This is certainly the belief of most Muslims. But is this belief really justified by the words of the Qur'an?
Let's look at the most relevant passage:
That they said (in boast), "We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah";- but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not ( Qur'an 4:157, Yusuf Ali translation)
The "they" in question here refers to the Jews as is made clear in the preceding verses.
At first glance this does seem to deny that Jesus was put to death on the Cross which would contradict the Bible and Christian teaching. But let's look more closely at what is actually being said. The passage does NOT say Jesus did not die nor that he was not crucified. It simply says the
Jewish claim to have crucified and killed Christ is false. The Bible and Christians would agree for it was not the Jews who put Jesus to death on the Cross but the
Romans.
The phrase "but so it was made to appear to them" has led to Muslim belief that someone else was placed on the cross besides Jesus. It should be stated emphatically that in no place in the Qur'an is this idea ever stated. It is simply a means of interpreting that part of the verse.
It is often stated by Muslims that God would not allow a prophet to die in such a manner and that is why Jesus was spared this fate. Yet just a few verses before this the Qur'an states:
(They have incurred divine displeasure): In that they broke their covenant; that they rejected the signs of Allah; that they slew the Messengers in defiance of right; that they said, "Our hearts are the wrappings (which preserve Allah's Word; We need no more)";- Nay, Allah hath set the seal on their hearts for their blasphemy, and little is it they believe (4:155, my emphasis)
So the Qur'an affirms prophets have died in the way of God. Moreover, in both Islam and Christianity, it is considered one of the highest honors to die the death of a martyr. If an ordinary believer would be willing to die in such a manner certainly a prophet or messenger would be even more willing to do so. To have someone die in one's place would not be noble but a cowardly act, not in the character of a true prophet or messenger of God.
(more to come on this subject)
