Answer
Peace be upon you dear questioner,
Great and beautiful question! Thank you so much for asking About Islam.
The best and most accurate way to explain who Jesus (peace be upon him-PBUH) was is to look to the words of Allah Almighty, who created Jesus and is a witness over all thing. So, who better than Allah Almighty to inform us?
Allah Almighty has already informed us in His direct, verbatim words in the Quran about our blessed Prophet Jesus (PBUH). So, here are seven verses about Jesus Christ (PBUH) in the Quran that illustrate the truth about him:
1- {He [Angel Gabriel] said, “I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you [news of] a pure boy.” She (Mary) said, “How can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?” He said, “Thus [it will be]; your Lord says, ‘It is easy for Me, and We will make him a sign to the people and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter [already] decreed.'”} (Quran 19:19-21)
2- {Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allah is like that of Adam. He created Him from dust; then He said to him, “Be,” and he was.} (Quran 3:59)
3- {The Messiah, son of Mary, was no more than a messenger; [other] messengers have passed on before him. And his mother was a supporter of truth. They both used to eat food. Look how We make clear to them the signs; then look how they are deluded.} (Quran 5:75)
4- {O People of the Scripture, do not exceed the limits in your religion, nor say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, “Three (Trinity)”; desist – it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs.} (Quran 4:171)
5- {It is not for a human [prophet] that Allah should give him the Scripture and authority and prophethood and then he would say to the people, “Be servants to me rather than Allah,” but [instead, he would say], “Be pious scholars of the Lord because of what you have taught of the Scripture and because of what you have studied”.} (Quran 3:79)
6- {And [for] their saying, “Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.” And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain. Rather, Allah raised him (i.e., body and soul) to Himself (and he is in the heavens). And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise.} (Quran 4:157-158)
7- {And [beware the Day] when Allah will say, “O Jesus, Son of Mary, did you say to the people, ‘Take me and my mother as deities besides Allah’?” He will say, “Exalted are You! It was not for me to say that to which I have no right. If I had said it, You would have known it. You know what is within myself, and I do not know what is within Yourself. Indeed, it is You who is Knower of the unseen. I said not to them except what You commanded me – to worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. And I was a witness over them as long as I was among them; but when You took me up, You were the Observer over them, and You are, over all things, Witness. If You should punish them – indeed they are Your servants; but if You forgive them – indeed it is You who is the Exalted in Might, the Wise”.} (Quran 5:116-118)
In sum, Jesus (PBUH) had a miraculous birth from the virgin Mary (PBUH). This was not the first time Allah Almighty created a man without a father. He has created Adam (PBUH) without a father or a mother. Jesus was sent confirming the law of Moses (PBUH). He was sent to call his people to pure monotheism and belief in the One God of all mankind.
Furthermore, Allah Almighty saved Jesus (PBUH) from being harmed by those who plotted to murder him. Allah always saves His messengers and righteous servants, as it is only befitting of Him as The Entirely Merciful Creator. Allah also saved Noah from the flood, Moses from Pharaoh, and Abraham from the fire, and so on (peace be upon them all).
Allah raised Jesus (PBUH) to heaven. And Jesus will return to correct the false and altered beliefs that have spread about him. He will spread justice on earth. And he will be a follower of everything that the last and final Messenger of God, Muhammad (PBUH) came with.
I hope this answers your question. Please keep in touch.
Peace.
Please continue feeding your curiosity, and find more info in the following links:
Jesus: What non-Muslims might not know
5 Muslims’ Beliefs about Jesus’ Second Coming