The Story of Prophet Isa (Jesus)
A gentle introduction to Prophet Isa, his honour and his message of worshipping Allah.
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1 Maryam and the birth of Isa
The Qur’an tells us about Maryam before telling us about the birth of Isa. She was devoted to worship and received care and provision from Allah. When an angel brought news that she would have a son, she was astonished because no man had touched her. Allah's creation, however, is not limited by what human beings expect.
Maryam withdrew to a quiet place and gave birth to Isa. She faced fear and difficulty, and Allah comforted her with provision and guidance. When she returned to her people carrying the child, some questioned her. By Allah’s permission, the infant Isa spoke in defence of his mother and identified himself as a servant of Allah.
Maryam was devoted to Allah and was given glad tidings of her son, Isa (AS). The Qur’an describes his birth as a sign. When she brought him to her people, the infant spoke by Allah’s permission and declared himself a servant of Allah and a prophet (Qur’an 19:16–34).
2 The signs and message of Isa
Prophet Isa grew up with a mission. He called people back to Allah, encouraged truth and mercy, and reminded people not to become proud or careless in religion. His message, like the message of the prophets, was a call to worship Allah and to live with sincerity.
As he grew, Isa called the Children of Israel to worship Allah, to live sincerely and to follow divine guidance. The Qur’an describes miracles granted to him by Allah's permission, including healing and other signs. The emphasis matters: prophets do not possess independent power apart from Allah.
Allah gave Isa (AS) signs to help the people recognise his mission. The Qur’an mentions healing by Allah’s permission and other extraordinary signs, repeatedly making clear that the power came from Allah. Isa did not call people to worship himself. He called them to worship Allah and follow the guidance given to them (Qur’an 3:49–51).
The Qur’an also speaks of the disciples who answered Isa’s call to support the cause of Allah. His message brought hope to many, although others opposed him. As with the other prophets, the centre of the story is divine guidance rather than personal fame (Qur’an 3:52–55).
3 The response to his mission
The Qur’an also mentions the disciples who supported Isa. Not everyone accepted his message, and people plotted against him. Muslims believe that Allah protected and raised Isa, while Christian traditions understand his final earthly days differently. We can describe the Islamic belief respectfully without suggesting that all faiths tell the same account.
In the Twelver Shia understanding, Isa is among Allah’s protected prophets, and his mission belongs to the long chain of divine guidance. Children can learn to honour him and Maryam, speak kindly to neighbours of other faiths and remember that knowledge should be joined with mercy and humility.
As a prophet, Isa called people to worship Allah and was supported by signs granted by Allah’s permission. The Qur’an also speaks of opposition to him and of Allah raising him. Muslim teaching about these events differs from Christian accounts, so the subject should be explained accurately and respectfully (Qur’an 3:45–55; 4:157–159).
What can we learn?
Big idea: Prophet Isa was honoured by Allah and called people to worship Allah, live truthfully and show mercy.
Talk about the story
- Who does the Qur’an teach Muslims to honour alongside Prophet Isa?
- What kind of message did Prophet Isa bring to people?
- How should learning religion affect a person’s character?
Additional family reflections from the earlier edition
Muslims deeply honour Prophet Isa and also honour his blessed mother, Maryam. The Qur’an tells us that Isa was given a special place and that his life was filled with signs of Allah’s power and mercy.
From the beginning, the story of Isa teaches us to respect what Allah can do. Allah can create in ways beyond what human beings expect. The story also teaches us the purity and dignity of Maryam, who trusted Allah and remained devoted to worship.
Allah supported Isa with signs, but the greatest lesson for children is not simply wonder. It is character. Isa’s life invites believers to be gentle, truthful and compassionate. A person who learns religion should become kinder, not harsher. A person who speaks about Allah should also care for people.
Many families appreciate this story because it helps children understand something important: Muslims do not ignore Isa. They love and respect him as a great prophet of Allah. They also honour Maryam as a noble example of devotion and trust.
Children can take beautiful lessons from this story. Speak kindly. Care for others. Remember Allah. Respect the prophets. And keep your heart soft when learning about religion. Real knowledge should grow together with mercy.
When parents and preteens read about Isa, they can use the story as a bridge to many conversations: about Allah’s power, about Maryam’s worship, about respect across differences and about the way faith should make a person more thoughtful and more compassionate.
Talk together: What is one way to show mercy or gentleness at home, at school or in the masjid this week?
Check your understanding
Answer three questions about the story, then review the explanations.
Sources and further reading
How to read these sources: Qur’anic verses are the primary text. Explanations about prophetic infallibility and other doctrines follow Twelver Shia interpretation. The child-friendly dialogue and reflections are adaptations, not quotations from scripture or hadith.
Chapter-by-chapter Qur’an guide
Read the linked Qur’anic passages for the events described. Some chapters draw on more than one passage; the links are starting points for reading the scripture, not independent authentication of every sentence in this educational retelling.
The Qur’an is the primary source for the narrative. This is an age-appropriate retelling from a Twelver Shia perspective, not a word-for-word translation or a complete tafsir. Some explanatory transitions are editorial summaries. Historical and theological details that go beyond the cited passages should be checked against qualified Shia scholarship.
How we check historical and religious content
Twelver Shia editorial note: According to Islam, Isa (AS) is a prophet and servant of Allah. The last set of verses concerns Qur’anic teaching about the claimed crucifixion; it should not be confused with a historical consensus across religions.
References identify where to study the passages. Translation choices, interpretations and historical additions remain subject to qualified review.
Evidence labels: Qur’an = primary scripture; Twelver Shia interpretation = theological reading; narrative transitions = educational paraphrase. Qur’anic verses are cross-referenced here, but the prose and any extra-Qur’anic details still need a qualified scholarly review.