The return of Hadhrat 'Isa (Alaihis Salaam)

Q. In light of verses 119 and 120 of Surah Al-Maaidah, it seems that the notion of the return of Hadhrat 'Isa (Alaihis Salaam) is unfounded. According to these verses, on the Day of Qiyamah, Hadhrat 'Isa (Alaihis Salaam) will testify that he did not know the Christians worshipped him. How can he say such a thing when, upon his return to earth before Qiyamah, he will know that the Christians worship him as Allah or as the son of Allah? This would imply that he will not return, and thus, will not be able to testify to what the Christians do. What do you think?

A. First and foremost, it appears that you have misunderstood the verses you are referring to. In the Qur'an-e-Karim, the term "wafaat" is used in three different senses: "death", "sleep", and "taking away."

Regarding Hadhrat 'Isa (Alaihis Salaam), the Qur'an-e-Karim uses the word "mutawaffika" (derived from "wafaat"), which is interpreted in verse 158 of Surah 4 as "Rafa." The word "Rafa" means "to take away," and it specifically refers to the physical body.

Additionally, the Hadiths clearly show that Hadhrat 'Isa (Alaihis Salaam) will return to earth before the Day of Qiyamah. He will kill the Dajjaal and live for approximately 40 years. Every Muslim understands that the Qur'an-e-Karim was revealed to Nabi-e-Karim (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam), and Allah Ta'ala sent Nabi-e-Karim (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) to explain the Qur'an. Anyone with a little bit of common sense would agree that it is only in the light of the Ahaadith and the explanations of the Sahabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallahu anhum) that we can properly comprehend the content and message of the Qur'an-e-Karim. To adopt a different approach would be both illogical and potentially dangerous.

The Hadiths also confirm that Hadhrat 'Isa (Alaihis Salaam) is still alive, and Allah Ta'ala has taken him (his physical body). He will return to earth before Qiyamah.

It must be emphasised that your translation of verses 119 and 120 of Surah Al-Maaidah is not accurate, which has led to confusion in your interpretation.

When studying these verses carefully, it becomes clear that Allah Ta'ala will not ask Hadhrat 'Isa (Alaihis Salaam) whether he knew the Christians worshipped him. Rather, Allah will ask him whether he had commanded them to worship him or to worship his mother, Mariam (Alaihas Salaam). It is well known that Hadhrat 'Isa (Alaihis Salaam), as a Prophet of Allah, never issued such a command. On the contrary, he consistently called for the worship of Allah alone. Therefore, it is entirely natural for him to respond negatively to the question posed by Allah Ta'ala on the Day of Qiyamah. The question is not whether Hadhrat 'Isa (Alaihis Salaam) knew the Christians worshipped him.

Even if we were to hypothetically assume that Hadhrat 'Isa (Alaihis Salaam) would answer that he did not know the Christians worshipped him, this still does not prove that he will not return to earth before Qiyamah. In verse 107 of Surah Al-Maaidah, we see that Allah Ta'ala will ask the Prophets (Alaihis Salaam) what their communities said in response to their messages. The Prophets will say that they do not know the response. Does this imply that the Prophets were ignorant? Certainly not. They know the answer, but they find it more appropriate to leave the matter to Allah Ta'ala. This logic applies to Hadhrat 'Isa (Alaihis Salaam) as well.

[English version of "Le retour de Hadhrat 'Isa (Alaihis Salaam)" – Al Haadi – Vol. 2 No. 7]