when discussing the fighting of the Jews (1).
Al-Hāfiz Ibn Hajar regarded this view as stronger than the others (2).
- Jesus (peace be upon him) found in the Gospel mention of the excellence of Muhammad’s community, as Allah Most High says: “Their likeness in the Gospel is that of a plant which brings forth its shoots, then strengthens them, until they grow firm and stand upright” [al-Fath: 29]. He therefore prayed that Allah would make him one of them. Allah answered his prayer and kept him alive so that he would descend at the end of time as a renewer of Islam.
Imam Mālik (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “I was informed that whenever the Christians saw the Companions who conquered Greater Syria, they would say, ‘By Allah, these men are better than the disciples, according to what we have heard about them.’” (3)
Ibn Kathīr said: “They spoke the truth in this regard, for this community is held in great esteem in the earlier scriptures and the widely circulated accounts.” (4)
Imam al-Dhahabī included Jesus (peace be upon him) in his work Tajrīd Asmā al-Sahāba (The Abridged List of the Companions’ Names), saying: “Jesus, son of Mary (peace be upon him), is a Companion and a prophet, for he saw the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) on the Night Journey and greeted him with peace. He will therefore be the last of the Companions to die.” (5)
- Jesus (peace be upon him) will descend from heaven because his appointed time of death is drawing near, so that he may be buried in the earth, since no creature made from earth may die anywhere else. His descent will thus coincide with