Our belief regarding Isa (peace be upon him)

Is Hadhrat Isa ‘alayhi salam alive? Does the Qur’an make mention of this?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما

As Muslims, it is an integral part of our belief that ‘Isa ‘alayhi salam is still alive and has not been killed or crucified. Along with being mentioned in numerous ahaadith, it is clearly mentioned in the Qur’an:

وَقَوْلِهِمْ إِنَّا قَتَلْنَا الْمَسِيحَ عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ وَمَا صَلَبُوهُ وَلَٰكِن شُبِّهَ لَهُمْ ۚ وَإِنَّ الَّذِينَ اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ لَفِي شَكٍّ مِّنْهُ ۚ مَا لَهُم بِهِ مِنْ عِلْمٍ إِلَّا اتِّبَاعَ الظَّنِّ ۚ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ يَقِينًا بَل رَّفَعَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا

“….And (we have cursed them) because of their saying that we have indeed killed ‘Isa, the son of Maryam, the Messenger of Allah. (However), they did not kill him nor did they crucify him. Rather, they were deluded because of resemblance. Those who have disputed about this matter are certainly in doubt about it. They have no knowledge (about the reality) except they merely follow their whims. They definitely did not kill him, rather Allah lifted him towards Himself. Indeed Allah is the most exalted and the most wise.” (Nisaa: 157-158)

Based on the above verse and others similar to it, the undisputed belief of Muslims is that ‘Isa ‘alayhi salam is indeed alive and has not passed away. Any other belief to the contrary would be misguidance.

Allah Knows best.

Approved by: Mufti Husain Ahmad Madani