From what has been related so far, it is clear that the Prophet Jesus (as) did not die but was raised to the Presence of Allah. However, there is one more point that is underlined by the Qur'an: The Prophet Jesus (as) will come back to earth.
The Qur'an explicitly declares the return of the Prophet Jesus (as) to earth and there are several proofs to confirm this:
Proof # 1 Surah Al 'Imran 55 is one of the verses indicating that the Prophet Jesus (as) will come back:
When Allah said, "Jesus, I will take you back and raise you up to Me and purify you of those who are disbelievers. And I will place the people who follow you above those who are disbelievers until the Day of Resurrection. Then you will all return to Me, and I will judge between you regarding the things about which you differed. (Surah Al 'Imran: 55)The statement in the verse, "And I will place the people who follow you above those who are disbelievers until the Day of Resurrectior" is important. Here, there is reference to a group strictly adhering to the Prophet Jesus (as) and who will be kept above the disbelievers until the Day of Judgement. Who are these adherents, then? Are they the disciples who lived in the time of Jesus or are they the Christians of today?
Before he was raised up to Allah, the followers of the Prophet Jesus (as) were few. After his ascension, the essence of Christianity degenerated rapidly. Furthermore, the disciples faced serious pressure throughout their lives. During the succeeding two centuries, having no political power, those Christians having faith in the Prophet Jesus (as) were also oppressed. In this case, it is not possible to say that early Christians or their successors during these periods were physically superior to the disbelievers in the world. We might logically think that this verse does not refer to them.
When we look at the Christians of today, on the other hand, we notice that the essence of Christianity has changed significantly and it is markedly different from what the Prophet Jesus (as) originally brought to mankind. Christians embraced the perverted belief that suggests that the Prophet Jesus (as) is the son of God and similarly held the doctrine of the Trinity (the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit). (Surely Allah is beyond that.) In this case, it is flawed to accept the Christians of today as the adherents of the true religion revealed to the Prophet Jesus (as). In many verses of the Qur'an Allah states that the belief of the Trinity is a perverted one:
Those who say that the Messiah, son of Maryam, is the third of three are disbelievers. There is no god but One God. (Surat al-Ma'ida: 73)In this case, the commentary of the statement, "And I will place the people who follow you above those who are disbelievers until the Day of Resurrection" is as follows: first, it is said that these people are the Muslims who are the only true followers of the authentic teachings of the Prophet Jesus (as); second, it is said that these people are the Christians, whether or not they hold idolatrous beliefs, and that could be seen to be confirmed by the dominant position that nominal Christians hold on the earth today. However, both positions will be unified by the arrival of Jesus (as), since he will abolish the jizyah (the defence tax payable by non-Muslims living under Muslim rule), meaning that he will not accept that Christians and Jews live with any other religion than Islam, and so will unite all the believers as Muslims.
The Prophet and last Messenger of Allah (saas), has also given the glad tidings of the return of the Prophet Jesus (as). The scholars of hadith say that the hadiths on this subject, in which Allah's Messenger (saas) said that the Prophet the Prophet Jesus (as) will descend amongst people as a leader before the Day of Judgement have reached the status of mutawattir. That means that they have been narrated by so many people from each generation from such a large group of the Companions that there can be no possible doubt of their authenticity. For example:
Abu Hurairah narrated that Allah's Messenger (saas) said, "By the One in Whose hand is my self, definitely the son of Maryam will soon descend among you as a just judge, and he will break the cross [annul the worship of the cross], kill the pig [inform that eating pork is forbidden] and abolish the jizyah, and wealth will be so abundant that no one will accept it, until a single prostration will be better than the world and everything in it. (Sahih Bukhari)
Jabir ibn 'Abdullah said, "I heard the Prophet (saas) saying, 'A party of my ummah will never stop fighting for the truth victoriously until the Day of Resurrection.' He said, 'Then Jesus ibn Maryam, peace be upon him, will descend and their amir will say, "Come and lead us in prayer," but he will say, "No! some of you are amirs over others," as Allah's showing honour to this ummah.'" (Sahih Muslim)
Abu Hurairah narrated, "The Prophet (saas) said: 'There is no prophet between me and him, that is, 'Jesus, peace be upon him. He will descend (to the earth). When you see him, recognise him: a man of medium height, reddish fair, wearing two light yellow garments, looking as if drops were falling down from his head though it will not be wet. He will fight the people for the cause of Islam. He will break the cross [annul the worship of the cross], kill the pig [inform that eating pork is forbidden], and abolish the jizyah. Allah will cause to perish all religions except Islam. He will destroy the dajjal [make him ineffective] and will live on the earth for forty years and then he will die. The Muslims will pray over him.'" (Abu Dawud)
Proof # 2
Earlier in this section, we analysed verses 157-158 of Surat an-Nisa'. Just after these verses Allah states the following in Surat an- Nisa' 159:
There is not one of the People of the Book who will not believe in him before he dies; and on the Day of Resurrection he will be a witness against them. (Surat an-Nisa': 159)The statement above "who will not believe in him before he dies" is important. The Arabic text of this sentence reads: Wa-in min ahli'l-kitabi illa la yuminanna bihi qabla mawtihi.
Some scholars stated that the "him/it" in this verse is used for the Qur'an and thus made the following interpretation: There will be no one from the People of the Book who will not have faith in the Qur'an before he (a person from the People of the Book) dies.
Nevertheless, in verses 157 and 158, which are the two verses preceding this verse, the same "him" is undoubtedly used for the Prophet Jesus (as).
The verses state:
And (on account of) their saying, "We killed the Messiah, 'Jesus son of Maryam, Messenger of Allah." They did not kill him and they did not crucify him but it was made to seem so to them. Those who argue about him are in doubt about it. They have no real knowledge of it, just conjecture. But they certainly did not kill him. (Surat an-Nisa': 157)Just after these verses in Surat an-Nisa' 159, there is no evidence indicating that "him" is used to imply someone or something other than the Prophet Jesus (as).
Allah raised him up to Himself. Allah is Almighty, All-Wise. (Surat an-Nisa': 158)
There is not one of the People of the Book who will not believe in him before he dies; and on the Day of Resurrection he will be a witness against them. (Surat an-Nisa': 159)In the Qur'an, Allah informs us that on the Day of Judgement, the "tongues and hands and feet will testify against them about what they were doing" (Surat an-Nur: 24 and Surah Yasin: 65). From Surah Fussilat 20-23, we learn that "hearing, sight and skin will testify against us." In none of the verses however, is there reference to the Qur'an as a witness. If we accept that the "him" or "it" in the first sentence refers to the Qur'an – though grammatically or logically we have no evidence whatsoever – then we should also accept that the "he" in the second statement also refers to the Qur'an. To accept this however, there should be an explicit verse confirming this view.
In addition, the words "… Allah raised him up to Himself" in the preceding verse once again shows that it is not the Qur'an that is being indicated in this verse. The Qur'an has been a guidance for the faithful for the last 1400 years, and has not been raised up to Allah. It is the Prophet Jesus (as) who has been raised up to Him. This is yet another proof that the witnessing referred to in the verse is that of the Prophet Jesus (as) for the People of the Book, and that the pronoun "he" in the verse does not refer to the Qur'an.(Allah knows the truth.)
In other verses, we see that when the same personal pronoun is used for the Qur'an, there is generally mention of the Qur'an before or after that specific verse as in the cases of Surat an-Naml: 77 and Surat ash-Shu'ara: 192-196.
The verse straightforwardly defines that People of the Book will have faith in the Prophet Jesus (as) and that he (the Prophet Jesus (as)) will be a witness against them.
The second point is about the interpretation of the expression "before he dies". Some think this is having faith in the Prophet Jesus (as) before their own death. According to this interpretation everyone from the People of the Book will definitely believe in the Prophet Jesus (as) before they face their own death. Arabic linguistics, however, shows that this claim is not correct. The plural suffix hum is used in all those verses of the Qur'an that refer to the People of the Book (as in Surat al-Bayyina 1 and 6, Surat al-Hadid 29, and Surat al-Hashr 2). Yet the singular suffix hu is employed in this verse. This means that the verse reports that the People of the Book will believe in the Prophet Jesus (as) before his death – in other words, before his biological death at his second coming. (Allah knows the truth.) Besides, in Jesus' (as) time Jews who are defined as the People of the Book not only did not have faith in the Prophet Jesus (as) but also attempted to kill him. On the other hand, it is not possible to say that Jews and Christians who lived and died after the time of Jesus had faith – the type of faith described in the Qur'an – in him.The verse straightforwardly defines that People of the Book will have faith in the Prophet Jesus (as) and that he (the Prophet Jesus (as)) will be a witness against them.
To conclude, when we make a careful evaluation of the verse, we arrive at the following conclusion: Before Jesus' (as) death, all the People of the Book will have faith in him. 15 In other words, in the second coming of the Prophet Jesus (as), all the People of the Book will become Muslims as his followers and Islamic morals will prevail on the Earth.
Besides, the verse refers to the future because there is mention of the death of the Prophet Jesus (as). Yet, the Prophet Jesus (as) did not die but was raised up to the Presence of Allah. The Prophet Jesus (as) will come to earth again, he will live for a specified time and then die. Moreover, all the People of the Book will have faith in him. This is an event which has yet not occurred, but which will happen in the future.
Consequently, by the expression "before he dies", there is a reference to the Prophet Jesus (as). The People of the Book will see him, know him and obey him while he is alive. Meanwhile, the Prophet Jesus (as) will bear witness against them on the Last Day and Allah knows the truth.
Proof # 3 That the Prophet Jesus (as) will come back to earth towards the end of time is related in another verse of the Qur'an.
When an example is made of the son of Maryam ('Jesus) your people laugh uproariously. They retort, "Who is better then, our deities or him?" They only say this to you for argument's sake. They are indeed a disputatious people.Just after these verses, Allah declares that the Prophet Jesus (as) is a sign of the Day of Judgement.
He is only a slave on whom We bestowed Our blessing and whom We made an example for the tribe of Israel.
If We wished, We could appoint angels in exchange for you to succeed you on the earth. (Surat az-Zukhruf: 57-60)
He is a Sign of the Hour. Have no doubt about it. But follow me. This is a straight path. (Surat az-Zukhruf: 61)
This verse informs us that the Prophet Jesus (as) will come back to earth at the end times. That is because the Prophet Jesus (as) lived approximately six centuries before the revelation of the Qur'an. Consequently, we cannot interpret his first coming as a sign of the Day of Judgement. What this verse actually indicates is that the Prophet Jesus (as) will come back to earth towards the end of time and this will be a sign for the Day of Judgement.
