79 pages • 2 hours read
The Koran (Al-Qur'an)
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Key Figures
Jesus (Isa)
Jesus, who is known as Isa in the Qur’an, is portrayed as one of Islam’s most revered prophets. He holds a uniquely exalted position as a messenger of God. The Qur’an emphasizes his miraculous birth to Mary (Maryam), describing him as a “word” from God and a “spirit” created by divine command. The divine intervention in his conception symbolizes God’s limitless power and His will. According to the Qur’an, Jesus’s role as a prophet was to reaffirm the message of Monotheism: The Oneness of God, which was also stressed by earlier prophets, and to guide humanity toward worshiping the one God, aligning with the Qur’anic emphasis on submission to the divine will.
The Qur’an highlights Jesus’s miracles—such as healing the blind, raising the dead, and creating a bird from clay—all by God’s permission. By including these miracles, the Qur’an affirms Jesus’s prophetic status and God’s ability to work through His chosen messengers. While the Qur’an honors Jesus’s life and mission, it explicitly rejects the Christian doctrines of his divinity, sonship, and crucifixion. Instead, it describes Jesus as a mortal prophet and a servant of God who was raised to Heaven and will return at the end of times to restore justice and defeat the Antichrist (Dajjal).
In Islamic eschatology, Jesus’s second coming signifies a time of spiritual renewal and the ultimate triumph of truth over falsehood. His return will confirm the Qur’anic teachings of monotheism, solidifying his role as a future harbinger of divine justice. Through Jesus, the Qur’an emphasizes humility, compassion, and unwavering faith in God, presenting Jesus as a model of virtue for all believers.
Moses (Musa)
Moses, or Musa, is the most frequently mentioned prophet in the Qur’an, symbolizing liberation, perseverance, and divine justice. His life story unfolds across numerous chapters, illustrating his pivotal role in delivering the Israelites from Pharaoh’s tyranny and guiding them toward monotheism. The Qur’an recounts Moses’s miraculous survival as an infant, when his mother placed him in a basket and set him afloat on the Nile to save him from Pharaoh’s decree to kill Israelite male infants. Pharaoh’s household unwittingly raised him, laying the groundwork for his eventual confrontation with the ruler.
Moses’s mission as a prophet began with his encounter with God at the burning bush, where he received his divine calling to confront Pharaoh and demand the liberation of the Israelites. The Qur’an highlights his patience and trust in God, especially during his confrontations with Pharaoh, who epitomized arrogance and tyranny. Through Moses’s leadership, the Israelites witnessed miracles, including the parting of the Red Sea and the provision of manna and quail in the desert, demonstrating God’s mercy and power.
The Qur’an also explores Moses’s struggles with his people’s recurrent disobedience and ingratitude, emphasizing the challenges prophets face while guiding their communities. His dialogues with God, particularly at Mount Sinai, reveal the intimate relationship between a prophet and his Creator. Moses’s life speaks to the Qur’anic themes of faith, perseverance, and the ultimate triumph of divine justice over oppression.
Abraham (Ibrahim)
Abraham, or Ibrahim, is a foundational figure in the Qur’an who was the first to stress the message of monotheism. He is celebrated for his unwavering faith and devotion to God, earning him the title Khalilullah (Friend of God). His life exemplifies submission to God’s will, as seen in his willingness to even sacrifice his son—a test of faith that the Qur’an portrays as an act of obedience and trust. This event is a cornerstone of the annual Hajj rituals, symbolized by the ritual of animal sacrifice (Qurbani) and the act of stoning the pillars at Mina, which represent rejecting Satan’s temptation to disobey God. These rituals embody submission, faith, and the spirit of Hajj.
Abraham’s role as a reformer is evident in his opposition to idolatry and his call to worship the one and only God. The Qur’an recounts his destruction of the idols worshiped by his people, challenging their polytheistic beliefs and demonstrating the futility of associating partners with God. His commitment to monotheism set the foundation for the Abrahamic faiths.
In addition to his spiritual legacy, Abraham’s significance extends to his role in establishing the Kaaba as a center of worship. Along with his son, he rebuilt the Kaaba in Mecca and called people to perform the pilgrimage, making him central to Islamic rituals like the Hajj. The Qur’an presents Abraham as a model of devotion, courage, and moral integrity, urging believers to emulate his unwavering commitment to God.
Noah (Nuh)
Noah, or Nuh, symbolizes perseverance, faith, and divine justice. His story reflects the challenges faced by prophets in calling people to monotheism and moral rectitude. The Qur’an depicts Noah as a prophet who preached tirelessly to his people for centuries, warning them of impending divine punishment if they did not repent and worship the one God. Despite his relentless efforts, the majority of his people rejected his message, mocking him and accusing him of fabrication.
As a result of their defiance, God commanded Noah to build an ark, a task he undertook despite ridicule from his community. The Qur’an describes the great flood that ensued, annihilating disbelievers and sparing only Noah and the faithful who sought refuge in the ark. The ark becomes a symbol of salvation and divine mercy for those who remain steadfast in faith.
Noah’s story emphasizes the consequences of arrogance and disobedience while highlighting the importance of patience and trust in God’s plan. In Islam, his perseverance in the face of rejection is a reminder of the trials endured by all prophets and the ultimate vindication of those who remain loyal to God.
Mary (Maryam)
Mary, or Maryam, holds a uniquely exalted position in the Qur’an as the mother of Jesus and a paragon of piety and devotion. She is the only woman mentioned by name in the Qur’an, and an entire chapter is dedicated to her story. Mary’s life is portrayed as one of unwavering faith and submission to God, beginning with her miraculous birth to her mother, who had vowed her child to God’s service. Raised in the care of the prophet Zechariah (Zakariya), Mary demonstrated exceptional piety from a young age.
The Qur’an emphasizes the miraculous conception of Jesus as a sign of God’s power. When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to announce the birth of her son, she was initially filled with fear and confusion but ultimately accepted God’s decree with humility and trust. Her steadfastness in facing societal judgment and her reliance on God’s support during her trials make her a symbol of resilience and faith.
Mary’s significance extends beyond her role as the mother of Jesus; she is a model of virtue and devotion for all believers, both men and women. The Qur’an praises her as “chosen above all women” (3:42) and highlights her as an example of unwavering faith in the face of hardship, making her one of the most celebrated figures in Islamic tradition.
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