Introduction

In the realm of Islamic theology, few topics have generated as much discussion and controversy as the fate of Isa (Jesus) after his earthly mission. While many Muslims today believe in the physical ascension and future return of Isa, a closer examination of historical scholarship reveals a more complex and nuanced debate. This article aims to challenge the notion of a unanimous consensus (ijma) on Isa being alive in heaven, exploring the diverse views held by classical scholars and the evolution of this belief over time.

The narrative surrounding Isa’s fate has undergone significant changes throughout Islamic history. While some contemporary Muslims assert a unified stance on this issue, historical evidence suggests a rich tapestry of interpretations among early and classical scholars. From Ibn Abbas to Imam Malik, and from Imam Bukhari to Ibn Hazm, respected figures in Islamic scholarship have presented alternative views on Isa’s earthly conclusion.

This article will delve into the suppression of dissenting opinions, the development of a majority view, and the recent revival of the debate sparked by various movements and scholars. By examining primary sources, academic research, and the contributions of both classical and modern thinkers, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of this theological question. In doing so, we hope to encourage a more nuanced understanding of Islamic scholarship and foster open dialogue on this significant aspect of Islamic eschatology.

The concept of Isa’s natural death, though often attributed to the Ahmadiyya movement, has roots in classical Islamic scholarship. Renowned figures such as Ibn Abbas, Imam Malik, Imam Bukhari, and Ibn Hazm held views compatible with this interpretation.

Over time, Sunni Islam developed an pseudo-ijma (consensus) on Jesus’s residence in heaven.

It was the Promised Messiah, founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, who revived this debate in the late 19th century. He provided a vast array of Hadith and Quranic evidence supporting the concept of Isa’s natural death. This effort was continued by his followers, the Ahmadi Muslims, who have worked to recover and highlight the opinions of earlier scholars on this matter.

The Ahmadi perspective on Isa’s death should be distinguished from that of modernist scholars like Syed Ahmad Khan or Ghulam Ahmad Parwez. While modernists often reject core Islamic beliefs such as the virgin birth or the coming of any Messiah, the Ahmadiyya view aligns more closely with classical scholars in affirming these fundamental aspects of Islamic faith while differing on the specific issue of Isa’s fate.

In Sunni Islam, belief in Isa’s return is considered of utmost importance. Disbelief in his return or his mission as a Prophet is often viewed as going against the Islamic articles of faith. The coming of the Masih is seen as marking the beginning of the end times and the final victory of Islam.

Some Sunni ulema from Al-Azhar, like Mahmud Shaltut, briefly entertained the Ahmadi concept of Jesus’ death. However, this caused outrage and pushback. Shaltut’s fatwa, issued in response to an Ahmadi Muslim’s question, was disagreed with by other Al-Azhar teachers. They published counter-fatwas, with Al-Ghumari’s being particularly significant in reaffirming the belief in the physical return of a living Isa as a fundamental principle of Sunni Islam.

Promised Messiah AS: There is No Ijma on Isa (AS) being Alive

اگر یہ سوال ہو کہ اس امر پر اجماع ہوا ہے کہ ائمہ اربعہ کے مذاہب کے خلاف عمل نہ کیا جائے تو ہم اجماع کی حقیقت خوب کھول چکے ہیں … امام احمد بن حنبل جو خدا سے ڈرتے تھے اور اس کی اطاعت کرتے تھے اُن کے اس قول کو یاد کرو کہ جو اجماع کا دعویٰ کرے وہ کا ذب ہے۔ بہت سے اختلافات جزئیہ ائمہ اربعہ میں موجود ہیں اور ائمہ کے اجماع سے خارج ہیں اور اگر تم سمجھتے ہو کہ حیات عیسی” پر سند صحیح سے اور واضح بیان سے اجماع ہو چکا ہے تو یہ تمہارا اور تم جیسے دوسرے لوگوں کا افتراء ہے

‘۔ اتمام الحجة – روحانی خزائن جلد 8 صفحه 280 ترجمه از عربی عبارت )’۔ اتمام الحجة – روحانی خزائن جلد 8 صفحه 280 ترجمه از عربی عبارت )

If the question arises that there is a consensus on not acting against the religions of the four Imams, then we have explained the reality of consensus very well… Remember the saying of Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, who feared God and obeyed Him, that whoever claims consensus is a liar. There are many minor differences among the four Imams, and they are outside the consensus of the Imams. And if you think that there is a consensus on the life of Jesus based on authentic narration and clear statement, then this is your fabrication and that of others like you.

Itmam-e-Hujjah Completion of the Proof – Roohani Khazain Volume 8, page 280 , Urdu Translation [Itmam-e-Hujjat p. 17-18]

“It would, therefore, be a daring invention to say that the bodily ascent of Jesus to heaven and his expected descent has been a matter of consensus.”

(Kitab-ul-Bariyyah, Ruhani Khaza’in, vol. 13, pp. 221 footnote)

We are merely told through coercion and authoritarianism that there is consensus of the entire ummah on this matter. But when we see that there is no agreement between the predecessors and successors on any single matter, why should we accept that there is indeed consensus? Well, if there is consensus on the life of the Messiah, then show one statement in which the predecessors have declared the Messiah’s life as a worldly life and accepted the necessities of worldly life for him while excluding others from it. In fact, the truth is that there seems to be consensus among all predecessors and successors that the Messiah has left this world and joined the people of another world, and his life is in accordance with their life without any addition or subtraction. Although some have ignorantly denied the death of the Messiah, they have nevertheless accepted that he has left this world like those who die and has joined the group of those who have died, becoming entirely like them. Well, any wise person should ask them that if this is not death, then what is it when someone has left the world of this life and reached another world, left the people of this world and become one of the people of the other world. If we don’t call this deceased, then what should we call it?”

