The idea in brief

Islam teaches that God sent prophets to guide people. Muslims honour these messengers as human beings who called others to faith and responsibility.

Continuity across generations

The Qur’an places Muhammad within a longer history of revelation. Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, and Jesus are among the figures it names. Muslims see their central call as worshipping the one God.

This is the Islamic understanding of prophetic continuity. Jewish and Christian communities understand these histories and figures through their own traditions, and there are real theological differences between the faiths.

Jesus and Mary

Jesus, called ‘Isa in Arabic, is honoured in Islam as a messenger of God and the Messiah. Mary, called Maryam, holds a distinguished place in the Qur’an; a chapter bears her name.

Muslims believe in the miraculous birth of Jesus but do not worship him or regard him as God. Recognising these points of connection and difference helps make interfaith conversation more accurate and respectful.

Muhammad in this story

Muslims regard Muhammad as the final prophet. The Qur’an describes him as the messenger of God and the seal of the prophets. His role is understood as conveying revelation and embodying its guidance.

Honouring a prophet is different from worshipping one. In Islam, worship belongs to God alone. When Muslims say “peace be upon him” after a prophet’s name, they are expressing respect and offering a prayer.

A shared name does not mean an identical account

A reader familiar with the Bible may recognise names but notice different emphases or accounts. Islamic, Jewish, and Christian understandings of revelation are not interchangeable. A respectful comparison names those differences rather than flattening them into a single story.

Try comparing a specific theme—such as Abraham’s trust in God—within each tradition’s own sources. Be clear about whether you are describing a Muslim belief or making a historical claim. This keeps comparison useful and avoids speaking on behalf of people whose beliefs differ from yours.

Sources & further reading

Original introductory summary, not a direct scripture translation. Prepared 21 October 2026. Qualified human religious review is pending. About our editorial approach.