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Abstract

Miracles in Islam hold a pivotal role in affirming and strengthening the prophethood of various messengers. They are regarded as divine signs and thus form an essential component of Islamic faith. This article specifically explores the most prominent miracles granted to Prophet ‘Isa (A.S.) by Almighty Allah. Among these, the Qur’an explicitly declares the miraculous birth of Prophet ‘Isa (A.S.)—born without a father—as one of the greatest signs of Allah’s power, highlighting the divine will over natural laws. In contrast, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan—a renowned 19th-century scholar, reformist, and founder of the Aligarh Movement—offers a radically different interpretation. Drawing upon certain Biblical references and historical reasoning, he suggests that a man named Yusuf (Joseph) was the biological father of Prophet ‘Isa (A.S.). This viewpoint starkly contrasts with the consensus of mainstream Islamic scholars across centuries, who have unanimously upheld the Qur’anic account of the virgin birth as a core tenet of belief. Sir Syed’s interpretations of the miracles of Prophet ‘Isa (A.S.) reflect his broader modernist approach to religion, rational inquiry, and reconciliation with Western scientific thought. In this article, his views are critically examined and contextualized within the wider Islamic scholarly tradition. Readers will find it particularly engaging and thought-provoking, as it presents a comparative perspective—juxtaposing the traditional, orthodox understanding with the reformist reinterpretations of one of the most influential Muslim intellectuals of colonial India.