Ruhani Khazain volume 3, p. 507-508

Proof that there is No Ijma on Isa AS being Alive

Ibn Hazm RH states:

They [The Ummah] differed regarding Jesus (peace be upon him), whether he will come before the Day of Judgment or not

Maratib al-Ijma p. 173

See our article showing how Tabari showed that the Salaf had 4 different views on the Death and Life of Isa.

No Ijma on Future Events in Hanafi Madhab

AL-BAHARI (d. 1119H) & AL-ANSARI (d. 1325H)

According to the Hanafiyyah there can be no Ijma’ about future events like Signs of the hour and matters of the hereafter because in matters of Ghaib (unseen) there is no role of Ijtihad. This is refutes non Ahmadis who say that there is an Ijma’ that Nuzul (descend) of Isa AS will happen in the literal physical sense.

“As for future matters like the signs of the Hour and affairs of the Hereafter, according to the Hanafis there is no consensus. This means there is no need to use it as proof, not that it is not a proof for them. How could it not be when the evidences are general? Because the unseen has no room for ijtihad (juristic reasoning) and opinion since conjecture is not sufficient for it. There must be a definitive proof indicating it. In that case, there is no need for consensus as proof. The truth is that it is valid to use it as proof for these matters as well, to support the evidences. It is possible they all heard it individually, so they reached consensus on what they heard but did not narrate it due to the existence of this agreement. Therefore, this consensus benefits us, but that definitive proof does not benefit due to the lack of its continuous mass transmission. So the truth is that future matters from reports are like religious rulings in being proven by consensus.” (This) and Allah speaks the truth and guides to the path.”

[Fawātih̩u r-Rah̩mūni, vol 2, pg. 296]

The belief of Jesus being Alive or Death was a Furui (non-fundamental) Issue

Although Promised Messiah AS and Hadhrat Musleh Maud RA said the first topic that to debate with Non-Ahmadi Muslims is on the Death of Isa(AS) however this belief is non a fundamental issue until the rise of the Promised Messiah AS

Promised Messiah AS states in Izala Auham:

اول تو یہ جاننا چاہیے کہ صبح کے نزول کا عقیدہ کوئی ایسا عقیدہ نہیں ہے جو ہماری ایمانیات کی کوئی جز یا ہمارے دین کے رکنوں میں سے کوئی رکن ہو بلکہ صد ہا پیشگوئیوں میں سے یہ ایک پیشگوئی ہے جس کو حقیقت اسلام سے کچھ بھی تعلق نہیں ۔ جس زمانہ تک یہ پیشگوئی بیان نہیں کی گئی تھی اُس زمانہ تک اسلام کچھ ناقص نہیں تھا اور جب بیان کی گئی تو اس سے اسلام کچھ کامل نہیں ہو گیا اور

First, it is important to understand that the belief in the descent of the Messiah is not a belief that is an integral part of our faith (Imaniyyat) or one of the pillars of our religion. Rather, it is one of the many prophecies, and this prophecy has no real connection to the true essence of Islam. Until the time this prophecy was not stated, Islam was not incomplete in any way, and when it was stated, it did not make Islam any more complete

[Ruhani Khazain vol. 3 p. 171]

What Promised Messiah AS means here is that it is not in the 5 pillars of Islam nor the six articles of faith. However he also states that rejection of the Nazul of Masih makes an individual a Mulhid as they are rejecting Mutawatir Ahadith.

Promised Messiah AS states:

میں نہیں چاہتا کہ چند الفاظ طوطے کی طرح بیعت کے وقت رٹ لیے جاویں اس سے کچھ فائدہ نہیں ۔ تزکیہ نفس کا علم حاصل کرو کہ ضرورت اسی کی ہے۔ ہماری یہ غرض ہرگز نہیں کہ مسیح کی وفات ، حیات پر جھگڑے اور مباحثہ کرتے پھرو۔ یہ ایک ادنی سی بات ہے اسی پر بس نہیں ہے۔ یہ تو ایک غلطی تھی جس کی ہم نے اصلاح کر دی لیکن ہمارا کام اور ہماری غرض ابھی اس سے بہت دور ہے اور وہ یہ ہے کہ تم اپنے اندر ایک تبدیلی پیدا کرو اور بالکل ایک نئے انسان بن جاؤ اس لیے ہر ایک کو تم میں سے ضروری ہے کہ وہ اس راز کو سمجھے اور ایسی تبدیلی کرے کہ وہ کہہ سکے کہ میں اور ہوں۔ میں پھر کہتا ہوں کہ یقیناً یقیناً جب تک ایک مدت تک ہماری صحبت میں رہ کر کوئی یہ نہ سمجھے کہ میں اور ہو گیا ہوں اسے فائدہ نہیں پہنچتا۔

I do not want that a few words are merely recited like a parrot at the time of initiation (bai’at). That is of no benefit. Acquire the knowledge of self-purification, as that is the real need. Our purpose is never for you to go around quarrelling and debating about the death or life of the Messiah. That is a minor issue, and it is not everything. That was merely a mistake which we have rectified, but our work and aim is still far beyond that. It is for you to bring about a transformation within yourselves and become entirely new persons. Therefore, it is essential for each one of you to understand this secret and undergo such a transformation that you can say, “I have become someone else.” I repeat, undoubtedly, undoubtedly, unless one stays in our company for some time and understands that “I have become someone else,” he does not derive any benefit.

