The Return of Jesus (pbuh) in Islamic Belief: Prophecies, Truths, and Misconceptions
Explore the Islamic perspective on Jesus (pbuh), his second coming, and his role in bridging Christianity and Islam. Discover Bediüzzaman Said Nursî’s interpretations and what they mean for modern times.
Editors 
The Return of Jesus (pbuh) in Islamic Belief: Prophecies, Truths, and Misconceptions
A Prophetic Connection Between Christianity and Islam
The story of Jesus (peace be upon him) remains an integral part of Islamic theology, highlighting the shared spiritual lineage between Christianity and Islam. While Christians regard him as the Messiah and the Son of God, Islam reveres him as a prophet and a messenger of Allah. In fact, belief in Jesus is one of the six pillars of faith in Islam.
What makes this connection even more significant is the Islamic prophecy of his second coming—a moment tied closely with the end of times. Islamic scriptures and interpretations by scholars such as Bediüzzaman Said Nursî provide a fascinating perspective on this narrative.
Who Was Jesus (pbuh) According to Islam?
- A Prophet and Messenger: In Islam, Jesus is considered one of the greatest prophets who was sent to guide humanity with the Gospel (Injil).
- A Bridge Between Faiths: His role as a precursor to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is explicitly mentioned in the Qur’an and other Islamic texts.
- The Foreteller: The Gospel of Barnabas explicitly mentions the coming of the final prophet, Muhammad (pbuh), referred to as “Ahmed,” a name synonymous with Muhammad.
The Second Coming: A Shared Belief Across Faiths
The Qur’an and over 80 Hadiths (Prophet Muhammad’s sayings) reference the return of Jesus to earth. Islamic belief holds that Jesus will descend during the end times to defeat the Antichrist (Dajjal) and establish justice.
Prominent Islamic scholar Bediüzzaman Said Nursî interpreted these prophecies with a unique perspective, emphasizing that the return of Jesus is not merely physical but also symbolic. His insights underline the spiritual revival of the values Jesus stood for, rather than expecting a literal, miraculous descent.
Bediüzzaman Said Nursî’s Interpretation
According to Nursî:
- The concept of Jesus’ return is a metaphor for the revival of morality and faith among humankind.
- The "battle" with the Antichrist represents the ideological struggle between faith and materialistic disbelief.
- Jesus, as a figure of spiritual guidance, will align with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad to restore balance and justice.
His interpretations also address misconceptions that often arise among both Muslims and Christians. He warned against waiting for miraculous, larger-than-life events, urging believers to focus on spiritual enlightenment.
What Does This Mean for Today’s World?
The message of Jesus’ return resonates deeply in the modern era, where moral and ethical challenges abound. The "Antichrist" can be understood as a symbol of global injustices, unchecked materialism, and the loss of spiritual values.
Islamic theology suggests that individuals must look inward to rediscover faith and align with divine guidance. By doing so, humanity can collectively overcome the crises that plague the world today.
The Gospel of Barnabas: A Forgotten Revelation
One of the lesser-known texts, the Gospel of Barnabas, offers profound insights into the relationship between Jesus and Muhammad (pbuh).
In Chapter 72, Jesus is quoted as saying:
“I have come to prepare the way for Allah’s messenger, whose name is Ahmed. He will come after me to restore true faith.”
This passage reinforces the interconnectedness of these Abrahamic religions and highlights Islam’s reverence for Jesus.
