Does Islam believe Jesus will return? Almighty One God, along with His Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), confirmed that Jesus (PBUH) is a human, a servant, and a messenger of Allah. He was physically raised alive—both body and soul—to heaven in a miraculous event and will return to earth, descending on the wings of two angels. Fourteen hundred years ago, Muslims were given precise details about how, when, and where this return will take place.
In this article, we present evidence from the Quran—the final revelation—and the Sunnah, which includes the sayings and teachings of the Prophet, to briefly prove Jesus’ ascension, his future descent, and the deeds he will perform before his eventual passing. Keep reading to learn more!
Does Islam Believe Jesus Will Return?
Yes, Islam believes that Jesus will return to earth before the end of the world and will eventually pass away naturally after years. For now, Jesus is alive and was ascended to the sky as a divine miraculous rescue from the Jews who plotted against him.
The best strategy is to press on chronologically;
- Jesus’ life till now,
- ascension,
- upcoming descent,
- Jesus’ deeds before he finally dies,
- and his final resting place.
Here we go:
1. Jesus Is Still Alive
Islam states that Jesus hasn’t died. Rather, he was raised to the sky and being saved from the Jews
Almighty One God directly addresses this belief in the Quran saying:
“And [for] their saying, “Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.” And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; … Rather, Allah raised him to Himself. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise.”
This means that Jesus is alive in an unknown form and was neither crucified nor killed. This contrasts with the Jewish claim of killing Jesus and the Christian belief that he was crucified, resurrected, and now lives eternally.
Read more: Quran Verses About Jesus Not Dying Or Crucified: Islamic Perspective!
What About the Quranic Verse That Seems to Refer to Jesus’ Death?
The Quranic verse (3:55) contains the word “Mutawaffîka,” which can mean either death or sleep, as seen in other Quranic usages (e.g., 39:42 and 6:60).
When this verse is considered alongside other Quranic verses and prophetic traditions confirming that Jesus is alive and will return, it is best understood as referring to his miraculous ascension to heaven.
2. The Ascension of Jesus
In Islam, the concept is that Jesus’s resemblance was bestowed on one of his disciples who volunteered to take his place and was martyred. Jesus was then lifted alive (both his body and soul) to heavens by God, and the evidence from the Quran is the previously mentioned verses; [Quran, 4:157–158]
Read: Quran Jesus Son Of Mary Is The Word Of God – Islamic Perspective!
3. The Upcoming Descent Of Jesus: Does Islam Believe In The Second Coming Of Christ?
Quran and Sunnah give clear accounts on the return of Jesus (PBUH). We can know the time, place and manner by which it will all unfold. He will descend after the appearance of Dajjal (Antichrist), at the white minaret in the eastern side of Damascus while placing his hands on the wings of two angels. It would be one of the signs of the Hour.
What Does The Quran Say About Jesus Return?
Almighty God asserts that the return of Jesus is one of the signs of the end of the world:
“And indeed, Jesus will be [a sign for] knowledge of the Hour, so be not in doubt of it, and follow Me. This is a straight path.”
Read more:
Prophetic Traditions Give More Direct Assertion On Jesus’ Return
Prophetic traditions (Sunnah) give some details on the second coming of Jesus:
A. Second coming is a sign of the hour:
Muhammad the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) conveys to humanity that the descent of Jesus is one of the major signs of the final Hour, or in other words, it is one of the major final events.
“It (final hour) will not come until you see ten signs before and (in this connection) he made a mention of … the descent of Jesus son of Mary (Allah be pleased with him).”
[Sahih Muslim]
B. place and manner of Jesus return:
Muhammad (PBUH) also tells us about the place and manner in which Jesus will descend in this Hadith:
“…and it will be at this very time that Allah will send `Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary) who will descend at the white minaret in the eastern side of Damascus, wearing two garments lightly dyed and placing his hands on the wings of two angels. … Every disbeliever who will find his (i.e., `Isa’s) smell will die and his smell will reach as far as he will be able to see ……”
[Sahih Muslim]
Read more:
4. Deeds of Jesus on his Return
In Islam it is a belief that Jesus is a Prophet of God and His servant that he has not yet fulfilled his life. There are deeds of His yet to be done which are summarized as follows:
- Jesus (PBUH) will be a just judge and a just ruler.
- He will kill the Dajjal at the gate of Ludd: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: ‘Eisa bin Maryam will kill the Dajjal at the gate of Ludd.’” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi)
- Jesus will break the cross.
- He will kill the pigs.
- He will abolish the Jizyah (money paid by non-Muslims to the Islamic state by which they governed).
- Abundance will prevail.
- He will pray Muslim prayers behind a Muslim ruler ‘the Mahdi’ and follow him.
Thus, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) summarizes the actions to be done by Prophet Jesus upon his return saying:
“The Hour will not begin until ‘Eisa bin Maryam comes down as a just judge and a just ruler. He will break the cross, kill the pigs and abolish the Jizyah, and wealth will become so abundant that no one will accept it.”
(Sahih Sunan Ibn Majah)
The later period of “the end of time” is a period that entirely embraces favorable concepts of “the better”, “the more beautiful”, “justice”, “plenty of all” and welfare and abundance. It is a blessed and glorious time. It is surely the blessed time when Islamic morals will penetrate every aspect of life.
Read more: Does the Quran Say Jesus Will Judge?
5. Death and Burial of Jesus
After his return, once Jesus fulfills his destiny, he will eventually pass away as a Muslim. Muslims will pray over him and bury him according to Islamic rites. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
“There is no prophet between me and him (Jesus), and he shall descend. He… will stay in the world for forty years; then he will die and the Muslims will offer the funeral Prayer for him.”
[Abu Dawood, Ahmed]
Conclusion
To conclude, Jesus in Islam is a prominent figure whom Muslims are obliged, as part of their faith, to believe in—both his true message and his return during the events of the “Last Hour.”
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stated:
“He who said: ‘There is no god but Allah, He is One and there is no associate with Him, that Muhammad is His servant and His messenger, that Christ is His servant and the son of His slave-girl, and he (Christ) is His word which He communicated to Mary and His Spirit, that Paradise is a fact and Hell is a fact’—Allah would make him (the one who affirms these truths) enter Paradise through any one of its eight doors which he would like.”
(Sahih Muslim)
Curious to learn more about the Islamic belief in Jesus and what faith he truly followed? Start a conversation now—our team is ready to provide instant answers!
