What happened to Jesus in Islam? 5 Important Key Insights

Did you know that Jesus (peace be upon him) is mentioned by name over 25 times in the Quran? The question of what happened to Jesus in Islam is central to understanding the harmonious relationship Islam shares with other Abrahamic faiths. This article explores what happened to Jesus in Islam according to Islamic texts, grounded in Quranic verses and Sunnah practices, offering five key insights into his revered status, miraculous birth, powerful miracles, the Islamic perspective on his fate, and his prophesied return. Understanding these points reveals a beautiful tapestry of faith and provides essential Quranic guidance.

Understanding Jesus in Islam: A Prophet of God

Islam deeply reveres Jesus (peace be upon him), known as Isa in Arabic, as one of the most important prophets sent by God (Allah). But what happened to Jesus in Islam that distinctly shapes the Islamic view? It centers on affirming his prophethood while maintaining the absolute oneness of God.

• Quranic Affirmation: The Quran unequivocally affirms Jesus’s prophethood. Surah Al-Imran (3:45) states, “Behold! The angels said: ‘O Mary! God giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company) of those nearest to God.’” This verse, and others, clearly establish his messenger status.
• No Divinity: A fundamental difference between Islamic theology and Christian theology lies in the concept of God. Islam emphasizes Tawhid – the absolute oneness of God. Jesus is not considered divine, nor is he the son of God in a literal sense. This understanding is crucial when considering what happened to Jesus in Islam. Islam teaches that this concept violates the core principle of God’s indivisible unity.
• Respect and Love: Muslims are encouraged to express deep respect and love for all prophets, including Jesus. This love manifests through acknowledging his divine appointment, accepting his message, and striving to embody the ethical principles he conveyed, such as compassion, justice, and unwavering faith in God. Islamic ethics emphasize honoring all messengers of God.

The Miraculous Birth of Prophet Jesus

One of the most significant aspects of what happened to Jesus in Islam is the account of his extraordinary birth. It wasn’t simply unusual; it was a profound demonstration of God’s power.

• Virgin Birth: The Quran vividly describes the virgin birth of Jesus as a sign of God’s limitless power. Surah Maryam (19:20-21) recounts Maryam’s (Mary’s) astonishment when informed of her impending pregnancy and the angel’s reassurance that it was a decree from God. This demonstrates God’s ability to create without human intervention.
• Sign for Humanity: This miraculous event wasn’t solely a demonstration of power but also a testament to the piety and purity of Maryam. It serves as a powerful reminder of God’s capacity to create beyond the constraints of the natural world.
• Moral Lesson: The story powerfully reinforces the importance of faith, trust in God’s plan, and submission to His will, even when faced with seemingly impossible circumstances. It teaches patience and reliance upon the Divine.

The Miracles Performed by Jesus (peace be upon him)

Jesus (peace be upon him) performed numerous miracles, bestowed by God’s grace, solidifying his position as a prophet. These incredible events are integral to understanding what happened to Jesus in Islam.

• Healing the Sick: The Quran highlights Jesus’s ability to heal the sick, including the blind and those afflicted with leprosy. These acts exemplify his compassionate nature and his role as a healer, alleviating suffering with divine permission.
• Raising the Dead: The Quran attributes the miracle of raising the dead to Jesus. This extraordinary power demonstrates God’s absolute control over life and death and underscores Jesus’s role as a conduit for divine power.
• Speaking in Infancy: Islamic tradition, found within the Hadith, relates that Jesus spoke as an infant to defend his mother, Maryam, against unjust accusations. This miracle exemplifies his divine designation from a very young age, a clear sign of his prophetic mission.

The Islamic View on the Crucifixion: What Truly Happened?

A central question when considering what happened to Jesus in Islam revolves around the events surrounding the crucifixion. The Islamic perspective differs significantly from traditional Christian accounts.

• Not Crucified: The Quran explicitly states that Jesus was neither killed nor crucified. Surah An-Nisa (4:157) clarifies: “That they said (in boast), ‘We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah’; but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not.” Islamic scholarship proposes various explanations, including divine intervention that caused someone to resemble Jesus, thus misleading his persecutors.
• Raised to Heaven: Islamic belief is that God raised Jesus to Himself, safeguarding him from the intended act of crucifixion. This belief stems from interpretations of Quranic verses suggesting God’s protection of Jesus from his enemies. It’s a testament to God’s power and His promise to protect His messengers.
• Return Before the Day of Judgment: Muslims unequivocally believe that Jesus will return to Earth before the Day of Judgment. This return is detailed in numerous Hadith and forms an integral part of Islamic eschatology. He will not return as a savior in the Christian sense, but to fulfill a specific Divine purpose.

Jesus’s Return: A Sign of the Last Days

The return of Jesus is a key event discussed in Islamic eschatology, providing further insight into what happened to Jesus in Islam and anticipating future events.

• Sign of the Hour: The return of Jesus (peace be upon him) is considered one of the major preambles foreshadowing the Day of Judgment, signaling the approaching culmination of time.
• Establish Justice: Upon his return, Jesus will break the cross (symbolizing the eradication of false beliefs), abolish the Jizya (historical tax levied on non-Muslims, indicating a period of universal justice), and establish justice on Earth, governing according to the principles of the Quran and Sunnah. His rule will represent a period of peace and righteousness.
• United Ummah: His return will symbolize the unity of believers under the true teachings of Islam, resolving disputes and uniting the global Muslim community. It will be a time of widespread acceptance of the truth and adherence to God’s guidance.

In summary, what happened to Jesus in Islam is a narrative of a deeply revered prophet, born miraculously, empowered with divine miracles, and ultimately saved by God from crucifixion. He awaits his destined return to Earth to fulfill a pivotal role in the events preceding the Day of Judgment.