Question Summary:
Does numerously being mentioned in the Qur`an indicate to one`s virtue over others?

Question Detail:

In the Qur’an the name Muhammad (peace be upon him) appears 4 times and the name Essa (peace be upon him) appears 25 times. The word Maseeh appears 10 times. The only lady to be mentioned in the Qur’an by name is Maryam, the mother of Essa (Jesus) (peace be upon him). The name appears 34 times. That means the whole Qur’an is only talking about the Christ. The Qur’an was revealed to discuss Meseeh Essa ibn Maryam. (Does this mean that the Qur’an declares the superiority of Issa (Alayhis salaam) over Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi wa sallam?))

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, The Most Merciful.

As-salaamu `alaykum wa-rahmatullahi wa-barakatuh.

It is true that there is much discussion about Essa (Jesus) (peace be upon him) and his mother Maryam (Mary) (May Allah be pleased with her) in the Qur`an. That is a clear indication that we believe in Essa (Jesus) (peace be upon him) as a Prophet of Allah and we have great respect for him. We also have great respect for Maryam (Mary) (May Allah be pleased with her). Respect for Essa (Jesus) (peace be upon him) and Maryam (Mary) is an important article of our faith. A muslim cannot be a muslim without having respect for Essa (Jesus) (peace be upon him) and his mother Maryam (Mary) (May Allah be pleased with her). One of the wisdoms of Allah referring to Essa (Jesus) (peace be upon him) and his mother Maryam (Mary) (May Allah be pleased with her) repeatedly in the Quran is to inculcate their love and reverence in our hearts.

One should not think that the repeated mention of Essa (Jesus) Alayhi Salaam and his mother, Maryam is an indication of superiority over Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him). If one goes with that rationale then that will be contradicted with the following;

Shaitaan (Satan) has been mentioned 68 times and has been mentioned by his name Iblees 11 times.

Fir`oun (Pharaoh) has been mentioned 74 times.

And Allah Ta`ala Knows Best.

Hussein Muhammad.

Student Darul Iftaa

Arusha, Tanzania

Checked and Approved by:

Mufti Ebrahim Desai.