Do I have to believe Jesus isn't God to become Muslim?
Yes. To become Muslim, you believe there is only one God, with no partners, children or equals. So Muslims don't believe Jesus is God or the son of God. But Muslims love and honor Jesus deeply: he's one of the greatest prophets, born miraculously of the Virgin Mary, the Messiah, and he will return before the end of time.
One God, no partners
The core of Islam is tawhid: God is One and unique. The Quran describes Jesus as a beloved servant and messenger of God, not as God Himself. Muslims believe Jesus himself called people to worship the one God.
What Muslims believe about Jesus
- Born of the Virgin Mary without a father, by God's command.
- The Messiah (al-Masih).
- Performed miracles by God's permission: healing the blind and lepers, raising the dead.
- Received the Gospel (Injil) from God.
- Was not killed or crucified, according to the Quran, but raised up by God.
- Will return before the Day of Judgment.
Mary has a whole chapter of the Quran named after her, and she's honored as one of the best women ever created.
The Prophet's own words
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that whoever testifies that there is no god but Allah, "and that Jesus is Allah's Slave and His Apostle and His Word which He bestowed on Mary and a Spirit created by Him," and believes in Paradise and Hell, Allah will admit to Paradise (Sahih al-Bukhari 3435). Believing correctly about Jesus is part of Islamic faith.
For Christians considering Islam
Many former Christians say they didn't "lose" Jesus; they found a different understanding of him. It's normal for this to take time and to feel emotional. Read what the Quran says about Jesus and Mary, and talk with converts from Christian backgrounds. See Do Muslims and Christians believe in the same God? and Can I keep my Bible after becoming Muslim?
- Muslims believe Jesus is a prophet, not God.
- Islam honors Jesus as the Messiah, born of the Virgin Mary.
- Believing in Jesus as a messenger is part of Islam.
- Mary is deeply honored in the Quran.
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