—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—:

“When two Muslims confront each other with their swords, both the killer and the one killed will be in the Fire.” They asked, “O Messenger of Allah, that accounts for the killer, but what about the one killed?” He replied, “He was intent on killing his companion.”

Regarding His words:

“Indeed, those who differ concerning it are in doubt about it,”

some say that this refers to the Jews, while others say it refers to the Christians. The verse encompasses both groups. Regarding His words, “are in doubt about it,” some say this means about his being killed. Others say it means about him—that is, they are in doubt whether he was crucified or not, just as they differed concerning him: the Jews said he was a sorcerer, while the Christians said he was God. Thus, the Jews and Christians differed over whether he was crucified or not, and they are in doubt about it:

“They have no knowledge of it.”

If this is their position concerning the crucifixion, what, then, of the one who came after he was raised up and claimed to be Christ?

If it is asked: If the disciples who knew him held such a belief, where, then, are those believers in him of whom He said:

“And I will place those who follow you above those who disbelieve,”

and:

“So We supported those who believed against their enemy, and they became victorious”?

The answer is: The supposition of those among them who thought that he was crucified does not undermine their faith, provided they did not distort what Christ brought, but acknowledged that he was Allah’s servant and Messenger, His word which He conveyed to Mary, and a spirit from Him. Given this, their belief that he was crucified does not detract from