❖ Belief in the Life of Sayyidunā ʿĪsā عليه السلام
The belief that Allah ﷻ raised Sayyidunā ʿĪsā عليه السلام bodily to the heavens and that he will descend before the Day of Judgment as a just ruler is among the unanimously accepted doctrines of the Muslim Ummah.❖ Essential Muslim Belief
It is a well-established tenet of Islamic faith that Sayyidunā ʿĪsā عليه السلام was raised alive, in his physical form, to the heavens. Presently, he resides on the fourth heaven in the same state. Near the end of times, by the will of Allah, he will descend to earth and rule with justice.❖ Background to the Ascension
To understand the ascension of Sayyidunā ʿĪsā عليه السلام, a brief overview of his life is necessary. He is one of the five greatest Messengers of Allah and was the final Prophet sent to the Children of Israel, just as Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the Seal of Prophets for all of mankind.❖ Miraculous Birth and Appearance
One of the unique features of Sayyidunā ʿĪsā عليه السلام is his miraculous birth without a father. The Prophet ﷺ described him during the Miʿrāj as having a medium stature, fair skin with a reddish hue, and hair reaching his shoulders that appeared moist, as if he had just bathed.❖ His Mission and Preaching
He neither married nor built a home. He dedicated his entire life to preaching and propagating the true religion of Allah, traveling from village to village. People would gather around him for both spiritual and physical healing by the will of Allah.❖ Opposition and Conspiracy by the Jews
His growing popularity stirred envy and fear among the Jewish leaders. They accused him before the king, alleging that he was a threat to both religion and state. They planned to arrest him and have him executed.Feeling the mounting hostility, ʿĪsā عليه السلام gathered his disciples and informed them of the imminent trial, urging them to remain steadfast and continue the mission after him. The disciples responded with firm faith and declared their readiness to support the cause of Allah.
(فَلَمَّآ أَحَسَّ عِيسَىٰ مِنْهُمُ ٱلْكُفْرَ...)
(Surah Aal ʿImrān, Ayat 52–53)
❖ Divine Protection and the Heavenly Ascension
Despite the Jewish leaders surrounding the house where ʿĪsā عليه السلام was present, Allah protected him. One of the disciples volunteered to be transformed into his likeness and was crucified in his place. ʿĪsā عليه السلام was then raised bodily to the heavens.(إِذْ قَالَ ٱللَّهُ يَٰعِيسَىٰٓ إِنِّى مُتَوَفِّيكَ وَرَافِعُكَ إِلَيَّ...)
(Surah Aal ʿImrān, Ayah 55)
(وَمَكَرُوا۟ وَمَكَرَ ٱللَّهُ وَٱللَّهُ خَيْرُ ٱلْمَٰكِرِينَ)
(Surah Aal ʿImrān, Ayah 54)
❖ Refutation of the Crucifixion
The Jews claimed they had killed him, but the Qur’an categorically denies it:(وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ وَمَا صَلَبُوهُ وَلَٰكِن شُبِّهَ لَهُمْ...)
(بَل رَّفَعَهُ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ)
(Surah al-Nisāʾ, Ayat 157–158)
This confirms that ʿĪsā عليه السلام was neither killed nor crucified, but rather, he was raised to Allah.
❖ Testimonies from the Scholars
✔ Imām Ḥasan al-Baṣrī and ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما affirm that ʿĪsā عليه السلام was taken up alive and will return before his death.✔ Mawdūdī and Ṣalāḥuddīn Yūsuf clarify the confusion among Christians and confirm the Islamic stance of bodily ascension.
(Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr | Tafhīm al-Qurʾān)
❖ Qur'anic Verses Supporting the Return of ʿĪsā عليه السلام
(وَإِنَّهُ لَعِلْمٌ لِّلسَّاعَةِ...)ʿĪsā عليه السلام is a sign of the Hour (Day of Judgment).
(Surah al-Zukhruf, Ayah 61)
❖ Parallels Between ʿĪsā and Muhammad ﷺ
✔ Both were opposed by their nations.✔ Both faced conspiracies and attempted assassinations.
✔ Both were protected by Allah.
✔ Muhammad ﷺ migrated to Madinah (earthly migration), while ʿĪsā عليه السلام experienced a heavenly migration.
✔ ʿĪsā عليه السلام will descend to confront the Antichrist (Dajjāl).
❖ Descent of ʿĪsā عليه السلام – Prophetic Hadiths
Numerous authentic and mutawātir Hadiths confirm the return of ʿĪsā عليه السلام:① Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrated: He will break the cross, kill the swine, abolish jizyah, and spread justice.
(Bukhārī, Muslim)
② He will descend near the white minaret in Damascus.
(Muslim, Book of Tribulations)
③ Ḥudhayfah ibn Asīd listed his descent as one of the ten major signs of the Hour.
(Muslim)
④ He will kill Dajjāl at Bab Ludd near Jerusalem.
(Muslim)
⑤ He will live on earth for forty years, marry, have children, and be buried next to the Prophet ﷺ.
(Musnad Aḥmad | Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ)
⑥ ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها narrated that a spot in her room is reserved for ʿĪsā عليه السلام’s grave.
(Kanz al-ʿUmmāl | Musnad Aḥmad)
⑦ He will descend and refuse to lead the prayer, saying the imām will be from the Muslim Ummah, an honor for this nation.
(Muslim)
