Regarding the Death and Return of Jesus…

Would you mind to answer the response of br. Dawud Adib regarding one of your point of view (i-e Return of Prophet Eesaa (sa)). Br. Dawud is an African-American muslim scholar from USA. He holds a very responsible position amongst American muslims and has devoted his life for dawa'h.

Brother Dawud’s writings follow:

The belief that Allaah did not raise up the Prophet Eesaa/Jesus in a living state and that he will not return is kufr and has the potential to put a person out of Islaam. Allaah the Most High, the Most Great says:

"Because of their breaking the covenant, and of their rejecting the aayat (signs) of Allaah, and of their killing the Prophets unjustly, and of their saying, ‘Our hearts are wrapped (with coverings, i.e., we do not understand what the Messengers say)’ ­ nay, Allaah has set a seal upon their hearts because of their disbelief, so they believe not but a little. And because of their (Jews’) disbelief and uttering against Maryam (Mary) a grave false charge (that she had committed illegal sexual intercourse); And because of their saying (in boast), ‘We killed Messiah ‘Eesaa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), the Messenger of Allaah’ ­ but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but the resemblance of ‘Eesaa (Jesus) was put over another man (and they killed that man), and those who differ therein are full of doubts. They have no (certain) knowledge, they follow nothing but conjecture. For surely; they killed him not [i.e., ‘Eesaa (Jesus) son of Maryam (Mary)]. But Allaah raised him [‘Eesaa (Jesus)] up (with his body and soul) unto Himself (and he is above the heavens). And Allaah is Ever All-Powerful, All-Wise. And there is none of the People of the Book (Jews and Christians), except that they must believe in him [‘Eesa (Jesus) son of Maryam (Mary) when he returns, as only a Messenger of Allaah and a human being], before his death. And on the Day of Resurrection, he [‘Eesa (Jesus)] will be a witness against them.”[An-Nisaa’ 4:155-159]

Jesus (peace be upon him) has not died yet; Allaah raised him up unto Himself because the Jews wanted to kill him, and he will descend again at the end of time and rule the earth according to Islam. He will live for as long as Allaah wants him to, then he will die and the Muslims will pray [the janaazah or funeral prayer] for him. Ibn Katheer (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

The pronoun in the phrase before his death refers to Jesus (peace be upon him), i.e., there is none of the People of the Book but must believe in Jesus ­ that is when he comes back down to the earth before the Day of Resurrection. At that time all of the People of the Book will believe in him because he will abolish the jizyah and will accept nothing but Islam. And Allaah knows best.

Abu Tasneem Dawud Adib

Your earliest attention will be regarded.

Wassalam!

Zulfiqar

Reply

If the Qur’an directs the Muslims to believe that Jesus (pbuh) has not died, then it would indeed be Kufr and would render such a person who holds that Jesus has died, out of Islam. It is therefore of utmost importance to seriously analyze whether the Qur’an directs the Muslims to believe Jesus to be alive or not. Mr. Adib, in his brief writing has given the basis of the belief that Jesus (pbuh) is not dead. I would therefore like to present my observations on the basis that he has provided. The portion of the verses that Mr. Adib has cited, which is most pertinent to the issue under consideration is [as translated by Mr. Adib]:

“And there is none of the People of the Book (Jews and Christians), except that they must believe in him [‘Eesa (Jesus) son of Maryam (Mary) when he returns, as only a Messenger of Allaah and a human being], before his death.”

First, it should be known that this is not a simple translation of the verse. It includes some interpretive additions. The exact translation of the verse, as Mr. Adib will agree, is:

“And there is no one among the people of the book but shall believe in him [or this] before his death.”

Now, this sentence can mean:

1. Every ahl e kitaab shall believe in Jesus before his [Jesus] death; or

2. Every ahl e kitaab shall believe in Jesus before his [own] death; or

3. Every ahl e kitaab shall believe the fact that the Jews did not kill Jesus, before his [own] death.

Mr. Adib, as is obvious from his brief writing has preferred the first of the three possible implications of this verse, mentioned above. However, Mr. Adib has unfortunately overlooked the fact that there are commentators of the Qur’an who have preferred the second meaning – for instance see Zamukhsharee’s, Abu Hayyaan’s and Aaloosee’s commentary.

However, because Mr. Adib has specially quoted Ibn Kathir in his writing, it is therefore even stranger how Mr. Adib missed the opening sentence that even Ibn Kathir has acknowledged while explaining this verse. Ibn Kathir writes:

“Ibn Jarir says: Interpreters have a difference of opinion regarding the meaning of this verse.”

According to Ibn Jarir – as quoted by Ibn Kathir – both of the first two opinions are ascribed to Ibn Abbaas (ra) and Hasan (ra).

It is quite obvious from the above explanation that there has been a significant difference of opinion among Muslim scholars regarding the implication of the cited verse. Mr. Adib had based his opinion on one of the interpretations of this verse. In my opinion, this interpretation is not correct. The cited verse of the Qur’an, therefore, does not provide any evidence to hold the belief that Jesus (pbuh) is not dead. Till such time that any verse of the Qur’an can be cited which clearly directs Muslims to believe that Jesus (pbuh) is still alive, there seems to be no ground of believing anything to that effect.

I hope this helps. In case any aspect of your question remains unanswered or inadequately answered, please feel free in writing back to me at your own convenience.

May Allah guide us all to the path of His liking and grant us the true understanding of His book.

Regards

The Learner