Author: Dr Muhammad Saad Saleem
Descent of Jesus (peace be upon him) –
The Coming of the Messiah
The descent of Jesus
(peace be upon him) from the heavens is one of the ten major
signs of the Day of Judgment, mentioned only in the Hadith.
Like other prophecies, this descent has been interpreted
symbolically as a state. This symbolic interpretation
corresponds to the vision presented in the Book of Daniel,
where the final era of the Babylonian Empire is likened to a
human figure.
This state, as the
saviour of humanity or the ‘chosen one’ by God—that is, like
a Messiah—plays a decisive role in the great conflict
between Gog and Magog. The alignment of European nations
against each other as a result of the fascist state of
Germany, which is described in Surah Al-Kahf as Gog and
Magog “surging against each other like waves” before the
trumpet is blown, reflects this catastrophic clash.
Furthermore, this state also aligns itself against the
Dajjal (the false Messiah), i.e., the Soviet Union—the power
that kept making false promises of delivering humanity from
suffering, but in reality became a source of atheism, state
oppression, and religious persecution. From World War II to
the end of the Cold War, the United States played this
symbolic role in this context.
It is noteworthy
here that the scope of the return of Jesus (peace be upon
him) is described in the Hadith, where his battle against
the Dajjal and confrontation with Gog and Magog are
mentioned. We should limit our expectations to these events
as described in the Hadith, because this return is not, in
the true sense, the return of the Prophet, but rather a
symbolic phenomenon. Had the United States not played a
prominent role as a global power during World War II and the
Cold War, the world would have been drastically different in
terms of scientific progress and geopolitics, as the
dominance of fascist and communist states could have
severely affected global conditions.
Arguments Against the Physical Descent of
Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him)
The purpose of this
article is not to prove the descent of Jesus (peace be upon
him) in a physical or symbolic sense. The renowned Islamic
scholar Javed Ahmad Ghamidi has discussed this topic in
detail.
Evidence from the Qur’an
The arguments of
Javed Ahmad Ghamidi, which are against the physical descent
of Jesus (peace be upon him), are based on several Qur’anic
references:
Details of the life of Jesus (peace be
upon him) in the Qur’an
The Qur’an describes
all the significant aspects of Jesus’s life (peace be upon
him), from his miraculous birth to his death, ascension, and
resurrection on the Day of Judgment. However, the Qur’an
does not mention his descent before the Day of Judgment,
which is a key argument against the concept of physical
descent.
Mention of the death and ascension of
Jesus (peace be upon him)
The Qur’an clearly
mentions the death of Jesus (peace be upon him). It
explicitly states that Jesus (peace be upon him) was saved
from the crucifixion
and, after his death, his body was ascended.
Lack of knowledge of divinity after
ascension
In Surah Al-Ma’idah,
on the Day of Judgment, Jesus (peace be upon him) states
that he never instructed people to worship him or his mother
(peace be upon her). He further clarifies that after his
ascension, Allah alone was a witness to the deeds of the
people, and he had no knowledge of their subsequent actions.
This lack of knowledge indicates that he did not return to
Earth to witness these events. Some scholars argue that this
statement was only for those who lived during the time of
Jesus (peace be upon him). However, historical evidence
shows that the event of granting divine status to Mary
(peace be upon her) occurred at the Council of Ephesus in
431 CE, centuries after the time of Jesus (peace be upon
him). In the early centuries of Christianity, his mother
(peace be upon her) was not worshipped as divine, and this
concept developed later. These facts indicate that the
question posed to Jesus (peace be upon him) on the Day of
Judgment is not limited to his followers before his
ascension, but is also relevant to all Christians who came
after him, which shows that Jesus (peace be upon him) will
not return to this world after his death and ascension.
Islamic Scholars’ Opinions Against the
Physical Descent
Many scholars have
questioned the physical return of Prophet Jesus (peace be
upon him). Some of these opinions are presented here:
Mawlana Mahmud Hasan (renowned Hanafi
scholar)
He considered these
Hadiths to be influenced by Jewish traditions and criticised
their authenticity.
Mawlana 'Ubayd
Allah Sindhi
According to him,
the Jews fabricated these Hadiths to weaken the dominance of
Muslims.
