Allah (The Creator of heavens and earth), as well as His Prophet Muhammad -peace be upon him-, confirmed that “Jesus” (PBUH) is human, servant and messenger of Allah, that he was physically raised alive in some form to heaven both his body and soul, and he will physically be brought back from heaven to earth on the wings of two angels. Actually Muslims were told fourteen hundred years ago how, when and where exactly this return will happen.
In this article, we intend to give evidences from Quran (i.e the final revelation), and Sunnah (i.e Prophet’s quotes and teachings) proving in brief the life, ascension, upcoming descent and his deeds before he finally dies. There are even some narrations of Muhammad (PBUH) about where Jesus will be buried.
So, how to go about this? The best strategy is to press on chronologically; his life, ascension, upcoming descent, his deeds before he finally dies, and his final resting place. Here we go:
Jesus is Alive
Jews claim they have killed Isa the son of Mary, while Christians believe that Jesus is alive today, and many of their sects believe him to be active. They also believe that he has been resurrected already, and that he will never die again. The Islamic concept comes from Quran, as Allah says:
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 to Himself. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise.” [Quran.com/4/157-158]
This means that Jesus is alive in some un-known form, and has not been crucified or killed.
The Ascension of Jesus
Sects of Christianity differ a lot on this matter in particular. They differ on when it happened, how it happened and whether it was witnessed by some of his disciples or not.
In Islam the concept is that Jesus’s resemblance was bestowed on one of his disciples who volunteered to take his place and was martyred. Jesus was then lifted alive (both his body and soul) to heavens by God, and the evidence from Quran is the previously mentioned verses; [Quran.com/4/157–158]
The Upcoming Descent of Jesus
Quran and Sunnah give clear accounts on the return of Jesus (PBUH). We can know the time, place and manner by which it will all unfold. He will descend after the appearance of Dajjal (Antichrist), at the white minaret in the eastern side of Damascus while placing his hands on the wings of two angels. It would be one of the signs of the Hour.
- Allah al-mighty says: “And indeed, Jesus will be [a sign for] knowledge of the Hour, so be not in doubt of it, and follow Me. This is a straight path.” [Quran.com/43/61]
- Muhammad the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) conveys to humanity that the descent of Jesus is one of the major signs of the final Hour, or in other words it is one of the major final events.
Hudhaifa b. Usaid al-Ghifari reported: Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) came to us all of a sudden as we were (busy in a discussion). He said: “What do you discuss about?” They (the Companions) said. We are discussing about the Last Hour. Thereupon he said:
It will not come until you see ten signs before and (in this connection) he made a mention of the smoke, Dajjal (i.e the anti-Christ), the beast, the rising of the sun from the west, the descent of Jesus son of Mary (Allah be pleased with him), the Gog and Magog, and land-slides in three places, one in the east, one in the west and one in Arabia at the end of which fire would burn forth from the Yemen, and would drive people to the place of their assembly.” [Sahih Muslim]
Muhammad (PBUH) also tells us about the place and manner in which Jesus will descend in this Hadith:
…and it will be at this very time that Allah will send `Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary) who will descend at the white minaret in the eastern side of Damascus, wearing two garments lightly dyed and placing his hands on the wings of two angels. When he will lower his head, there would fall drops of water from his head, and when he will raise it up, drops like pearls would scatter from it. Every disbeliever who will find his (i.e., `Isa’s) smell will die and his smell will reach as far as he will be able to see. He will then search for Dajjal until he will catch hold of him at the gate of Ludd (village near Jerusalem), and will kill him ……” [Sahih Muslim]
Deeds of Jesus on his Return
In Islam it is a belief that Jesus is a prophet of God and His servant that he has not yet fulfilled his life. There are deeds of His yet to be done which are summarized as follows:
- He will be a just judge and a just ruler.
- He will kill the Dajjal at the gate of Ludd.
- He will break the cross.
- He will kill the pigs.
- He will abolish the Jizyah (money paid by non-Muslims to the Islamic state by which they governed).
- Abundance will prevail.
- He will pray Muslim prayers behind a Muslim ruler ‘the Mahdi’ and follow him.
Evidences:
- Mujammi’ bin Jariyah Al-Ansari said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) saying: ‘Eisa bin Maryam will kill the Dajjal at the gate of Ludd.’” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi)
- It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “The Hour will not begin until ‘Eisa bin Maryam comes down as a just judge and a just ruler. He will break the cross, kill the pigs and abolish the Jizyah, and wealth will become so abundant that no one will accept it.” (Sahih Sunan Ibn Majah)
Present Christianity will be purified in the face of that reality; it will cast off superstition and distortion, and unite with the truths of Islam. Christianity and Christians will in effect be transformed into Islam.
The later period of “the end of time” is a period which entirely embraces favorable concepts of “the better”, “the more beautiful”, “justice”, “plenty of all” and welfare and abundance. It is a blessed and glorious time. It is surely the blessed time when Islamic morals will penetrate to every aspect of life.
Death and Burial of Jesus
Once Jesus would fulfill his destiny he eventually dies as a Muslim. Muslims will pray and bury him an Islamic burial. The Messenger of Allah has said:
There is no prophet between me and him (Jesus), and he shall descend. He… will stay in the world for forty years; then he will die and the Muslims will offer the funeral Prayer for him.” [Abu Dawood, Ahmed]
Peace and blessings on all Messengers of Allah.
Finally:
Jesus in Islam is a prominent figure. In fact he is mentioned twenty five times in Quran by name and character. There is a complete chapter by the name “Mariam”. Muslims are obliged as a part of their faith, to believe in his true message and in his return during the events of the “Last Hour”.
It is narrated on the authority of Ubadah b. Samit that the messenger of Allah (PBUH) observed:
He who said:” There is no god but Allah, He is One and there is no associate with Him, that Muhammad is his servant and His messenger, that Christ is servant and the son of His slave-girl and he (Christ) His word which He communicated to Mary and is His Spirit, that Paradise is a fact and Hell is a fact,” Allah would make him (he who affirms these truths enter Paradise through any one of its eight doors which he would like. Sahih Muslim
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
He who bears witness that there is no true god except Allah, alone having no partner with Him, that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger, that ‘Isa (Jesus) is His slave and Messenger and he (Jesus) is His Word which He communicated to Maryam (Mary) and His spirit which He sent to her, that Jannah is true and Hell is true; Allah will make him enter Jannah accepting whatever deeds he accomplished”. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
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