We are all familiar with the story of Maryam (AS) being given a child by Allah (SWT) – the miracle of the child ‘Isa (AS).
Jibreel (AS) descended upon Maryam and informed her of her gift, but she was distraught, knowing she would not be able to explain such a sudden event to her people. Jibreel (AS) told her:
“You are not responsible for justifying this. In fact, tell them that you are fasting.”
In Bani Isra’il, there was a type of fast where a person would abstain not only from food and drink but also from speech.
So, she delivers the baby, and now it is time for her to return to her people. As she is going back, some people spot her and say:
“What is this? What a scandal! What have you done? You are from a good family—we never expected this from you.”
Maryam did not respond. She simply pointed to the child. They said:
“How are we supposed to speak to a newborn child?”
Now the next miracle of ‘Isa (AS) appeared. Allah (SWT) allowed him to speak as a newborn. Allah (SWT) quotes what ‘Isa (AS) said at that moment:
“Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet. And He has made me blessed wherever I may be and has enjoined upon me prayer and zakat as long as I remain alive, and [He made me] dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me a wretched tyrant. And peace is on me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I am raised alive.”
(Quran 19:30–33)
This was ‘Isa (AS) introducing himself to mankind—and the first thing he said was:
“I am the slave of Allah,”
not “I am the son of Allah.”
As he grew older and many miracles appeared through him, Allah (SWT) gave him the instruction to invite people towards Him.
He was sent to the same people who had constantly gone astray, opposed their prophets, and rejected the commandments of Allah (SWT). ‘Isa (AS) came with miracles to direct people toward the power of Allah (SWT)—as signs proving that he was indeed a prophet of Allah.
He told them:
“Allah has sent me to you. He has given me knowledge of the previously revealed books. He has taught me the Torah and given me the Injil (Gospel). I have come to affirm the Torah and to make lawful some of what was forbidden to you.”
“…confirming what was before me of the Torah and to make lawful for you some of what was forbidden to you. And I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so fear Allah and obey me.”
(Quran 3:50)
However, the people of Bani Isra’il, who had already strayed from the teachings of their previous prophets, rejected his message—especially because he was calling for changes in what they were falsely upholding as divine law.
Some did believe in him after seeing his miracles, while others did not. Thus, Bani Isra’il became divided:
Those who believed in ‘Isa (AS),
Those who rejected him,
And those who pretended to support him only to plot against him.
These pretenders went to the ruling authorities and said:
“This man is misleading us. He will create turmoil in your kingdom. You must get rid of him. We will help you.”
Meanwhile, ‘Isa (AS), aware of this opposition, turned to his closest companions and said:
“Who are my helpers in the cause of Allah?”
They replied:
“We are the helpers of Allah. We believe in Allah, so record us among the witnesses.”
(Quran 3:52)
Despite this, they were secretly plotting to betray him. They made a plan with the king to arrest and execute ‘Isa (AS).
But Allah (SWT) says:
“And they planned, and Allah planned. And Allah is the best of planners.”
(Quran 3:54)
Their plan was to trap ‘Isa (AS). Allah (SWT)’s plan was to save him.
When the soldiers came to the house where ‘Isa (AS) was staying, Allah (SWT) raised him to the heavens, and one of the conspirators was made to resemble ‘Isa (AS).
When the king’s men stormed in, they captured the man who resembled him, thinking he was ‘Isa (AS). They tied him, beat him, placed a crown of thorns on his head, dragged him for miles, and ultimately crucified him.
Crucifixion was a torturous punishment. They would nail stakes through a person’s arms and legs, then shatter their knees so they could no longer support themselves. The person would then hang from the nails, bleeding to death.
However, this did not happen to ‘Isa (AS). Allah (SWT) says:
“And [they] did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them…”
(Quran 4:157)
Allah (SWT) will later send ‘Isa (AS) back down to Shām.
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) tells us that he will descend in Damascus, near the white minaret, carried by angels. He will come down on a ladder, at the time of salah. The people will bring him forward to lead the prayer, but he will decline.
The Mahdi—the person chosen by Allah (SWT) to lead the Ummah at that time—will lead the prayer.
‘Isa (AS) will return as a follower of Muhammad (SAW). This will all take place in that blessed land. Armies will gather around ‘Isa (AS) and the Mahdi, and ‘Isa (AS) will clarify that his mission is solely to deal with the Dajjāl. Everything else will be handled by the Ummah of Muhammad (SAW).
The Qur’an says:
“And there is none from the People of the Scripture but that he will surely believe in him before his death. And on the Day of Resurrection, he will be against them a witness.”
(Quran 4:159)
At that time, all Christians will believe in him as he truly is—not as the son of Allah (SWT), but as a prophet. He will return as a follower of Muhammad (SAW), and they will accept Islam based on this truth.
This event historically marks the greatest occurrence in the land of Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa before the time of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
As you know, about 600 years passed between ‘Isa (AS) and the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Many things happened in that land, but this was the single most significant event leading up to the Prophet (SAW)’s time.
Six and a half centuries later, when the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was granted prophethood, he once again revived the importance of Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa and Bayt Al-Maqdis.
And how was this done? By no other means than Allah (SWT) Himself taking the Prophet (SAW) there.
Allah (SWT) did not only bring him there, but He also assembled all the prophets there, and they met him in that very place.That, inshaAllah, is what we will speak about next.