The Arabic of the verse "He is a Sign of the Hour" is Innahu la 'ilmun li's-sa'ati… Some people interpret the pronoun hu in this verse as the Qur'an. However, the preceding verses explicitly indicate that the Prophet Jesus (as) is mentioned in the verse: "He is only a slave on whom We bestowed Our blessing and whom We made an example for the tribe of Israel." 16 Those who cite this pronoun as referring to the Qur'an go on to quote the next part of the verse "Have no doubt about it. But follow me" as so-called evidence. However, the verses preceding this one refer completely to the Prophet Jesus (as). For this reason, it appears that the pronoun hu is linked to those preceding verses and also refers to the Prophet Jesus (as). In fact, great Islamic scholars declare that to be the case, based on the use of the pronoun both in the Qur'an and in the hadith.
Among contemporary Islamic scholars, Sayyid Qutb drew attention to the important evidence concerning the Prophet Jesus' (as) second coming, in his commentary: Many hadith regard the Prophet Jesus' (as) descent to earth prior to the Day of Judgment. Indeed, the verse, "He is a Sign of the Hour" also indicates this. In other words, the Prophet Jesus (as) will descend to earth at a time close to the Day of Judgment. In a second style of reading, the verse reads "wa innahu la 'ilmun li al-saa'ati." In other words, his descent is a sign, a sign of the Day of Judgment. Both styles of reading express the same meaning. His descent from the skies is a news of the Unseen World, spoken of by the right-speaking and trustworthy Prophet (saas) and indicated in the glorious Qur'an. Apart from the information from these two sources, which will remain unchanged until the Day of Judgment, nobody can say anything else about the subject. 17
Al-Kawthari stated that even in the oldest doctrinal texts, this verse was used as evidence of the Prophet Jesus' (as) return. 18 Omer Nasuhi Bilmen explained the verse in these terms:
It gives news, in an indubitable manner, that the Prophet Jesus (as) is a sign of the approach of the Day of Judgment and that the Day of Judgment will certainly come … His appearance on earth is regarded as a law of the Last Day… 19
In fact, this title is unique to the Prophet Jesus (as), for although the Qur'an describes the lives of the Prophet Muhammad (saas), Abraham (as), Noah (as), Moses (as), Solomon (as), Joseph (as), David (as), Jacob (as), and a great many other prophets, this title is applied to none of them. This fact is yet another indication that the Prophet Jesus (as) possesses a special feature that the other prophets do not: He will return to Earth after having been raised to Allah's Presence and Allah knows the truth.
Proof # 4Other verses indicating the second coming of the the Prophet Jesus (as) are as follows:
When the angels said, "Maryam, your Lord gives you good news of a Word from Him. His name is the Messiah, 'Jesus, son of Maryam of high esteem in this world and the hereafter, and one of those brought near. He will speak to people in the cradle, and also when fully grown, and will be one of the righteous," she said, "My Lord! How can I have a son when no man has ever touched me?"
He said, "It will be so. Allah creates whatever He wills. When He decides on something He just says to it, 'Be!' and it is. He will teach him the Book and Wisdom, and the Tawrah and the Injil…" (Surah Al 'Imran: 45-48)In this verse, it is heralded that Allah will instruct the Prophet Jesus (as) about the Injil, the Tawrah and the "Book." We come across the same expression in the Surat al-Ma'ida:
Remember when Allah said: "'Isa, son of Maryam, remember My blessing to you and to your mother when I reinforced you with the Purest Spirit so that you could speak to people in the cradle and when you were fully grown; and when I taught you the Book and Wisdom, and the Tawrah and the Injil; and when you created a bird-shape out of clay by My permission…" (Surat al-Ma'idah: 110)When we analyse the "Book" in both of the verses, we see that it may indicate the Qur'an. In the verses, it is stated that the Qur'an is the last divine book sent apart from the Tawrah, the Zabur and the Injil. Besides, in another verse in the Qur'an, next to the Tawrah and the Injil, the word "Book" is used to indicate the Qur'an.
Allah, there is no god but Him, the Living, the Self-Sustaining. He has sent down the Book to you with truth, confirming what has there before it. And He sent down the Tawrah and the Injil, previously... (Surah Al 'Imran: 2-3)Some other verses in which "Book" refers to the Qur'an state:
When a Book does come to them from Allah, confirming what is with them – even though before that they were praying for victory over the unbelievers – yet when what they recognise does come to them, they reject it. Allah's curse is on the unbelievers. (Surat al-Baqara: 89)In this case, it is clear that the third book that will be taught to the Prophet Jesus (as) will be the Qur'an and that this will be possible only if he comes to earth at the end of time. the Prophet Jesus (as) lived approximately six hundred years before the revelation of the Qur'an. Besides, it is another piece of evidence that the hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad (saas) inform that when the Prophet the Prophet Jesus (as) comes for the second time, he will command with the Qur'an, not the Injil:
For this We sent a Messenger to you from among you to recite Our Signs to you and purify you and teach you the Book and Wisdom and teach you things you did not know before. (Surat al-Baqara: 151)
He will lead you according to the Book of your Lord and the Sunnah of your Apostle. (Sahih Muslim)
As this expression clearly shows, when Jesus (as) returns to earth, he will rule with the commandments of the Qur'an and will maintain the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammed (saas), a hadith which is in agreement with the Qur'anic verses. (Surely Allah knows the truth.)
Another important piece of information is that the term revealed for the Prophet Jesus (as) was not revealed for any other prophet. For example, the Qur'an reveals that the Tawrah was given to the Prophet Moses (as), that Suhuf (Pages) were given to the Prophet Abraham (as), and that the Book of Psalms was given to the Prophet David (as). If there were books revealed before the prophets' own time, the Qur'an states that they knew them. However, only in the case of the Prophet Jesus (as) does the Qur'an state that a prophet will be taught a book that was revealed after his own time. This is one of the indications that he will return to earth and that when he does so, he will rule with the book revealed after his lifetime: the Qur'an. (Allah knows the truth.)
Proof # 5 In addition to all the above, the verse "The likeness of Jesus in Allah's Sight is the same as Adam." (Surah Al ‘Imran: 59) could also indicate the Prophet Jesus' (as) return. Muslim scholars who have written Qur'anic commentaries point out that this verse indicates the fact that both prophets did not have a father, for Allah created both of them with the command "Be!" However, the verse could also have another meaning: Just as the Prophet Adam (as) was sent down to Earth from Allah's Presence, the Prophet Jesus (as) could be sent down to Earth from Allah's Presence during the End Times. (Allah knows the truth.) As we have seen, the verses of the Qur'an concerning the return to Earth of the Prophet Jesus (as) are quite explicit.
Proof # 6
Allah tells about the ascension of the Prophet Jesus (as) in Surah Maryam as follows:
(Jesus said,) Peace be upon me the day I was born, and the day I die and the day I am raised up again alive. (Surah Maryam: 33)
When we consider this verse together with Surah Al 'Imran 55, it indicates a very important truth. In the verse in Surah Al 'Imran it is stated that the Prophet Jesus (as) was raised up to the Presence of Allah. No information is given in this verse about death or killing. Yet in Surah Maryam: 33 information is given about the day when the Prophet Jesus (as) will die. That second death can only be possible if the Prophet Jesus (as) dies after returning to and living on earth for a while. (Allah knows the truth.)
Proof # 7Another piece of evidence about the Prophet Jesus (as) returning to earth appears in Surat al-Ma'ida and in Surah Al 'Imran in the form of the word kahlan. The verses say:
Remember when Allah said, "'Jesus, son of Maryam, remember My blessing to you and to your mother when I reinforced you with the Purest Ruh (Spirit) so that you could speak to people in the cradle and when you were fully grown (kahlan)... (Surat al-Ma'ida: 110)This word appears only in the above two verses in the Qur'an, and only in reference to the Prophet Jesus (as). The meaning of the word kahlan, used to refer to Jesus' (as) adult state, is along the lines of between thirty and fifty years old, someone who is no longer young, someone who has reached the perfect age. Islamic scholars agree on translating this word as indicating the period after thirty-five years of age.
He will speak to people in the cradle, and also when fully grown (kahlan), and will be one of the righteous. (Surah Al 'Imran: 46)
Based on a hadith reported by Ibn 'Abbas to the effect that the Prophet Jesus (as) ascended to heaven in his early thirties, at a young age, and will stay another forty years when he returns, Islamic scholars say that the Prophet Jesus' (as) old age will be after he returns to earth. 20
In looking at the verses of the Qur'an, we see that this statement is only used for the Prophet Jesus (as). All the prophets spoke to people and called them to the true path. They all communicated their message in maturity. Yet there is no such statement in the Qur'an about any other prophet. The statement is only used to refer to the Prophet Jesus (as) and indicates his miraculous situation. That is because the words "in the cradle" and "when fully grown" that follow each other in the verses are stressing two miraculous periods.
In fact, in his work The Commentary of at-Tabari, Imam at-Tabari gives the following explanation of these verses:
These statements (Surat al-Ma'ida, 110) indicate that in order to complete his lifespan and speak to people when fully grown the Prophet Jesus (as) will come down from heaven. That is because he was raised to heaven when still young. In this verse (Surah Al 'Imran, 46) there is evidence that the Prophet Jesus (as) is living, and Ahl al-Sunnah share that view. That is because in this verse it is stated that he will speak to people when fully grown. He will only be able to grow fully when he returns to earth from heaven. 21
Some people however, interpret the word "when fully grown" in a manner far removed from its true meaning and do not analyse it in the context of the general logic of the Qur'an. These people maintain that prophets have always been mature adults, for which reason the expression refers to all the lives of the prophets. Of course the prophets were mature adults whom Allah raised. Yet in Surat al-Ahqaf Allah reveals that the age of full maturity is forty. It is revealed in this verse that:
We have instructed man to be good to his parents. His mother bore him with difficulty and with difficulty gave birth to him; and his bearing and weaning take thirty months. Then when he achieves his full strength and reaches forty, he says, "My Lord, keep me thankful for the blessing You bestowed on me and on my parents, and keep me acting rightly, pleasing You. And make my descendants righteous. I have repented to You and I am truly one of the Muslims." (Surat al-Ahqaf: 15)The word kahlan, therefore, also points to the Prophet Jesus' (as) return to earth just like all the other information given in the Qur'an. (Allah knows the truth.)
There Are Other Examples of People in the Qur'an Who Left the World and Then Returned After Hundreds of Years
A man who was resurrected after a century The Qur'an gives the example of a man who remained dead for a century. This is related in Surat al-Baqara:
Or the one who passed by a town which had fallen into ruin? He asked, "How can Allah restore this to life when it has died?" Allah caused him to die a hundred years then brought him back to life. Then He asked, "How long have you been here?" He replied, "I have been here a day or part of a day." He said, "Not so! You have been here a hundred years. Look at your food and drink – it has not gone bad – and look at your donkey so We can make you a Sign for all mankind. Look at the bones – how We raise them up and clothe them in flesh." When it had become clear to him, he said, "Now I know that Allah has power over all things." (Surat al-Baqara: 259)In the verses given in the previous pages, there is mention of the fact that the Prophet Jesus (as) did not die but was "taken back." In the verse above, the man, however, definitely died. Consequently, even a dead person can rise again by the will of Allah and the above verse states this explicitly.
