and the earth; then he said, “and his name shall be called Immanuel.” This indicates that a name is simply being assigned to him, one by which he will be called just as people give their children proper names or descriptive epithets.
Some of these names are coined on the spot, while others are in fact entire phrases that are repeated verbatim. For that reason many among the People of the Book name a son Immanuel.
Some of them claim that the virgin intended here was someone other than Mary, and they recount an incident to that effect. Others say that the virgin is indeed Mary. If the latter is correct, the statement would bear one of two meanings:
First, that our God is with us by granting victory and assistance. The Children of Israel had been abandoned because of their distortions, but when the Messiah—peace be upon him—was sent with the truth, Allah was with those who followed him. The Messiah himself did not remain among them, for he was raised to heaven; yet Allah continued to support his followers with triumph and help,
as the Exalted says, “So We strengthened those who believed against their enemy, and they prevailed” (al-Saff 61:14),
and He also says, “I will place those who follow you above those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection” (Āl ʿImrān 3:55).