The issue of Jesus Christ’s Crucifixion is central to Christianity. While Christianity teaches that Jesus was crucified and died for the sins of humanity, the Quran’s stance on Jesus’ crucifixion offers a different perspective. This view contrasts with the Christian one, and highlights the theological differences between the two faiths.
In this article, we will explore whether Muslims believe that Jesus died on the cross. Then, we will tackle what the Quran says about Jesus Christ’s Crucifixion. Also, we will examine if Muslims believe that the Crucifixion did occur, who was the person crucified, from the Islamic point of view.
In addition, we will give some proofs from the Bible that Jesus was NOT crucified. After that, we will explore a very important point: whether mistakenly believing that Jesus was crucified compromised the faith of a true follower of Jesus. Finally, we will refer to some wisdoms behind the Quranic phrase: “It was only made to appear so” [someone else was made to look like Jesus].
Do Muslims Believe Jesus Died On The Cross?
We need to ask the fundamental question: Do Muslims believe Jesus was crucified? The short answer is NO. Muslims believe that Jesus was NOT humiliated, crucified or killed. Islamically, the pagan Roman Empire with the help of Jewish rabbis, tried to capture and kill Jesus Christ.
However, they failed because Allah saved His messenger and raised him, alive, to Himself. Near the end of time, Jesus will return to fulfill his mission and spread peace on Earth. Then, he will die a normal death.
What Does The Quran Say About Jesus Christ’s Crucifixion?
The Quran affirms that Jesus was not crucified or killed by his enemies. Instead, Allah raised him up to Himself. According to the Quran, while it appeared to people that Jesus was crucified, in reality, he was not. The verses state:
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
“and for boasting, “We killed the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.” But they neither killed nor crucified him—it was only made to appear so. Even those who argue for this ˹crucifixion˺ are in doubt. They have no knowledge whatsoever—only making assumptions. They certainly did not kill him. Rather, Allah raised him up to Himself. And Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.”
In these two verses, Allah completely demolishes the idea that Jesus was crucified as the Jews claimed.
The Quran also clearly say that Jesus was “honoured in this world and the Hereafter” (Quran, 3:45). This very word “honoured” goes against the claim that “… some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.” (Mark 14: 65)
Islamically, If The Crucifixion Event Did Occur, Who Was Crucified?
According to the Islamic point of view, the crucifixion event did occur, but the person crucified was NOT Jesus. The crucifixion signaled the end of Jesus’ first mission on earth, just before he was raised to Allah. Then, we come to the question: who was the person who died on the cross?
The Quran does not go into specific details about who was crucified in Jesus’ place. The identity of the person who died on the Cross is not known for sure. Some Muslim scholars believe that Judas Iscariot was made to resemble Jesus as a punishment for his treason, while other scholars believe it was another follower of Jesus who volunteered to fulfill this role and was promised Paradise for doing so.
Proofs From The Bible That Jesus Was Not Crucified
While the central narrative of Christianity is that Jesus was crucified, there are some passages in the New Testament that suggest a different fate for Jesus. Here are a few examples which support that Jesus was not crucified:
1- Jesus Prayed To God To Save Him From The Crucifixion:
“Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.””
Jesus made this prayer 3 times. If he was on a mission to be killed in order to wipe away the sins of humanity, why would he ask God to cancel that mission?
This “prayer” clearly shows that being killed on the cross was not a part of Jesus’ message and mission. That’s why he asked his Lord, Allah, not to be killed by his enemies.
2- His Prayer Was Answered.
“While Jesus lived on earth he prayed to God, asking for help from the one who could save him from death. He prayed to God with loud cries and tears. And his prayers were answered because of his great respect for God.”
Here, it is clear that Jesus’ prayers “for help from the one who could save him from death”, were answered, meaning he was saved from death at the hands of his enemies.
Does Mistakenly Believing That Jesus Was Crucified Compromise The Faith Of A True Follower Of Jesus?
Surprisingly enough, the answer is NO. If we are to assume that some true believers of Allah as the ONLY true God and of Jesus as His messenger, at the time of Jesus, did mistakenly believe that it was Jesus who died on the cross, this false belief is not a reason for those people to be disbelievers or to go to Hellfire in the afterlife. There are two main reasons for this conclusion:
1- Many of the people who witnessed the Crucifixion event or were told about it were unaware that Jesus was saved and raised to God—a fact that Jesus disclosed only to some of His disciples. Those same disciples fled because the Roman Empire was after them.
2- Throughout history, many prophets and messengers of Allah were killed by their people, including Jesus’ cousin, Yahya (known as John the Baptist in Christianity). So, for Jesus to be killed would not be something new or unprecedented.
What Is The Wisdom(s) Behind “it was only made to appear so”?
We can now ask: why was the person crucified made to look like Christ? The complete wisdom behind this is not fully known. However, Muslim scholars have their reasoning. They thought of some wisdoms, for example:
1- It was a test for the pagan Romans, the Jews and the followers of Jesus. Would the Jews and the Pagans still believe that they are stronger than their Lord and that they could kill His messenger? would they regret it? would they be proud of it? Would true followers of Jesus lose their trust in their Lord or would they continue to practice their religion while focusing on God’s message which is the main focus of all messengers of Allah?
2- The person crucified was made to look like Christ, so that the believers at the time of Jesus would stop searching for him. So the event would serve as a conclusion and an explanation of Jesus’ sudden disappearance.
Conclusion
To sum up, the Quranic message concerning Jesus Christ’s Crucifixion is clear: the crucifixion as understood in Christian theology is not the reality, and Jesus’ true fate is that he was saved by God. This Quranic narrative underscores themes of divine protection and the ultimate triumph of Allah’s plan, suggesting that the true purpose of Jesus’ life and message will be fully realized in the future, rather than through a violent death on the cross.