'Allamah
Mahmud Shaltut (Egyptian scholar)
He examined these
Hadiths critically and questioned their authenticity.
Mawlana Shabbir Ahmad Azhar Miruthi
He regarded these
Hadiths as being in conflict with the principle of the
finality of Prophethood.
Mawlana Abu al-Kalam Āzad
He said that the
descent of Jesus (peace be upon him) can only be accepted
when the Qur’an explicitly mentions it.
'Allamah
Muhammad Iqbal
He considered the
concept of the descent of Jesus (peace be upon him) and the
Mahdi as a result of influences external to Islam.
Qamar
Ahmad 'Uthmani (Deobandi scholar)
He regarded the
principle of the Finality of Prophethood as incompatible
with the possibility of the return of Jesus (peace be upon
him).
Correction of a common misunderstanding
Surah al-Nisaʾ,
verse 159:
“Among the People of
the Book, there is none but will certainly believe in (this
Qur’an) before his death, and on the Day of Resurrection, he
will be a witness against them.”
This verse is often
presented in support of the physical descent of Jesus (peace
be upon him).
However, the context
of this verse makes it clear that it refers to the People of
the Book during the time of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon
him). It is presented as a warning, stating that these
People of the Book will acknowledge the Qur’an as the Book
of Allah before their death, even if they do not openly
admit it. On the Day of Resurrection, this acknowledgment
will serve as evidence against them.
The Symbolic Meaning of Authentic Hadith
In this article, the
authentic Hadiths regarding the descent of Jesus (peace be
upon him) have been accepted as authoritative. However, the
events described in these Hadiths as occurring before the
Day of Judgment are presented as allegories rather than
literal physical occurrences.
The Descent of Jesus (peace be upon him)
in Hadith
In the Hadith, the
descent of Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) is described in
a symbolic manner, which aligns with various political and
geographical contexts.
The Scene of the Descent
The Hadith states
that Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) will descend to earth
dressed in saffron-coloured garments, with his hands resting
on the wings of two angels. When he bows his head, drops
like dew will fall from it, and when he raises his head,
drops like pearls will scatter like dew.
Here, the act of
descending with hands placed on the wings of angels
symbolises the factors that brought the United States into
the Second World War—including Japan’s attack on the United
States and the declarations of war by Germany and Italy.
Following these events, the United States abandoned its
isolationist policy and decided to play an active role on
the global stage. Similarly, the scene of Prophet Jesus
(peace be upon him) bowing and then raising his head, with
drops scattering like pearls of sweat, symbolises the United
States’ dignified entry into the Second World War, while the
saffron-coloured garment is a metaphor for the United
States’ economic greatness and boundless resources.
Time and Place of the Descent – Events of
November 1942 during the Second World War
According to the
Hadith, the Dajjal will kill a young man and then bring him
back to life, and the young man will return laughing with
joy. At that very moment, Allah will cause Jesus (peace be
upon him) to descend at the white minaret in eastern
Damascus.
As previously mentioned, the act of the Dajjal killing
people and then reviving them actually symbolises the
communist revolutions, where previous governments are
overthrown by force and new governments are established in
their place.
This young man
represents Yugoslavia, which was established in 1918 and
became known as the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929. During
the Second World War, after the German invasion of
Yugoslavia, the communist movement gained momentum. In
November 1942, the communists established the Anti-Fascist
Council for the National Liberation of Yugoslavia (AVNOJ) to
organise the movement for Yugoslavia’s independence, and at
that time, they gained control over some regions of
Yugoslavia.
In the same month of
November 1942, the United States, together with the Allied
forces, launched its first major ground operation—Operation
Torch. In Hadith, the “minaret” is generally regarded as a
symbol of a region’s Muslim population and Islamic identity,
and the “descent upon the white minaret” is symbolically
interpreted as the entry of the United States into those
Muslim-majority regions—such as Algeria and Morocco—where
this military action took place. At that time, these areas
were under the control of Christian colonial powers, and
after the European war fronts, these regions had become
significant military arenas. For this reason, the Hadith
depicts the mosque as being in Damascus, just as during the
time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Damascus was
an important military centre under the rule of the Byzantine
Christian Empire.
