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There are a variety of titles used to refer to the penultimate prophet of Islam, Isa ibn Maryam (Jesus), in theQuran. Islamic scholars emphasize the need for Muslims to follow the name of Isa (Jesus), whether spoken or written, with the honorific phrasealayhi al-salām (Arabic:عليه السلام), which meanspeace be upon him. Isa is mentioned by name or title 78 times in the Quran.[1]
Isa bin Maryam
Isa is theMessiah in Islam[2][3][better source needed] and is the calledĪsā al-Masīḥ by Muslims. It is one of several titles of Isa, who is referred to as Masih or Al-Masih 11 times in the Quran.[note 1] It means 'the anointed', 'the traveller', or 'one who cures by caressing'.[2][better source needed]
In Quran 4:171, Isa is calledRūḥ minhu (Arabic:رُوحٌۭ مِّنْه), meaning 'a Spirit from him' (i.e., from God).[4] The wordrūḥ originally meant "breath", "wind". In post-Quranic tradition,rūḥ became equated withnafs, "spirit", but in the Quran itself, it means "a special angel messenger and a special divine quality".[5] In three passages (2:87, 2:253; 5:110), Isa is also said to be supported by theRūḥ al-qudus ("the holy spirit" or "spirit of holiness").[6]
According the Quran and Hadith, Isa is called a pure boy (Arabic:غُلَٰمًا زَكِيًّا,romanized: ġulammā zakīyā).[7][8][9][better source needed]
Isa is calledKalima (Word) orKalimat Allah (Word of God) twice in the Quran. The concept of Logos also appears in the Targums (Aramaic translations of the Hebrew Bible dating to the first centuries AD), where the termMemra (Aramaic for "The Word") is often used instead of 'The Lord', especially when referring to a manifestation of God that could be construed as anthropomorphic.[10][better source needed][note 2] However, in light of Islam, the title refers to themiraculous birth of Jesus through God's Will despite being fatherless, likened to the creation ofAdam without a father or mother as stated in the third chapter of the Qur'an.[11] That is to say, Jesus is a manifestation of God's creative word "Be!", similar to how God created Adam by His word and command "Be!". So if Jesus' miraculous birth from a virgin mother were to be taken as a sign of his divinity, then by that login Adam's creation would be even more miraculous and divine or worthy of worship. Yet, no one worships Adam for his miraculous creation so neither should Jesus or any prophet be worshipped for such a reason.[original research?]The Quran states:"O People of the Book! Do not go to extremes regarding your faith; say nothing about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, was no more than a messenger of Allah and the fulfilment of His Word through Mary and a spirit ˹created by a command˺ from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers and do not say, 'Trinity.' Stop!—for your own good. Allah is only One God. Glory be to Him! He is far above having a son! To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And Allah is sufficient as a Trustee of Affairs."5:110
In Islam,Isa's return is one of the ten major signs ofDay of Resurrection. In the Quran, Isa is four times called anĀyah (Arabic:آيَة,lit. 'sign', also used to designate a verse of the Quran).[note 3]
InSurat al-Imran verse 3:45,[12] Isa is calledwajīḥ (وَجِيه, 'honourable' or 'distinguished'), a title also used forMusa (Moses) inSurat al-Ahzab 33:69. Many Muslims refer to Isa asĪsā al-Wajīḥ, since he is an honoured Prophet in Islam.[7][13][better source needed]
