Prophet Isa story for kids: Jesus in Islam, simply told

In Islam, Isa (Jesus, peace be upon him) is one of the greatest Prophets. He was born to Maryam without a father by Allah’s command, spoke as a baby, and by Allah’s permission healed the sick and raised the dead (Qur’an 19:16–33; 3:45–49). Muslims believe Allah raised him up to Himself (4:157–158).

What is the story of Prophet Isa, retold for children?

Isa, peace be upon him, was born to Maryam by a miracle, spoke from the cradle, taught his people to worship Allah alone, and was raised up by Allah. Each part below has its Qur’an reference.

Maryam, the chosen one

Before Maryam was born, her mother, the wife of ‘Imran, promised her baby to Allah’s service (3:35–36). Prophet Zakariyya looked after Maryam as she grew. Whenever he came to her prayer place, he found food with her. “Where does this come from?” he asked. She said, “It is from Allah” (3:37). The angels told her, “O Maryam, Allah has chosen you and purified you, and chosen you above the women of the worlds” (3:42).

The good news

One day Allah sent His angel to Maryam (the Qur’an says “Our Spirit”, understood to be Jibril), in the form of a man (19:17). He told her she would have a pure son. Maryam was amazed: “How can I have a son when no man has touched me?” The angel said, “That is easy for your Lord” (19:20–21). Allah only has to say “Be”, and it is (3:47). Just as Allah created Adam without a father or mother, He created Isa without a father (3:59).

Under the palm tree

Maryam went to a faraway place, and the pains of birth brought her to the trunk of a palm tree (19:22–23). A voice comforted her: “Do not grieve. Your Lord has placed a stream beneath you. Shake the trunk of the palm tree towards you, and fresh ripe dates will fall” (19:24–25). Many Muslim families give dates to new mothers; that is a cultural custom, not a rule, but children love the link.

The baby who spoke

Maryam carried baby Isa back to her people, and they were shocked. She had been told not to speak to anyone that day (19:26), so she pointed to the baby. “How can we speak to a baby in the cradle?” they said. Then baby Isa spoke: “Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet… and peace is upon me the day I was born, the day I die and the day I am raised alive” (19:29–33).

Miracles by Allah’s permission

Isa grew up and taught the Children of Israel to worship Allah alone. Allah gave him the Injil (5:46). By Allah’s permission he made the shape of a bird from clay and breathed into it and it became a bird; he healed people who were blind and people with leprosy; and he brought the dead back to life (3:49; 5:110). His disciples, al-Hawariyyun, said, “We are Allah’s helpers” (3:52). When they asked for a table of food from heaven, Isa prayed for it (5:112–115).

Raised up by Allah

Some people plotted against Isa. The Qur’an says they did not kill him and did not crucify him; rather, Allah raised him up to Himself (4:157–158). Isa also gave good news of a Messenger to come after him, named Ahmad (61:6), one of the names of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. The Prophet Muhammad said that Isa son of Maryam will come down again before the end of time (Sahih al-Bukhari 3448).

What lessons does the story of Isa teach children?

• Allah can do anything. He only says “Be”, and it is (3:47).
• Allah looks after those who trust Him. He gave Maryam food, dates and water (3:37; 19:24–25).
• Stand up for your mother. The first thing baby Isa did was speak up for Maryam (19:29–33).
• Give the thanks to Allah. Isa always said his miracles were “by Allah’s permission” (3:49).
• Be a helper. The disciples said, “We are Allah’s helpers” (3:52).

How do you tell Isa’s story to a 3–5-year-old vs a 6–9-year-old?

For under-fives, tell Maryam under the palm tree and the baby who spoke. For six- to nine-year-olds, add the miracles and, gently, how Muslim and Christian beliefs about him differ.

A one-minute version for little ones: “Maryam loved Allah very much. An angel told her Allah would give her a special baby. Under a palm tree, Allah gave her water and yummy dates. When people asked about the baby, baby Isa spoke! He said, ‘I am the servant of Allah.’ Isa grew up to be a Prophet who helped people, always by Allah’s permission.”

How do I explain Isa in Islam and in Christianity to a child?

Say simply that Muslims love Isa too, as a Prophet and servant of Allah, while Christians believe something different about him. UK children meet Christmas at school, so it helps to have the answers ready:

A kind way to say it: “We love Isa too. We believe he was a Prophet, and our friends believe something different about him. We can be kind and respectful to each other.” For more on this, see teaching kids about Allah.

Which details are not in the Qur’an?

The stable, the shepherds and the date of Christmas are not in the Qur’an, which places the birth by a palm tree (19:23). Maryam’s mother is called “the wife of ‘Imran” (3:35); the name Hannah comes from later tradition.

Activities

• Share dates together and remember Maryam under the palm tree.
• Make a clay bird and talk about how only Allah gives life.
• Older children: find every “by Allah’s permission” in 5:110.

Isa in the Hudhud book

The story of Isa is one of five Prophet stories in Hudhud, along with Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa and Muhammad (peace be upon them). Next story: the Prophet Muhammad.