The Rafa of Isa (AS) was like of Ali (RA) and Uthman (RA)

Introduction

In our other articles, we have proven through the Holy Quran and the Ahadith of the Prophet (SAW) that Isa (AS) has passed away like any other prophet. In this article, we will show the view of Yusuf Al-Hajjaj (661H – 714H).

Explanation

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو ظَفَرٍ عَبْدُ السَّلاَمِ، حَدَّثَنَا جَعْفَرٌ، عَنْ عَوْفٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ الْحَجَّاجَ، يَخْطُبُ وَهُوَ يَقُولُ إِنَّ مَثَلَ عُثْمَانَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ عِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ هَذِهِ الآيَةَ يَقْرَؤُهَا وَيَفُسِّرُهَا ‏{‏ إِذْ قَالَ اللَّهُ يَا عِيسَى إِنِّي مُتَوَفِّيكَ وَرَافِعُكَ إِلَىَّ وَمُطَهِّرُكَ مِنَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا ‏}‏ يُشِيرُ إِلَيْنَا بِيَدِهِ وَإِلَى أَهْلِ الشَّامِ ‏.

I heard al-Hajjaj addressing the people say:

The similitude of ‘Uthman with Allah is like the similitude of Jesus son of Mary. He then recited the following verse and explained it: “Behold! Allah said: O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself and clear thee (of the falsehood) of those who blaspheme.”[3:55] He was making a sign with his hand to us and to the people of Syria.

[Sunan Abi Dawud 4641]

Grading¹Mohaddis.com:

Some Muhadithun have graded it weak, while others haven’t. The point is that the early Muslims and the Sahaba did not believe that Isa (AS) was an exception or that he was raised to the heavens with his physical body. Neither did they understand the Quran 3:55 as proof of his ascension. It talks about the death of Isa (AS) and his raising afterward. Al Hajjaj is making the same comparison that Uthman (RA) died and was raised just like him.

This narration is also found in other books, for example, the following is from Tarikh-e-Dimishq

I heard al-Hajjaj (661-714 CE) addressing the people, saying:

The similitude of Uthman with Allah is like the similitude of Jesus son of Mary. He then recited the following verse and explained it: “O Jesus! Verily, I shall cause thee to die, and shall exalt thee unto Me, and cleanse thee of [the presence of] those who are bent on denying the truth; He was making a sign with his hand to us and to the people of Syria.

[Tarikh-e-Damishq, vol. 12, pg. 159]