بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
The Second Coming
Unlike all other
prophets, Eesa (as) has not yet experienced his death on earth as he was taken
to Heaven alive by Allah. The return of Eesa (as) to earth by the decree of Allah will be one of the major signs of the
coming of the Day of Judgement. Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم told his companions about the return of Eesa (as). One narration describes the nature of
his return to earth by detailing that its duration will be forty years and that Eesa (as) will descend
on the white minaret in Damascus after the morning prayer has been called.
Another hadith of the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم narrated by Imam Ahmad
describes how Eesa (as) will unite the people under the banner of Islam and defeat
the Dajjal (Anti-Christ), how his reign will be one of peace on earth and how
finally he will die and be buried like all prophets before him:
The prophets are like brothers with different mothers, their religion is one, but their mothers are different. I am worthier of Jesus than others because there was no prophet between me and him. He will come down from the heaven, and when you see him you will recognise him. He is a man of middle height with a complexion of red and white, of graceful stature. He head will seem to be dripping with water though it will not be wet, he will be having two staffs. He will break the Cross, kill the swine, impose the Jizyah (tax) and will destroy the other religions till you find none of them except Islam. God will destroy the Dajjal (Anti-Christ) on his hand, and peace will prevail. You will see a camel grazing alongside with lions, tigers alongside with cows and sheep with wolves. Children will be playing with snakes and they will not be harming each other. Jesus will stay for an appointed time, then he will die. Muslims will offer his funeral prayer and then bury him.
The story of
Prophet Eesa (as) is one full of miracles and blessings from before the moment
this great prophet was born and will be until Eesa (as) returns to earth to
live out the rest of his life before he too tastes death in this world. It does not come as a surprise that Allah chose
the setting for this amazing life to be Bayt Al Maqdis, the land blessed for
all time. First the scene of the life of
Maryam (as), the best woman of all creation, and then her son, one of Allah’s
greatest prophets, the Holy Land again and again features in the lives of those
chosen by Allah and elevated above others.
Maryam (as) lived and worshipped in Masjid Al Aqsa, while Eesa (as) was
born, grew up in and preached the message of Allah in Al Quds and its
surrounding areas. From there he was
also miraculously taken to Heaven by Allah while still alive. It is not only Muslims who make this
connection between the land of Palestine and Prophet Eesa (as). Christians also hold the area, particularly
Bayt Lahm (Bethlehem), as sacred because of its connections with this amazing
man and prophet.
As Muslims we
should take hope from the story of Eesa (as).
Eesa (as) was steadfast in his belief, hope and trust in Allah despite
the many difficulties he faced. In
return, Allah granted honour to His prophet and aided him against his
enemies. We ask Allah to return honour
and freedom to Palestine, the scene of the lives of so many of His blessed and
elevated slaves.
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