described as the Messiah (al-Masīḥ), born of a virgin, performing miracles, accompanied by disciples, rejected by the Jewish establishment, and being raised to heaven. The Quran asserts that Isa (AS) wasn’t crucified nor died on the cross but was miraculously saved by Allah. The Quran places Isa (AS) amongst the greatest prophets and mentions him with various titles. The Prophethood of  Isa (AS) is preceded by that of Yahya (AS) and succeeded by Muhammad (SAW).

Lady Maryam (AS) took Isa (AS) to Egypt where they stayed for a period of time. Then they returned to the countries of ash-Sham–to a city known as an-Nasirah. Isa (AS) studied the Torah in school and memorized it. He spoke Syriac, the language of the people of Palestine at that time, and the language in which the Heavenly Book, called the Injil, was revealed later in his life to him. He was a pious worshipper of Allah, following the rules of the Torah revealed to Prophet Musa (AS).

Allah sent the Revelation of Prophethood to Isa (AS) when he was thirty years old. Prophet Isa (AS) conveyed the revelation to the people and called them to believe in his message. After his revelation, Prophet Isa (AS) lived on earth for about three years. He used to travel from place to place calling people to the proper worship of Allah. He was so detached from worldly matters that he did not worry that he did not have a house to return to at night. He used to sleep wherever the night would fall on him, whether he was in an open land or in a sheltered place. He wore clothing made from unwoven wool. He ate from the raw plants of the earth, without desiring to cook them. He did not marry or have children. When Prophet Isa (AS) was 33 years old, the blasphemers among the offspring of Israel plotted to kill him, but Allah saved him from their harm.

Prophet Isa (AS) was in session with twelve of his elite companions in a house. He told them that among them would be who would blaspheme in the future. Then he asked them, “Who among you would want to be made to look like me, be killed in my place, and be my companion in Paradise.” The youngest among them stood up and said, “Me.” Prophet Isa (AS) told him to sit, then repeated the same question. Again, the same young man said, “Me.” Again, Prophet Isa (AS) told him to sit, then again asked the same question. After the same young man volunteered for the third time, Prophet Isa (AS) received the Revelation that this young man would be the one who would be made to look like him and killed instead of him. Prophet Isa (AS) was raised to the sky from an opening in the ceiling of the house. When the Jews came after Prophet Isa (AS), they saw that young man, whom Allah made to look like Isa (AS). They took him, thinking he was Prophet Isa (AS), and crucified him.

After Prophet Isa (AS) was raised to the sky, his nation lived following his guidance, teaching, and methodology for two hundred (200) years. However, the nation of Prophet Isa (AS) did not remain steadfast to Islam. Three hundred (300) years after Prophet Isa (AS) was raised to the sky, those who were following the ones who had perverted the teachings of Prophet Isa (AS) became very numerous, and those who were truly following the religion of Islam were few and weak. After some five hundred (500) years, none of the believing Muslims of Isa (AS)’s nation were left. When Prophet Muhammad was revealed, he was the only Muslim worshipping only Allah from among the people of the earth.

Prophet Isa (AS) is still alive, in the second sky, worshipping Allah. He will descend to earth before the Day of Judgment and his descent will be one of the great signs of the nearing of that Day. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) informed us Isa (AS) will descend to earth at a place on the eastern side of Damascus, with his hands on the wings of two angels.

He will meet a group of Muslims getting ready to perform the Prayer, with the Mahdiyy as their Imam. The Mahdiyy will ask Prophet Isa (AS) to lead them in that prayer, however, Isa (AS) will ask the Mahdiyy to stand imam for them, as a sign that Prophet Isa (AS) will rule with the rules revealed to Prophet Muhammad (SAW). After this one time, Isa (AS) will lead the people in prayers because he has a higher status than the Mahdiyy.

After he descends, Prophet Isa (AS) will rule the earth with the Shariah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), and the Shariah Muslims are ordered to follow until Judgment Day. He will break the cross, kill the pig, and abolish the jizyah (compulsory payment by the People of the Book to the Muslim state) because in the rules of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) the jizyah is only applicable until the descent of Isa (AS). He will kill the Dajjal, an ugly, evil blasphemer who claims himself as God, and who misleads many people to blaspheme. Prophet Isa (AS) will perform Hajj and travel to visit the grave of the Prophet to salute him, and to greet him by saying, “As-salamu alaykum ya rasul Allah”, as narrated by Abu Dawud at-Tayalisiyy and others.

During his time, the people of Ya’juj and Ma’juj will appear and caused great destruction to the earth and devastation to the Muslims. Prophet Isa (AS) will take the believers to mount at-Tur to supplicate Allah there to relieve them from these people. Allah will answer their dua’ and destroy all the people of Ya’juj and Ma’juj. After that, Prophet Isa (AS) will rule the Muslims and there will be a time when peace, comfort, and safety will prevail.

Prophet Isa (AS) will live for forty (40) years on earth after he descends. He will marry and have children. Then, he will die and be buried. Abdullah Ibn Salam said, “It is written in the original Torah that Prophet Isa (AS) will be buried next to Prophet Muhammad” (in the chamber of Lady A’ishah.)

MIRACLES

1. Breathing life into clay birds by Allah’s permission.

2. Curing the blind and the leper.

3. Giving life to the dead by Allah’s permission.