As mentioned above, referring to the Qur''an in search of finding answers to these questions, we should first look for the attributes common to all the prophets related in the Qur''an. Thus, the way to recognise Jesus (as) would be to examine the attributes of the prophets. Surely, there are hundreds of them. However, in this section we will emphasise the most apparent attributes that are immediately evident.
1. He is different from other people because of his exceptional moral values Like all other prophets chosen by Allah to proclaim His message to mankind, Jesus (as) is known for his excellent moral values. The most distinctive attribute of Jesus (as) is his exemplary person, immediately discernible in the society he lives in. He, indeed, has an exemplary character, unprecedented in nature and striking to anyone at first sight. An extremely committed, courageous and strong person, a manifestation of the trust he puts in Allah and his pure faith in Him. With such traits, he has a profound influence on everyone. This superiority, a shared attribute of all prophets, is related in the verse:
This is the argument We gave to Ibrahim (Abraham) against his people. We raise in rank anyone We will. Your Lord is All-Wise, All-Knowing. We gave him Ishaq (Isaac) and Ya''qub (Jacob), each of whom We guided. And before him We had guided Nuh (Noah). And among his descendants were Dawud (David) and Sulayman (Solomon), and Ayyub (Job), Yusuf (Joseph), Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron). That is how We recompense the good-doers. And Zakarriyya (Zachariah), Yahya (John), ‘Isa (Jesus) and Ilyas (Elijah). All of them were among the righteous. And Isma’il (Ishmael), al-Yasa’ (Elisha), Yunus (Jonah) and Lut (Lot). All of them We favoured over all beings. And some of their forebears, descendants and brothers; We chose them and guided them to a straight path. (Surat al-An’am: 83-87 ) That Allah granted superior attributes to the prophets is expressed precisely in the verse above. There are many other examples narrated in the Qur''an. The statements below inform us of the superior traits granted to the prophets:
Ibrahim was a community in himself. (Surat an-Nahl: 120)
And remember Our slaves Ibrahim, Ishaq and Ya''qub, men of true strength and inner sight. (Surah Sad: 45)
In Our eyes they are among the best of chosen men. (Surah Sad: 47)
We gave knowledge to Dawud and Sulayman who said, ‘Praise be to Allah who has favoured us over many of His slaves who are believers…’ (Surat an-Naml: 15) Jesus (as) is also one of the chosen prophets of Allah. Allah states the following about him:
These Messengers: We favoured some of them over others. Allah spoke directly to some of them and raised up some of them in rank. We gave clear Signs to ‘Isa, son of Maryam, and reinforced him with the Purest Spirit. (Surat al-Baqarah: 253)