The Prophethood of Prophet Jesus

Every Muslim believes that all of the prophets and messengers did their duty in conveying to their people the message of belief in the Oneness of God. A Muslim is to love and revere all of them as well. We are also ordered by God to defend all of them. God, the Exalted, says: Say, [O believers], "We have believed in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the Descendants and what was given to Moses and Jesus and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him." So if they believe in the same as you believe in, then they have been [rightly] guided; but if they turn away, they are only in dissension, and Allah will be sufficient for you against them. And He is the Hearing, the Knowing. (Qur’an 2:137-8)

Before the advent of Prophet Moses, the children of Israel were belittled and forced into menial harsh labor work. God, the Exalted, says: And [recall, O Children of Israel], when We saved you from the people of Pharaoh, [who were] afflicting you with the worst torment - killing your sons and keeping your women alive. And in that was a great trial from your Lord. (Qur’an 7:141)

Allah then blessed them with the Prophet Moses, and their condition changed from bad to good. God, the Exalted, says: And We caused the people who had been oppressed to inherit the eastern regions of the land and the western ones, which We had blessed. And the good word of your Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel because of what they had patiently endured. And We destroyed [all] that Pharaoh and his people were producing and what they had been building. (Qur’an 7:137)

After that the Children of Israel drifted from the path of God, so God sent them Prophet Jesus to guide them back to the Straight Path. God, the Exalted, says: And We sent, following in their footsteps, Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming that which came before him in the Torah; and We gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and light and confirming that which preceded it of the Torah as guidance and instruction for the righteous. (Qur’an 5:46)

Prophet Jesus took the lead and called the children of Israel to the belief in the Oneness of God and to worship God alone and that they uphold the commandments in the Gospel, God, the Exalted, says: And when Jesus brought clear proofs, he said, "I have come to you with wisdom and to make clear to you some of that over which you differ, so fear Allah and obey me. Indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. This is a straight path."(Qur’an 43:63-4)

When Prophet Jesus saw that they had disbelieved and rejected the truth, and were persistent on their disbelief, He called out to those who believed amongst his people; twelve of them, known as the Apostles. They answered his call and pledged their support. Allah, the Exalted, says: But when Jesus felt [persistence in] disbelief from them, he said, "Who are my supporters for [the cause of] Allah?" The disciples said, "We are supporters for Allah. We have believed in Allah and testify that we are Muslims [submitting to Him]. Our Lord, we have believed in what You revealed and have followed the messenger Jesus, so register us among the witnesses [to truth]."(Qur’an 3:52-3)

The Description of Prophet Jesus

The Quran has given us a description of Prophet Jesus, may God praise him. This description covers some of his mannerisms and also the nature of His message.

Physical Characteristics of Jesus

As for his physical qualities and features, the Prophet Muhammad described him saying: “There was no prophet between me and Prophet Jesus. He will descend from the heavens to earth. If you see him, know his description. He is an average sized individual; he is neither fat nor skinny. His skin color has a reddish-white hue.” ...

Jesus and the Anti-Christ

The Prophet clarified to us that the return of Jesus to the Earth is one of the Final signs of the Day of Judgment. The proof of this is in the words of Allah, the Exalted: And when the son of Mary was presented as an example, immediately your people laughed aloud...