In our previous article, we explained that the Christians’ faith of crucifixion could not have been originated from the original Gospel which was revealed to the Prophet Jesus (pbuh). There are various Gospels which were written after the Prophet Jesus (pbuh). Each one of these Gospels depict the very same incident in a different way and each Book has many contradictions within itself. Only these two features provide enough evidence to be doubtful about the information conveyed in these books. Our Christian brothers are also aware that, apart from the existence of many true and righteous accounts in the Gospel, the parts in question which they claim to be divine revealations do not provide a common account; accordingly this state casts serious doubts over the accuracy of the information provided. These contradictory passages must make our Christian brothers adopt a more objective view about the issue, because the contradictions in question are not the kind of statements that can be explained away or denied. They are solid evidences sufficient enough to present the inaccuracy of the conservative belief that the current Gospel is of undistorted, precise pronouncements. Accordingly it is of great importance for our Christian brothers to pay attention to the evidence provided below. This aside, it is unacceptable that a piece of information conveying the so-called death of the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) is considered as a righteous revelation revealed to the Prophet Jesus (pbuh):
In the Qur’an God expresseses certain information that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) did not die:
In the Qur’an God provides accurate information about the crucifixion of the Prophet Jesus (pbuh), which is described in the Gospel with contradictory and doubtful explanations. In the Qur’an, God makes it clear that SCHEMES MADE TOWARDS THE PROPHET JESUS (PBUH) ARE THWARTED AND THAT THEY CERTAINLY DID NOT KILL HİM:
and their saying, ‘We killed the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, Messenger of God.’ 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)
In the Qur’an, that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was not killed is stressed twice in the same verse and it is stated that those who advocate the belief that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was killed have no real knowledge of it. This is a very clear statement.
Someone resembling to the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was crucified:
In the same verse in the Qur’an God reveals, "They did not kill him and they did not crucify him but IT WAS MADE TO SEEM SO TO THEM.” (Surat an-Nisa’, 157), and informs us that the person who was crucified was another person who was resembling the Prophet Jesus (pbuh). The individual who was crucified instead of the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was Judas Iscariot, who acted treacherously towards the Prophet Jesus (pbuh). As a great miracle, God made Judas Iscariot seem like the Prophet Jesus (pbuh). When they came to take the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) to crucify him, they took Judas Iscariot who was present there and crucified him. Besides, because Judas Iscariot’s face was covered with blood, people also did not understand that it was not the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) who was crucified. In the latter part of Surat an-Nisa’ 157, God relates, "They have no real knowledge of it, just conjecture." Indeed, in the Gospel, the words which are conveyed as the last words of the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) ["Elohi, Elohi, lama sabachthani?" which means, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?"], is again a continuation of the same delusion and the expression of disbelief in question belong to Judas Iscariot, whose plot was thwarted and was crucified instead of the Prophet Jesus (pbuh). Indeed, it is obvious that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh), who was a servant of God who wholeheartedly submitted to God and loved Him, could not have told these words. One can only expect to hear such rebellious expressions from a hypocrite.
The disappearance of Judas Iscariot cccording to the Gospel:
Parallel to what is revealed by the verses of the Qur’an and these explanations also supported by various sources, there are passages in Gospel that may provide evidence that a disciple of the Prophet Jesus (pbuh), Judas Iscariot, was crucified instead of him. According to these passages we need to notice that just after the crucifixion Judas Iscariot disappeared. Various Gospel authors try to explain away this subject in many ways and have contradicted with one other. The contradictory explanations regarding the disappearance of Iscariot in the Gospel is as follows:
Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.
When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." "What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility." So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. (Matthew 27: 1-5)
In those days Peter stood up among the believers and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled ...through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus—he was one of our number and shared in this ministry."
With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. (Acts 1: 5-18)
Despite the fact that some explanations in the Gospel contradict with one another, there is consensus on the disappearance of Judas Iscariot just after the crucifixation. Judas Iscariot disappeared, because the one who was crucified and killed was Judas Iscariot. Judas Iscariot, who normally looked like the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) in the physical sense, was made to seem more like the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) as a miracle of God. Upon this, soldiers were mistaken and took him to the crucifix instead of The Prophet Jesus (pbuh). Just before this incident, by God’s command, the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was taken to the heavens by angels, into the Sight of God.