The eastern part of
Damascus historically opened towards the desert, from where,
during the Byzantine era, Arab tribes or Iranian armies
would often launch attacks. Similarly, in the Second World
War, the United States entered North Africa via the
Mediterranean Sea and carried out its first major land
military operation from this very direction—the same route
through which foreign invaders had repeatedly passed
throughout history.
The fragrance of the breath of Prophet
Jesus (peace be upon him) and the death of the
disbelievers—Moral narrative and the defeat of enemies
It is stated in the
Hadith that any disbeliever who encounters the fragrance of
the breath of Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) will not
survive, but will perish, and the breath of Prophet Jesus
(peace be upon him) will reach as far as his gaze can
extend.
This narration,
found in Sahih Muslim, mentions the Dajjal’s appearance and
end before the events of Gog and Magog.
Since the emergence of the Soviet Union (Dajjal) occurred
before Na1zi Germany (Gog and Magog), the Hadith mentions
and concludes the account of the Dajjal first. This sequence
reflects the traditional structure of parallel narratives,
in which one subject is completed before moving to another
parallel topic—even if both events occurred in the same
historical period. The major events of the Second World War
related to the Dajjal are concisely encapsulated in the
symbolic statement “the fragrance of the breath of Prophet
Jesus and the destruction of the disbelievers,” and the
narrative of the Hadith concludes with the destruction of
the Dajjal. After this, the Hadith separately details the
events of Gog and Magog, representing the parallel yet
distinct historical aspects of that era.
In this context, the
“fragrance of the breath” of Prophet Jesus (peace be upon
him) symbolically represents the moral narrative that stood
against racism, aggression, and fascism, and which the
United States adopted during the Second World War. Here,
“disbelievers” refers to the opposing Axis powers—namely,
Germany, Italy, and Japan—who rejected this narrative. Their
destruction not only symbolically expresses their decisive
defeat in the war, but also represents the far-reaching
effects of this “breath,” which attests to the success of
that moral narrative. This narrative laid the foundation for
a new global consensus after the war, in the form of the
United Nations, human rights, and global peace initiatives.
The refusal of Prophet Jesus (peace be
upon him) to lead the prayer—Encouragement for Muslims to
assume leadership for their own freedom
The refusal of
Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) to lead the Muslims in
prayer is mentioned in the Hadith, where, upon being invited
to lead, he will say: “The Imam will be from among you”
and “Some of you are rulers over others.”
This statement can be understood symbolically in the context
of the efforts of Muslim leaders for independence at that
time. This interpretation aligns with the requests for
freedom from European colonialism made by Muslim leaders in
Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia—where the United States
conducted its first major land operation, Operation
Torch—through appeals for the United States’ intervention.
For example, during
the Casablanca Conference held in January 1943, the meeting
between U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Sultan
Mohammed V of Morocco became a symbol of hope for Morocco’s
independence. Sultan Mohammed V expressed his aspiration for
Moroccan sovereignty and requested the United States’
support for this goal. President Roosevelt indicated future
support for Morocco’s independence, but did not promise
immediate intervention, as the United States was then
focused on its wartime alliances, including its relationship
with France. Moroccan nationalists viewed this meeting as a
promising step and regarded the United States as a potential
ally in their struggle for independence.
This stance of the
United States was consistent with the anti-colonial
principles outlined in the 1941 Atlantic Charter,
which recognised the right of nations to freedom and
self-determination. In this event, the analogy of Prophet
Jesus (peace be upon him) declining to lead the prayer
appears to encourage Muslim leaders to take charge of their
own liberation, while the United States’ role remained
supportive and indirect.
Events following the descent of Prophet
Jesus (peace be upon him) as mentioned in the Hadith
Going to Mount Tur and the Siege by Gog
and Magog – Resistance through Allied Cooperation and
Treaties
The Hadith mentions
that Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) and his companions,
against whom none could fight, will go towards Mount Tur.
Gog and Magog will besiege them, and they will pray to Allah
Almighty for deliverance.
Historically, Mount
Tur symbolises the place of covenant, as Prophet Moses
(peace be upon him) took a covenant from the Israelites at
Mount Tur.
