‘If thou wert in doubt as to what We have revealed unto thee, then ask those who have been reading the Book from before thee….’ (Surah, 10, Yunus, verse 94)
In much of today’s decadent Western world Easter is mainly associated with a few more days off and tasty chocolate eggs. However, for practising Christians it marks the biggest, most breath-taking celebration of the year! The festival of Easter reminds them that Jesus died on a cross to pay the punishment for the sins of the world and of his subsequent resurrection. The purpose of this article is to examine what the Quran has to say on the profound truth that has changed the lives of countless millions of people.
In Surah 19, Maryam, verse 33, Jesus is described as saying shortly after birth:
‘So Peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life (again)’
Identical words are used a few verses earlier to describe the live of the prophet Yahya who died a violent death through beheading.[1] Furthermore, Surah 4, Al Nisa’, verse 159, also mentions the death of Jesus. However, interpreters are not agreed as to the exact meaning. There are a number of other verses in the Quran that confirm the death of Jesus:
Behold! Allah said: ‘O Jesus! I will take thee (Arabic: ‘mutawaffika’) and raise thee to Myself…’ (Surah 3, Ali ‘Imran, 55, also Surah 5, Al Ma’idah, verse 117)
The translation of ‘mutawaffika’ in this verse is disputed among Muslim scholars. The word and its derivation are found over 25 times in the Quran.[2] In all but two places they imply death, or are associated with it. In the two exceptions[3] the context reveals that ‘mutawaffika’ figuratively means slumber. This is not the case in the two verses that speak about the death of Jesus![4]
If Jesus did not die on the cross, Surah 19, Maryam, verse 31 would not make sense. There Jesus is reported to have said,
‘…and hath enjoined on me Prayer and Charity so long as I live:’
According to the traditional Muslim view, Jesus was taken up to heaven alive. But nobody can seriously believe that he still gives alms up to this day! . . . Continue reading by clicking here: Easter Story found in the Quran 2026
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[1] Surah 19, Maryam, verse 15
[2] Surahs: 2:234,240; 3:55,193; 4:15,97, 5:117; 6:61; 8:50; 10:46,104; 12:101; 13:40; 16:28,32,70; 22:5; 32:11; 40:67,77; 47:27.
[3] Surahs 6:60; 39:42
[4] Surahs 3:55; 5:117)
