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Did Prophet Jesus Marry?

Question and answer details
Name of Questioner:	Kaleem Uddin
Reply date:	2012/06/07
Question:	As-salamu `alaykum. May Allah reward you for your service. My question is: Did Prophet `Isa (Jesus) marry? If not, why? Thanks
consultant:	Nabil Haroun
Answer Salam, Kaleem. Thank you so much for your question. To find out whether Jesus married or not, we are limited to the historical sources at hand. These are the Qur’an and the books of the New Testament. The former is the only remaining preserved divine book, that is and proved to be the authentic unchanged word of God. The New Testament, on the other hand, is a collection of human records of the story of Jesus (the four Gospels) and other selected literature (epistles, visions, etc). The Qur’an does not go into much detail (as human writings do), but highlights certain aspects and features of the life stories of the previous prophets. The aim is not so much to put their stories on record as to give lessons and wisdom. The main goals are to prove the truth of the revelation and prophethood, to admonish, and to clarify the unity of the divine messages. Details given are restricted to those serving these goals. Advice and exhortation are woven into the stories. The stories of prophets Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and Jesus are given relatively more detail in the Qur’an. Although the Qur’an states that prophets do marry and have children: {And certainly We sent messengers before you and gave them wives and children, and it is not in (the power of) an messenger to bring a sign except by Allah's permission; for every term there is an appointment.} (Ar-Ra`d 13:38) Yet, there is no mention whatsoever of the marriage or a wife of Jesus. On the other hand, relatively more details of the biography of Jesus are found in the four Gospels and other writings of Paul, John, and Peter in the New Testament, including his genealogy (more precisely that of Joseph the carpenter, the claimed fiancé of his mother), the names of his disciples, and also some of his relatives. Yet again, no mention whatsoever is there of a wife. Hence, with the information and sources at hand, we can conclude that, most probably, Jesus did not marry. This is in harmony with the character and message of Jesus. He came to correct the deviation of Judaism from pure monotheism and divine guidance to a materialistic approach to life, a superficial approach to rites and hard-hearted application of law. So, Jesus emphasized the purification of heart and soul, and the revival of the true essence of belief, rites, and law. For the prevailing materialistic world he came to guide, his life was a model of asceticism and turning away from material desires. This gives further weight to the belief that Jesus did not marry. Allah knows best. Thank you again for your question, and please keep in touch. Useful Links: What We Know About Jesus Did Jesus Have Brothers and Sisters?

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