The virgin birth of Jesus is one of those remarkable moments that captures the imagination and faith of billions of people worldwide. It’s a miracle celebrated in Christianity and Islam, a shared story that speaks to the power and mystery of God’s work in the world.
By Dr. Tim Orr
Bridging Worlds Through Grace, Truth, and Dialogue
The virgin birth of Jesus is one of those remarkable moments that captures the imagination and faith of billions of people worldwide. It’s a miracle celebrated in Christianity and Islam, a shared story that speaks to the power and mystery of God’s work in the world. But what’s fascinating is how differently the two faiths understand this event. For Christians, the virgin birth is foundational—it’s about who Jesus is: the Son of God, fully divine and fully human, stepping into history to save the world. For Muslims, the virgin birth is no less miraculous, but it points instead to Allah’s incredible power and Jesus’ role as one of the greatest prophets. These shared beliefs and their differences offer a unique window into how each faith views God, humanity, and the meaning of miracles. Exploring the Christian and Islamic perspectives on the virgin birth reveals what divides these two great religions and where they come together, offering opportunities for understanding and dialogue.
For Christians, virgin birth is a non-negotiable element of faith because it directly supports the core doctrines of the Incarnation and salvation. The accounts in the Gospels of Matthew (1:18–25) and Luke (1:26–38) highlight the divine intervention in Jesus’ conception, emphasizing that He was born of a virgin, Mary, through the Holy Spirit. This extraordinary event underscores the doctrine that Jesus is fully God and fully human. Theologians argue that the virgin birth is not merely a sign of divine power but also a critical component in Jesus’ ability to save humanity. By being born without an earthly father, Jesus bypasses the inheritance of original sin, a concept rooted in Pauline theology that views Adam’s sin as corrupting all subsequent generations (Romans 5:12–21). Without the virgin birth, Jesus’ sinlessness—and therefore His qualification to be the perfect sacrificial Lamb—would be called into question (Grudem, 2020).
Furthermore, the virgin birth fulfills the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14, linking the Old Testament promises to their New Testament fulfillment in Christ. "Immanuel," meaning "God with us," underscores Jesus’ divine mission to dwell among His people and redeem them. This fulfillment of prophecy ties the virgin birth to God’s broader redemptive plan, showcasing the continuity of Scripture and God’s faithfulness to His promises. The virgin birth also sets Christianity apart from other religions by affirming the unique relationship between Jesus and God the Father. The title "Son of God" is more than a metaphor; it signifies Jesus’ divine nature, His equality with the Father, and His role within the Trinity. This relationship is central to Christian worship and theology, as it points to a God who is both transcendent and immanent, intimately involved in the lives of His creation (Ware, 2018).
The virgin birth also carries profound implications for Christian spirituality and worship. It reminds believers of God’s miraculous power to intervene in human history. It is celebrated annually during Christmas, which is the moment when God entered the world as a vulnerable infant, demonstrating His humility and love for humanity. For Christians, the virgin birth is not just a miraculous event but a deeply personal affirmation of God’s desire to save and restore His creation.
In Islam, the virgin birth is affirmed as a miraculous event, but its significance lies in its demonstration of Allah’s creative power rather than Jesus’ identity. The Quran provides two detailed accounts of the virgin birth in Surah Maryam (19:16–34) and Surah Al-Imran (3:42–47), portraying Mary (Maryam) as a chaste and devout woman chosen by Allah for this extraordinary role. When the angel announces that Mary will give birth to a son, despite her being a virgin, she expresses astonishment, to which the angel responds that Allah’s decree is sufficient: "Be, and it is" (Surah 3:47). This language parallels the Quran’s description of Adam’s creation, where Allah similarly says, "Be," and Adam exists (Surah 3:59). This comparison underscores the Islamic view of Allah as the ultimate Creator, capable of bringing life into being without the usual biological processes.
For Muslims, the virgin birth is one of many signs (ayat) that testify to Jesus’ (Isa’s) prophethood. The Quran emphasizes Jesus’ humanity and his role as a messenger of Allah, sent to guide the Children of Israel with miracles and revelations (Surah 5:110). His miraculous birth does not elevate him to divine status, as Islam strictly rejects the notion of Allah having a son (Surah 19:35). Instead, the virgin birth is seen as a testament to Allah’s sovereignty and His ability to perform miracles that defy human understanding. In this framework, Jesus is viewed alongside other prophets who performed miraculous acts by Allah’s permission, such as Moses parting the Red Sea and Abraham surviving the fire.
