Why Does the Quran Deny the Crucifixion of Jesus? The Islamic Perspective
So why do Muslims believe Jesus wasn’t crucified according to the Quran (4:157)? What does the Quran actually teach about who Prophet Jesus was?
A New Perspective About Jesus
Did you know that over 1.8 billion Muslims don’t believe Jesus was crucified? On the contrary, Christians across the globe see the crucifixion as a core tenet of their faith, the Quran paints a completely different picture. This is one of the factors that distinguishes the two religions.
So let’s delve deeper and explore what the Quran actually says about Jesus’s crucifixion and why Muslims don’t believe that he died for the sins of mankind.
What Does the Quran Say About Jesus’s Crucifixion?
The Quran speaks about the crucifixion:
“And for their saying, ‘We have killed the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, the Messenger of God.’ They did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but it was made to appear so to them. Those who disagree about him are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it, except the following of conjecture. They certainly did not kill him. Rather, God raised him up to Himself. God is Almighty, All-Wise” (Quran 4:157-158).
These verses clearly indicate that Jesus was neither killed nor was he crucified but that God raised Jesus up to Himself.
Why Does the Quran Reject the Crucifixion?
1. God Protects His Messengers
Islam teaches us that God doesn’t abandon His beloved Prophets to be humiliated especially after they pray to Him to be saved. The Quran consistently shows God saving His messengers:
- Noah was saved from the flood
- Abraham was saved from the fire
- Moses was saved from Pharaoh
- Jonah was saved from the whale
Why would God allow His beloved messenger Jesus to suffer such a defeat? In fact, as per the Bible, the way Jesus was crucified actually shows that he was under God’s “curse” (Galatians 3:13 & Deuteronomy 21:22-23). Why would God allow his beloved to be cursed and humiliated?
2. Justice and Personal Responsibility
The Quran emphasizes that everyone is responsible for their own actions and not the actions of others. No one can bear another person’s sins:
“No bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another” (Quran 6:164).
This means each person must repent directly to God for forgiveness. The idea that anyone’s death could erase your sins goes against the Quran’s teaching about personal accountability. This concept is actually emphasized even in in the Bible:
“Every man shall be put to death for his own sin” (Deuteronomy 24:16).
3. God’s Mercy Doesn’t Require Sacrifice
In Islam, God is All-Merciful and His Mercy is infinite and doesn’t need a “payment” or sacrifice. The Quran mentions God’s mercy over 200 times! When someone sincerely repents, God forgives them directly:
“Say, ‘O My servants who have wronged themselves: do not despair of God’s mercy, for God forgives all sins. He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful'” (Quran 39:53).
Jesus emphasized repentance throughout his mission. He said:
“I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32).
Islam teaches that you have a direct relationship with God and that you seek forgiveness directly from Him alone.
What Really Happened According to Islamic Belief?
Although the crucifixion did happen, the Quran does not specify exactly what happened. What it makes explicitly clear is that God raised Jesus up to Himself before his enemies could harm him, thereby protecting him from crucifixion.
Jesus Is Honored in Islam
Even though Muslims don’t believe Jesus was crucified, he still remains a chosen Prophet and a role model for all the Muslims. In fact, no Muslim is a Muslim unless he/she has love for Jesus (peace be upon him). So what exactly does the Quran teach about Jesus and how exactly does it honor him?
- His Miraculous Birth: Muslims believe in the virgin birth of Jesus
- His Mother: The Quran honors Mary, the only woman mentioned by name in the Quran
- His Miracles: The Quran confirms Jesus performed many miracles by God’s permission
- His Message: Jesus preached the worship of One God and morality
- His Return: Jesus will return before the Day of Judgment to establish God’s law
- His Honor: Jesus is mentioned 25 times by name in the Quran
Different Perspectives: Christian vs Muslim
Understanding why the Quran denies the crucifixion helps us appreciate and understand differences in how Muslims and Christians view:
- Salvation: Muslims worship and seek forgiveness from God directly, while Christianity emphasizes that Jesus’s death paid the price for our sins.
- God’s Nature: Islam emphasizes that God honors and protects His Prophets, while Christianity sees meaning in suffering
- Personal Responsibility: Islam stresses individual accountability, denies original sin and explains that sin is an act of disobedience against God.
Common Questions Christians Ask Muslims
“If God is All-Powerful, why couldn’t He save Jesus?”
Islam teaches that God absolutely could and did save Jesus. God loves, protects and honors those who strive for His cause, especially the Prophets and Messengers.
“Doesn’t someone need to pay for sins?”
In Islam, sincere repentance and God’s mercy are enough. Every person is accountable for their own actions and not the actions of others. God doesn’t need payment, He forgives and shows mercy for all those who turn to Him.
“What about all the witnesses who saw the crucifixion?”
The Quran says “it was made to appear so to them” suggesting people may have believed they saw Jesus crucified, even though they didn’t.
Doesn’t God need a sacrifice to forgive sins?
Islam teaches that God is not dependent on sacrifice, blood, or anything, and forgives directly for all those who turn to Him sincerely in repentance.
“Indeed, Allah loves those who repent and loves those who purify themselves.” (Quran 2:222).
God is All-Merciful, meaning a debt doesn’t need to be paid even by someone else; God can forgive sins just like that.
Even the Bible shows this principle:
“A wicked person who turns and keeps the commandments “shall surely live; none of his offenses will be remembered.” (Ezekiel 18:19-23).
“I desire mercy, not sacrifice; acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.” (Hosea 6:6).
“You do not delight in sacrifice… the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.” (Psalm 51:15-17).
We can see only three narrow instances of sacrifice mentioned in Leviticus (unintentional wrongs, unresolved guilt, the Day of Atonement), but in normal transgressions, direct repentance was enough.
Commonality in Regards to Jesus
While Muslims and Christians disagree about the crucifixion and the nature of Jesus, both religions deeply love and respect Jesus, believe in the miracles he performed, give importance to his mission and message and anticipate his return.
- Deep love and respect for Jesus
- Belief in his miraculous nature
- Recognition of his important message
- Anticipation of his return
However, Islam emphasizes direct prayer and worship, sincere repentance, and God’s abundant mercy, not through sacrifice or intermediaries. It also teaches us that Islam was the message of Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and all other Messengers of God (peace be upon them). How about you order your Free Quran and explore for yourself what it says about Jesus and his message.