The Second Coming of Jesus (Prophet Isa, Peace Be Upon Him) in Islam

The Second Coming of Jesus (Prophet Isa, Peace Be Upon Him) in Islam

In Islam, the belief in the return of Jesus (Prophet Isa, peace be upon him—ʿĪsā al-Masīḥ) to Earth is a fundamental tenet of faith. As stated in the Holy Qur'an, Surah An-Nisa (4:157-158):

"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."

This establishes that Jesus did not die on the cross but was instead raised alive into Heaven. Furthermore, Surah Az-Zukhruf (43:61) states:

"And indeed, Jesus will be a sign for the Hour (the Day of Judgment), so have no doubt about it."

This clearly proves his return to Earth in the end times before the day the world ends. Additionally, according to Surah An-Nisa (4:159), when Jesus returns, all the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) will truly understand and believe in him before his ultimate death.

According to Hadiths in Sahih Muslim, Jesus will descend near the white minaret on the eastern side of Damascus, Syria, resting his hands on the wings of two angels and wearing two yellow-dyed garments. The primary purposes of his return are:

• To defeat and eliminate the Dajjal (the Anti-Christ), who will deceive and corrupt the world.

• To clarify the truth—showing that he is not God and was never crucified.

• To bring an end to all wars, establishing global peace, justice, and prosperity.

Jesus will rule justly over the earth for 40 years. Afterward, he will experience death like any other human being, pass away, and receive a proper Islamic funeral and burial by the Muslim community.

Not a New Religion

This return does not mean he will bring a new religion or a new "Abrahamic faith." This is because the Holy Qur'an states in Surah Ali 'Imran (3:67):

"Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was one inclining toward truth, a Muslim [submitting to Allah], and he was not of the polytheists."

This highlights that the true path of Abraham has always been submission to God (Islam). Moreover, Surah Al-Ahzab (33:40) seals the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the final prophet, meaning no new religion can emerge. Since Jesus was already ordained as a prophet in the past, he is not returning as a new prophet; rather, he will govern the world in accordance with the Holy Qur'an and the teachings of the final Prophet.

Regarding this, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:

"How [fortunate] will you be when the son of Mary (Jesus) descends among you and judges choices according to the Qur'an and Sunnah, while your leader (Imam) is from among yourselves?" (Sahih al-Bukhari 3449, Sahih Muslim 156)