Why do Muslims call Jesus Isa?

The four schools agree on this.

Explanation

When the angels gave Mary the news of her son, the Quran says his name would be "the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary". In Arabic that is al-Masih Isa ibn Maryam. Muslims simply use the Quran's word, just as Muslims say Musa for Moses and Ibrahim for Abraham.

Names change shape as they pass between languages:

• Aramaic and Hebrew: Yeshua or Yeshu, the name his own people used.
• Syriac: Isho, used by the old churches of the Middle East.
• Greek and Latin: Iesous and Iesus, which gave English its Jesus.
• Arabic: the Quran says Isa. Arab Christians usually say Yasu.

He is also the only prophet the Quran regularly names after his mother, "son of Mary", a reminder that he had no father. The Quran gives him other titles too: al-Masih (the Messiah), a word from Allah, a spirit from Him, the servant of Allah, a prophet and a messenger, "distinguished in this world and the Hereafter".

So a Muslim can say Jesus in English without any problem. Many Muslims choose Isa as a name for their sons out of love for him; see the name Isa. On the title Christ, see can Muslims say Jesus Christ?

The evidence

Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.