We have learned from the Quran and Ahadith about how Hazrat Esa (alaihissalam) was raised up to the heavens when the Jews were trying to murder him. We are told too how one of them (the Jews) was made identical to Hazrat Esa (alaihissalam) by Allah ta’ala and was crucified instead. But have we ever thought why Hazrat Esa (alaihissalam) was raised to the heavens alive and why will he descend to the earth again before Doomsday? We might say Allah knows best. Of course, He does! He is the Wise One and none of His decisions is devoid of wisdom but scholars have been researching upon it, trying to find some explanation. 

Hazrat Allama Shaheer Hafiz Badaruddin Mehmood Bin Ahmed al-Aini explained and his views were agreed upon by Allama Hafiz Ibne Hajar Asqalani and Maulana Shah Abdul Haq Bukhari (Peace be on them). According to him the reasons for Hazrat Esa (alaihissalam) being raised to the heavens and his being sent down to the world again were:

  • Hazrat Esa’s (alaihissalam) descent will actually reject the false claim of the Jews that they crucified him and how helpless he was when they caught him. Hazrat Esa (alaihissalam) will come back to the earth, and confront and kill all the Jews. 
  • Hazrat Esa (alaihissalam) was raised up to the heavens ALIVE, he did not die. There can never be anything immortal except Almighty Allah so Hazrat Esa (alaihissalam) will be sent back to earth and he will spend his promised worldly life, die a natural death and be buried in a grave.
  • Moreover, Hazrat Esa (alaihissalam) was greatly inspired by the qualities of Ummat-e-Muhammadi and he prayed to be one of them. Allah ta’ala granted him his wish, called him up and will send him back as an Ummati. He will offer salat in Hazrat Mahdi’s imamat and will fight against Dajjal and will eventually kill him.
  • His descent will refute the Christians’ claim that he is God’s son. He will break their cross and will eradicate every incorrect belief. 

Narrated Abu Huraira (R.A):

Allah’s Apostle (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “By Him in whose hand my soul is, son of Mary (i.e. Jesus) will shortly descend amongst you people (Muslims) as a just ruler and will break the Cross and kill the pig and abolish the Jizya (a tax taken from the non-Muslims, who are in the protection, of the Muslim government). Then there will be abundance of money and nobody will accept Zakat.

(Bukhari, 2222)

The era of Hazrat Esa (alaihissalam) was closest to Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and there was no Prophet between them.

Narrated Abu Huraira (R.A):

I heard Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) saying, “I am the nearest of all the people to the son of Mary and all the prophets are paternal brothers, and there has been no prophet between me and him (i.e. Jesus).”

(Bukhari 3442)

There must be many more reasons behind Hazrat Esa (Alaihissalam) being raised up to the heavens and returning back to the world before doom occurs, we have cited just a few. Rest, Almighty Allah knows best.

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