Source: Fatawa of the Scholars of Hadith, Volume 09
A new group named "Al-Muslimeen" has raised several questions regarding the descent of ʿĪsā (عليه السلام). Kindly provide answers to these questions.
The descent of Masīḥ ʿĪsā (عليه السلام) will be in the capacity of a Prophet, Messenger, and a follower of Muhammad ﷺ. The Qur’an affirms his prophethood in Surah al-Nisāʾ and Surah al-Māʾidah. Despite being a Prophet, ʿĪsā (عليه السلام) will be part of the Ummah of the Last Prophet, Muhammad ﷺ, and he will act according to his Shariah.
ʿĪsā (عليه السلام) holds the dual status of both a follower and a Prophet. His invitation to faith will be in the capacity of a Prophet and Messenger, not as a regular follower. An example of this is Hārūn and Lūṭ (عليهما السلام) who were both Prophets and followers of their respective Messengers.
The Qur’an generally invites belief in Allah and His Messengers. The descent of ʿĪsā (عليه السلام) affirms his status as a Prophet and Messenger. Therefore, his call will be that of a Prophet, even though he will belong to the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ.
Recognizing ʿĪsā (عليه السلام) as a follower during his descent does not negate his Prophethood. He is a Prophet and Messenger, and he will descend close to the Day of Judgment, acting in accordance with the Shariah of the Last Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This does not alter his Prophetic status in any way.
The Prophethood of ʿĪsā (عليه السلام) was prior to the advent of Muhammad ﷺ. His descent does not make him the final Prophet. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the Seal of the Prophets, as clearly mentioned in the Qur’an and Hadith. During his descent, ʿĪsā (عليه السلام) will follow the final Prophet.
The Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ: «فَإِنِّي آخِرُ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ لَا نَبِيَّ بَعْدِي»
("Indeed, I am the last of the Prophets, there is no Prophet after me")
means that no new Prophet will be appointed after him. ʿĪsā (عليه السلام) will not return as a new Prophet, but will descend with his previously affirmed Prophethood and will act within the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ.
The ascension and descent of ʿĪsā (عليه السلام) is a great blessing. The Qur’an does not list every blessing in detail, so its absence in one place does not mean its denial. The Qur’an mentions many Prophetic blessings, and the ascension of Masīḥ (عليه السلام) is one such divine bounty.
The descent of ʿĪsā (عليه السلام) is a part of Islamic belief, as confirmed by the Qur’an and Hadith. His descent in no way affects the finality of Prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ. The Prophethood of ʿĪsā (عليه السلام) is already established, and his descent will be in the capacity of a follower of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
❖ Question
A new group named "Al-Muslimeen" has raised several questions regarding the descent of ʿĪsā (عليه السلام). Kindly provide answers to these questions.
❖ The Descent of ʿĪsā (عليه السلام): Prophet, Messenger, or Follower?
The descent of Masīḥ ʿĪsā (عليه السلام) will be in the capacity of a Prophet, Messenger, and a follower of Muhammad ﷺ. The Qur’an affirms his prophethood in Surah al-Nisāʾ and Surah al-Māʾidah. Despite being a Prophet, ʿĪsā (عليه السلام) will be part of the Ummah of the Last Prophet, Muhammad ﷺ, and he will act according to his Shariah.
❖ Is It Permissible for a Follower (Ummah Member) to Call Others to Faith?
ʿĪsā (عليه السلام) holds the dual status of both a follower and a Prophet. His invitation to faith will be in the capacity of a Prophet and Messenger, not as a regular follower. An example of this is Hārūn and Lūṭ (عليهما السلام) who were both Prophets and followers of their respective Messengers.
❖ Does the Qur’an Invite Belief in a Follower?
The Qur’an generally invites belief in Allah and His Messengers. The descent of ʿĪsā (عليه السلام) affirms his status as a Prophet and Messenger. Therefore, his call will be that of a Prophet, even though he will belong to the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ.
❖ Will Accepting ʿĪsā (عليه السلام) as a Follower Deny His Prophethood?
Recognizing ʿĪsā (عليه السلام) as a follower during his descent does not negate his Prophethood. He is a Prophet and Messenger, and he will descend close to the Day of Judgment, acting in accordance with the Shariah of the Last Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This does not alter his Prophetic status in any way.
❖ Will ʿĪsā (عليه السلام) Be a Prophet or Is Muhammad ﷺ the Final Prophet?
The Prophethood of ʿĪsā (عليه السلام) was prior to the advent of Muhammad ﷺ. His descent does not make him the final Prophet. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the Seal of the Prophets, as clearly mentioned in the Qur’an and Hadith. During his descent, ʿĪsā (عليه السلام) will follow the final Prophet.
❖ The Meaning of the Descent of ʿĪsā (عليه السلام) and “Khatam al-Nabiyyīn”
The Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ: «فَإِنِّي آخِرُ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ لَا نَبِيَّ بَعْدِي»
("Indeed, I am the last of the Prophets, there is no Prophet after me")
means that no new Prophet will be appointed after him. ʿĪsā (عليه السلام) will not return as a new Prophet, but will descend with his previously affirmed Prophethood and will act within the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ.
❖ The Ascension of ʿĪsā (عليه السلام): A Divine Blessing?
The ascension and descent of ʿĪsā (عليه السلام) is a great blessing. The Qur’an does not list every blessing in detail, so its absence in one place does not mean its denial. The Qur’an mentions many Prophetic blessings, and the ascension of Masīḥ (عليه السلام) is one such divine bounty.
Conclusion
The descent of ʿĪsā (عليه السلام) is a part of Islamic belief, as confirmed by the Qur’an and Hadith. His descent in no way affects the finality of Prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ. The Prophethood of ʿĪsā (عليه السلام) is already established, and his descent will be in the capacity of a follower of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