In the Qur’an God informs that the plot against the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was “thwarted”:
In the leadership of Judas Iscariot who was a hypocrite, unbelievers plotted against the Prophet Jesus (pbuh). The purpose of this plot was to kill the Prophet Jesus (pbuh). However, in the Qur’an God INFORMS US THAT THE PLOT AGAINST THE PROPHET JESUS (PBUH) WAS THWARTED. If, in one way, The Prophet Jesus (pbuh) died, this would mean unbelievers’ plot coming to a favorable end on their part, and this is impossible. THAT PLOT WAS THWARTED. THE PROPHET JESUS (PBUH), IN NO WAY, DIED AND WAS NOT MURDERED. God informs us about this fact in the Qur’an thus:
When Jesus sensed disbelief on their part, he said, ‘Who will be my helpers to God?’ The disciples said, ‘We are God's helpers. We believe in God. Bear witness that we are Muslims. Our Lord, we have faith in what You have sent down and have followed the Messenger, so write us down among the witnesses.’THEY PLOTTED AND GOD PLOTTED. BUT GOD IS THE BEST OF PLOTTERS. (Surah Al ‘Imran, 52-54)
If the plots of unbelievers succeeded, this would surely be related in the Qur’an. On the contrary, we know from the Qur’an that the plots against the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) came to nothing and that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was raised to the Sight of God.
You can read further information about the subject on this link.
It is a great blessing for sincere believers that a stealthy plot against The Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was thwarted:
Despite very clear evidence, those who insist on the claim that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was killed should think wisely and re-read the Qur’an with an open mind and and keep their mind free of any prejudices. The Prophet Jesus (pbuh) did not die; he was honorably raised to the heavens. For a sincere Christian, there is no meaning in being insistent upon the claim that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was killed. For a Christian, it is a blessing to know and believe that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) did not die, that he was saved from the plots of unbelivers and that he is in our Lord’s Sight. Insistently turning one’s face from such glad tidings, not wanting the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) to be alive despite all these facts revealed is a strange attitude.
Some Christians claim that Muslims object the belief that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) is not alive, because they think it is unbecoming for a prophet to suffer. However Muslims believe in it simply because it is stated so in the Qur’an. The key point that deserves mention here is the following:
Surely God has tested Prophets with various affliction, hardships and trials. As a requisite of the trial in this world, God also granted temporary triumph to unbelievers. But God never lets His Prophets to be in a state that will, in the eyes of unbelievers, make them seem as if they were weak. Accordingly, such a state also holds true for the Prophet Jesus (pbuh). Believing that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) did not die is also good for Christians. Indeed, in the End Times when the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) will be sent back to earth, Christians will see that he has no scar on his palms or feet. In the End Times in which we live the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) will come back to earth with the clothes, belongings he had on 2000 years ago, and the money dating back to 2000 years. When these happen, Christians will be better convinced, Insha'Allah.
You can read further information about the subject on this link.
The delusion of redemption:
One of the main reasons why this claim – the so-called death of the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) - was subsequently introduced into the Gospel and has been since persistently upheld is to be able to lay the ground for another erronous viewpoint, that is, Redemption. This subject will be expanded on our next article. However we can briefly say that according to the Qur’an, it is impossible for a baby to be born as a sinner. Again according to the Qur’an, no one can take on another’s wrongdoing, and everyone will give an account of his deeds and every moment he spends in this life by himself. The contrary would be incompatible with God’s justice and the purpose of this life’s creation. Accordingly a life that is free of sins can by no means be valid in Christianity or any other religion. This claim was probably introduced to Christianity by various circles in order to put away with religious responsibilities in daily life and those that are brought by as the requisite of faith in God. In order to validate it, the circles in question had to spread the view that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) had died. Sincere Christians need to see the inaccuracy of this belief.
