A Miraculous Birth
In the Qur'an, the story of Jesus' birth begins with the story of Mary, his mother, in the chapter named after her (called “Miriam” in Arabic). In the Qur'anic account, Mary's mother dedicated her daughter to the service of God. Zachariah took charge of Mary's care and found that God indeed provided for her every need. The Qur'an tells of one occasion when Zachariah found Mary in her room with fresh fruit that was out of season. He asked where it came from, and Mary replied: “From God, for God provides sustenance to whom He pleases, without measure” (Qur'an 3:37). Mary's faith was strong, and she constantly thanked God for his blessings and favors.
The Announcement
One day while she was praying in seclusion, an angel appeared before Mary in the form of a man. Frightened, she tried to flee. “Verily! I seek refuge with the Most Beneficent from you, if you do fear God!” (Qur'an 19:18). The Qur'an relates what happened next: “He (the angel) said, ‘I am only a messenger from your Lord, to announce to you the gift of a righteous son.’ She said, ‘How can I have a son, seeing that no man has touched me, and I am not unchaste?’ He said, ‘So it will be. Your Lord said, ‘That is easy for Me, and We wish to appoint him as a sign unto men, and a mercy from Us. It is a matter so decreed’” (Qur'an 19:19–21).
In the Qur'an, Jesus is known by the name “Esa” (also spelled “Isa”). The Aramaic language of Jesus contained no sound or letter “J,” so this spelling more accurately reflects the way that the name was likely pronounced.
In another section of the Qur'an, the angels indicate to Mary the honor in which her son would be held: “Behold! The angels said, ‘Oh Mary! God gives you glad tidings of a Word from Him. His name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the Hereafter, and of the company of those nearest to God. He shall speak to the people in childhood and maturity. And he shall be of the company of the righteous’” (Qur'an 3:45– 46). When Mary protested that she could not have a child, as no man had touched her, the angels replied, “Even so, God creates what He wills. When He has decreed a matter, He says to it, ‘Be!’ and it is” (Qur'an 3:47).
The Birth
After hearing the angel's words, Mary was left anxious and concerned. She was a pious and honorable woman. People would talk and make accusations against her if she showed up with a newborn child and no husband. According to the Qur'an, Mary chose to go into seclusion, away from her people. She wandered around the barren valleys, finally resting against a dry palm tree in the middle of nowhere. It was here that she gave birth to her son.
The Qur'an makes no mention of Joseph the carpenter or of birth in a stable or manger. Muslims believe that the story of Jesus' birth related in the Bible is inaccurate. If Mary had been married or engaged at the time of Jesus' birth, the claim of a miraculous conception would have become suspect.
At this point, Mary was overwhelmed with anguish and cried out that she wished she were dead. The Qur'an relates that a voice then called out to calm her. “Grieve not! For your Lord has provided a stream beneath you. Shake the trunk of the palm tree towards yourself; it will let fall fresh, ripe dates upon you. So eat and drink, and cool your eye” (Qur'an 19:24–26). Mary refreshed herself and prepared to face her community.
The Baby Speaks
Mary decided to return to her people, but she worried about what she would tell them. The angels instructed her to take a vow of silence and not to answer anyone who addressed her. When Mary arrived, the people naturally questioned her about her apparent sin. “Oh, sister of Aaron! Your father was not a man of evil, nor was your mother a woman unchaste!” they scolded her (Qur'an 19:28).
The Qur'an relates that Mary put her finger to her lips and pointed to the child. The people asked how they could talk to a newborn baby. It was then that Jesus spoke, fulfilling the miracle that had been mentioned when the angels first appeared to Mary. He said, “I am indeed a servant of God. He has given me revelation, and made me a prophet. And He has made me blessed wherever I may be, and has enjoined on me prayer and almsgiving as long as I live. He has made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or unblessed. So peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life” (Qur'an 19:30–33).
While some people disregarded this miracle as a strange trick, most realized that the baby was unique and destined for a special mission. They left Mary alone and did not harass her.
Other Miracles
The Qur'an confirms that Jesus performed many miracles by the power of God. The Qur'an relates that Jesus said, “I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, in that I make for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird. Then I breathe into it, and it becomes a bird, by God's leave. And I heal those born blind, and the lepers, and I bring the dead into life, by God's leave. And I declare to you what you eat, and what you store in your houses. Surely therein is a sign for you, if you did believe” (Qur'an 3:49).
The Qur'an relates some of the miracles also mentioned in the Bible while making it clear that Jesus' miracles were all done “by God's leave,” or permission. Jesus could do nothing of his own power. He performed miracles by the grace and power of God alone, as testament to the Almighty Creator behind all things.