[Malfuzat V. p. 478 (2022 Urdu Edition), Al-Hakam July 28, 1902 p. 5-16]

Prior to the advent of the Promised Messiah AS the life and Death of the Promised Messiah AS was indeed a furui issue but after his advent it indeed became an usuli Issue as he also states his purpose was to “kill a prophet” which can be seen below.

Proof from ‘Sunnis’ that Death of Jesus was originally Furui and there was No Ijma

Ahmad Raza Khan states:

“Qadiani was a denier of hundreds of essential aspects of religion, and his followers raise the debate about the life and death of our master Jesus, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon our noble Prophet and upon him). This is a secondary (Furui) issue that is itself a matter of disagreement among Muslims, the affirmation or denial of which is not even considered misguidance, let alone disbelief.

(4) At present, the issue of the life and death of Jesus (peace be upon him) has been a matter of disagreement since ancient times, but there is no dispute about his return in the end times and his killing of the accursed Dajjal. This is undoubtedly the unanimous belief of Ahl al-Sunnah. So what benefit did the death of Jesus give to Qadiani, and how could a Mughal child become Jesus, the Messenger of Allah, born without a father, the son of Mary? Qadianis present this disagreement, but do they have any proof that before this Punjabi’s innovation in religion, Muslims believed that Jesus himself would not descend, but someone similar to him would be born, and this was called the descent of Jesus, and he was called the son of Mary? And when this is against the belief of common Muslims, then the verse…”

Fatawa Ridhawiyyah Vol 15. p. 613-615

Ahmadi Muslims Believe in the Nuzul of the Messiah

As for the descent itself, it is true and we do not argue with them about it, nor do we reject it. Rather, we believe in it as they believe, and we are not deniers. We have nothing but submission in this matter.

Whoever denies it has disbelieved in what has come in the traditions and the Book, and they are among the Mulhideen[Atheists]. However, we interpret this descent in a way that is safe from contradictions and free from objections.

It is the manifestational descent, which has been God’s way since the time of the ancients. Our denial is only of the personal descent of Christ from the heavens, for it contradicts God’s ways and the clear signs of the verses.

Indeed, the Quran has made it obligatory for us to believe in the death of Masih and to consider him among the dead.

Therefore, the belief in Masih’s life [on earth] is contrary to the tradition of Allah and the clear verses of the Quran.”

“And his return to the mortal world necessitates denial of the Quran and its clear, decisive verses. None would speak such words except those whose hearts are veiled, who are like the concealed ones and among those who turn away.

The life of Masih and his return to the world necessitates denial of the Quran and its decisive verses. Therefore, only those will speak such words whose hearts are veiled, who are like the concealed ones and among those who turn away.

Should we abandon [the truth] for weak assumptions?”

Ruhani Khazain Volume 11, p. 148-149

Pseudo-Ijma on the Death of Isa

The first thing you should debate with Non Ahmadi Muslims is the Death of Isa (AS)

“Remember that the determination of truth and falsehood between us and our opponents hinges on the life and death of Isa (as). If Isa (as) is truly alive, all our claims are false, and our evidence is futile. However, if he has indeed died according to the Quran, then our opponents are in error. Now, place the Quran between us and contemplate it.”

(Ruhani Khazain Vol 17 Tufa Golarviya P.264

And the matter under discussion will be the death or life of Jesus. Because this humble one’s claim is based on this very foundation. When the foundation breaks, this claim will automatically fall apart. This is the core issue.”

“Sir, you know well that the main issue in this debate is the death or life of Jesus, son of Mary, and this is also established as the core matter in my revelation. Because the revelation states that “the true son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah, has died, and in accordance with the promise, one has come in his likeness.”

This is the primary and fundamental matter that has been established in the revelation – that Jesus, son of Mary, has died. Now, it’s obvious and any intelligent person can understand that if you prove Jesus to be alive, then just as the first part of the revelation will be invalidated, so will the second part. This is because Allah the Almighty has stated that the condition for the validity of my claim is the death of Jesus.

And according to the principle ‘When the condition fails, the conditional fails,’ with the proof of Jesus’s life, my second claim will automatically be nullified.”

[Maktubat-e-Ahmad vol 1. p. 231-232]

“You already know this and in your view, it’s a trivial matter that Jesus has died, and you have achieved victory using this point. Actually, my existence is for two things, First to KILL ONE PROPHET, and second is to kill Shaytan”

Malfuzat 10 p. 51

The very first point that should be remembered is the issue of the death of the Messiah; the importance of the issue of the death of the Messiah. These people sometimes deceive by saying that there is no need for a discussion on the death of the Messiah, whereas this is the very root of the matter. Through this issue, all Christian actions are nullified, the divinity of حضرت مسیح is broken, and the greatness of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is established in the world. This is why the Holy Quran has placed great emphasis on the issue of the death of the Messiah, unlike the deaths of other prophets. It has mentioned this subject in more than three verses, as it is clearly mentioned in verses like “O Jesus, I will cause you to die” (یا عیسیٰ انی متوفیک) and “When You took me up” (فلما توفیتنی).

These fools say that he did not die but that God raised him to heaven. These are errors that people have created on their own against the Book of Allah to corrupt the religion. God Almighty does not want His attributes to be given to a helpless human. Then, based on what show of arrogance do they claim to be Muslims? Is Islam the name of this, that it is accepted that some of creation belongs to God and some to the son of God? I say truthfully that by creating such beliefs, these people have corrupted Islam. They have insulted the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and opposed God Almighty. Alas! Was it this blessing that Islam came into the world with? Was this the name of the completion of the favor?

