قَالَ إِنِّى عَبْدُ ٱللَّهِ ءَاتَىٰنِىَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَجَعَلَنِى نَبِيًّا 30
Translations
[Jesus] said, "Indeed, I am the servant of Allāh. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet.
Transliteration
Qala inni 'abdu Allahi atani al-kitaba wa ja'alani nabiyya
Tafsir (Explanation)
This verse contains the miraculous speech of infant Jesus ('Isa) in the cradle, proclaiming his servitude to Allah and his role as a messenger. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that Jesus explicitly declares himself as 'abd (servant) of Allah, refuting Christian doctrines of divinity, while affirming he was given the Scripture (likely referring to the Injil) and appointed as a prophet. This statement establishes the Islamic understanding of Jesus as a human prophet with a specific divine mission, not as divine or the son of God.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Jesus's birth in Surah Maryam, specifically his miraculous speech while still an infant in the cradle. The context addresses the miraculous nature of Jesus's birth and early life, presenting the Islamic theological position on his identity and purpose as a messenger of God to the Children of Israel.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said regarding Jesus: 'The closest of people to me in this life and the next is Jesus son of Mary, for there is no prophet between me and him.' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Additionally, Surah 3:51 contains Jesus's similar statement about his servitude and mission, reinforcing this theological point.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that true greatness and honor lie in complete servitude to Allah, not in claims of divinity or superiority—a principle applicable to all believers in their relationship with their Creator. It also reminds us that being chosen by Allah for a sacred mission is rooted in humble submission to His will.
Related Ayahs
قَالَ كَذَٰلِكِ قَالَ رَبُّكِ هُوَ عَلَىَّ هَيِّنٌ ۖ وَلِنَجْعَلَهُۥٓ ءَايَةً لِّلنَّاسِ وَرَحْمَةً مِّنَّا ۚ وَكَانَ أَمْرًا مَّقْضِيًّا
He said, "Thus [it will be]; your Lord says, 'It is easy for Me, and We will make him a sign to the people and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter [already] decreed.'"
فَٱخْتَلَفَ ٱلْأَحْزَابُ مِنۢ بَيْنِهِمْ ۖ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِن مَّشْهَدِ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ
Then the factions differed [concerning Jesus] from among them, so woe to those who disbelieved - from the scene of a tremendous Day.
وَرَفَعْنَـٰهُ مَكَانًا عَلِيًّا
And We raised him to a high station.
قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّى وَهَنَ ٱلْعَظْمُ مِنِّى وَٱشْتَعَلَ ٱلرَّأْسُ شَيْبًا وَلَمْ أَكُنۢ بِدُعَآئِكَ رَبِّ شَقِيًّا
He said, "My Lord, indeed my bones have weakened, and my head has filled with white, and never have I been in my supplication to You, my Lord, unhappy [i.e., disappointed].