❖ Question: Does the Descent of ʿĪsā عليه السلام Contradict the Belief in the Finality of Prophethood?
Source: Fatāwā Amaanpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amaanpuri
Absolutely not.
The descent of ʿĪsā عليه السلام does not contradict the belief in Khatm-e-Nubuwwah (Finality of Prophethood).
Imām Abū al-ʿAbbās al-Qurṭubī رحمه الله (d. 656 AH) states:
"The narrations clearly establish that near the end of times, ʿĪsā عليه السلام will descend and kill the Dajjāl. This is the belief of Ahl al-Sunnah. The evidence for this includes the statement of Allah:
﴿بَلْ رَفَعَهُ اللهُ إِلَيْهِ﴾ (An-Nisāʾ: 158)
“Rather, Allah raised him up to Himself.”
...along with several authentic aḥādīth. This concept is neither irrational nor rejected by the intellect. Therefore, it is obligatory to believe in it and affirm all that has been reported regarding it. The opinions of the people of innovation carry no weight in this matter.
Their argument against the descent of ʿĪsā عليه السلام — based on the verse:
﴿وَخَاتَمَ النَّبِيِّينَ﴾ (Al-Aḥzāb: 40)
“(Muḥammad ﷺ is) the Seal of the Prophets,”
and the ḥadīth: “There will be no prophet or messenger after me,” along with the consensus of the Muslims and the established fact that our Sharīʿah cannot be abrogated — is invalid. These are all everlasting truths, and we hold the same belief.
However, the purpose of ʿĪsā عليه السلام’s descent will be:
① To kill the Dajjāl,
② To revive and uphold the Sharīʿah of Muḥammad ﷺ,
③ To act upon the laws of Islam,
④ To establish justice based on the Islamic teachings,
⑤ To defeat the disbelievers,
⑥ To expose the misguidance of the Christians,
⑦ To disassociate from their fabrications.
Thus, he will kill the swine, break the cross, abolish the jizyah (tax), and lead prayers behind the leader (Imām Mahdī) of the Ummah of Muḥammad ﷺ."
Source: Al-Mufhim Limā Ashkala Min Talkhīṣ Kitāb Muslim: 7/292
✔ The return of ʿĪsā عليه السلام is a firmly established belief in Islam, affirmed by the Qur’ān and authentic Sunnah.
✔ This belief in no way negates the fact that Muḥammad ﷺ is the Final Prophet.
✔ When ʿĪsā عليه السلام returns, he will:
وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
Source: Fatāwā Amaanpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amaanpuri❖ The Answer:
Absolutely not.
The descent of ʿĪsā عليه السلام does not contradict the belief in Khatm-e-Nubuwwah (Finality of Prophethood).
❖ Scholarly View:
Imām Abū al-ʿAbbās al-Qurṭubī رحمه الله (d. 656 AH) states:
"The narrations clearly establish that near the end of times, ʿĪsā عليه السلام will descend and kill the Dajjāl. This is the belief of Ahl al-Sunnah. The evidence for this includes the statement of Allah:
﴿بَلْ رَفَعَهُ اللهُ إِلَيْهِ﴾ (An-Nisāʾ: 158)
“Rather, Allah raised him up to Himself.”
...along with several authentic aḥādīth. This concept is neither irrational nor rejected by the intellect. Therefore, it is obligatory to believe in it and affirm all that has been reported regarding it. The opinions of the people of innovation carry no weight in this matter.
Their argument against the descent of ʿĪsā عليه السلام — based on the verse:
﴿وَخَاتَمَ النَّبِيِّينَ﴾ (Al-Aḥzāb: 40)
“(Muḥammad ﷺ is) the Seal of the Prophets,”
and the ḥadīth: “There will be no prophet or messenger after me,” along with the consensus of the Muslims and the established fact that our Sharīʿah cannot be abrogated — is invalid. These are all everlasting truths, and we hold the same belief.
However, the purpose of ʿĪsā عليه السلام’s descent will be:
① To kill the Dajjāl,
② To revive and uphold the Sharīʿah of Muḥammad ﷺ,
③ To act upon the laws of Islam,
④ To establish justice based on the Islamic teachings,
⑤ To defeat the disbelievers,
⑥ To expose the misguidance of the Christians,
⑦ To disassociate from their fabrications.
Thus, he will kill the swine, break the cross, abolish the jizyah (tax), and lead prayers behind the leader (Imām Mahdī) of the Ummah of Muḥammad ﷺ."
Source: Al-Mufhim Limā Ashkala Min Talkhīṣ Kitāb Muslim: 7/292❖ Conclusion:
✔ The return of ʿĪsā عليه السلام is a firmly established belief in Islam, affirmed by the Qur’ān and authentic Sunnah.
✔ This belief in no way negates the fact that Muḥammad ﷺ is the Final Prophet.
✔ When ʿĪsā عليه السلام returns, he will:
- Not come with a new Sharīʿah
- Not resume Prophethood
- Rather, he will act as a follower of the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ, reviving his Sharīʿah and affirming his finality.
وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
