He—may Allah Most High have mercy on him—was asked about two men who disagreed concerning Allah’s Prophet, “Jesus son of Mary”—peace be upon him. One said, “Allah caused Jesus son of Mary to die, then raised him to Himself.” The other said, “Rather, He raised him to Himself alive.” Which view is correct? Was he raised bodily or in spirit, or was he not raised? What is the evidence for each view? And what is the interpretation of the Most High’s words:

“I will take you and raise you to Myself”?

He replied:

Praise be to Allah. Jesus—peace be upon him—is alive. It is established in an authentic hadith that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:

“The son of Mary will descend among you as a just judge and an equitable leader. He will break the cross, kill the swine, and abolish the jizyah tax.”

It is also established in an authentic hadith from him that:

“He will descend at the white minaret to the east of Damascus, and he will kill the Antichrist.”

When someone’s soul has departed from his body, his body does not descend from heaven. Rather, when he is brought back to life, he rises from his grave. As for the Most High’s words:

“I will take you and raise you to Myself and purify you of those who disbelieve,”

this is evidence that He did not mean death by this. Had He meant death, Jesus would have been like all other believers in this respect: Allah takes their souls and raises them to heaven. Thus, it is clear that there would be nothing distinctive about this.

The same applies to His words:

“and purify you of those who disbelieve.”

And if