Juz 6: An-Nisāʾ 148 to Al-Māʾidah 81
Section 5 of 16 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
4. The Truth About Jesus's Crucifixion
One of the most significant theological differences between Islamic and Christian understanding concerns the end of Prophet Isa's (Jesus's) earthly life. Allah (swt) provides the definitive account in the Quran, correcting misconceptions that had developed among both Jews and Christians.
وَقَوْلِهِمْ إِنَّا قَتَلْنَا الْمَسِيحَ عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ وَمَا صَلَبُوهُ وَلَـٰكِن شُبِّهَ لَهُمْ
“And for their saying, "We have certainly killed the Masih Isa the son of Maryam, the Messenger of Allah", while they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but they were deluded by resemblance.”
The Quran is unequivocal in declaring that Prophet Isa (peace be upon him) was neither killed nor crucified. The Jews who claimed to have executed him were mistaken – what actually happened was that someone was made to appear like him. This created confusion among those who witnessed the event, thinking they had crucified Isa.
وَإِنَّ الَّذِينَ اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ لَفِي شَكٍّ مِّنْهُ مَا لَهُم بِهِ مِنْ عِلْمٍ إِلَّا اتِّبَاعَ الظَّنِّ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ يَقِينًا
“Those who disputed in this matter are really in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it, but they follow whims. It is certain that they did not kill him.”
Even those who differed concerning what happened to Isa (peace be upon him) were themselves in doubt. They had no certain knowledge, merely following conjecture and speculation. Allah (swt) emphatically reiterates that they did not kill him with certainty.
The truth, according to the Quran, is:
بَل رَّفَعَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا
“But Allah lifted him towards Himself. Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.”
Instead of being killed or crucified, Prophet Isa (peace be upon him) was raised by Allah to Himself.