The Holy Personages of the Virgin Mary and Jesus the Messiah are highly revered in Islam, so much so that a heart devoid of belief of them, invalidates the faith of a Muslim.
The Holy Quran, the Muslim Holy book states the name of Jesus, 25 times, and there is a whole Chapter named after the Virgin Mary.
The Virgin Mary is highly praised for her piety and chastity in the Holy Quran:
“And [mention] when the angels said, “O Maryam, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds. O Maryam, be devoutly obedient to your Lord and prostrate and bow with those who bow [in prayer].”” (Al Qur’an 3:42 – 3:43)
There is a narration in relation to the Verses of Chapter Mary which were read to the Christian King of Abyssinia.
At the time of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), life in Makkah had become intolerable due to the campaign of hatred by the Tribe of Quraish.
An envoy, Jafar e Tayyar son of Abu Talib was sent to Abyssinia to highlight the persecution being suffered at the hands of the Quraish.
The Quraish emissaries were also present at the court of the King Negus, presenting disparaging statements against the new Muslims.
King Negus beckoned the envoy Jafar e Tayyar to present his case before his court.
The King was impressed and was eager to hear more. He asked Jafar:
“Do you have with you something of what your Prophet brought from God? Please read to me”. Jafar, in his rich, eloquent voice recited for him a portion of Chapter Mary.
In the Name of God, The Merciful, The Compassionate
And mention in the Book ˹O Prophet, the story of˺ Mary when she withdrew from her family to a place in the east,
screening herself off from them. Then We sent to her Our angel, ˹Gabriel,˺ appearing before her as a man, perfectly formed.
She appealed, “I truly seek refuge in the Most Compassionate from you! ˹So leave me alone˺ if you are God-fearing.”
He responded, “I am only a messenger from your Lord, ˹sent˺ to bless you with a pure son.”
She wondered, “How can I have a son when no man has ever touched me, nor am I unchaste?”
He replied, “So will it be! Your Lord says, ‘It is easy for Me. And so will We make him a sign for humanity and a mercy from Us.’ It is a matter ˹already˺ decreed.”
So she conceived him and withdrew with him to a remote place.
Holy Quran: 19:16- 19:21
The King Negus was very impressed and in awe upon hearing the Noble Verses and invited the new Muslims to live in the land of Abyssinia in peace as long as they so wish.
The Holy Quran also mentions how the Virgin Mary was slandered by the community by the birth of Baby Jesus.
So she pointed to the baby. They exclaimed, “How can we talk to someone who is an infant in the cradle?”
Jesus declared, “I am truly a servant of Allah. He has destined me to be given the Scripture and to be a prophet.
He has made me a blessing wherever I go, and bid me to establish prayer and give alms-tax as long as I live,
and to be kind to my mother. He has not made me arrogant or defiant.
Peace be upon me the day I was born, the day I die, and the day I will be raised back to life!”
The Holy Quran -19:29-19:33
The status of Jesus , son of Mary is one of veneration for the Muslims and cannot be truly magnified in this brief perspective.
Not only does the Holy Quran state the miraculous birth of Jesus the Messiah , but also numerous Hadith (Oral Traditions) from Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him), state fine details of the Return of Jesus the Messiah.
The Return of Jesus the Messiah will be at a time when the entire world will be in a dire situation and will return to defeat the Anti-Christ and will restore Peace and Justice on Earth.