FOREWORD
We gave Moses the Book and sent
a succession of Messengers after him. We gave Jesus, son of Mary,
the Clear Signs and reinforced him with the Purest Spirit... (Qur’an,
2:87)
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ver since time
began, God's prophets and messengers have called people to the true path.
Some people heeded this call and surrendered themselves to God, thus attaining
an honorable life in this world and in the Hereafter. Others persisted
in their unbelief, thus earning a troubled and difficult life in this
world and eternal suffering in the Hereafter. Just like the other prophets
sent by God, Jesus (pbuh) commanded his society to worship God, the One
and Only, and to live with the knowledge that they will have to account
for themselves on the Day of Judgment, recommended that they live by moral
values that please God, and called on them to avoid denial, polytheism,
and evil in all of its forms. Those who rejected his call tried to pressure
him and those who followed him to give up their mission. For that reason,
as has happened with many prophets and believers throughout history, they
set traps for Jesus (pbuh). One of these was how they would kill him.
However, with his unique birth and the miracles he performed, Jesus (pbuh)
was one of God's blessed prophets. God laid out a specific destiny for
him, and thus all of the unbelievers' traps came to nothing. The Qur'an
reveals that Jesus' (pbuh) enemies failed to kill him, although they were
made to think that they had. God raised Jesus (pbuh) to His presence while
he was still alive. The Qur'an, as well as the words of our beloved Prophet
(may God bless him and grant him peace), say that Jesus (pbuh) will return
to Earth, a great miracle indeed.
Those who maintain that Jesus (pbuh) was killed or is dead are making
a serious mistake. One purpose in writing this book is to explain why
this is so. In the following pages, we will examine the Qur'anic verses
and the hadith of Prophet Muhammad (may God bless him and grant him peace)
that reveal the truth of this issue, which has confused so many people
over the centuries.
In addition, this book will remind the reader of two important tidings:
Jesus' (pbuh) return to Earth and the signs that will precede this event.
By God's will, his second coming has drawn near, and the world will witness
great events when it becomes a reality. All sincere believers need to
prepare for this miraculous period in the most appropriate way.
Before examining the proofs that Jesus (pbuh) is not dead and will return
to Earth, we will clarify several important points.
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