The Companions of the Cave awoke after years
The story of the "Companions of the Cave" is related in Surat al-Kahf. These were young men who were compelled to take refuge from the cruel tyranny of the ruler of the time in a cave. It is related that they fell asleep and were woken up after years of sleep:
When the young men took refuge in the cave and said, "Our Lord, give us mercy directly from You and open the way for us to right guidance in our situation." So We sealed their ears with sleep in the cave for a number of years. (Surat al-Kahf: 10-11)You would have supposed them to be awake whereas in fact they were asleep. We moved them to the right and to the left, and at the entrance, their dog stretched out its paws. If you had looked down and seen them, you would have turned from them and run and have been filled with terror at the sight of them.
That was the situation when we woke them up so they could question one another. One of them asked, "How long have you been here?" They replied "We have been here for a day or part of a day." They said, "Your Lord knows best how long have you been here. Send one of your number into the city with this silver you have, so he can see which food is purest and bring you some of it to eat. But he should go about with caution so that no one is aware of you." (Surat al-Kahf: 18-19)The Qur'an does not explain exactly how much time the young men spent in the cave. Instead, the duration of this period is implied by the words "for a number of years". People's guess at this period however was rather high: three hundred and nine years. Allah says:
They stayed in their Cave for three hundred years and added nine. Say: "Allah knows best how long they stayed. The Unseen of the heavens and the earth belongs to Him. How perfectly He sees, how well He hears! They have no protector apart from Him. Nor does He share His rule with anyone." (Surat al-Kahf: 25-26)Under normal conditions, people obviously cannot sleep for such a long period. This sleep, therefore, may not be the type of sleep with which we are familiar. Perhaps they were taken into another dimension, one in which time and space do not apply, and were later sent back to earth.
Just like people waking up from sleep, these people also returned to life. In a similar way, the Prophet Jesus (as) will return to life when he comes back to earth and, after fulfilling the honourable responsibility imposed on him by Allah, and, as a requirement of the verse; He said: "On it [earth] you will live and on it die, and from it you will be brought forth," (Surat al-A'raf: 25) he will die on earth, like every other human being and Allah knows the truth.
The returns of the Prophet Jesus (as) to Earth in the HadithThe fact that the Prophet Jesus (as) is alive in Allah's Presence and that he will return to earth in the end times appears in some detail in the hadith collections, among them al-Shaybani's Taysir al-Usul ila Jami' al-Usul; Imam Maliki's Al-Muwatta'; the Sahihs of Ibn Khuzayma and Ibn Hibban; and the Musnads of Ibn Hanbal and al-Tayalisi, regarded as the greatest sources of the most reliable hadith. Furthermore, many Islamic scholars have carried out research and studies on these facts and have written books and treatises on them. These are also invaluable sources.
Heading the list of these great Islamic scholars is Abu Hanifa, the founder of the Hanafi legal school. In the final chapter of his book Al-Fiqh al-Akbar, Abu Hanifa states:
The emergence of the antichrist and of Gog and Magog is a reality; the rising of the Sun in the west is a reality; the descent of the Prophet Jesus (as) from the heavens is a reality; and all of the other signs of the Day of Resurrection, as contained in the authentic traditions, are established realities.22
The emergence of the antichrist and of Gog and Magog is a reality; the rising of the Sun in the west is a reality; the descent of the Prophet Jesus (as) from the heavens is a reality; and all of the other signs of the Day of Resurrection, as contained in the authentic traditions, are established realities.22
The hadith relating the Prophet Jesus' (as) second coming are tawatur, a specialized term defined as "a tradition that has been handed down by a number of different channels of transmitters or authorities, hence supposedly ruling out the possibility of its having been forged." Generally reliable hadith are those which are reported by so many hadith experts that there is no room left for error. The Islamic scholar Sayyid al-Jurjani expounded on this concept as follows:
Generally reliable reports are those that attain such a level [of agreement] among the majority of narrators that, according to custom, it is [considered] impossible for so many reporters to agree on a falsehood. In that event, if the report's words and meaning are consistent, then this is known as the "reliability of the word." If there is agreement among all of them in both sense and meaning, but a conflict in words, then this is known as "conceptual reliability." (Al-Sayyid al-Sharif, Zafar al-Amani fi Sharh Mukhtasar al-Sayyid al-Sharif al-Jurjani fi Mustalah al-Hadith, p. 46)
We present a selection of these hadiths:
The Prophet Jesus (as), son of Maryam, will definitely descend as a just judge and a just ruler. (Imam Nawawi, Commentary on Sahih Muslim)
Doomsday will not take place until the Prophet Jesus, son of Maryam, comes as a fair ruler and a just imam. (Sunan Ibn Majah)
By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the son of Maryam (the Prophet Jesus [as]) will shortly descend among you people as a just ruler. (Sahih Bukhari)
There is no prophet between him (the Prophet Jesus [as]) and me. He will certainly descend. Recognise him when you see him. He is of medium height, of a reddish white colour. He will wear two sets of yellow dyed clothing. Water will fall from his hair even if it does not rain. He will fight with people for Islam. He will slay the antichrist [make him ineffective] and then remain for exactly forty years on Earth. Then he will die, and Muslims will perform the prayers for him. (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
What will you do when the son of Maryam descends among you and leads as one amongst you? (Sahih Muslim)
The Prophet Jesus, son of Maryam, (as) will then descend and their [the Muslims'] commander will invite him to come and lead them in prayer. But he will say: "No, some among you are commanders over some [among you.]" (Sahih Muslim)
The Prophet Jesus (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as) Will Come in This Century
Works by great and esteemed scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah, including Sunan Abu-Dawud and Maktubat of Imam Rabbani, explicitly state that Allah sends an individual every century in order to revive and rid religious morals of any innovations:
According to Abu Huraira's account, the Messenger of Allah (saas) said: Certainly Almighty and All-Powerful Allah will send an individual at the beginning of every century who will renew the faith and free it from subsequent accretions. (Sunan Abu Dawud, 5/100)
One hadith handed down from our Prophet (saas) states that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will appear in the Islamic year 1400 in the words:
People will gather around Hazrat Mahdi (as) in the year 1400. (Risalat al-Huruj al-Mahdi, p. 108)
The religious moral values of Islam will rule the whole world, as the result of a specific process, in this century, while the system of the dajjal (the antichrist) that opposes those values will entirely disappear. But following this period of progression, which will last for approximately 100 years, the world will again find itself in a phase of degeneration, around the 1500s according to the Islamic calendar. In one hadith narrated by many scholars, including Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, a great Ahl al-Sunnah hadith and Islamic jurisprudence scholar, our Prophet (saas) provides important information about the beginning of human history by saying that 5600 years had passed up until his own day:
Ahmad Ibn Hanbal transmitted in his ‘Ilal: FIVE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED YEARS HAVE PASSED FROM THIS WORLD. (Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir al-zaman, p. 89)
Many other hadith contain explicit references to the life span of the world being 7000 years:
Anas Ibn Malik narrates that the Messenger of Allah (saas) said: THE LIFE SPAN OF THE WORLD IS SEVEN DAYS IN THE DAYS OF THE HEREAFTER. Almighty Allah has said: ONE DAY IN THE SIGHT OF YOUR LORD IS LIKE A THOUSAND OF YOUR YEARS. Allah will ASCRIBE THE EQUIVALENT OF GOOD DEEDS OF THE SEVEN THOUSAND YEARS OF THE AGE OF THIS WORLD to the one who meets the need of any of his brothers in the faith on the path of Allah as if he spends his days in fasting and his nights in worship. (Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir al-zaman, p. 88)
Narrated from Daqqaq Ibn Zaid al-Juhani: I told the Messenger of Allah (saas) of a dream I had had. In that dream the Messenger of Allah (saas) was at the top step of a seven-stepped pulpit. He said: THE SEVEN-STEPPED PULPIT YOU SEE IS THE SEVEN THOUSAND YEARS OF AGE OF THIS WORLD. (Al-Burhan fi 'Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 89)
Said Nursi, the renovator of the Islamic 1300s and the greatest one of the last millennium, cited the Islamic 1500s as the period of dominion of Islamic moral values. He stated that Muslims would enjoy a time of clear and explicit victory up until then. He said that in the years after that, the rise of the moral values of Islam would come to an end and that the Last Day would break for the unbelievers in the Islamic year 1545. (Allah knows the truth.)
"A group from my community will remain in truth until Allah's command [the Last Day]."
The abjad calculation of the clause "A group from my community..." which is 1542 [2117] implies its [the community's] time of survival. The abjad calculation of the clause "will remain in truth" (when the germination mark is counted) gives 1506 [2082]; it indicates until that date [2082] it will continue its work of enlightenment evidently and obviously, and maybe victoriously; then until 1542 [2117] in secrecy and defeat. The abjad calculation of the clause "until Allah's command" (when the gemination mark is counted) suggests that THE LAST DAY WILL BEFALL the unbeliever in 1545 [2120]. (Kastamonu Addendum, p. 33)
The abjad calculation of the clause "A group from my community..." which is 1542 [2117] implies its [the community's] time of survival. The abjad calculation of the clause "will remain in truth" (when the germination mark is counted) gives 1506 [2082]; it indicates until that date [2082] it will continue its work of enlightenment evidently and obviously, and maybe victoriously; then until 1542 [2117] in secrecy and defeat. The abjad calculation of the clause "until Allah's command" (when the gemination mark is counted) suggests that THE LAST DAY WILL BEFALL the unbeliever in 1545 [2120]. (Kastamonu Addendum, p. 33)
The great Sunni scholar al-Barzanji states that the life span of the world will not last until the Islamic 1600, in other words, that the Last Day is expected to come in Islamic 1500s by Allah's leave. (Allah knows the truth.)
THE LIFE OF THIS COMMUNITY WILL EXCEED 1,000 YEARS, YET BE LIMITED TO 1,500 YEARS ... (Muhammad ibn `Abd ar-Rasul Barzanji, Al-Isha`ah li Ashrat as-Sa`ah, The Portents of the Doomsday, p. 299)
Suyuti's statement made on the basis of the hadith handed down from our Prophet (saas) is as follows:
THE LIFE OF MY COMMUNITY WILL NOT EXCEED 1,500 YEARS. (Suyuti, al-Kasfu an Mujawazati Hazihil Ummah al-Alfu, al-hawi lil Fatawi. 2/248, Tafsir Ruh-ul Bayan. Bursawi 4/262, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Kitab al-‘Ilal, p. 89)
As is clear from the hadith of the Prophet (saas) and statements by great Islamic scholars, the Islamic 1400s we are now living in is the age of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as). The Prophet Jesus (as) will return to Earth in this century, Hazrat Mahdi (as) will appear and the moral values of Islam will rule the world.