Malfuzat Vol 3 p.53-54

Musleh Maud RA states:

“Never leave your spot. Don’t believe that if they don’t believe in this, then they will believe in this way. In this manner they have not lost, you have because you could not prove your point and left it. There are many people who say that Non-Ahmadis get irritated by the topic of Death of Isa, let’s leave this topic of Death of Isa and make them accept some other topic. This is wrong. First make them accept the Death of Isa, then present ahead. Present in Sequence.

Anwar-ul-Uloom

Imam Malik (R.H) is one the earliest scholar of Islam and the founder of the Maliki Fiqh in Islam. He was born in 711 A.D, just 70 years after the death of Muhammad (S.A.W) and he believed that Isa (A.S) has died. This is mentioned and quoted by multiple scholars in their works.

1) al-Imām Abū al-Walīd Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad ibn Rushd al-Jadd al-Qurtubī (d. 520 AH)

قال مالك : كان عيسى بن مريم يقول: يا ابن الثلاثين مضت الثلاثون فماذا تنتظر ؟ قال: ومات ابن ثلاث وثلاثين سنة

فيكون قول مالك على هذا ’ومات وهو ابن ثلاث وثلاثين سنة‘ على الحقيقة لا على المجاز

Malik said: Isa (Jesus) son of Mary used to say, “O son of the thirty, it has passed thirty (years), so what are you waiting for?” He [Malik] said: “He (Isa) died at the age of thirty-three.”

The statement of Mālik on this ‘and he died when he was 33 years old’ is literal and not a metaphor.”

[al-Bayān at-taḥṣīl wa-t-tawjīh wa-t-taʻlīl fī masā’il al-mustakhrajah. Bayrūt, Lubnān: Dār al-Gharb al-Islamī, p. 448-449]

2) al-Qāḍī Abū Muḥammad ʻAbd al-Ḥaqq ibn Ghālib ibn ʻAṭīyah al-Andalusī al-Muḥāribī (d. 542)

وقال مالك في جامع العتبية: مات عيسى وهو ابن ثلاث وثلاثين سنة.

“And Mālik said in Jami‘ al-‘utbiyyah: Jesus died when he was 33 years old.“

[Tafsīr Ibn ʻAṭīyah, al-Muḥarrir al-wajīz fī tafsīr al-Kitāb al-ʻazīz. Bayrūt: Dār Ibn Ḥazm, p. 308]

3) al-Imām Abī ʻAbd Allāh Muḥammad ibn Khalīfah al-Washtānī al-Ubbī al-Mālikī (d. 827 AH)

وفي العتبية قال مالك: مات عيسى ابن ثلاث وثلاثين سنة. قال ابن رشد: يعني موته: خروجه من عالم الأرض إلى عالم السماء. قال: ويحتمل أنه مات حقيقة، ويحيا في آخر الزمان، إذ لا بدّ من نزوله لتواتر الأحاديث بذلك.

“And it is in al-‘Utbiyyah that Mālik said: Jesus died when he was 33 years old. Ibn Rushd [al-Jadd] said: By this he meant his death: His emergence from the earthly world to the heavenly world. He said: And it is likely that he died a proper death and that he will be revived in the latter days, for there is no doubt about his descension (nuzūl), because of the successiveness (tawātur) of the traditions (ahādīth) on it.“

[Ikmāl ikmāl al-muʻallim. Miṣr: Maṭbaʻat al-Saʻādah, p. 265]

4) ash-Shaykh Muḥammad Ṭāhir ibn ‘Alī aṣ-Ṣiddīqī al-Fattanī al-Hindī al-Kujrātī (d. 986 AH)

وقال مالك: مات وهو ابن ثلاث وثلاثين سنة. ولعله أراد رفعه إلى السماء، أو حقيقته ويحيى آخر الزمان لتواتر خبر النزول.

“And Mālik said: He died when he was 33 years old. And He may have intended to raise him to the sky or [He may have caused] his proper [death] and he will be revived in the latter days, because of the successiveness (tawātur) of the traditions (khabar) on the descension (nuzūl).”

[Majmaʻ biḥār al-anwār fī gharāʼib at-tanzīl wa-laṭāʼif al-akhbār. Lakʹhnaw: Nawal Kishawr, p. 286.]
[Majmaʻ biḥār al-anwār fī gharāʼib at-tanzīl wa-laṭāʼif al-akhbār]

Refutations

1) No Isnad/Chain of Narrators?

Even after we show the above quotes proving that multiple scholars have written on this belief of Imam Malik (R.H), some still doubt its authenticity by saying that there is no Isnad (chain of narrators) for it.

Ibn Rushd

The chain is explicitly mentioned in Ibn Rushd’s Bayān published by Dār al-Gharb al-Islāmī in 1988.

Mālik -> Ashhab (d. 204 AH)/Ibn Nāfi‘ (d. 186 AH) -> Saḥnūn (d. 240 AH)

[Al-Bayan Wa-al-Tahsil wa-al-Tawjih, pg 221]

Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr

This same narration and Isnad are also confirmed by the Mālikī scholar Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr, also known as the “Bukhari of the West” (d. 463 AH):

وأخبرني أن عاش عشرين ومائة سنة ، وفي سماع اشهب وابن نافع من مالك ـ في كتاب العتبي ، اال مالك : كان عيسى بن مريم يقول: يا ابن الثلاثين مضت الثلاثون

فماذا تنتظر ؟ قال : ومات وهو ابن ثلاث وثلاثين سنة

“And he informed me that he lived for one hundred and twenty years. And in the hearing of Ashhab and Ibn Nafi’ from Malik – in the book of al-‘Utbi – Malik said: Jesus son of Mary used to say: ‘O son of thirty! The thirty years have passed, so what are you waiting for?’ He said: And he died when he was thirty-three years old.”

