LESSONS TO LEARN FROM PROPHET ISA (AS)
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL
Prophet ‘Isa (AS) was one of the 5 great Messengers of Allah. He was sent to the children of Israel at the period of time when medicine was at it peak of excellence. BUT Allah’s Miracle or “mu’jizat” allows him to do many things with Allah’s Will
Isa (As.) was the prophet and messenger of Allah. He was born in 7-2 BC in Bethlehem. Maryam, mother of Isa was a pious woman who devoted his life for the worship of Allah. Isa (As.) was the virginal conception of Maryam as the reward of her devotion. Isa (As.) is mentioned as ‘pure boy’ (without sin) in Quran and Hadith. Abu Hurairah quoted, “Hardly a single descendant of Adam is born without Satan touching him at the moment of his birth. A baby who is touched like that gives a cry. The only exceptions are Maryam and her son.”
Birth of Isa (As.)
One day an angel come to Maryam and gave him the news of having a baby. Maryam was astonished as she had no contact with any man. The angel replied that, ‘This work is easy for you God. It is appointed as a sign and indication of His mercy.’ When Maryam became pregnant many people started talking negative about this and Maryam went away to a far place. There she gave birth to baby Isa under a dry date palm in the desert. Then she returned to the place where she used to live. There when people started to chide her Isa (As.) spoke through the power of God. He said, “I am God’s servant. He has given me the book and has appointed me to be a prophet.” This made the realization to the people that this child was sent by God without a father.
Before the birth of Isa (As.) the economic and political condition of Palestine was miserable. They were being ruled by the romans. They were continuously fighting for their independence and rights. This caused the loss of people’s faith from religion and God. At that moment the only need was of a righteous leader who could show them the Right way. Isa (As.) took birth there to lead them and bring them back to the path of Allah.
Obtaining Prophet hood
Isa (As.) was one of the most well-known prophets with most patience and highest status. He earned prophet hood at the age of thirty from Allah and started to preach his messages. He was so famous for performing some miracles with the grace of Almighty Allah. He cured people from illness and blindness by just keeping his honorable hand over them. Once he supplicated to Allah to bring a dead man back to life and the man became alive. Another story of his miracle is mentioned in Quran that, once Isa (As.) and his followers went to place where was no food. The people asked him to pray for food to Allah which would come down from sky. Isa (As.) prayed that and angels brought food down to earth in a piece of material. Hundreds of people eat from there but nothing had diminished. These miracles made stronger their belief to Allah and Isa (As.) as his prophet.
Revelation of Injil
The Injil, the heavenly book from Allah had revealed to Isa (As.). The main lesson of this book was monotheism. Allah is alone and he has no partner, that was the learning Isa (As.) was appointed to preach. In Injil there was prohibition to compare anything to Allah, prohibition to commit usurious sin, prohibition to Haram foods. He leaded the Jews people according to the lessons of Injil.
Lifting of Isa (As.)
The preaching of monotheism of Isa (As.) made the Jews leader angry. As days were being passed Isa (As.) gained more followers and the opposition of the leaders were increasing. At a moment they decided to do away with Isa (As.). The Jews plotted to kill him through crucifixion. They misguided the Roman governor saying that Isa was plotting against Roman Empire. Isa (As.) was sentenced to death for this crime and a man was sent to bring him. But the almighty Allah did not permit the Jews to kill Isa and took him up in the sky through the ceiling of his house. Instead of Isa (As.) the Jewish people took a look alike of him and crucified him. But Isa (As.) was safe in the Heaven by the grace of Allah, the Exalted.
Reappearance of Isa (As.)
According to Muslim’s belief it is said that Isa (As.) will be sent to earth again before Qiyamat (the destruction of earth before resurrection). Abu Hurairah narrated, “Allah’s Apostle said, ‘The hour will not be established until the son of Mary descends amongst you as a just ruler, he will break the cross and abolish the Jizya tax’ ”. [At Al-Bukhari]
LESSONS TO BE LEARNT IN THE FOLLOWING VERSES
When the people shamed Mary (peace be upon her) for having a child outside of marriage (they did not know that it was miraculous), God gave Jesus a miracle and he spoke from the cradle.
“He [‘Iesa (Jesus)] said: Verily! I am a slave of Allah, He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet;”
“And He has made me blessed wheresoever I be, and has enjoined on me Salat (prayer), and Zakat, as long as I live.”
“And dutiful to my mother, and made me not arrogant, unblest.
“And Salam (peace) be upon me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive!”
Such is ‘Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary). (it is) a statement of truth, about which they doubt (or dispute).”
(Quran 19:30-34)
- Isa (AS) is a slave of Allah, NOT His son
Prophet Isa(AS) never declared that he is God or son of God. Yet, many Christians today believe his divinity and worship him.
“And when ‘Iesa (Jesus) came with (Our) clear Proofs, he said: “I have come to you with Al-Hikmah (Prophethood), and in order to make clear to you some of the (points) in which you differ, therefore fear Allah and obey me,
“Verily, Allah! He is my Lord (God) and your Lord (God). So worship Him (Alone). This is the (only) Straight Path (i.e. Allah’s religion of true Islamic Monotheism).”