The Faithful Will Be Protected against the Fitnah
[Trial and Tribulation] of the Dajjal by Means of the Prophet Jesus (as)
[Trial and Tribulation] of the Dajjal by Means of the Prophet Jesus (as)
The concept of the dajjal (antichrist), which means "liar, cheat, he who confuses good and bad, truth and falsehood in people's minds and hearts, one who gilds a thing to conceal its true face, an evil and inauspicious entity who moves everywhere," is described as someone who will emerge in the End Times, the source and representative of all evil and fitnah. The dajjal may actually be a human being; or it may be a system or an ideology that represents a way of thinking or practice that is against religious moral values. Many hadith contain a great deal of information about the dajjal, and several verses refer to the dajjal's morality and system. The dajjal's emergence is reported as being one of the End Times' major signs:
Abu Hurayra narrated: There are three things that, when they are manifested, will be of no benefit to the faith of a person who did not have faith before: the antichrist, the Beast, and the Sun rising in the west. (Al-Tirmidhi hadiths; Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Rasul Barzanji, Al-Isha‘ah li Aashrat al-Sa‘ah, p. 209)
The great Islamic scholar and imam, Abu Hanifa, states the following about the hadith describing the dajjal and other signs of the Last Day:
The emergence of the dajjal and of Gog and Magog is a reality; the rising of the Sun in the west is a reality; the descent of the Prophet Jesus (as) from the heavens is a reality; and all the other signs of the Last Day, as contained in authentic traditions, are established realities. (Abu Hanifa, Nu'man ibn Sabit (150/767), al-Fiqh al-Akbar)
The hadiths of our Prophet (saas) contain detailed information also about the characteristics of the dajjal. According to this, the dajjal will turn people away from the true path; depict good as bad and bad as good; deceive those who follow him with supposed blessings and oppress and use force against those who do not; bring forth confusion in the world and incite conflict; oppose religious moral values and act to turn people away from those values. The dajjal's time on Earth will be one when sincere believers face many troubles and difficulties and when the great majority of people turn their backs on religious moral values.
The dajjal's emergence will have a profound effect on the whole world, and will be the source of developments that will inflict many catastrophes and troubles upon humanity. Since his main target will be religious moral values and true believers, the period in question may be a particularly difficult one for the believers. In addition, many people will believe in his deceptions and follow him. Such an environment will have to be opposed by all people of good conscience and believers. In addition, they will have to wage a powerful intellectual struggle against this environment, one in which, by Allah's will, they will be victorious. However, the Prophet (saas) revealed that this individual's wickedness will be on a scale never before seen in history, and warned believers to avoid it. This warning is most important:
I tell you these things so that you may understand the situation and not fall into his snare, and so that you may tell those who come after, because his wickedness is the worst wickedness of all. (Nu‘aym ibn Mas‘ud; Ismail Mutlu, Kiyamet Alametleri (Signs of the Last Day), Mutlu Publications, (Istanbul: 1999), 92-93)
This advice, as well as his prayer for shelter in Allah from the fitnah caused by the dajjal, is a guide for Muslims. Muslims from different sects and races ask Allah during their five daily prayers to protect them from the dajjal's evil. As the hadith reveal, the prayer that our beloved Prophet (saas) taught to believers is as follows:
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (saas) said: When any one of you utters tashahhud (in prayer) he must seek refuge with Allah from four (trials) and should thus say: "O Allah! I seek refuge with You from the torment of the Hell, from the torment of the grave, from the trial of life and death and from the evil of the trial of Messiah al-dajjal. (Sahih Muslim, Book 4, Number 1217)
The fact that the Prophet (saas) taught this prayer to his followers in person and recommended that they say it during the daily prayers shows how important the question of the dajjal is for believers. We know that after their daily prayers, Islamic scholars also added the words "Allahumma ajirni min fitna al-Messiah al-dajjal wa al-Sufyan" (O Allah, protect us from the trials of Messiah al-dajjal and the Sufyan). Aware of the immense scale of the dajjal's trial, Muslims seek Allah's protection with this prayer in their own daily prayers. This shows that Muslims are spiritually prepared for the dajjal. However, the most important preparation to be taken against the dajjal is exactly the one that must be taken to prepare for the Prophet Jesus' (as) coming.
In one respect, the second coming of the Prophet Jesus (as) will manifest the fact that this prayer has been answered. This is because the hadith reveal that the dajjal's trial can only be done away with by the Prophet Jesus' (as) return to Earth, and that when the dajjal sees the Prophet Jesus (as), "he will dissolve like salt in water." Some of the hadith revealing how the Prophet Jesus (as) will make the dajjal ineffective are as follows:
… As the dajjal spreads evil through the world, Allah will send the Messiah, Jesus (as), son of Maryam, who will meet the dajjal at the gate of Ludd [near Jerusalem] and make him ineffective. (Sahih Muslim)
… As the dajjal spreads evil through the world, Allah will send the Messiah, Jesus (as), son of Maryam … The Prophet Jesus (as) will meet the dajjal at the gate of Ludd [near Jerusalem] and make him ineffective. (Sahih Muslim)
When the enemy of Allah [dajjal] sees him [the Prophet Jesus (as)], it will (disappear) just as salt dissolves in water and if he [the Prophet Jesus (as)] were not to confront him at all, even then it would dissolve completely. Allah would make him ineffective by the Prophet Jesus' (as) hand.... (Sahih Muslim, 6924)
The Prophet Jesus (as) will soon return, and will then [spiritually] destroy the dajjal, the malicious, the inauspicious one. (Nuzul-i Mesih Risalesi (Treatise on the Second Coming of the Messiah), Istanbul: Ekmel Publishing, 1998, p. 121)
Therefore, it is a matter of the greatest importance that all believers and those who wish to be protected from the dajjal's trial should fully support the Prophet Jesus (as) and strive to prepare the best possible environment before he actually returns.
On the one hand, Muslims must uncover the dajjal's wickedness and deceptions and wage an intellectual struggle against those elements that comprise the ideological foundations of the dajjal's system. On the other hand, they must prepare the groundwork for the great intellectual struggle that the Prophet Jesus (as) will wage after his return, and must prepare themselves to support him. The information provided in the Qur'an and the developments described in the hadith indicate that one of history's most important periods is approaching.
Those who will enjoy the honour of living at such a historic time should feel great excitement at this prospect and should be aware of the scale of their responsibility. One of the first things that such people have to do is to prepare themselves and those around them for the Prophet Jesus' (as) return.
THE SECOND COMING TO EARTH OF THE PROPHET JESUS (AS) IN THE RISALAT AN-NOOR
In his Risalat an-Noor collection the great Islamic scholar, regarded as the mujaddid (renovator) of the Islamic 13th century, Bediuzzaman Said Nursi made important statements about the second coming to Earth of the Prophet Jesus (as). He described, in the light of verses and hadith, how the Prophet Jesus (as) would return to Earth in the End Times, how he will call on Christians to adhere to the values of the true faith by freeing themselves from superstitious beliefs and practices, how true Christians who follow the Prophet Jesus (as) and Muslims will be allied together, and how, together with Hazrat Mahdi (as), the Prophet Jesus (as) will be instrumental in the moral values of Islam coming to rule the world.
However, these statements by Bediuzzaman are sometimes misunderstood and misconstrued. In particular, it is erroneously concluded from Bediuzzaman's references to the "collective personalities" of the Prophet Jesus (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as) that the blessed individual of the Prophet Jesus (as) will not be coming at all. But Bediuzzaman's statements do not imply such a meaning. As is made explicit in several places in the Risalat an-Noor, Bediuzzaman said that the Prophet Jesus (as) himself will return to Earth in the End Times.
Indeed, a definition of the Prophet Jesus (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as) as invisible forces, such as spiritual entities, spirits or meanings, would be at total odds with the law of Allah revealed in the verses of the Qur'an. No messenger or prophet has ever come in the form of a collective personality.
Much detailed information is provided in the Qur'an about the lives, struggles and messages of messengers sent to various communities. Until the very end of their lives they have called the people to whom they were sent to the true faith, warned them of Allah's punishment and bestowed the glad tidings of Paradise on believers. They responded to the pressure, traps and struggle against the true faith on the part of the deniers in their communities with fortitude and trust in Allah and called on them to live in a way that would be pleasing to Him. All this shows that no messenger has ever been sent as a spiritual personality, but rather as individuals.
This law of Allah that has applied for hundreds of years also applies, as it does to the rest of Islamic history, to the Prophet Jesus (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as). However, like all the other prophets and messengers, the Prophet Jesus (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as) will also have their collective personalities. We are told in the Qur'an that there have been communities of believers around all the prophets and messengers there have ever been, and that these have followed the true path shown by them. All the people who believed in the messengers and all their actions performed together with those messengers, constitute these messengers' collective personalities.
This can clearly be seen in the stories about the prophets in the Qur'an. For example, the people of our Prophet (saas) represented his collective personality. But this formed on the condition of the Prophet's (saas) existence. This will not change in the End Times. As Bediuzzaman has said, the Prophet Jesus (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as) will personally exist as leaders of guidance at the head of the communities of believers accompanying them.
Therefore, in using the term "collective personality," Bediuzzaman Said Nursi used it in conformity with the law of Allah revealed in the Qur'an. In fact, in referring to his own students and works as a collective personality, Bediuzzaman Said Nursi was personally at its head.
The collective personality of the Risalat an-Noor includes those students that follow it as well as the works, but Bediuzzaman, the leader of the Noor movement, cannot be considered as distinct from it.
This will be better understood by an examination of the comments in the Risalat an-Noor about the second coming of the Prophet Jesus (as):
1. IT COULD ONLY BE A WONDROUS PERSON WITH THE POWER OF MIRACLES who could neutralize and change the way of THE AWESOME DAJJAL, WHO WILL PRESERVE HIMSELF THROUGH WONDERS, BESTOWED ON HIM BY ALLAH IN ORDER TO LEAD HIM ASTRAY, SUCH AS MAGIC, HYPNOTIC POWERS, AND SPIRITUALISM, AND WILL SPELLBIND EVERYONE. AND THAT PERSON WILL BE THE PROPHET JESUS (AS), who is the prophet of the majority of mankind... (Rays, "Fifth Ray")
Bediuzzaman describes how the dajjal who will appear in the End Times will seek to deceive people using various supernatural powers, but that this corruption will be totally eliminated with the second coming of the Prophet Jesus (as):
The awesome dajjal, who will preserve himself through wonders, bestowed on him by Allah in order to lead him astray, such as magic, hypnotic powers, and spiritualism, and will spellbind everyone:
Bediuzzaman notes, in the light of the hadith of our Prophet (saas), that the dajjal will possess various supernatural powers.
