Quoted
from the "ISLAM REVEALED"
JESUS
CHRIST ACCORDING TO ISLAM
JESUS
DIED
We come now to one
of the most controversial subjects among Muslims and Christians in the
entire theological debate. It is necessary to affirm that Surat al-Nisa
(Women) 4:157, 158; Surat Maryam (Mary) 19:33, Surat al-Baqarah (the Cow)
2:87; and Surat al-Imran (The Family of ‘Imran) 3:55, all support the fact
that Jesus truly dies.
One of the most crucial
statements comes from Surat al-Imran (the Family of ‘Imran) 3:55:
(And remember)
when Allah said: O Jesus! Lo! I am gathering thee and causing thee
to ascend unto Me, and am cleansing thee of those who disbelieve and am
setting those who follow thee above those who disbelieve until the Day
of Resurrection. Then unto Me ye will (all) return, and I shall judge
between you as to that wherein ye used to differ.
This phrase in the Arabic language,
"Inni mutawaf-feeka," is translated as "I am gathering thee." Some
say the word does not indicate death, while others affirm that Christ did
actually die. As an Arab, I have never known of any other meaning
than death for this expression, within or without the Quran.
The many versions
of this phrase by imminent Muslim scholars make its meaning confusing.
Some say it refers only to sleep. Al Muthanna relates, "I was told
by Ishaq that ‘Inni mutawaffeeka’ means a death of sleep and God took him
in his sleep."
No Muslim scholar
will deny that John the Baptist was born, died, and will be raised up.
Here is the Quranic passage in Surat Maryam (Mary) 19:15:
Peace on him the
day he was born, and the day he dieth and the day he shall be raised alive!
However, practically the same
wording is given about Jesus in Surat Maryam (Mary) 19:32-34:
And (hath made
me) dutiful toward her who bore me, and hath not made me arrogant, unblest.
Peace on me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall
be raised alive!
Such was Jesus,
son of Mary, (this is) a statement of the truth concerning which they doubt.
Surat al-Ma’idah (The Table
Spread) 5:117 says,
I spake unto them
only that which Thou commandedst me, (saying): Worship Allah, my
Lord and your Lord. I was a witness of them while I dwelt among them,
and when Thou tookest me Thou was the Watcher over them. Thou art
Witness over all things.
Al Muthanna says, quoting
Abd Allah Ibn Salih, Muawiheh, and Ali Ibn Abbas, that "Inni mutawaffeeka"
means "I cause you to die."
These differences
of opinion and contradictions among Muslim scholars ignore the plain truth
that is in the New Testament Gospels. There are no contradictions
in the Gospels. Every Gospel writer tells in great detail of the
death of Christ, His resurrection, and His ascension.
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