[at-Tamhīd limā fi l-Muwaṭṭa’ mina l-ma‘ānī wa-l-asānīd, pg 200.]

It is also well-known that al-‘Utbī traveled and took knowledge from Saḥnūn b. Sa‘īd directly as mentioned Tārīkh ‘ulamā’ al-Andalus by Ibn al-Faraḍī (d. 403 AH).

Non-Muslim scholars confirm

Not only do we have classical scholars confirming this report of Imam Malik (R.H) along with its isnad, but we also have non-Muslim scholars confirming this.

1. Ana Fernández Félix mentions the same chain in her PhD dissertation.
2. Miklós Murányi also verified that the quotations in al-‘Utbiyyah are all authentic and verbatim when compared with the surviving manuscripts. This is the scan of his research.

2) Not a literal death?

Many Anti-Ahmadis claim that the death mentioned by Imam Malik is not literal but a metaphorical death i.e sleep etc. However, many great Maliki scholars have clarified that Imam Malik (RH) is referring to the literal death.

1) Ibn Rushd (d. 520 AH)

ويحتمل أن يكون معنى قوله: {بل رفعه الله إليه} أي رفع روحه إليه بعد أن مات ويحييه في آخر الزمان فينزله إلى الأرض على ما جاءت به الآثار، فيكون قول مالك على هذا ’ومات وهو ابن ثلاث وثلاثين سنة‘ على الحقيقة لا على المجاز.

“And it is likely that the meaning of ‘On the contrary, Allāh exalted him to Himself’ is the exaltation of his soul to Him after he had died and He will revive him in the latter days. Thus, He will cause him to descend to the earth according to what the traditions (āthār) came along with. The statement of Mālik on this ‘and he died when he was 33 years old’ is literal and not a metaphor.”

[al-Bayān at-taḥṣīl wa-t-tawjīh wa-t-taʻlīl fī masā’il al-mustakhrajah. Bayrūt, Lubnān: Dār al-Gharb al-Islamī, p. 449]

2) Muhammad al-Ṭāhir ibn ʿĀshūr (d. 1393 AH)

Therefore, Ibn Abbas and Wahb ibn Munabbih said that it means actual death, and this is the apparent meaning. Malik said in Al-Muwatta, “Jesus died when he was thirty-one years old.” Ibn Rushd said in Al-Bayan wa Al-Tahsil, “It is possible that his statement ‘died when he was thirty-one’ is meant literally, not metaphorically.

[Tafsir at-Tahrir wa at-Tanwir, ]

3) Messiah will perform Hajj?

The Anti-Ahmadis further claim that even if Imam Malik (RH) believed that Isa (AS) has died, he did narrate that Isa ibn Maryam will perform Hajj in the following hadith:

Firstly, this argument is rather pathetic as Ahmadis believe that Ibn Maryam will indeed descend and have no problem with this hadith. Moreover, Ahmadis have proven that the Messiah that performs Hajj/Umrah is not the same as the Ibn Maryam of Bani Israel as the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) describes the physical traits of both of them completely differently. (Add Different description article)

Secondly, this in no way negates the literal statement of Imam Malik (RH) where he explicitly says that Isa (AS) has died. They are trying to create a contradiction where none exists. Read more here.

Thirdly, this hadith cannot be taken literally as in Bukhari, Masih AS is shown circulating the Kaaba along with Dajjal. By their logic, Dajjal will be able to enter Mecca and perform Umrah/Hajj.¹

Fourthly, the same hadith they are quoting refers to many other metaphors like breaking the cross and killing pigs. Thus, it does not make sense to consider one aspect literal while others as metaphors.

Conclusion

In summary, Imam Malik (R.H) believed in the death of Isa (A.S) and he was not any random scholar. Rather, he is from the Salaf and the founder of the school of fiqh in Sunni Islam. He was also a teacher of Imam Shafi’i (R.H), who himself was the founder of another school of fiqh in Sunni Islam. The belief in the death of Isa (A.S) is a Quranic belief and is supported by Ahadith, Sahaba, and the other Salaf-us-Saliheen.

References

Non-Ahmadis often claim that we are making up new translations of the Holy Quran regarding the verses that prove the death of Isa (A.S). Although these allegations do not matter since we have proved our case from the Quran, Ahadith, ijmah (consensus) of sahaba (R.A), statements of Salaf-us-Saliheen, and Arabic lexicons, it is a good exercise to shut the critics on all fronts.

The belief that Isa (AS) has died is not a new one within Islam. It was not only the belief of Muhammad (S.A.W) and the Salaf-us-Saliheen but this view remained among the Muslims throughout the centuries and many Sunni Muslims still hold it now, along with a majority of Shia Muslims.

In this article, we have presented 50 (!!) non-Ahmadi translations that prove the death of Isa (AS) – there are tons more! The scans for each translation are lined on the verse number.

Allama Abdullah Yusuf Ali* (Sunni)

Behold! God said: “O Jesus! I will take thy soul and raise thee to Myself and clear thee (of the falsehoods) of those who blaspheme; I will make those who follow thee superior to those who reject faith, to the Day of Resurrection: Then shall ye all return unto me, and I will judge between you of the matters wherein ye dispute

[Quran 3:55]

Muhammad Asad (Sunni)

Lo! God said: “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; and I shall place those who follow thee [far] above those who are bent on denying the truth, unto the Day of Resurrection. In the end, unto Me you all must return, and I shall judge between you with regard to all on which you were wont to differ.