Some of the hadith that show that the dajjal will work false miracles are as follows:
One of his corruptions is this; He will say to a Bedouin, "Tell me! Will you believe I am your Lord IF I RESURRECT YOUR MOTHER AND YOUR FATHER?" The Bedouin will say, "Yes." At this TWO DEVILS WILL APPEAR IN THE FORMS OF HIS MOTHER AND FATHER… (Sunan Ibn Majah, 4077)
One of his corruptions is this: He will call a single person, KILL HIM AND CUT HIM UP WITH A SAW. That person's body will be cast away in two pieces. The dajjal will then tell those around him, "Look at this servant I have killed. I SHALL NOW BRING HIM BACK TO LIFE." … (Sunan Ibn Majah, 4077)
The hadith tell us that the dajjal will use false miracles to have people accept his corruption. (Allah knows the truth.) Less intelligent people may imagine these are literally "miracles." The fact is, however, that a miracle is a blessing from Allah to His sainted servants. The extraordinary phenomena displayed by the dajjal are mere magic, in other words, are false miracles created by Allah to test people, and seen in unbelievers.
As stated by Bediuzzaman, the dajjal will deceive most people using these deceptive techniques. The false miracles and deceptions perpetrated by the dajjal, at a time when the whole Christian world is awaiting the return to Earth of the Prophet Jesus (as) and the Jews are awaiting Hazrat Messiah (as), may cause many people to be deceived by the dajjal. In this passage, Bediuzzaman emphasizes this attribute of the dajjal and also implies that he is not a collective personality. Bediuzzaman makes this perfectly clear by referring to the way the dajjal deceives people using such deceptive techniques as hypnosis and displays of magic.
There is no doubt that it would be wrong for one, who accepts that the dajjal is an individual in the light of these statements of Bediuzzaman, to claim that the Prophet Jesus (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as) could be collective personalities despite all the evidence and details Bediuzzaman provides on the subject.
There is no doubt that in all his statements Bediuzzaman, who possessed a very high level of knowledge, set the truth out in the best way for Muslims and he said, in a way that leaves no room for doubt, that "like the dajjal, the Prophet Jesus (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as) are both INDIVIDUALS."
It could only be a Wondrous Person with the Power of Miracles… who is the Prophet of the Majority of Mankind:
Bediuzzaman says that the person who will eliminate the corruption of the dajjal will be a blessed "INDIVIDUAL" who, by the mercy of Allah, will work miracles, and whom the great majority of people follow. In the next part of the passage he identifies this person as the Prophet Jesus (as). This is so explicit as to leave no room for any other interpretation.
Bediuzzaman explicitly states that "the Prophet Jesus (as) is AN INDIVIDUAL." This explicit statement totally disproves any idea that he might be a collective personality.
In addition, by referring to "A WONDROUS PERSON WITH THE POWER OF MIRACLES… WHO IS THE PROPHET OF THE MAJORITY OF MANKIND," Bediuzzaman emphasizes some important properties revealing that the Prophet Jesus (as) is an individual. Bediuzzaman states that "the Prophet Jesus (as) is A PERSON who works marvels and miracles." In addition, he recalls that "the Prophet Jesus (as) is A PERSON in whom the great majority of people believe."
In addition, by referring to "A WONDROUS PERSON WITH THE POWER OF MIRACLES… WHO IS THE PROPHET OF THE MAJORITY OF MANKIND," Bediuzzaman emphasizes some important properties revealing that the Prophet Jesus (as) is an individual. Bediuzzaman states that "the Prophet Jesus (as) is A PERSON who works marvels and miracles." In addition, he recalls that "the Prophet Jesus (as) is A PERSON in whom the great majority of people believe."
Bediuzzaman, with his superior knowledge, knew very well that it is impossible for a collective personality to perform miracles. He also knew that a collective personality could not be "a person in whom the majority of people believe." Using these attributes descriptive of the Prophet Jesus (as) in a very deliberate manner, he gives all Muslims the glad tidings that he will return to Earth as "A PERSON."
That Person will be the Prophet Jesus (as):
Bediuzzaman reveals, as the Prophet (saas) tells us in the hadith, that the Prophet Jesus (as) will eradicate the fitnah (trial and tribulation) of the dajjal:
When the enemy of Allah [dajjal] would see him [the Prophet Jesus (as)], IT WOULD DISAPPEAR JUST AS THE SALT DISSOLVES ITSELF IN WATER and if he [the Prophet Jesus (as)] were not to confront them at all, even then it would dissolve completely, but ALLAH WOULD MAKE HIM INEFFECTIVE BY HIS [THE PROPHET JESUS' (AS)] HAND. (Sahih Muslim, Book 41, Number 6924)
... AS THE DAJJAL SPREADS CORRUPTION, ALLAH WOULD SEND THE MESSIAH, JESUS (AS) SON OF MARYAM … Every non-believer who would smell the odour of his self would die and his breath would reach as far as he would be able to see. He [the Prophet Jesus (as)] would then search for him [dajjal] until he would catch hold of him at the gate of Ludd and WOULD MAKE HIM INEFFECTIVE. (Sahih Muslim, Book 41, Number 7015)
... Following that, THE PROPHET JESUS (AS) WILL CHASE THE DAJJAL and will catch him at the gate of Ludd near Bait-ul-Maqdis, AND WILL MAKE HIM INEFFECTIVE. (Sahih Muslim, vol. 4/2251-2255; Imam Sharani)
The term "THAT PERSON" employed by Bediuzzaman makes it clear the Prophet Jesus (as) is "ONE INDIVIDUAL." Bediuzzaman does not refer to "two or three individuals." On the contrary, he always refers to the Prophet Jesus (as) in the "SINGULAR" and as "A SINGLE INDIVIDUAL." With these statements, Bediuzzaman has made it quite clear that the Prophet Jesus (as) is not a collective personality, but "A BLESSED INDIVIDUAL."
2. In fact, even THE DESCENT OF THE PROPHET JESUS (AS) and THAT HE HIMSELF IS THE PROPHET JESUS (AS), CAN ONLY BE KNOWN BY THE LIGHT OF FAITH; NOT EVERYONE WILL KNOW. Similarly, FEARSOME FIGURES SUCH AS THE DAJJAL AND SUFYAN DO NOT KNOW THEMSELVES TO BE SUCH.... (The Rays, The Fifth Ray)
Bediuzzaman reports that the Prophet Jesus (as) will return to Earth in the End Times, but that not everyone will recognise this blessed personage when he comes:
The Descent of the Prophet Jesus (as):
By referring to "THE DESCENT OF THE PROPHET JESUS (AS)" Bediuzzaman describes how the Prophet Jesus (as) will return to Earth in human form in the End Times, as a miracle from Allah. Through this information, Bediuzzaman clearly explains that the Prophet Jesus (as) will be "A PERSON," not a meaning or a collective personality, leading the Christian community to true guidance.
That He Himself is the Prophet Jesus (as):
With these words, Bediuzzaman says that when the Prophet Jesus (as) first returns to Earth he will not at first know he is the Prophet Jesus (as), but that he will realize this later. Obviously, "there can be no question of a collective personality having such consciousness and awareness." The concepts of "KNOWING" and "UNDERSTANDING" can only apply to a "HUMAN BEING." Only a person "may realize who he is," and recognise the situation he is in. As someone who is well aware of this, Bediuzzaman used these words to explicitly state that the Prophet Jesus (as) is not a collective personality.
One of the elements by which Bediuzzaman confirms that is the word "HIMSELF." This word again expresses the concept of "INDIVIDUAL" and in this way, Bediuzzaman is stating yet again that "the Prophet Jesus (as) will come in physical form, as an INDIVIDUAL."
Can Only be Known by the Light of Faith; not Everyone will Know:
Bediuzzaman said that the people around him would only recognise the awaited Prophet Jesus (as) "BY THE LIGHT OF FAITH." This again shows that Bediuzzaman is not referring to the Prophet Jesus (as) as a collective personality. Bediuzzaman clearly refers to their recognising "AN INDIVIDUAL THEY ARE AWAITING," not a collective personality. Bediuzzaman also says that "NOT EVERYONE WILL KNOW," that not everyone will recognise the Prophet Jesus (as).
As Bediuzzaman says, when the Prophet Jesus (as) returns to Earth, true believers will immediately recognise this blessed individual through the light of their faith and by Allah's leave, and will be his helpers and supporters.
Fearsome Figures Such as the Dajjal and Sufyan do not Know Themselves to be Such:
In these words, Bediuzzaman is saying that individuals of the End Times, such as the dajjal and the sufyan, who will wage a campaign based on denial against the Prophet Jesus (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as) will again not be recognised by everyone. Bediuzzaman used the word "FIGURES" in the phrase "FEARSOME FIGURES" to refer to the dajjal and the sufyan as "INDIVIDUALS."
In these words, Bediuzzaman is saying that individuals of the End Times, such as the dajjal and the sufyan, who will wage a campaign based on denial against the Prophet Jesus (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as) will again not be recognised by everyone. Bediuzzaman used the word "FIGURES" in the phrase "FEARSOME FIGURES" to refer to the dajjal and the sufyan as "INDIVIDUALS."
In his works, Bediuzzaman uses similar words that also mean "person, individual" to refer to the Prophet Jesus (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as). It would be a very contradictory state of affairs for one to accept that the dajjal and sufyan will appear as individuals but to think that the Prophet Jesus (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as) will merely be collective personalities. As Bediuzzaman says, just like the sufyan dajjal and messiah dajjal will appear as individuals, the Prophet Jesus (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as) who will do away with all their fitnah will also, by Allah's leave, appear as blessed individuals in the End Times.
3. "THE PROPHET JESUS (AS) WILL COME AND WILL PERFORM THE OBLIGATORY PRAYERS BEHIND HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) AND FOLLOW HIM," alludes to THIS UNION, AND TO THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE QUR'AN AND ITS BEING FOLLOWED. (The Rays / The Fifth Ray - Second Station - p.109)
Our Prophet (saas) reveals in one hadith how the Prophet Jesus (as) will pray behind Hazrat Mahdi (as):
When Hazrat Mahdi (as) is performing the morning prayer with the faithful at the Bayt al-Maqdis, he will introduce the Prophet Jesus (as) who has appeared, and the Prophet Jesus (as) will place his hands on his shoulder and say, "The call to the prayer has been issued for you, so you must lead it" … (Al-Qawl Al-Mukhtasar Fi alamat Al-Mahdi Al-Muntazar, p. 25)
Bediuzzaman cites this hadith of our Prophet's (saas) and recalls how this incident is one of the major sings of the coming of the Prophet Jesus (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as).
Bediuzzaman also states that, by Allah's leave, Islamic morality will rule the whole world in the time of the Prophet Jesus (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as). The great intellectual struggle to be waged by the Prophet Jesus (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as) in alliance will be instrumental in this, he says.
