When the people brought baby Isa (Jesus, peace be upon him) before them, expecting Mary to explain herself, something miraculous happened. The newborn child spoke his very first words, and those words carry a lesson that should transform how every Muslim sees themselves and their relationship with Allah.
The First Words of Prophet Isa
As a newborn infant, Isa (peace be upon him) declared with absolute clarity who he was and what his mission would be. Allah recounts this moment in the Quran, preserving it as guidance for all of humanity until the end of time.
“He said: I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Book and has made me a prophet. And He has enjoined upon me prayer and zakah as long as I live, and to be dutiful to my mother.”
The Pride of Being Allah’s Slave
There is one form of pride that is not only permissible but essential: the pride of being a slave of Allah. While pride and arrogance are generally condemned in Islam, taking honor in your servitude to the Creator is the highest station a human being can reach.
- Isa (peace be upon him) as a newborn declared himself the slave of Allah before anything else
- Many grown adults today with years of knowledge and experience still struggle to embrace this identity
- Young people facing crises of faith can find stability in this simple, powerful declaration
“As a baby, as a newborn, his first words are: I am the slave of Allah. Let all of us embrace this identity.”
If a prophet of Allah introduced himself first and foremost as His servant, then this identity should be the foundation of everything we are. When you know who you belong to, every other question in life becomes easier to answer.
