Prophet Isa (عليه السلام), known as Jesus in Christianity, is a significant figure in Islam. His miraculous birth, his mission to guide the Children of Israel, and his prophesied return are all crucial aspects of his story as narrated in the Quran and Hadith. This article explores where was prophet Isa born, the details of his birth and life, emphasizing his role in Islamic teachings. We will also discuss his second coming and his final resting place, shedding light on the profound connection between him and the final Prophet, Muhammad (ﷺ).
He was born under a date palm tree by a freshwater stream
The miraculous birth of Prophet Isa (عليه السلام) is a well-known story that he was born under a date palm tree by a freshwater stream highlights Allah’s power and mercy. His mother, Maryam (عليها السلام), experienced the pains of childbirth alone in a remote location, far from her community. As she sought shelter under a date palm tree, she received divine support and sustenance, as described in the Quran:
فَأَجَاءَهَا الْمَخَاضُ إِلَىٰ جِذْعِ النَّخْلَةِ ۖ قَالَتْ يَا لَيْتَنِي مِتُّ قَبْلَ هَٰذَا وَكُنتُ نَسْيًا مَّنسِيًّا. فَنَادَاهَا مِن تَحْتِهَا أَلَّا تَحْزَنِي قَدْ جَعَلَ رَبُّكِ تَحْتَكِ سَرِيًّا. وَهُزِّي إِلَيْكِ بِجِذْعِ النَّخْلَةِ تُسَاقِطْ عَلَيْكِ رُطَبًا جَنِيًّا. فَكُلِي وَاشْرَبِي وَقَرِّي عَيْنًا فَإِمَّا تَرَيِنَّ مِنَ الْبَشَرِ أَحَدًا فَقُولِي إِنِّي نَذَرْتُ لِلرَّحْمَـٰنِ صَوْمًا فَلَنْ أُكَلِّمَ الْيَوْمَ إِنسِيًّا.
“And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a date-palm. She said, ‘Oh, I wish I had died before this and was in oblivion, forgotten.’ But he called her from below her, ‘Do not grieve; your Lord has provided beneath you a stream. And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates. So eat and drink and be content. And if you see from among humanity anyone, say, ‘Indeed, I have vowed to the Most Merciful abstention, so I will not speak today to [any] man.'”
(Surah Maryam, 19:23-26)
This verse beautifully portrays how Allah provided Maryam with comfort and sustenance through fresh dates and water. The setting under the date palm tree and by a flowing stream not only fulfilled her physical needs but also symbolized divine care and compassion during a challenging time.
He was born in spring or summer time?
The timing of Prophet Isa’s (عليه السلام) birth has been a subject of discussion among scholars. While the Christian tradition celebrates his birth in winter, Islamic teachings suggest a different season. The Quran mentions the presence of ripe dates during his birth:
وَهُزِّي إِلَيْكِ بِجِذْعِ النَّخْلَةِ تُسَاقِطْ عَلَيْكِ رُطَبًا جَنِيًّا
“And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates.”
(Surah Maryam, 19:25)
Ripe dates are typically harvested in the region of Palestine during late summer, between August and September. This suggests that Prophet Isa (عليه السلام) was likely born during this warm period. The flowing stream mentioned in the Quran further supports the idea that his birth occurred in a time of abundant natural resources, aligning with the environmental clues provided.
He Was Sent to Guide the Children of Israel
He was sent to guide the Children of Israel, reminding them of their duties and calling them back to the worship of the one true God. His mission was to confirm the teachings of the Torah and to correct the deviations that had crept into their religious practices. He performed many miracles, such as healing the sick and bringing the dead back to life, all by Allah’s permission. The Quran highlights his mission with these words:
وَرَسُولًا إِلَىٰ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ أَنِّي قَدْ جِئْتُكُم بِآيَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ أَنِّي أَخْلُقُ لَكُم مِّنَ الطِّينِ كَهَيْئَةِ الطَّيْرِ فَأَنفُخُ فِيهِ فَيَكُونُ طَيْرًا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ۖ وَأُبْرِئُ الْأَكْمَهَ وَالْأَبْرَصَ وَأُحْيِي الْمَوْتَىٰ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ۖ وَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا تَأْكُلُونَ وَمَا تَدَّخِرُونَ فِي بُيُوتِكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَةً لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
“And [make him] a messenger to the Children of Israel [who will say], ‘Indeed I have come to you with a sign from your Lord. I design for you from clay [that which is] like the form of a bird, then I breathe into it and it becomes a bird by permission of Allah. And I cure the blind and the leper, and I give life to the dead – by permission of Allah. And I inform you of what you eat and what you store in your houses. Indeed in that is a sign for you, if you are believers'”
(Surah Aal-e-Imran, 3:49)
Despite these clear signs, many among the Children of Israel rejected his message and plotted against him. But Allah protected him, raising him up to the heavens, where he remains until his appointed return.
The Prophet Muhammad (saw) visited his birthplace
During the miraculous night journey, known as Al-Isra’ wal-Mi’raj, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was taken from Makkah to Jerusalem and then to the heavens. During this journey, he visited significant sites associated with previous prophets, including the birthplace of Prophet Isa (عليه السلام) in Bethlehem.