The Prophet Jesus (as) will Come and will Perform the Obligatory Prayers behind Hazrat Mahdi (as) and Follow Him:
In this passage, Bediuzzaman says, in the light of authentic hadith of our Prophet's (saas), that "THE PROPHET JESUS (AS) WILL PRAY TOGETHER WITH HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)." Our Lord has made the prayer a religious obligation. It is impossible for collective personalities to pray alongside or for them to serve as imam. Bediuzzaman was without doubt well aware of this and says, through his words, that the Prophet Jesus (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as) will appear as "INDIVIDUALS."
When the Prophet Jesus (as) appears, by Allah's leave, he will continue to perform the prayer just like he performed during his first coming. This is revealed as follows in the Qur'an:
He [Jesus] said, "I am the servant of Allah, He has given me the Book and made me a Prophet. He has made me blessed wherever I am and DIRECTED ME TO PERFORM THE PRAYER AND PAY THE ALMS AS LONG AS I LIVE." (Surah Maryam, 30-31)
The Prophet Jesus (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as) will appear as blessed individuals in the End Times. The Prophet Jesus (as) will pray behind Hazrat Mahdi (as), and Islamic moral values will rule the world as a result of the great intellectual struggle these two blessed personages will wage.
Bediuzzaman recalls this matter, which appears in a great many authentic hadith, and goes on to say that the Prophet Jesus (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as) will enjoy a reciprocal dialogue when they come. For that, it is essential that both blessed individuals appear at the same time and come together. The whole Islamic world is waiting for the Prophet Jesus (as) to come and perform the prayer together with Hazrat Mahdi (as).
4. It is an allusion and sign that QUANTITATIVELY THE SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY OF THOSE STRUGGLING IN ALLAH'S CAUSE WHO WILL RECOGNISE THE PROPHET JESUS (AS) THROUGH THE LIGHT OF FAITH AND FOLLOW HIM WILL BE VERY FEW AND SMALL comparatively to the scientific, physical armies of the dajjal. (The Rays / The Fifth Ray - Second Station - p.111)
In this passage Bediuzzaman describes the features of the community that will recognise and support the Prophet Jesus (as) when he returns:
Who will Recognise the Prophet Jesus (as) through the Light of Faith:
In this extract Bediuzzaman again refers to the Prophet Jesus (as) being recognised "BY THE LIGHT OF FAITH" by the community that supports him, and makes it clear that the Prophet Jesus (as) is "AN INDIVIDUAL." The verb "RECOGNISE" suggests that "there is someone to be recognised," and again reveals that Bediuzzaman is referring to theProphet Jesus (as) as an individual, not to a collective personality.
In addition, by these words Bediuzzaman also makes it clear that the Prophet Jesus (as) and his collective personality are distinct concepts. That is because he speaks of a "community that recognises the Prophet Jesus (as)" and of "the Prophet Jesus (as) being recognised by that community." There is no question of a collective personality recognising another collective personality or of being recognised by one.
And [who] Follow Him:
Bediuzzaman here refers to the existence of a community that "FOLLOWS" the Prophet Jesus (as). It is of course impossible for a collective personality to follow another collective personality, because only an individual can be followed, not a collective personality. Bediuzzaman is expressing that reality here and reminds us that the Prophet Jesus (as) will be "AN INDIVIDUAL" at the head of a community that follows him and the way he shows to them, in other words, his collective personality.
It is a great honour desired by all Muslims to live at the same time as the Prophet Jesus (as), to follow this blessed individual and be his helpers in the way of Allah, just like his disciples. As stated in the hadith and by Bediuzzaman, Allah will permit Hazrat Mahdi (as) and the people around him to stand in the same ranks during the intellectual struggle as the Prophet Jesus (as) and those few believers who follow him.
In his works Bediuzzaman says that this intellectual struggle for the truth will take place immediately after his own time and, thus that the coming of the Prophet Jesus (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as) had not yet taken place in his own day.
The Spiritual Community of Those Struggling in Allah's Cause:
In this passage, Bediuzzaman refers to a community made up of people who support and believe in the Prophet Jesus (as) and who follow the way he shows to them.
This community represents the collective personality of the Prophet Jesus (as). But it will also have the Prophet Jesus (as) in person as its leader, an individual who represents this collective personality. Bediuzzaman is emphasizing here that the person of the Prophet Jesus (as) and his collective personality are two distinct concepts.
Understanding the lofty spirituality of the Prophet Jesus (as) is something that will only be bestowed on those who possess sufficient spirituality to perceive this blessed individual. Bediuzzaman describes this community as "the spiritual community of those struggling in Allah's cause." As Bediuzzaman also says, this community will enjoy a high level of spirituality and will strive and wage a constant intellectual struggle on the path of Allah.
Quantitatively … Very Few and Small:
Bediuzzaman reports that the community led by the Prophet Jesus (as) will be very few in number and small compared to the society of the deniers of Allah. As Almighty Allah has revealed in the Qur'an, "... How many a small force has triumphed over a much greater one by Allah's permission." (Surat al-Baqara, 249)
The true believers who, albeit few in number, are devoted to the Prophet Jesus (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as) in the End Times will, by Allah's leave, be victorious and totally eradicate the fitnah of the dajjal. In these words Bediuzzaman once again refers to the community represented by the Prophet Jesus (as) in person and describes its characteristics.
As clarified above, however, it is the person of the Prophet Jesus (as) who will lead this community. Bediuzzaman is thus making it clear that the Prophet Jesus (as) is "AN INDIVIDUAL" at the head of the collective personality he represents, not a collective personality himself.
5. It is narrated that "he will be so powerful and long-lived that ONLY THE PROPHET JESUS (AS) WILL BE ABLE TO DESTROY HIM; NOTHING ELSE WILL BE ABLE TO." That is, IT WILL ONLY BE A REVEALED, ELEVATED, PURE RELIGION THAT WILL BE ABLE TO OVERTURN HIS WAY AND RAPACIOUS REGIME, AND ELIMINATE THEM. SUCH A RELIGION WILL EMERGE AMONG THE TRUE FOLLOWERS OF THE PROPHET JESUS (AS), AND IT WILL FOLLOW THE TRUTH OF THE QUR'AN AND BECOME UNITED WITH IT. ON THE DESCENT OF THE PROPHET JESUS (AS), THE IRRELIGIOUS OCCUPATION [OF DAJJAL'S] WILL BE WIPED OUT AND WILL CEASE... (The Rays / The Fifth Ray - p.102)
In this extract Bediuzzaman refers to a hadith that notes that only the Prophet Jesus (as) will be able to neutralize the fitnah of the dajjal.
He says that the people who will eliminate the denial-based order of the dajjal and his aggressive regime and mission, described as "spreading irreligion and harming sacred matters," will be the Prophet Jesus (as) and the sincere Christians who follow him. With his second coming, the Prophet Jesus (as) will eliminate and neutralize this irreligious mission of the dajjal:
Only the Prophet Jesus (as) will be able to Destroy Him; Nothing Else will be able to:
Here Bediuzzaman is saying, in the light of the hadith of our Prophet (saas), that only the Prophet Jesus (as) can intellectually neutralize the dajjal and free the world from his fitnah.
The use by Bediuzzaman here of the word "HIM" means that the dajjal is "AN INDIVIDUAL." In Bediuzzaman's view, it is "THE INVIDUAL PROPHET JESUS (AS)" who will put an end to that individual's efforts to spread denial. Bediuzzaman's words are quite explicit, and to adopt the idea of the dajjal as an individual but the Prophet Jesus (as) as a collective entity very definitely conflicts with the information provided by Bediuzzaman. Bediuzzaman has clearly stated that the Prophet Jesus (as) is the only individual capable of neutralizing the dajjal and has imparted to all believers the glad tidings of the return to Earth of this worthy individual.
That will be able to Overturn His Way and Rapacious Regime, and Eliminate Them:
Bediuzzaman notes that the fitnah of the dajjal will lead to terrible corruption across the world. He also reports that this fitnah will be totally eliminated by way of the Prophet Jesus (as).
Bediuzzaman says that the mission of the dajjal is to spread irreligion across the world and to cause disaster originating from irreligion. He also imparts the glad tidings that when the Prophet Jesus (as) returns to earth he will prevent the disasters and evils caused by the dajjal, will neutralize his mission and cause the moral values of Islam to rule the entire world.
In this extract Bediuzzaman reiterates that the Prophet Jesus (as) will return as "A HUMAN BEING" in physical existence. The use of the word "HIS" once again emphasizes that the dajjal is also an individual, and that this individual will be neutralized by the Prophet Jesus (as), another "INDIVIDUAL."
A revealed, elevated, pure religion … will emerge among the true followers of the Prophet Jesus (as), and it will follow the truth of the Qur'an and become united with it:
The Prophet Jesus (as) is a blessed messenger of Allah. Like all the prophets, he called on people to believe in Allah, the One and Only, and to live by the religious morality issued by Allah.
Following the accession of the Prophet Jesus (as) into the Presence of Allah, however, Christian belief was corrupted and Christians turned away from the true faith preached by the Prophet Jesus (as). When the Prophet Jesus (as) returns he will purify Christianity of those elements that have been corrupted and restore it to its form as a true faith. Bediuzzaman also notes this fact in the words "A PURE RELIGION … WILL EMERGE AMONG THE TRUE FOLLOWERS OF THE PROPHET JESUS (AS)."
Bediuzzaman states that Christianity will unite with Islam in following the Qur'an, and reminds us that all these developments are signs of the second coming of the Prophet Jesus (as). These developments described by Bediuzzaman have not yet happened. Bediuzzaman referred to this in the time he was living and imparted the glad tidings of the coming of the Prophet Jesus (as) at a later date, emphasizing that neither the coming of the Prophet Jesus (as), nor that of Hazrat Mahdi (as) who would be contemporaneous with him, had yet taken place in his own day.
On the Descent of the Prophet Jesus (as), the Irreligious Occupation [of dajjal's] will be Wiped Out and will Cease:
Based on the information provided in verses from the Qur'an and hadith, Bediuzzaman states that the Prophet Jesus (as) will come to Earth for a second time. Bediuzzaman's use of a word meaning "DESCENT" means he is referring to the Prophet Jesus (as) as "AN INDIVIDUAL" who will return to Earth for a second time in his human bodily form as a miracle of Allah, and not as "a meaning, a spirit or representative entity."
Bediuzzaman is saying that the dajjal's denial-based efforts will come to an end following the "DESCENT," in other words "THE COMING TO EARTH OF THE PROPHET JESUS (AS) AS AN INDIVIDUAL."
6. Yes, in the words of the hadith, THE DESCENT OF THE PROPHET JESUS (AS) FROM THE HEAVENS IS CERTAIN. In addition to other facts it imparts in its indicative meaning, it also miraculously indicates this fact. (Kastamonu Addendum, p. 50)
Bediuzzaman says it is certain that the Prophet Jesus (as) will return to Earth in the End Times:
The Descent of the Prophet Jesus (as) from the Heavens is Certain:
The return to Earth in the End Times of the Prophet Jesus (as) is a fact reported in the Qur'an and the hadith. Bediuzzaman also states this fact, saying that the hadith explicitly refer to the second coming of the Prophet Jesus (as). These are highly valuable tidings for true believers. By Allah's leave, believers living in the End Times will witness this miracle and see the return to Earth of the Prophet Jesus (as) after an interval of 2000 years.
