Question

I am new to Islam and I have a question regarding the crucifixion. Was Jesus (sws) crucified or not? Was that him on the cross or just one to whom Allah gave Jesus resemblance?

Answer

The Holy Qur’ān clearly tells that Jesus Christ was not crucified. 3:55 reads:

And recall when God said: O Jesus, I shall indeed “cause you to die” and raise you up to myself and purify you of those, who have rejected [you] and exalt your followers above those who have rejected [you] till the Day of Judgment.

And 4:157 reads:

And because of their saying: We slew the Messiah Jesus son of Mary, Allah’s messenger They slew him not nor crucified, but it appeared so unto them; and lo! those who disagree concerning it are in doubt thereof; they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture ; they slew him not for certain,

Though we do not have detailed information as to how did the Almighty save him, a close look at the biblical narration of the incident other instances when the Almighty helps his servants lead us to think that people experienced a kind of drowse and someone was transformed to his shape, probably, the traitor and the Almighty saved him from being crucified.

Answered by: Tariq Mahmood Hashmi

Date: 2015-01-01