Maryam, a devout and chaste young woman, spent her days in devoted worship in the sanctuary of Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem). One day, as she secluded herself in a private chamber, an extraordinary event unfolded. The angels came to her with astonishing news. "O Mary, indeed Allah gives you good tidings of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary - distinguished in this world and the Hereafter and among those brought near to Allah."

Imagine Maryam's surprise! How could she, a pure and untouched virgin, have a child? "My Lord," she cried, "how shall I have a son when no man has touched me?". The answer came: "So (it will be) for Allah creates what He wills. When He has decreed something, He says to it only: 'Be!' – and it is." Just as Allah created Adam from dust with a single command, He would create Isa without a father.

The angels told her that her son, Isa, would be no ordinary child. He would speak to people "in the cradle and in maturity and will be of the righteous." He would be taught by Allah "writing and wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel". Maryam conceived Isa, and feeling the profound change within her, she withdrew to a remote place.

The pains of childbirth came upon Maryam as she rested against the trunk of a lonely palm tree. Overwhelmed by fear of what people would say, she cried, "Oh, I wish I had died before this and was in oblivion, forgotten." But a voice, later revealed to be Isa himself from beneath her, called out, "Do not grieve; your Lord has provided beneath you a stream."

When she returned to her people, carrying her newborn son, they were shocked. "O Mary, you have certainly done a thing unprecedented." They accused her of wrongdoing. How could they believe this child was born miraculously? They pointed at the infant, demanding answers from him, asking, "How can we speak to one who is in the cradle a child?"

Then, a miracle unfolded before their very eyes. The tiny infant, Isa, spoke clearly and with wisdom: "Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet. And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and zakah as long as I remain alive. And made me dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me a wretched tyrant. And peace is on me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I am raised alive." Imagine the hush that fell over the crowd as this infant spoke, declaring his servitude to Allah and his prophetic mission!

As Isa grew, he became a messenger to the Children of Israel. Allah supported him with the Pure Spirit, which scholars like Ibn Kathir identify as the Angel Jibril (Gabriel). Isa performed many clear proofs and miracles, all by Allah's permission. He would design "from clay that which is like the form of a bird, then I breathe into it and it becomes a bird by permission of Allah." People would watch, amazed, as the clay bird would flutter its wings and fly away.

He also healed "the blind and the leper," restoring sight to those born without it and cleansing those afflicted with terrible skin diseases. And most astonishingly, he could "give life to the dead - by permission of Allah." He even informed people of what they ate and what they stored in their houses, revealing hidden knowledge. Each of these wonders was a clear sign for those who were believers.

Isa confirmed the Torah that came before him and also made lawful some things that had been forbidden to the Children of Israel. He called them to worship Allah, his Lord and their Lord, emphasizing that this was the straight path.

Despite these clear signs, many among the Children of Israel refused to believe in Isa. Their hearts were filled with arrogance and a desire for worldly things. The Quran describes this stubbornness, saying, "is it not that every time a messenger came to you, O Children of Israel, with what your souls did not desire, you were arrogant? And a party of messengers you denied and another party you killed."

When Isa "felt persistence in disbelief from them," he asked, "Who are my supporters for the cause of Allah?" A group of sincere followers, known as the disciples or Al-Hawariyyun, immediately responded: "We are supporters for Allah. We have believed in Allah and testify that we are Muslims submitting to Him. Our Lord, we have believed in what You revealed and have followed the messenger Jesus, so register us among the witnesses to truth." They were loyal, pure in heart, and committed to Allah's cause.

Once, the disciples asked Isa if his Lord could send down a table spread with food from the heaven. Isa urged them to "Fear Allah, if you should be believers." But they insisted, wishing to eat from it, reassure their hearts, know Isa was truthful, and be among its witnesses. So, Isa prayed: "O Allah, our Lord, send down to us a table spread with food from the heaven to be for us a festival for the first of us and the last of us and a sign from You. And provide for us, and You are the best of providers." Allah answered his prayer, sending down the miraculous table of food.

The opposition against Isa grew, turning into a sinister plot. The Children of Israel, in their denial and envy, conspired to kill him. They even boasted, saying, "Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah." But Allah reveals the truth: "And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but another was made to resemble him to them."

Scholars like Ad-Dahhak tell us that when the Jews came to arrest Isa, he was with his disciples in a house. Isa asked who among them would volunteer to be made to look like him and be killed in his place, for which he would be his companion in Paradise. A young man volunteered, and Allah caused him to resemble Isa. While this happened, Allah raised Isa "to Myself", taking him up from the house to heaven while he was asleep. The Jews then seized the man who resembled Isa and crucified him, mistakenly believing they had killed Isa. "And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain. Rather, Allah raised him to Himself." Allah, being "Exalted in Might and Wise", foiled their plans and saved His prophet.

Allah made a promise to Isa: "O Jesus, indeed I will take you and raise you to Myself and purify you from those who disbelieve and make those who follow you in submission to Allah alone superior to those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me is your return, and I will judge between you concerning that in which you used to differ."

The story of Isa does not end with his ascension. According to authentic Hadith, Isa will return to Earth before the Day of Judgment. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "The Hour will not be established until the son of Mary (i.e. Jesus) descends amongst you as a just ruler, he will break the cross, kill the pigs, and abolish the Jizya tax. Money will be in abundance so that nobody will accept it (as charitable gifts)." Sahih al-Bukhari 46:37

He will descend near a white minaret to the east of Damascus, wearing light yellow garments, his hair appearing to drip water even without moisture. He will lead Muslims in prayer, and when the false messiah, Dajjal, sees him, he will melt away like salt in water. Isa will kill Dajjal and bring an era of peace and justice to the world, where lions will mingle with camels, and children will play with snakes without harm (Sahih Muslim 4:195, from a longer hadith). Isa will remain on Earth for a period, marry, have children, and then die a natural death, after which Muslims will offer funeral prayers for him.

Thus, Isa, son of Maryam, remains a profound sign for humanity, a testament to Allah's infinite power and wisdom. His life, his miracles, and his destined return remind us of Allah's meticulous plan for His creation.

The story of Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam, teaches us about faith, patience, and the boundless power of Allah. It reminds us that Allah's plan always prevails, no matter how much people conspire or disbelieve. Isa's life was a series of miracles, from his virgin birth to his ability to heal the sick and raise the dead, all by Allah's permission. These events challenge us to look beyond the ordinary and recognize the extraordinary signs of our Creator. His message, like that of all prophets, called humanity to the pure worship of the One God. The future return of Isa is a reminder of ultimate justice and the triumph of truth before the final Hour.