The name of Jesus in Islam is Isa. Some disagree with this and others strongly reject it. I don’t have a problem with that because I know that the Isa mentioned in the Qur’an is talking about the Jesus of the Bible. Sure, details of his life, death, resurrection, and personality are lacking, but that’s where I and other workers in the Kingdom of God come in. I think of it as job security. I have the privilege of participating in an interfaith dialogue with Arab Muslims and being able to explain to them “the way of God more perfectly” (Acts 18:26).
Think about it, the name of Jesus in Islam is not just Isa. Observed:
“Behold! the angels said: “O Mary! Allah gives you glad tidings of a Word from Him: His name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, honored in this world and in the Hereafter and from (the company of) those closest to Allah” S. 3:45
It is a Word from Allah, Isa, Son of Mary, the Messiah, eternally honored and one of the closest to God. This is a much more favorable presentation of the name Jesus in Islam than is often presented by opponents of the name Isa. In my experience, most Muslims do not know why his birth from the womb of the Virgin Mary is significant. Most do not know the truth of the “Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” Furthermore, although most Islamic scholars are aware of and admit to the many mentions of Jesus Christ in the Qur’an, they do not understand what the term messiah means.
As with many believers around the world, my heart beats to glorify God and allow him to use me to lead Muslims to the Savior. If the name of Jesus in Islam were even something that could lead men to faith in a false savior or an imitation of Christ, I would not come close to it.
In fact, I have used the Arabic word for the name of Jesus that is used in the Arabic translation of the Bible, “Yesua”, when discussing Christ with Muslims. Many, if not most, have never heard this name. That’s fine I guess. However, when I use Isa, there is immediate recognition. It allows certain preconceived things to be in place in the minds of men. Of course, I understand that there are also wrong notions about Jesus in the minds of men, but this will be the case if I take the time to explain that Yesua is the Isa of the Qur’an as well.
So if the name of Jesus in Islam is Isa and Isa is one of those who are close to God (al-Muqaribeen), can this Isa help guide Muslims towards God? I have asked this same question to many Muslims. After further discussion of Christ, many of them conclude that the revelation of Christ, the Injil, which we know as the Gospel, can help them. Yes, the Muslim view of God and the Muslim view of Jesus differ from Christian views. We know this, however. Merely asserting the obvious and demanding full acceptance of a foreign vocabulary and religious mindset does not move men to Christ. However, finding common ground brings men closer to God.
Just as the name of Mary in Islam, Miriam, refers to the same May, mother of Jesus, in the Bible, so also Isa, the name of Jesus in Islam, refers to the Jesus of the Bible. I encourage everyone not to let this become a stumbling block, but to learn what the Qur’an says about Jesus and to mind our Father’s business continually.