Mary, too, is deeply revered in Islam, and her story is a source of inspiration for Muslims. The Quran describes her as "chosen and purified" above all women (Surah 3:42), and she is the only woman mentioned by name in the Quran, reflecting her elevated status. Mary’s faith and obedience to Allah’s will are celebrated as examples of piety and submission. While she is not regarded as the "Mother of God" as in Christianity, she is honored as the mother of a great prophet and as a model of virtue for all believers (Esposito, 2011).
The differences in how Christianity and Islam interpret the virgin birth reveal broader theological divides between the two faiths. In Christianity, the virgin birth directly supports the doctrine of the Trinity and the Incarnation. By being conceived by the Holy Spirit, Jesus embodies the union of divinity and humanity, enabling Him to mediate between God and humankind. The apostle Paul highlights this mediating role, describing Jesus as the "one mediator between God and men" (1 Timothy 2:5, ESV). His dual nature allows Him to represent humanity while bearing the divine authority to forgive sins and offer eternal life.
In Islam, the virgin birth does not imply divinity but reinforces Allah’s absolute oneness (tawhid). Islam rejects any notion of God taking on human form, viewing it as incompatible with Allah’s transcendence. The Quran explicitly refutes the idea that Jesus is the Son of God, stating, "It is not befitting to [Allah] that He should take a son. Exalted is He!" (Surah 19:35). Instead, Jesus’ miraculous birth is placed within the broader context of prophethood, where miracles serve as signs to affirm a prophet’s message. This theological framework emphasizes Allah’s sovereignty and the human nature of His messengers, maintaining a clear distinction between Creator and creation.
These differing interpretations also shape how each faith views Jesus’ mission and identity. Christianity emphasizes Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection as the culmination of His mission to save humanity from sin. Islam, by contrast, focuses on Jesus’ role as a prophet who guided his people and foretold the coming of Muhammad, the final messenger. While significant in both traditions, the virgin birth points to fundamentally different understandings of God’s relationship with the world and His purposes for humanity.
Despite their theological differences, Christianity and Islam deeply respect Mary, making her a unique figure for interfaith dialogue. In Christianity, Mary is venerated as the Theotokos, or "God-bearer," a title that reflects her role as the mother of Jesus, who is both fully God and fully man. Her faith and obedience to God’s plan are celebrated, particularly in the Magnificat (Luke 1:46–55), where she praises God for His mighty deeds. In Islam, Mary is honored as one of the most virtuous women in history, described as a model of piety and submission to Allah’s will. Her story is recounted with great reverence, and she is upheld as an example for all believers, both men and women.
This shared admiration for Mary offers a point of connection between Christians and Muslims. While their theological interpretations of her role differ, both traditions recognize her as a woman of extraordinary faith and a recipient of divine favor. Her story illustrates the power of faith and submission to God, values that resonate deeply in both religious traditions. By focusing on Mary’s shared significance, Christians and Muslims can find common ground for respectful dialogue and mutual understanding.
The virgin birth of Jesus is a profound and miraculous event that both Christianity and Islam affirm, though they interpret it in distinct ways. For Christians, it is a cornerstone of faith, affirming Jesus’ divinity, sinlessness, and role in God’s plan of salvation. For Muslims, it is a miraculous sign of Allah’s creative power and a testament to Jesus’ prophethood. While the two traditions differ fundamentally in their theological interpretations, their shared respect for Mary and the virgin birth provides a valuable starting point for interfaith conversations. By exploring these differences and commonalities, Christians and Muslims can deepen their understanding of each other’s beliefs and appreciate the richness of their respective traditions.
Esposito, J. L. (2011). What everyone needs to know about Islam (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
Grudem, W. (2020). Systematic theology: An introduction to biblical doctrine (2nd ed.). Zondervan Academic.
Ware, B. A. (2018). Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: Relationships, roles, and relevance. Crossway.
Tim Orr is a scholar of Islam, Evangelical minister, conference speaker, and interfaith consultant with over 30 years of experience in cross-cultural ministry. He holds six degrees, including a master’s in Islamic studies from the Islamic College in London. Tim taught Religious Studies for 15 years at Indiana University Columbus and is now a Congregations and Polarization Project research associate at the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture at Indiana University Indianapolis. He has spoken at universities, including Oxford University, Imperial College London, the University of Tehran, Islamic College London, and mosques throughout the U.K. His research focuses on American Evangelicalism, Islamic antisemitism, and Islamic feminism, and he has published widely, including articles in Islamic peer-reviewed journals and three books.
Dr. Tim Orr