by Abdur Rehman

A group calling themselves Ahmadiyyah claim that Isa (AS) — Jesus — has passed away. But when we examine the Qur’an, the Hadith, and the understanding of the early generations of Muslims, does this claim hold up?

The evidences point to a clear conclusion.

1. Evidence from the Qur’an

Allah says:

“˹Remember˺ when Allah said, ‘O Jesus! I will take you and raise you up to Myself. I will deliver you from those who disbelieve, and elevate your followers above the disbelievers until the Day of Judgment. Then to Me you will ˹all˺ return, and I will settle all your disputes.’” (Qur’an 3:55) “

“Rather, Allah raised him up to Himself. And Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.” (Qur’an 4:158)

Both verses clearly state that Allah raised Isa (AS) to Himself. The Ahmadiyyah argue that this “raising” is merely a raising in rank. However, in both Arabic and English, the phrase “raise to Myself” does not naturally mean “raise in status.” The context and wording indicate a real, physical ascension.

A coherent interpretation is: “I will raise you to Myself into the heavens.”

2. Evidence from the Hadith

The Descent of Isa (AS)

Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“A party of my followers will continue to fight for victory until the Day of Resurrection. Then Jesus, son of Mary, will come down. Their Imam will say, ‘Come and lead our prayer.’ He will reply, ‘Some of you are rulers over others on account of divine honour upon these people.’” (Muslim)

Abu Huraira (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“By the One in Whose Hands my life is, surely the son of Maryam (Peace upon her) will descend amongst you as a just ruler. He will destroy the cross, kill the swine, and abolish the jizya. Then wealth will be so abundant that nobody will accept charity.” (Bukhari)

These ahadith show:

1. Isa (AS) will return in the future — this event has not yet happened.

2. He will decline leadership of prayer allowing the Muslim Imam to lead, showing his return as a follower of the final Prophet ﷺ.

3. He will destroy the cross, kill swine (both of these still exist so that is yet unfulfilled), and abolish jizya because all People of the Book (Jews n Christians) will accept him.

4. There will be unprecedented prosperity — a prophecy still unfulfilled today.

So, we have established the raising of Isa (AS) and the descent of Isa (AS) but to tie this all together and show that he is alive in the heavens we will come to our next evidence.

3. Evidence from the Salaf (Early Generations)

Ibn ‘Abbas (RA) said:

“Just before Allah raised Jesus to the Heavens, Jesus went to his disciples, who were twelve inside the house. When he arrived, his hair was dripping with water (as if he had just had a bath) and he said, ‘There are those among you who will disbelieve in me twelve times after you had believed in me.’ He then asked, ‘Who among you will volunteer for his appearance to be transformed into mine, and be killed in my place. Whoever volunteers for that, he will be with me (in Paradise).’ One of the youngest one among them volunteered, but Jesus asked him to sit down. Jesus asked again for a volunteer, and the same young man volunteered, and Jesus asked him to sit down again. Then the young man volunteered a third time and Jesus said, ‘You will be that man,’ and the resemblance of Jesus was casted over that man while Jesus ascended to Heaven through a hole in the roof. When the Jews came looking for Jesus, they found that young man and crucified him.

Afterward, Jesus’ followers split into three groups:

  1. The Jacobites said, ‘Allah was with us until He willed, then ascended to heaven.

2. ’The Nestorians said, ‘The son of Allah was with us until He willed, then ascended to heaven.

3. ’The Muslims said, ‘The servant and Messenger of Allah was with us until Allah willed, then Allah took him to Himself.

’The two disbelieving groups united against the Muslims and killed them. From then, Islam was veiled until Allah sent Muhammad ﷺ.”*

This narration, found in Tafsir Ibn Kathir and graded authentic, shows that Ibn ‘Abbas (RA) — the cousin and companian of the Prophet ﷺ — believed Isa (AS) was alive in heaven. Such knowledge likely came directly from the Prophet ﷺ himself that Isa (AS) was raised to heavens alive and will return alive and live out the rest of his earthly life in the future.

The Qur’an affirms that Allah raised Isa (AS) to Himself. The Hadith confirm that he will descend again to fulfill specific prophecies, none of which have yet occurred. The understanding of the Salaf, including Ibn ‘Abbas (RA), is consistent with this belief.

Therefore, the orthodox position of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah — that Isa (AS) is alive in the heavens and will return before the Day of Judgment — is the belief that is most strongly in line with the evidence and is also the belief that was held by Prophet ﷺ and his companions.