Bediuzzaman uses the word "CERTAIN," and says that the second coming of the Prophet Jesus (as) is "CERTAIN." This report, which Bediuzzaman provides on the basis of the hadith of our Prophet (saas), invalidates all other contrary ideas.
7. ... REPRESENTING THE COLLECTIVE PERSONALITY OF CHRISTIANITY, THE PROPHET JESUS (AS) will eliminate THE DAJJAL, WHO REPRESENTS THE COLLECTIVE PERSONALITY OF IRRELIGION ... (Letters / First Letter - p.23)
In this passage Bediuzzaman says that the Prophet Jesus (as) will return to Earth and intellectually neutralize the fitnah of the dajjal:
Representing the Collective Personality of Christianity, the Prophet Jesus (as):
Bediuzzaman here says that the Prophet Jesus (as) "REPRESENTS THE COLLECTIVE PERSONALITY OF CHRISTIANITY." Bediuzzaman states that, like all the prophets and messengers there have ever been, the Prophet Jesus (as) will have a collective personality made up of people who support, believe in and follow him.
However, by referring to "REPRESENTING THE COLLECTIVE PERSONALITY OF CHRISTIANITY," Bediuzzaman is saying that, in agreement with the law of Allah, "THE PROPHET JESUS (AS) WILL BE PRESENT PERSONALLY AS A LEADER TO GUIDANCE AT THE HEAD OF THIS COLLECTIVE PERSONALITY."
It is impossible for one collective personality to represent another collective personality. In order for there to be a collective personality there has to be "A PERSON" at its head. Emphasizing this fact, Bediuzzaman states that the Prophet Jesus (as) is not a collective personality but that he will personally be at the head of and lead his collective personality.
These facts reported by Bediuzzaman can be more clearly seen when we ask one or two questions:
1- A person represents the collective personality of Christianity. Who is that person?
The Prophet Jesus (as).
The Prophet Jesus (as).
2- Who does the Prophet Jesus (as) represent?
The collective personality of Christianity.
The answers to these questions clearly show that Bediuzzaman refers to the Prophet Jesus (as) and his collective personality as two separate concepts.
The collective personality of Christianity.
The answers to these questions clearly show that Bediuzzaman refers to the Prophet Jesus (as) and his collective personality as two separate concepts.
The Dajjal, who Represents the Collective Personality of Irreligion:
Bediuzzaman says that, like the Prophet Jesus (as), the dajjal will have a collective personality. However, in the words "THE DAJJAL, WHO REPRESENTS THE COLLECTIVE PERSONALITY OF IRRELIGION," Bediuzzaman is saying that the dajjal will also "BE PERSONALLY AT THE HEAD OF THIS COLLECTIVE PERSONALITY AS AN INDIVIDUAL."
In his works, Bediuzzaman says, with various supporting evidence, that all the names cited by our Prophet (saas) as coming in the End Times are individuals. The dajjal is one of these individuals of the End Times. Bediuzzaman has provided the same amount of detail concerning the Prophet Jesus (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as) being individuals as he has provided for the dajjal being one.
It would certainly be a mistake to misinterpret some of these statements by Bediuzzaman in such a way as to conclude that while the dajjal is an individual, the Prophet Jesus (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as) are collective personalities. That is because Bediuzzaman has persistently reiterated that, like the dajjal, "the Prophet Jesus (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as) will come AS INDIVIDUALS" and has provided the evidence to confirm this.
8. ... Although defeated before the irreligious current while separate, Christianity and Islam will have the capability to defeat and rout it as a result of their union. Then THE PERSON OF THE PROPHET JESUS (AS), WHO IS PRESENT WITH HIS HUMAN BODY IN THE WORLD OF THE HEAVENS, WILL COME TO LEAD THE CURRENT OF TRUE RELIGION, as, relying on the promise of One Powerful Over All Things, the Bringer of Sure News has said. Since he has told of it, it is true, and since THE ONE POWERFUL OVER ALL THINGS HAS PROMISED IT, HE WILL CERTAINLY BRING IT ABOUT ... (Letters / Fifteenth Letter - p.80)
Bediuzzaman says that as a result of Christians' turning to the Qur'an and following Islam, and of the amalgamation of the two faiths, they will grow stronger and powerful enough to eliminate irreligious philosophies.
During this time, the Prophet Jesus (as) will return to Earth and assume the leadership of this force. Bediuzzaman says that the Prophet (saas) has provided this information on the basis of the promise of Allah, and reminds us that Allah definitely keeps His word:
Who is Present with His Human Body in the World of the Heavens:
In this passage, Bediuzzaman says that Christianity will soon be restored to its original form by being freed from various beliefs and practices added onto it subsequently and will then follow the Qur'an. The Christians who turn to Islam will then join forces with Muslims and wage a common intellectual struggle against irreligion.
In the words "PRESENT WITH HIS HUMAN BODY IN THE WORLD OF THE HEAVENS" Bediuzzaman says that the Prophet Jesus (as), who is in the heavens in his human body, will return to Earth and assume the leadership of this struggle. Bediuzzaman is saying that the Prophet Jesus (as) will return in human form, as a blessed person, "AN INDIVIDUAL."
Bediuzzaman uses the word "HUMAN," thus explicitly stating that the Prophet Jesus (as) is not a collective personality but "an individual with material existence."
The Person of the Prophet Jesus (as):
The term "THE PERSON OF THE PROPHET JESUS (AS)" employed here by Bediuzzaman refers to the Prophet Jesus (as) as an individual. It is therefore clear from Bediuzzaman's words that the Prophet Jesus (as) "is not a collective personality."
The Prophet Jesus (as) will return to Earth in the End Times as an individual, eliminate the fitnah of the dajjal and work together with Hazrat Mahdi (as). The Prophet Jesus (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as) will be instrumental in Islamic moral values ruling the world.
These great glad tidings of the End Times have not yet become a reality, and the Islamic world is waiting for these blessed developments to take place. Bediuzzaman's terminology reveals the error in claiming that Hazrat Mahdi (as) had appeared in some earlier period. That is because the coming of the Prophet Jesus (as) and his alliance with Hazrat Mahdi (as) have not yet happened, and the fitnah of the dajjal has not been totally eliminated.
There is no doubt that such comprehensive developments will be visible to the eyes of the whole world. This great change, of which everyone will be aware and experience thanks to mass communications, never happened in Bediuzzaman's or any other time.
Will Come to Lead the Current of True Religion:
Bediuzzaman's words "HE WILL COME TO LEAD THE CURRENT OF TRUE RELIGION" reveal that the Prophet Jesus (as) will be the leader of genuine Christians when he returns to Earth. With his coming, Christianity will be purged of its false beliefs and pronouncements and will follow the Qur'an.
All these developments regarding the Prophet Jesus (as) listed by Bediuzzaman will happen at the same time as Hazrat Mahdi (as) appears. However, neither the second coming of the Prophet Jesus (as) and his assumption of the leadership of all Christians, nor Christians' purging their faith of all false beliefs and practices has yet happened.
Neither has the alliance of the Prophet Jesus (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as) yet come about. Therefore, with all this information Bediuzzaman is clearly imparting the welcome tidings that Hazrat Mahdi (as) had not come in an earlier period and that all these awaited developments were explicit signs of his appearance.
The One Powerful Over All Things has Promised It, He will Certainly Bring It About:
Bediuzzaman notes that the coming about of these blessed phenomena is a promise made by Almighty Allah. In the Qur'an, Allah tells all believers of the global dominion of Islamic morality.
This promise of Allah's is revealed as follows in a verse:
Allah has promised those of you who believe and do right actions that He will make them successors in the land as He made those before them successors, and will firmly establish for them their religion with which He is pleased and give them, in place of their fear, security. "They worship Me, not associating anything with Me." Any who disbelieve after that, such people are deviators. (Surat an-Nur, 55)
The fact that Allah will certainly make good His promise is revealed as follows in the Qur'an:
That is Allah's promise. Allah does not break His promise. But most people do not know it. (Surat ar-Rum, 6)
... Allah will not break His promise. (Surah Al ‘Imr'an, 9)
... Allah will not fail to keep His promise. (Surat ar-Ra‘d, 31)
These glad promises made by Allah in the verses of the Qur'an will be kept, insha'Allah. Bediuzzaman uses a very confident term, based on this information in the Qur'an, and reminds us that, by Allah's leave, these phenomena "WILL CERTAINLY COME ABOUT" in the End Times.
The developments described in the hadith of our Prophet (saas) and in these passages from Bediuzzaman have not so far taken place. Indeed, Bediuzzaman says, "HE WILL" and is thus referring to a future event, and not an event "that has taken or is taking place."
The Prophet Jesus (as) has not yet come to Earth for a second time. The entire Muslim and Christian worlds are awaiting the second coming of this blessed individual. His alliance with Hazrat Mahdi (as) has not yet come about either. Bediuzzaman recalls this fact in these passages, and says that the Prophet Jesus (as) and Hazrat Mahdi (as) will come "AT A LATER TIME" than his own.
9. Indeed, IT IS NOT FAR FROM THE WISDOM OF AN ALL-WISE ONE OF GLORY WHO ALL THE TIME SENDS THE ANGELS TO THE EARTH FROM THE HEAVENS, sometimes in human form (like Jibril (as) appearing in the form of Dihya), and sends spirit beings from the Spirit World making them appear in human form, and even sends the spirits of most of the dead saints to the world with similitudes of their bodies, TO CLOTHE THE PROPHET JESUS (AS) IN HIS BODY AND SEND HIM TO THE WORLD, SO TO BRING THE RELIGION OF THE PROPHET JESUS (AS) TO A GOOD CONCLUSION, FOR SUCH A MOMENTOUS RESULT, -EVEN IF HE WAS NOT ALIVE AND PRESENT WITH HIS BODY IN THE HEAVENLY WORLD, AND HAD TRULY DIED AND DEPARTED FOR THE FURTHEST CORNER OF THE HEREAFTER. Indeed HE PROMISED IT because His wisdom required it to be thus, and SINCE HE PROMISED IT, HE WILL MOST CERTAINLY SEND HIM. (Letters / Fifteenth Letter - p.80)
Bediuzzaman once again states that the second coming of the Prophet Jesus (as) is a certain fact, and illuminates the subject by referring to the angels:
Who All the Time Sends the Angels to the Earth from the Heavens:
The return to Earth in the End Times of the Prophet Jesus (as) is one of the miracles of Allah. Bediuzzaman refers to this manifest truth revealed in the Qur'an and the hadith, and describes the second coming of the Prophet Jesus (as) as, by Allah's leave, a total certainty.
