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Does Ibn Majah 4081 prove Isa (AS) is alive?

31 Oct, 2022 Misquotes

Introduction

When Sunni Muslims cannot prove that Isa (A.S) is alive from the Holy Quran, Ahadith, or direct statements of Sahaba (R.A), they start using weak narrations to prove that Isa (A.S) is still alive and that he is the exact individual who will descend in the latter days.

It was narrated that ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud said:

“On the night on which the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was taken on the Night Journey (Isra’), he met Ibrahim, Musa and ‘Eisa, and they discussed the Hour. They started with Ibrahim, and asked him about it, but he did not have any knowledge of it. Then they asked Musa, and he did not have any knowledge of it.

Then they asked ‘Eisa bin Maryam, and he said: ‘I have been assigned to some tasks before it happens.’ As for as when it will take place, no one knows that except Allah. Then he mentioned Dajjal and said: ‘I will descend and kill him, then the people will return to their own lands and will be confronted with Gog and Magog people, who will: “swoop down from every mound.”[21:96] They will not pass by any water but they will drink it, (and they will not pass) by anything but they will spoil it. They (the people) will beseech Allah, and I will pray to Allah to kill them. The earth will be filled with their stench and (the people) will beseech Allah and I will pray to Allah, then the sky will send down rain that will carry them and throw them in the sea. Then the mountains will turn to dust and the earth will be stretched out like a hide. I have been promised that when that happens, the Hour will come upon the people, like a pregnant woman whose family does not know when she will suddenly give birth.'”

(One of the narrators) ‘Awwam said: “Confirmation of that is found in the Book of Allah, where Allah says: “Until, when Gog and Magog people are let loose (from their barrier), and they swoop down from every mound (21:96).”

Sunan Ibn Majah 4081

This narration mentions the event of the Mairaj when Muhammad (S.A.W) meets the prophets in heaven including Isa (A.S). The bolded part from the above narration is shown as proof by the Sunnis to prove that Isa (A.S) is still alive and he will be the same individual who descends and kill Dajjal in the latter days instead of another person from within the Muslims, as the Ahmadi Muslims believe.

Refutation

Firstly, this hadith is Daif (weak) and multiple scholars have graded it weak.

  1. Sheikh Albani grades it weak
  2. Shuaib Al Arna’ut grades it weak
  3. Ali Hassan Ali Ibrahim Alqaisi grades it weak
  4. Majlis-e-Ilmi Darul Dawah grades it weak

Source: https://mohaddis.com/View/ibn-majah/T2/4081

Secondly, the statement above goes against the view of

Thirdly, we deny this hadith based on Dirayat. There are too many things wrong with it.

1) Isa (A.S) quoting Quranic verse????

  • The biggest proof that this hadith is a fabrication is the fact that Isa (A.S) is quoting verse 21:96.
  • Quran was revealed to Muhammad (S.A.W) not Isa (A.S). How can he know and quote the verse word for word while in the heavens?
  • It is blasphemous to claim that Quran was being revealed to Isa (A.S) simultaneously.
  • Moreover, as per the Sunni view, revelation ceased after Muhammad (S.A.W). How did Isa (A.S) get to know about these verses? Is Allah sharing all this knowledge with him while he is in the heavens? If yes, then what is the evidence that such is happening?


2) Isra/Mi’raj ahadith contain known fabrications

  • It is the view of many Muhaddithin that such ahadith contain many fabrications and contradict each other and must be used with extra caution.
  • Even within sahih ahadith on Isra and Mairaj, Muhaddithin is resolving contradictions between them. For example, where was Muhammad (S.A.W) sleeping at the time of Mi’raj.
  • The weakness is amplified by the length of the hadith.
  • This hadith is a mix of multiple hadith about Isa (A.S) descending. You will find no such hadith which mentions all these different things together. Rather since this hadith is from the Meccan period and is so long it indicates that different hadith and narrations were put together by mistake.

Conclusion

Thus, the above hadith does not in any way prove that Isa (A.S) is alive and the same Isa (A.S) of the Bani Israel will descend in the latter days. Sunnis who quote this hadith must reflect as to why they are quoting Daif (weak) narrations to support their aqeedah (beliefs) when we have clear-cut verses and ahadith disapproving them.