[Quran 3:55]

Abdul Majid Daryabadi (Deobandi Sunni)

Recall what time Allah said: O ‘Isa! verily I shall make thee die, and am lifting thee to myself and am purifying thee from those who disbelieve, and shall place those who follow thee above those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection; thereafter unto Me shall be the return of you all, then I shall judge between you of that wherein ye were wont to differ

[Quran 3:55]

Dr. Mustafa Khattab (Sunni)

˹Remember˺ when Allah said, “O Jesus! I will take you* and raise you up to Myself. I will deliver you from those who disbelieve, and elevate your followers above the disbelievers until the Day of Judgment. Then to Me you will ˹all˺ return, and I will settle all your disputes.

[Quran 3:55]

Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelwi Sunni)

Remember, when Allah said; ‘O Eesa (Jesus) I will make you reach full life‘

[Quran 3:55]

Muhammad Hussain Battalwi (Ahle Hadith Sunni)

Remember, when Allah said; O Isa! I shall cause you to reach to your full life and I shall raise you towards Myself and I shall purify you from the infidels, and shall give your followers superiority over the rejecters until the Day of Resurrection then you all shall come returning to Me: then I shall decide between you concerning that wherein you dispute’.

[Quran 3:55]

Maulana Wahiduddin Khan (Sunni)

God said, O Jesus, I shall cause you to die and will raise you up to Me and shall clear you [of the calumnies] of the disbelievers, and shall place those who follow you above those who deny the truth, until the Day of Judgement; then to Me shall all return and I will judge between you regarding your disputes

[Quran 3:55]

Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri (Sufi Sunni)

When Allah said: ‘O ‘Isa (Jesus), I will surely bring your term of life to completion; and I am about to lift you towards Myself (in the heavens), and deliver you from the disbelievers, and exalt your followers above (these) disbelievers till the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me you all have to return. So I shall judge between you in the matters about which you used to dispute.

[Quran 3:55]

Sayyid Ali Quli Qara’l (Shia)

When Allah said, ‘O Jesus, I shall take you[r soul], and I shall raise you up toward Myself, and I shall clear you of [the calumnies of] the faithless, and I shall set those who follow you above the faithless until the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me will be your return, whereat I will judge between you concerning that about which you used to differ

[Quran 3:55]

Dr. Shabbir Ahmad (Sunni)

“O Jesus! I will cause you to die of natural causes and I will exalt you in honor in My Court and I will clear you of the slander of the disbelievers. I will cause those who truly follow you to dominate the rejecters until the Day of Resurrection. Eventually, all of you will return to Me, then I will judge among you about what you used to differ.”

[Quran 3:55]

Safi Kaskas (Sunni)

God said, “Jesus, I will cause you to die and raise you up to me, and purify you from those who denied the truth, and I will exalt your followers over those who deny you until the Resurrection Day. Then you all will return to me, and I will judge between you in matters about which you disagree.

[Quran 3:55]

Talal Itani

God said, ‘O Jesus, I am terminating your life, and raising you to Me, and clearing you of those who disbelieve. And I will make those who follow you superior to those who disbelieve, until the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me is your return; then I will judge between you regarding what you were disputing

[Quran 3:55]

Ahmed Hulusi (Sufi Sunni)

And recall when Allah had said, “I’m going to cause you to die (that is, they will not be able to assassinate you through their secret schemes, I will cause you to die when your time comes)… I’m going to raise you to myself (enable you to experience the supremacy of your essence); I’m going to purify you by removing you from among the deniers of the reality (disbelievers) and until Doomsday I’m going to place those who follow you above those who deny the reality. In the end, your return is to Me. I will judge on matters over which you differed between each other.”

[Quran 3:55]

George Sale (Orientalist)

When God said, O Jesus, verily I will cause thee to die, and I will take thee up unto me, and I will deliver thee from the unbelievers; and I will place those who follow thee, above the unbelievers, until the day of resurrection: Then unto me shall ye return, and I will judge between you of that concerning which ye disagree

[Quran 3:55]

Edward Henry Palmer (Orientalist)

3:55 When God said, ‘O Jesus! I will make Thee die and take Thee up again to me and will clear thee of those who misbelieve, and will make those who follow thee above those who misbelieve, at the day of judgment, then to me is your return. I will decide between you concerning that wherein ye disagree

[Quran 3:55]

John Medows Rodwell (Orientalist)

Remember when God said, “O Jesus! verily I will cause thee to die, and will take thee up to myself and deliver thee from those who believe not; and I will place those who follow thee above those who believe not, until the day of resurrection. Then, to me is your return, and wherein ye differ will I decide between you

[Quran 3:55]

Mohammad Shafi (Deobandi Sunni)

When Allah said: “O Jesus! I am indeed going to make you die and raise you up to Me. And I will cleanse you of what those who suppress the Truth say about you. And I will make those who follow you surpass those who suppress the Truth, towards the Day of Resurrection.And then to Me shall be the return of you all. Then I shall judge between you on matters which you have been disputing.”

[Quran 3:55]

Ali Bakhtiari Nejad

(Remember) when God said: Jesus, I make you die, and bring you up to Me, and cleanse you from those who disbelieved, and make those who follow you above those who disbelieved until the resurrection day. Then, your return is to Me, and I judge between you in what you disagreed about it

[Quran 3:55]

Faridul Haque

Remember when Allah said, “O Eisa! I will keep you alive till your full age, and raise you towards Me, and cleanse you of the disbelievers and give your followers dominance over the disbelievers until the Day of Resurrection; then you will all return to Me, so I shall judge between you concerning the matter in which you dispute.”