But the sects from among themselves differed. So woe to those who do wrong (by ascribing things to ‘Iesa (Jesus) that are not true) from the torment of a painful Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)!”
Qur’an, 43: 63-65
Allah Warned us in the Qur’an rurah al Kahf (18) verses 4-5
“And to warn those (Jews, Christians, and pagans) who say, “Allah has begotten a son (or offspring or children).”
No knowledge have they of such a thing, nor had their fathers. Mighty is the word that comes out of their mouths [i.e. He begot (took) sons and daughters]. They utter nothing but a lie.”
In the first 10 Commandments revealed to prophet Musa (AS) in Deuteronomy: 4 – “Hear, O Israel! The Lord, our God is One Lord.” This was endorsed by Isa in the Gospel of Mark (12: 28-29) “And one of the scribes came… and asked him which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, “The first of all commandments is “Hear, O Israel! The Lord, our God is One Lord.”
The Message of Tawheed cannot be more clear. That is the first and foremost important message of Isa (AS) to the people.
- To be a slave of Allah has plenty of rewards from Allah
Allah Described to us who the slaves of the Most Merciful is is surah 25 verse 63. The reward of being Allah’s slaves and fulfilling all the given criteria is tremendous:
“Those will be rewarded with the highest place (in Paradise) because of their patience. Therein they shall be met with greetings and the word of peace and respect.
Abiding therein; excellent it is as an abode, and as a place to dwell.”
25: 75-76
Due to the way human history has gone, the word slavery has very negative connotations and rightly so. Islam came to take people from being slaves to other people to be enslaved to God. And the greatest honor for any human being is to willingly enslave oneself to God. God is the Master, He decides, and we hear and obey. That is the contract, and God is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy. He is the One who gives and gives and asks for very little from His slaves. The prophets were honored because they were the best in their slavery to God. And that is our most important identity—we are slaves of God.
- Scripture and prophethood lead to blessing
As Isa (AS) was given the Injil, we are given the Qur’an to obtain Guidance.
Isa (AS) mentions that he has been given the Scripture and that he has been made a prophet and that he is blessed wherever he is. This is an indication to us that the closer we are to the Scripture that God has sent (the Quran) and to the ways of our prophets, the more blessed we shall be wherever we are. The key to earning blessings from God and having a blessed existence is our relationship with the Book and the way of the prophets.
3. Knowledge leads to action
Isa (AS) was the best human at his time. He knew the Scripture and he was a prophet. And yet immediately after, he mentioned that he has been commanded to pray and to give charity. Knowing leads to action. This is Islam as a religion that teaches us to act and not just do.
4. Deeds for people and deeds for God
Another of the beautiful aspects of Islam is how it combines spirituality and practicality. God ordered Jesus to pray, for his own spiritual benefit and to have a connection with God and also to give charity to the people, also for spiritual benefit and to have a connection with both God and the people too. Islam is a very humanitarian religion and it combines spirituality with practicality.
5. Good manners are the hallmark of Islam
Jesus says that he is not domineering and graceless. The Prophet Muhammad said, “Nothing is heavier on the balance of good deeds on the Day of Judgement than good manners.” (Tarmidhi) Among the greatest of deeds that we can do is to have good manners. It is also particularly important here because even though the people said very horrible things about his mother, he responded with grace and authority that was not demeaning anyone. He did not respond fire with fire. He responded to ill-speech with beautiful speech.
6. The mother, the mother, the mother
In the midst of all of this hard talk, Jesus found time to mention that he has been made dutiful to his mother. There is no other person more important in our lives than our mother. No relationship more sacred. No one more deserving of our love and obedience. They are our easiest road to Paradise. They are the caravan that will always have a place for us. The watering hole that will always give us pristine pure water.
“Be mindful of God and obey me. Allah (God) is my Lord and your Lord, so serve Him—this is the straight path.” (Quran 3:51)
7. Taqwa is the measure of our success
Among the many determinants that God could have chosen to judge us, He chose the one that none of us can see—taqwa (God-consciousness or piety). The Prophet said, “Taqwa is here” while pointing at his chest. That is the order from Jesus as well. Be mindful of God. How do we attain taqwa? The best and easiest way is for us to be mindful of God in our everyday dealings and at every step ask ourselves, “Will God be pleased with me for this?”
8. The straight path is simple
We do not need to complicate matters. The Straight Path is simple—God is our Lord and we obey Him. We are His slaves and we do as He wants us to. That is the straight path.
9. Number of followers is not a measure of success
It is known that not too many people responded to the call of Isa (AS). This does not mean he was not successful. The hearts of people lie in the hands of God. We are only asked to convey. And that is why despite the few number of immediate companions, he has been one of the five great prophets in history.
10. Be with the truth even if the people are few
Even if few people are practicing Islam, we should still practice. Even if the followers are few, it does not mean it is not true. Truth is based on the idea, not on the number of followers.
