I`SA (JESUS)
IN THE QURAN
Jesus’ Name.
IN THE QURAN
The name of Jesus appears in Islamic literature as I`sa`. The Quran mentions Jesus using the name I’sa` twenty five times in different verses as follows : three times in the second chapter Al-Baqarah (The Heifer); in five verses of the third chapter A’li Imran (The Family of Imran); in three verses of the fourth chapter An-Nisa (The Woman); in six verses of the fifth chapter Al-Ma’idah (The Table); twice in the sixty first chapter named As-Saf (The Row) and once each in the following chapters : Al-An’am (The Cattle), Maryam (Mary), Al-Ahzab (The Clans), As-Shura (The Consultation), Az-Zukhruf (The Golden Adornments) and Al-Hadeed (The Iron).
Jesus has also been called Masih in the Quran and the Hadiths (sayings)
of the prophet Muhammad.
The following Quranic verse uses this name, whilst giving Mary the glad
tidings of Jesus’ pending immaculate conception :
"Behold! The angels said, "O Mary! Allah gives you glad tidings of a WORD from Him, his name will be Masih I’sa`, Son of Mary given honour in this world and in the hereafter and will be amongst those who are close to Allah." 3/46.
This verse mentions both the names I’sa` and Masih as well as Jesus’ filial appellation (patronymic name) which is Ibn-Maryam (Son of Mary). Jesus has been given the attribute of being His Word (Kalimah).
Another quality attributed to Jesus is RUH which upholds many meanings, as in the following verse of the Quran :
"O people of the book! Commit no excesses in your religion nor say of Allah naught but truth. I’sa`, Masih, the Son of Mary was no more than a messenger of Allah and His word which He bestowed on Mary and a spirit proceeding from Him, so believe in Allah and His messengers and do not say, "They are three." Desist, it will be better for you as Allah is one God, Glory be to Him, as He is far exalted above having a son. To Him belong the contents of the Heavens and all things that are on the Earth and Allah is enough as a Disposer of Affairs." 4/171.
Our point of interest in this lengthy verse, at this stage, is the extra quality attached to Jesus, mentioned in the middle of the verse, which is, "a RUH proceeding from Him." From this it can be concluded that Jesus has been given two names of I’sa` and Masih and also two main attributes of Ruh (Spirit) and Kalimah (Word).
The name Masih has been mentioned eleven times in various verses
of the Quran and also in several Hadiths (sayings of the prophet Muhammad).
It has been mentioned once in the chapter titled A`li ‘Imran (The
Family of Imran), and three times in three different verses of the chapter
entitled An-NI`sa (The Woman) and five times in only three different
verses of the chapter named Al-Ma’idah (The Table) as two verses
of this chapter mention the name twice in each. Finally, in the chapter
called At-Taubah (Repentance), the name Masih is cited
twice in two separate verses.
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