[Quran 3:55]

Edip Yüksel

God said, “O Jesus, I will terminate you, and raise you to Me, and cleanse you of those who have rejected, and make those who have followed you above those who rejected, until the day of Resurrection; then to Me is your return so I will judge between all of you in what you were disputing.”

_{[Quran 3:55]}

Muhammad Habib Shakir (Sunni)

And when Allah said: O Isa, I am going to terminate the period of your stay [on earth] and cause you to ascend unto Me and purify you of those wio disbelieve and make those who follow you above those who disbelieve to the day of resurrection; then to Me shall be your return, so 1 will decide between you concerning that in which you differed.

_{[Quran 3:55]}

Alexander Ross (Orientalist)

“Remember thou, how the Lord said, O Jesus, I will cause thee to die, I will elevate thee to myself and remove thee from Infidels….”

_{[Quran 3:55]}

Mohamed Ahmed & His Daughter, Samira

“When God said: “You Jesus I am, I am making you die and raising you to Me and purifying you from
those who disbelieved, and making those who followed you above those who disbelieved to the Resurrection
Day, then to Me (is) your return, so I judge/rule between you in what, you were in it differing.”

_{[Quran 3:55]}

Hashim Amir Ali (Shia)

“Lo, Allah said, “O ‘Isa! I shall make thee die and raise thee nearer to Me. I shall rid thee of these evaders (of the truth); and those who follow thee I shall raise above those who deny thee, until the day appointed. Then I will recall all of you to Myself and judge between you about your differences.”

_{[Quran 3:55]}

Majid Fakhry

“When Allah said: “O Jesus, I will cause you to die, will lift you up to Me, purify you from those who have disbelieved and place those who followed you above those who have disbelieved, till the Day of Resurrection. Then unto Me is your return, so that I may judge between you regarding what you were disputing.”

_{[Quran 3:55]}

Dr. Kamal Omar

“Behold! Allah said: “O ‘Isa! Certainly I am the Giver of death to you, the Raiser of you towards Me, the Protector of you against those who rejected you, and the Maintainer of those who have followed you above those who have rejected you — till the Day of Resurrection. Afterwards, to Me is your return, then I will pronounce judgment between your people in whatever you used to create differences of opinion.”

_{[Quran 3:55]}

Ali Muhammad Fazil Chinoy (Shia)

“Recall when God said: O Jesus we shall finish your duty and raise you to “Us” saving you from heathens and superseding your followers over infidels till day of judgement; then shall reversion be to “Us” when shall We decide differences amongst you.”

_{[Quran 3:55]}

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

“(It was at such a juncture in the history of Christ’s mission that God said by way of heartening him and his followers:) “0 Jesus! Verily, I will complete thy course of time and will raise thee up to Myself and will absolve you of all the accusations levelled at you by your detractors and will give thy followers for all times ascendency over those who have rejected thee. And eventually all have to return to Me and I will decide on the day of resurrection on matters wherein people have entertained differences;”

_{[Quran 3:55]}

Dr. Hesham El-Essaway

When Allah said to Isa (Jesus),
I shall bring you to your death,
And I shall raise you up to Me
And I shall purify you of the unbelievers!
And I shall make your followers supreme
Above those who believed not
Till the day of resurrection!
And to Me you shall all return
And I will judge between you, About that in which you disputed,

_{[Quran 3:55]}

Tarif Khalidi

“Remember when God said: ‘O Jesus, I shall cause you to die and make you ascend to Me. I shall purify you from those who blasphemed, and I shall raise those who followed you above those who blasphemed until the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me is your return, and I shall judge between you concerning that in which you disputed. As for those who blasphemed, I shall torment them most severely in this world and the next, and no helpers will they have.’ As for those who believed and performed good deeds, He shall pay them their wages in full. God loves not the evildoers.”

_{[Quran 3:55]}

Fazollah Nikayin (Shia)

“At last, God said: “0 Jesus, now I will Recall your soul and lift you up to Me, And rid you of the disbelievers’ dirt, And I will cause your followers to be Above the disbeliever till the Day Of Resurrection; finally, Unto Me you shall all return, and then I’ll judge among you all, regarding all things you differed in;“

_{[Quran 3:55]}

Ahmad Zaki Mansur Hammad (Sunni)

“Behold! God said: O Jesus! Indeed, I shall take your soul.
And I shall lift you up to Me. And I shall cleanse you from the defilement of all those who disbelieve in you.
Moreover, I shall place those who follow you and confirm your message above those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection.
Then to Me alone. shall be the return of all of you, and I shall judge between you regarding that wherein you have been disputing.“

_{[Quran 3:55]}

Muhammad Abdul Hakim Khan

“God said, O Jesus, Verily I shall cause thee to die and take thee up unto me; and purify thee of the charges of those who believe not in thee; and shall place those who follow thee above those who deny thee, to the day of resseruction. Then unti me shall be your return, wherefore I will judge between you concerning that in which ye disagree“

_{[Quran 3:55]}

Pir Salahud-Din

“His people plotted but Allah countered their plot.
Allah can counter plots better than anyone else. Behold! Allah
did it when He said : ‘Jesus, I will call you to death and admit
you to My presence, and clear you of the accusations of the
unbelievers, and make your followers prevail over the unbelievers
till the Day of Resurrection. You shall all return to Me, and
I will judge all your differences.“

_{[Quran 3:55]}

Mirza Hairat Dehlavi (Sunni)

“(And tell them) when God said, “O Jesus verily I will make thee die, and raise thee up unto Me, and clear thee of those who disbelieve, and will place who believe in thee above those who disbelieve in thee till the day of resseruction, then unto me is your return. I will then decide between you about that, wherein ye do differ”

_{[Quran 3:55]}

 Muhammad Ali Jalandhari (Deobandi Sunni)

“When you complete your living period, I will lift you and purify you from the company of the disbelievers. And the people who follow you over the disbelievers on the Day of Resurrection will prevail. Then you will all return to me and then on the things of which you disagree I will resolve.”

