Scholars’ Reasoning
According to the scholars, this concept is supported by both the Qur’an and the prophetic Hadiths. The main points of reasoning are:
- It is deduced from verses 54-55 of Surah Aale Imran that Prophet Jesus (PBUH) was taken up alive by Allah, thus he has not yet died. The evidence lies in the words Innī mutawaffīka wa rafi'uka ilayya meaning "I have decided that you will die [or "I will take you"] and I will raise you to Myself." The term Innī mutawaffīka (I will grant you death) does not mean to cause death but to take in possession, and rafi'uka ilayya (I will raise you to Myself) signifies the whole existence of Jesus (PBUH) including both his body and soul.
- From the words of Surah An-Nisa, verse 159 wa in min ahli al-kitābi illā layu’minanna bihī qabla mawtihī ("And there is none from the People of the Book but will surely believe in him (Jesus) before his (Jesus) death"), it is concluded that Jesus (PBUH) is alive with Allah and will descend to Earth before the Day of Judgment. This is possible only after his descent, that every person among the People of the Book will believe in him.
- The Descent of Jesus has been mentioned in several hadith reports. The narratives on this topic have been transmitted in most books of hadith with authentic and valid chains of narration. They report that Prophet Jesus (PBUH) will descend with angels at a minaret of a mosque in Damascus and will lead the army of Muslims. He will then slay the Dajjal and his Jewish followers. Through his prayers, Gog and Magog will also be destroyed. The world will become a cradle of peace and harmony, and no religion other than Islam will remain on Earth. He will rule the world for forty years as a just leader. After this, he will pass away; Muslims will perform his funeral prayers and bury him. Soon after his death, the Day of Judgment will occur.