It represents global treaties and strategies under which the
Allied forces struggled against tyrannical powers during the
Second World War. Numerous agreements and strategies were
reached, such as the Casablanca Conference (January 1943),
where the Allied powers agreed on the policy of
unconditional surrender and the strategy for attacking
Italy; the Quebec Agreement (August 1943), which ensured
cooperation between the United States and Britain in the
development of nuclear weapons; the Tehran Conference
(November-December 1943), where Allied leadership discussed
the establishment of a second front through Normandy and the
post-war reorganisation of Europe; the Bretton Woods
Conference (July 1944), which established the international
financial system and led to the creation of the IMF and
World Bank; and the Yalta Conference (February 1945), where
the Allies agreed on the division of Germany, the
establishment of the United Nations, and the Soviet role in
the war against Japan.
The siege of Mount Tur
by Gog and Magog symbolised Germany’s aggressive
expansionism during the Second World War and the
encirclement of Allied forces.
“Prayer to Allah”
refers to the United States leadership’s supplication to God
for success. For example, on the eve of D-Day (June 1944),
President Roosevelt addressed the nation on the radio and
earnestly prayed for the success and safety of the Allied
forces. Some excerpts from this prayer are as follows:
“Almighty God: Our
sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty
endeavour, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our
religion, and our civilisation, and to set free a suffering
humanity. Lead them straight and true; give strength to
their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in
their faith…They will be sore tried, by night and by day,
without rest-until the victory is won. The darkness will be
rent by noise and flame. Men’s souls will be shaken with the
violences of war…With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over
the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the
apostles of greed and racial arrogancies…Thy will be done,
Almighty God. Amen.”
The price of a bull’s head exceeding one
hundred dinars – Shortage of goods during the war
It is stated in the
Prophetic Hadith that “the price of a bull’s head will
exceed one hundred dinars,”
which alludes to the inflation, economic decline, and severe
food shortages during the Second World War. A similar
depiction is found in the Book of Revelation in the Bible,
where commodity prices rise so high that it becomes
difficult for an ordinary person to obtain basic food.
For example, during the Blitz in Britain in the Second World
War, when war resources were prioritised, the public faced
severe shortages of food and daily necessities. Unequal
resource distribution and inflation almost paralysed
ordinary life.
Killing the swine – The end of Japanese
imperialism
It is mentioned in
the Hadith that Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) will kill
the swine.
As described in the context of the sign of the beast of the
land, animals in future prophecies represent empires, and in
this context, the swine symbolises the imperialist attitude
and strategy of Japan. The symbol of “killing the swine” is
equivalent to the defeat of the Japanese imperial empire, in
which the United States played a decisive role. The
following factors contributed to this reasoning:
· Japan’s
Duplicity: Japan claimed to liberate Asia under the slogan
“Asia for Asians,” but its own imperial policies were
extremely exploitative. This contradiction reflects the
nature of the pig, which outwardly appears to be of the
sheep and goat family, but also eats meat.
· Greed and
Hunger for Resources: Behind Japan’s imperial expansion was
its intense need for resources to meet its industrial and
military requirements. The exploitation of raw materials and
human resources from conquered territories was part of its
strategy, symbolising the severe hunger of the swine.
· Naval and
Territorial Expansion: Japan seized numerous islands and
regions in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. This represents
wars in marshy, hot, and humid areas, which resemble the
natural habitat of the swine.
“Killing the swine”
symbolises the act when the United States ended Japan’s
imperial ambitions, halted its conquests, and transformed it
into a modern, non-expansionist nation.
Supplication to Allah and Cleansing of
the Earth after Gog and Magog – The End of the Remnants of
War
It is stated in the
Hadith that the Messenger of Allah, Jesus (peace be upon
him), and his companions will descend upon the earth, and
they will not find even a handspan of land that is not
filled with the filth and stench of the corpses of Gog and
Magog. Then Jesus (peace be upon him) and his companions
will pray to Allah, and Allah will send birds whose necks
are like the necks of two-humped camels, and they will carry
away these corpses and dispose of them as Allah wills. Then
Allah will send a rain that neither mud houses nor
camel-hair tents can withstand, and it will wash the earth
until it becomes as clean as a mirror.