Bediuzzaman says that angels also come to Earth, by Allah's leave, when needed, and that the Prophet Jesus (as) will come for the second time, at the time appointed by Allah, and that he will call on people to adopt true religious moral values as a messenger of Allah.
Angels live in a different dimension to those of space and time familiar to human beings. The following verses indicate that the dimension inhabited by the angels is beyond those concepts known to us:
[This punishment is] from Allah – the Lord of the Ascending Steps. The angels and the Spirit ascend to Him in a day whose length is fifty thousand years. (Surat al-Ma‘arij, 3-4)
The reference in this verse to "a day whose length is fifty thousand years" shows that the angels are not bound by the concept of time that we are fettered by. In addition, this is one of the proofs that there is another life beyond the concept of time known to human beings and that this life is not dependant upon a concept of time and space similar to those in this world. It is possible that the Prophet Jesus (as) is living in such a dimension. (Allah knows the truth.)
The reference in this verse to "a day whose length is fifty thousand years" shows that the angels are not bound by the concept of time that we are fettered by. In addition, this is one of the proofs that there is another life beyond the concept of time known to human beings and that this life is not dependant upon a concept of time and space similar to those in this world. It is possible that the Prophet Jesus (as) is living in such a dimension. (Allah knows the truth.)
The fact that angels come to Earth to do things decreed by Allah and at times appointed by Him shows that it is possible, with our Lord's permission, to move from other dimensions to ours. It is revealed in the Qur'an that angels sometimes descend to Earth in order to transmit Allah's revelation, and sometimes, by Allah's leave, to help and support believers:
And when you said to the believers, "Is it not enough for you that your Lord reinforced you with three thousand angels, sent down?" (Surah Al ‘Imran, 124)
He sends down angels with the Spirit of His command to any of His servants He wills: "Give warning that there is no deity but Me, so have fear of Me!" (Surat an-Nahl, 2)
It is also revealed in the Qur'an that angels came as messengers to the Prophets Abraham (as) and Lot (as) and told them of the suffering that would afflict their peoples; that they came to the Prophet Zachariah (as) and told him he would have a child; and that they came to Hazrat Maryam and told her she had been chosen and of the birth of the Prophet Jesus (as). We are also told of the revelation of the Qur'an to our Prophet (saas) by way of the angel Jibril (as), and that the Prophet (saas) saw Jibril (as).
By referring to the angels, Bediuzzaman reveals that the second coming of the Prophet Jesus (as) in human form in the End Times will be in conformity with the law of Allah, and that Allah's promise will be made good.
So to Bring the Religion of the Prophet Jesus (as) to a Good Conclusion, for Such a Momentous Result:
By these words, Bediuzzaman is saying that our Lord will send the Prophet Jesus (as) to Earth for a second time for "AN IMPORTANT, GOOD CONCLUSION." With the return to Earth of the Prophet Jesus (as), Christianity will be cleansed of all false beliefs and practices and will turn to Islam.
By this means, Christianity will be restored to the true form revealed to the Prophet Jesus (as), there will be an alliance between Muslims and genuine Christians, and this alliance around the truth will bring peace to the world.
[The Prophet Jesus (as) Who is] Alive and Present with His Body in the Heavenly World:
Here, Bediuzzaman is stating that, just like the angels, the Prophet Jesus (as) is alive in the Presence of Allah and that he will return to Earth at the time ordained by Allah.
The angels descend to Earth and then return to Allah's Presence at various times appointed by Him. However, the fact that they ascend into the Presence of Allah does not mean that they vanish as we understand the concept in this world. They merely pass over to another dimension and continue to live, but beyond our perception.
In a similar way, the fact that the Prophet Jesus (as) has been taken to the Presence of Allah does not mean that he is dead. Indeed, several verses make it very clear that the Prophet Jesus (as) did not die, and this is also confirmed by the hadith. The Prophet Jesus (as) is alive in a dimension we cannot comprehend. In addition, the fact that the angels can move between two dimensions, by Allah's leave, shows that this is an easy matter if our Lord so ordains.
When the time appointed by Allah comes, the Prophet Jesus (as) will return to Earth and he will call people to the true religious moral values as the messenger of our Lord. Bediuzzaman also expresses this fact by these words.
In the words "[THE PROPHET JESUS (AS) WHO IS] ALIVE AND PRESENT WITH HIS BODY IN THE HEAVENLY WORLD," Bediuzzaman is telling us that the Prophet Jesus (as) did not die, that he is still alive and will return to Earth in human form. Bediuzzaman thus reveals that the Prophet Jesus (as) is not a collective personality and is imparting the good news that this blessed prophet will return to Earth, as a miracle from Allah "AS AN INDIVIDUAL IN HUMAN FORM."
It is not far from the wisdom of an all-wise one of glory … to clothe the Prophet Jesus (as) in his body and send him to the world … for such a momentous result, -even if he … had truly died and departed for the furthest corner of the Hereafter:
With these words, Bediuzzaman reminds us that our Lord's might is infinite and that He has the power to do whatever He wills, and says that the second coming of the Prophet Jesus (as) will, by Allah's leave, definitely come about. Bediuzzaman's mentioning our Lord's infinite might in his description of the coming of the Prophet Jesus (as) is certainly one of the clearest indications of his absolute certainty on the subject.
Bediuzzaman gives an example here and says that "IT IS NOT FAR FROM THE WISDOM OF AN ALL-WISE ONE OF GLORY … TO CLOTHE HIM IN HIS BODY AND SEND HIM TO THE WORLD … for such a momentous result, EVEN IF HE … HAD TRULY DIED." By these words, Bediuzzaman is explicitly referring to a "HUMAN BEING" and revealing that the Prophet Jesus (as) is not a collective personality.
He is once again imparting the glad tidings that, with our Lord's leave, the Prophet Jesus (as) will return to Earth as "A PERSON" in the End Times.
Since He Promised It, He will most Certainly Send Him:
Allah has revealed that the Prophet Jesus (as) will return to Earth. He will definitely keep this promise.
All this evidence is a sign that those people who try to deny that the Prophet Jesus (as) did not die and the fact that he will return to Earth, out of a failure to properly appreciate the might and greatness of Allah, are making a grave error.
It must not be forgotten that Allah is the All-Mighty, and has the power to do anything. He creates what He wills, in the form He wills. His knowledge is infinite. When the time appointed by Allah comes a great miracle will take place and the Prophet Jesus (as) will return to Earth. This fact is imparted in verses and hadith and is a marvel that all believers must reflect on. Bediuzzaman also expressed this promise made by Allah and, reminding us, as revealed in the Qur'an, that our Lord is He Who does not break His promises, imparts the glad tidings that the return to Earth, in human form, of the Prophet Jesus (as) is a "CERTAIN FACT."
10. ... WHEN THE PROPHET JESUS (AS) COMES, it is not necessary that everyone should know HIM TO BE THE TRUE JESUS. HIS ELECT AND THOSE CLOSE TO HIM WILL RECOGNISE HIM through the light of faith. It will not be self-evident, so NOT EVERYONE WILL RECOGNISE HIM ... (Letters / Fifteenth Letter - p.80)
Bediuzzaman says that in the early years of the Prophet Jesus' (as) return to Earth the number of those who know who he is will be very small. His close followers and students with a profound faith will be able to recognise him through the luminosity of faith, but society in general will not know he is the Prophet Jesus (as):
When the Prophet Jesus (as) Comes:
By the words "WHEN THE PROPHET JESUS (AS) COMES" Bediuzzaman is shedding light on a number of important matters. With the words "WHEN [HE] ... COMES" Bediuzzaman is imparting the tidings that the Prophet Jesus (as) will "DEFINITELY COME." Bediuzzaman uses the verb "COME" to make it clear that the Prophet Jesus (as) is "AN INDIVIDUAL," not a "spiritual entity."
A collective personality cannot "come" anywhere. A collective personality can only "form." "COMING" is an action specific to human beings. By these words Bediuzzaman is emphasizing this significant difference and making it certain that the Prophet Jesus (as) will return as a human being.
Him to be the True Jesus:
By these words Bediuzzaman is again emphasizing that the Prophet Jesus (as) is "A HUMAN BEING" and not a spiritual entity. By referring to "THE TRUE JESUS" Bediuzzaman is again referring to "A PERSON", the difference between the Prophet Jesus (as) and other people being made definite by the use of the word "TRUE." Bediuzzaman also uses the pronoun "HIM" to again reiterate the fact that the Prophet Jesus (as) is "A HUMAN BEING." In addition, Bediuzzaman's use of the words "THE TRUE JESUS" emphasize that when he returns he will be different from the "false Messiahs," who also are all human beings, and that this blessed individual will be "THE TRUE JESUS."
When the Prophet Jesus (as) returns, together with all those features that agree with the descriptions provided in the Qur'an and the hadith, he will be distinguished from all the false messiahs and, as Bediuzzaman emphasizes, will be "the true Jesus."
His Elect and Those Close to Him:
Bediuzzaman uses the words "HIS ELECT AND THOSE CLOSE TO HIM" to say that the Prophet Jesus (as) will have "CLOSE FOLLOWERS POSSESSED OF PROFOUND FAITH." It is impossible for a collective personality to have "followers" or "people close to it." Only a person can have followers.
Bediuzzaman was certainly very well aware of this. By referring to the followers of the Prophet Jesus (as) he is telling Muslims that the Prophet Jesus (as) is not a collective personality and that this blessed individual will personally be at the head of his followers.
Will Recognise Him:
By his use of the word "HIM" Bediuzzaman is again stating that the Prophet Jesus (as) will come as "A PERSON." Bediuzzaman's use of the word "RECOGNISE" puts the matter beyond all doubt. Only a "PERSON", an "INDIVIDUAL" can be recognised. It is of course impossible for "its close followers to recognise a collective personality."
However, Bediuzzaman does say that the followers of the Prophet Jesus (as) possessed of profound faith and close to him will recognise him through the light of that faith. Bediuzzaman is of course well aware of this as he imparts this information. Bediuzzaman issues these statements in a highly conscious manner and thus proves that the Prophet Jesus (as) is "AN INDIVIDUAL" who will be recognised by believers.
Not Everyone will Recognise Him:
By saying "NOT EVERYONE WILL RECOGNISE HIM" Bediuzzaman is making it clear that in the early days of his coming not everyone will know who he is, in other words, that society as a whole will not recognise him. Bediuzzaman uses these words to once again draw our attention to the property of the verb "RECOGNISE" which is described above and unique to human beings. If Bediuzzaman thought that the Prophet Jesus (as) was a collective personality he would not have made such a statement or have referred to the Prophet Jesus (as) being recognised. But by using the word "HIM" Bediuzzaman is stating that the Prophet Jesus (as) is "A PERSON" and explains who will not be able to recognise him, thus once again emphasizing the matter.
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