This journey serves as a spiritual affirmation of the connection between all prophets, emphasizing that they all came with the same message of monotheism and submission to Allah.
By visiting the birthplace of Prophet Isa (عليه السلام), the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) acknowledged the importance of his predecessor and his role in guiding the Children of Israel. This event underscores the respect and continuity among the prophets, each fulfilling their role in conveying Allah’s guidance to humanity.
He Will Appear in Damascus in His Second Coming
One of the significant beliefs in Islamic eschatology is the return of Prophet Isa (عليه السلام) before the Day of Judgment. He will descend from the heavens to restore justice and defeat the false messiah, Dajjal. The location of his descent is described in the Hadith:
عن النواس بن سمعان رضي الله عنه قال: ذكر رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم
“فبينما هو كذلك إذ بعث الله تعالى المسيح ابن مريم صلى الله عليه وسلم فينزل عند المنارة البيضاء شرقي دمشق بين مَهْرُودَتَيْنِ ”
“…while he is doing that, ‘Īsa, the son of Mariyam (peace be upon him), will descend in eastern Damascus at the white minaret).”
[Narrated by Muslim]
He will appear near the eastern minaret of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, leading the believers in prayer and establishing peace and justice on earth. His second coming will be a time of great significance, as he will unite the followers of Islam under one banner, following the Shariah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
He Will Be Buried Next to Prophet Muhammed (ﷺ) in Madinah
After his second coming and the fulfillment of his mission, Prophet Isa (عليه السلام) will eventually die. It is believed that he will be buried next to Prophet Muhammed (ﷺ) in Madinah and his closest companions, Abu Bakr and Umar (رضي الله عنهما). The Hadith mentions:
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ “يَنْزِلُ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ، فَيَتَزَوَّجُ، وَيُولَدُ لَهُ، وَيَمْكُثُ خَمْسًا وَأَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً، ثُمَّ يَمُوتُ فَيُدْفَنُ مَعِي فِي قَبْرِي، فَأَقُومُ أَنَا وَعِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ فِي قَبْرٍ وَاحِدٍ بَيْنَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرَ”
“Jesus, son of Mary, will descend to the earth, will marry, have children, and will remain for forty-five years, then he will die and be buried with me in my grave, so that I and Jesus, son of Mary, will be in one grave between Abu Bakr and Umar.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah 4308)
Although classified as a weak Hadith, many scholars accept this narration as it complements other prophecies regarding his return and final resting place.
The People of Paradise Will Have His Age
The People of paradise will have his age , believers will be granted an eternal youth, resembling the age of Prophet Isa (عليه السلام) when he was ascended to the heavens, which is thirty-three. This is considered the prime of life, a state of perfect health, beauty, and strength.
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ: ” أَوَّلُ زُمْرَةٍ تَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ عَلَى صُورَةِ الْقَمَرِ لَيْلَةَ الْبَدْرِ، وَالَّذِينَ عَلَى آثَارِهِمْ كَأَشَدِّ كَوْكَبٍ دُرِّيٍّ فِي السَّمَاءِ إِضَاءَةً قُلُوبُهُمْ عَلَى قَلْبِ رَجُلٍ وَاحِدٍ لَا بَيْنَهُمْ تَبَاغُضٌ وَلَا تَحَاسُدٌ لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مِنْهُمْ زَوْجَتَانِ، يُرَى مُخُّ سُوقِهِمَا مِنْ وَرَاءِ اللَّحْمِ مِنَ الْحُسْنِ، لَا يَبُولُونَ وَلَا يَتَغَوَّطُونَ وَلَا يَمْتَخِطُونَ وَلَا يَبْصُقُونَ، أَمْشَاطُهُمُ الذَّهَبُ، وَرَشْحُهُمُ الْمِسْكُ، وَمَجَامِرُهُمُ الْأَلُوَّةُ الأَنْدَرُ، أَزْوَاجُهُمُ الْحُورُ الْعِينُ عَلَى خَلْقِ رَجُلٍ وَاحِدٍ عَلَى صُورَةِ أَبِيهِمْ آدَمَ سِتُّونَ ذِرَاعًا فِي السَّمَاءِ ”
“The first group to enter Paradise will be as beautiful as the full moon… All of them will look alike, resembling their father Adam, sixty cubits tall.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 3327)
This state of eternal youth and perfection is one of the many rewards awaiting the believers in Paradise, reflecting the ultimate bliss and joy that Allah has prepared for them.
Conclusion
The life of Prophet Isa (عليه السلام) is a testament to Allah’s power, wisdom, and mercy. From his miraculous birth under a date palm tree to his return in Damascus and his eventual burial in Madinah, his story is filled with signs and lessons for all believers. Understanding these events helps us appreciate the profound connection between all prophets and the unified message they brought to humanity. To delve deeper into the teachings of Prophet Isa (عليه السلام) and other prophets, consider exploring the educational resources offered by RAHIQ Academy.
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