Here, the fact that
Jesus (peace be upon him) and his companions, upon
descending to earth, do not find even a handspan of land
free from corpses, symbolises the widespread destruction and
devastation in Europe as a result of the Second World War.
Entire cities were reduced to rubble, millions perished, and
the whole continent was filled with destruction, corpses,
and afflicted populations.
Supplication to
Allah after the Second World War is a plea for Allah’s help
for peace, brotherhood, and the reconstruction of the
world—for example, the President of the United States, after
winning the war, said:
“... Now, therefore,
I, --- designate August 19, 1945, as a Day of Prayer. I
appeal to people of all faiths in the United States to unite
in giving thanks to God for the victory we have achieved,
and to pray that He may guide and support us on the paths of
peace...”
Two-humped camels
were renowned among the Arabs for their majestic appearance
and extraordinary endurance, distinguished by their strong
necks and thick hair. The birds mentioned in the Hadith,
whose necks were like those of two-humped camels and who
carried away the corpses, symbolise the collective and
large-scale efforts made after the war. They indicate that
historical phase when the debris of war was cleared,
humanitarian efforts were undertaken, and through the trials
of war crimes, an example was set under international law
against oppression and brutality. The eradication of Nazi
ideology and bringing war criminals to justice were also
part of this large-scale “cleansing.”
The subsequent rain
symbolises the global transformations that washed away the
devastation and ideologies of the Second World War and laid
the foundation for a new world order—where Nazism, fascism,
and colonial domination were systematically eliminated.
Through the United States’ Marshall Plan, devastated Europe
received economic and industrial aid, while institutions
such as the United Nations, the IMF, and the World Bank were
established to find peaceful solutions to political and
economic problems and to ensure global stability.
Ending Jizya – The Principle of Equality
in Nation-States
The Hadith states
that Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) will abolish the
jizya.
Abolishing jizya symbolises establishing a system where all
citizens enjoy equal rights. After the Second World War, the
United States established a new global order based on the
principles of equality and self-determination, reflected in
the formation of nation-states. This philosophy was formally
adopted through frameworks such as the United Nations
Charter, which emphasised equality and sovereignty. In
Muslim-majority countries as well, this philosophy
indirectly contributed to the abolition of jizya, as Muslim
governments also became inclined to promote equality beyond
religious distinctions.
Breaking the Cross – The Spread of
Secularism in the Christian World
The Hadith states
that Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) will break the cross.
The “breaking of the cross” symbolises the secular
transformations initiated by the United States in
Christian-majority countries to promote the separation of
church and state. Through diplomatic efforts and
investments, the United States reduced the church’s
political influence in these countries and facilitated the
establishment of secular governments. These changes
fundamentally altered the systems of governance in these
nations. Today, Christian-majority countries, especially in
the Western world, operate under secular governments where
the church plays no significant role in state affairs. This
is equivalent to the symbolic end of the cross.
Descent as a Just Ruler – Establishment
of Global Institutions after the War
The Hadith states
that Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) will descend as a
just ruler.
The symbolic interpretation of presenting Prophet Jesus
(peace be upon him) as a just ruler parallels the role of
the United States in the formation of global institutions
after the Second World War. The United States played a
central role in establishing the United Nations, which aimed
to promote international cooperation, resolve conflicts, and
prevent future wars. Later, the United Nations Committee on
Decolonisation was formed to ensure the end of colonial
domination and to guide newly independent countries towards
sovereignty and stability. The United Nations emerged as a
comprehensive framework for establishing global peace and
justice, reflecting the concept of just governance.
After the war, the
United States leadership introduced initiatives such as the
Marshall Plan to reconstruct war-torn Europe. Similarly,
institutions like the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
(GATT), which later became the World Trade Organisation,
were established to make global trade fair and open. The
Bretton Woods system (IMF and World Bank) was created to
stabilise the global economy, so that countries would not be
drawn into war again due to economic crises. These measures
are in harmony with the role of the just ruler described in
the Hadith, aiming to establish peace, justice, and economic
stability on earth.
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