Mary and the Virgin Birth of Jesus

Muslims respect and honor Jesus and His mother Mary. Many Muslims name their children after them as Isa (Jesus) and Maryam (Mary). There is indeed a chapter in the Qur’an named Maryam. There is also another chapter named after her father, Imran. According to the Qur’an, Mary was a chaste and virgin woman who miraculously gave birth to Jesus: “And when the angels said: O Mary, surely Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the world.” (Al-i ‘Imran, 3/42)

Muslims believe that Jesus was born from a noble virgin. Muslims do not, however, accept the virgin birth of Jesus as an evidence to the divinity of Jesus. “She (Mary) said: ‘O My Lord! How can I have a child when no man has touched me?’ (God) said: ‘Even so; Allah creates what He pleases. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, “Be!”, and it is.’” (Qur’an 3/47). “The similitude of Jesus before God is as that of Adam; He created him from dust, then said to him: ‘Be.’ And he was.” (Al-i ‘Imran, 3/59). Adam’s creation was even more miraculous because he was born without a father or mother. When Mary brought the baby to her people, they said: “O Mary! Truly, you have brought a strange thing! O sister of Aaron! Your father was not a man of evil, nor your mother a woman unchaste!” Mary then pointed to the baby. They said: “How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?” Then a miracle occured. In defense of his mother, baby Jesus spoke, and said: “I am indeed a servant of Allah. He has given me revelation and made me a prophet; and He has made me blessed wheresoever I be, and has enjoined on me prayer and charity as long as I live; He has made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable; 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 (again)!” (Maryam, 19/27-33)