Muslims believe that Prophet Jesus did not die on the cross, nor was he slain. Prophet Muhammad has foretold us of the second coming of Jesus.
What do Muslims believe about Jesus?
The Islamic belief about the Prophet Jesus adhered to by mainstream Muslims is that he was raised alive to the heavens and that he did not die a natural death, and he will come again to the earth to fulfill his second mission and then die a natural death.
There is a spot for him beside the Prophet’s grave, where he will be buried when he dies. That is the belief of Ahl al-sunnah.
Crucifixion of Jesus
As for the story of crucifixion and death of Jesus on the cross, the Quran makes it abundantly clear that it is based on rumor and conjecture and not on facts: “And for their saying, “We slew the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, the messenger of God”—though they did not slay him; nor did they crucify him, but it appeared so unto them.” (An-Nisaa’ 4:157)
Crucifixion of Jesus in early Christian sources
We can confirm the factual veracity of the Quranic statement when we know that the accounts on this issue in the early Christian sources are self- contradictory.
It has led some academics who were committed Christians to lose their faith in Christianity altogether. That was the case of Bart Ehrman who renounced Christianity after years of research into the history of the Christian scriptures and forgeries associated with them.
In other words, the Quranic states that their doctrines are based on hearsay or conjecture.
Jesus: Dead or alive?
In light of these, Muslims ought to affirm the Quranic assertion that Jesus did not die on the cross, nor was he slain.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) has foretold us of the second coming of Jesus (peace be upon him). By adhering to this belief, we will do justice to the evidence of the authentic sources, namely the Quran and sound traditions from the Prophet and it would save us from getting carried away by whimsical speculations and conjecture.
