"The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah--the which We have sent by inspiration to thee--and that which We enjoined on Abraham Moses and Jesus: Namely that ye should remain steadfast in Religion and make no divisions therein: to those who worship other things than Allah hard is the (way) to which thou callest them. Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him).²
(Qur'an: Translation of the meaning, 42:13)

Muslims respect and revere Jesus (peace be upon Him) , and await his Second Coming. They consider him one of the greatest of God's Messengers to mankind. A Muslim never refers to him simply as 'Jesus' (peace be upon Him) , but always adds the phrase 'upon him be peace'. The Qur'an confirms his virgin birth (a chapter of the Qur'an is entitled 'Mary'), and Mary is considered the purest woman in all creation. The Qur'an describes the Annunciation as follows:

³Behold! the angels said: "O Mary! Allah hath chosen thee and purified thee; chosen thee above the women of all nations. "O Mary! worship thy Lord devoutly; prostrate thyself and bow down (in prayer) with those who bow down."
(Qur'an: Translation of the meaning, 3:42-43)

³Behold! the angels said "O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus the son of Mary held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to Allah. "He shall speak to the people in childhood and in maturity and he shall be (of the company) of the righteous." She said: "O my Lord! how shall I have a son when no man hath touched me?" He said: "Even so: Allah createth what He willeth; when He hath decreed a plan He but saith to it `Be' and it is!
(Qur'an: Translation of the meaning, 3:45-47)

In another Chapter (Mary) Allah Almighty describes the miraculous birth of Jesus (peace be upon Him).

³Relate in the Book (the story of) Mary when she withdrew from her family to a place in the East. She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them: then We sent to her Our angel and he appeared before her as a man in all respects. She said: "I seek refuge from thee to (Allah) Most Gracious: (come not near) if thou dost fear Allah." He said: "Nay I am only a messenger from thy Lord (to announce) to thee the gift of a holy son." She said: "How shall I have a son seeing that no man has touched me and I am not unchaste? He said: "So (it will be): thy Lord saith `That is easy for Me: and (We wish) to appoint him as a Sign unto men and a Mercy from Us': it is a matter (so) decreed." So she conceived him and she retired with him to a remote place.

And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm-tree: she cried (in her anguish): "Ah! would that I had died before this! Would that I had been a thing forgotten and out of sight!"

But (a voice) cried to her from beneath the (palm-free): "Grieve not! for thy Lord hath provided a rivulet beneath thee; "And shake towards thyself the trunk of the palm-tree: it will let fall fresh ripe dates upon thee "So eat and drink and cool (thine) eye.

And if thou dost see any man say `I have vowed a fast to (Allah) Most Gracious and this day will I enter into no talk with any human being.'

At length she brought the (babe) to her people carrying him (in her arms). They said: "O Mary! truly an amazing thing hast thou brought!

"O sister of Aaron! thy father was not a man of evil nor thy mother a woman unchaste!

But she pointed to the babe. They said: "How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?"

He said: "I am indeed a servant of Allah: He hath given me revelation and made me a prophet; "

And He hath made me Blessed wheresoever I be and hath enjoined on me Prayer and Charity as long as I live;

(He) hath made me kind to my mother and not overbearing or miserable

So Peace is on me the day I was born the day that I die and the Day that I shall be raised up to life (again)"!

Such (was) Jesus the son of Mary: (it is) a statement of truth about which they (vainly) dispute.

It is not befitting to (the majesty of) Allah that He should beget a son.

Glory be to Him! When He determines a matter He only says to it "Be" and it is.²
(Qur'an: Translation of the meaning, 19:16-35)

³Truly, the likeness of Jesus with God is as the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust, and then said to him, 'Be!' and he was.²
(Qur'an: Translation of the meaning, 3:59)

³I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I make for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it and it becomes a bird by God's leave. And I heal the blind, and the lepers, and I raise the dead by God's leave.²
(Qur'an: Translation of the meaning, 3:49)

³To attest the law which was before me. And to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden you; I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so fear God and obey me.²
(Qur'an: Translation of the meaning, 3:50)