_{[Quran 3:55]}

Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Deobandi Sunni)

“Allah said, ‘O Jesus surely I will cause you to die, and I will raise you to myself, and I will purify you from those who disbelieve, I will purify you from the disbelievers and, I will make those who follow you superior over those who reject you”

_{[Quran 3:55]}

Sanullah Amritsari (Ahle Hadith/Salafi Sunni)

“O Jesus! I will cause you to die, and raise you to Myself, and purify you from those who disbelieve, and make those who follow you above the disbelievers….”

_{[Quran 3:55]}

Ubaidullah Sindhi (Hanafi Deobandi Sunni)

“O Jesus! I will cause you to die and [then] will raise you to Myself.“

_{[Quran 3:55]}

Shuaib Abdullahi

“Then (Iz’) GOD (Ellahu) said (Qaala), “O (Yaa) Jesus (Eesaa), indeed I (Innii) will cause you to die (Mutawaffii-ka) and (Wa) raise you (Raafiu’ka) to ME (ilayya) and purify you (Mutohhiru-ka) from (Mina) those who (Ellaziina) disbelieve (Kafaru’) and will place (Jaa’elu) those who (Ellaziina) followed you (Ettabauu-ka) above (Faw’qa) those who (Ellaziina) disbelieved (Kafaruu’) till (ilaa) the Day of Resurrection (Yaw’mil’ Qiyaamati). Then (Thumma) to me (ilayya) is your return (Mar’jiu-kum’), and (Fa) I will judge (Eh’kumu) between you (Bai’nakum’) concerning what (Fiimaa) you have (Kuntum’) differed in (Takh’talifuun Fiihi).”

_{[Quran 3:55]}

Rashad Khalifa (Quranyioon)

“Thus, GOD said, “O Jesus, I am terminating your life, raising you to Me, and ridding you of the disbelievers. I will exalt those who follow you above those who disbelieve, till the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me is the ultimate destiny of all of you, then I will judge among you regarding your disputes.“

_{[Quran 3:55]}

J.M Rodwell (Orientalist)

“Remember when God said, “O Jesus! verily I will cause thee to die, and will take thee up to myself and deliver thee from those who believe not; and I will place those who follow thee above those who believe not, until the day of resurrection. Then, to me”

_{[Quran 3:55]}

Al-Muntakhab fi Tafsir al-Qur‘an al-Karim

“There and then said Allah to ‘Isa, “O ‘Isa, I am ordaining that you depart from this life. I am taking you up to My August presence and ridding you of the troublesome blasphemers among your contemporaries and out of harm’s way. I am raising those who recognized your mission and accepted your apostleship to higher ranks and exalting them in dignity and power above those who denied you till the Day of Resurrection when to Me shall all of you return. Then I will judge between you on the strained points of dispute upon which the whole unreasoning turned”

_{[Quran 3:55]}

The Monotheist Group

God said: “O Jesus, I will let you die, and raise you to Me, and cleanse you of those who have rejected, and make those who have followed you above those who rejected until the Day of Resurrection; then to Me is your return so I will judge between all of you in what it was that you disputed.”

[Quran 3:55]

The Monotheist Group (Revision)

“For God said: “O Jesus, I will terminate your life, and raise you
to Me, and purify you of those who have rejected, and make those
who have followed you above those who have rejected until the
Day of Resurrection. Then to Me is your return, all of you, so I
will judge between you in what it was that you disputed.”

_{[Quran 3:55]}

Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar

“Mention when God said: O Jesus! I will be One Who Gathers thee and One Who Elevates thee to Myself and One Who Purifies thee from those who were ungrateful, and One Who Makes those who followed thee above those who were ungrateful until the Day of Resurrection. Again, you will return to Me. Then, I will give judgment between you about what you had been at variance in it.“

_{[Quran 3:55]}

The Wise Quran

“And when God said, ‘O Jesus! Indeed, I will cause you to die and raise you to me and purify you of those who disbelieved, and make those who followed you above those who disbelieved to the Day of Resurrection, then to Me is your return. And I will judge between you concerning that in which you were disagreeing.“

_{[Quran 3:55]}

Samy Mahdy

“When Allah said, “O Jesus, I am expiring you, and raising you to Me, and pure you from those who disbelieved. And I will set up those who followed you superior above those who disbelieved, until The Resurrection Day. Then to Me is your return; so, I will judge between you in what you were differing in.”

_{[Quran 3:55]}

Fode Drame

When Allah said, “O Jesus! Truly I am going to take your soul and raise you unto Me and cleanse you from those who have disbelieved and [I am] going to make those who follow you above those who disbelieve until the day of resurrection. Then unto Me is your place of return. Then I will judge between you in all that in which you used to disagree.”

_{[Quran 3:55]}

Muhammad Taqi Usmani (Deobandi Sunni)

“When Allah said: .O ‘Isa , I am to take you in full and to raise you towards Myself, and to cleanse you of those who disbelieve, and to place those who follow you above those who disbelieve up to the Day of Doom. Then to Me is your return, whereupon I shall judge between you in that over which you have differed“

_{[Quran 3:55]}