Introduction:

Christianity teaches that Jesus Christ died on the cross as a sacrifice to atone for humanity’s sins. This event, known as the Crucifixion, is seen as the foundation of salvation—through Jesus’s death and resurrection, mankind is reconciled to God. In contrast, Islam presents a different account and understanding of salvation. The Qur’an explicitly teaches that Jesus (ʿĪsā) was neither crucified nor killed; rather, he was raised by Allah—his mission fulfilled, his honor preserved, while his followers were misled afterward. This article outlines Islam’s view of the Crucifixion, explores why the Qur’an rejects it, and explains how true forgiveness is achieved according to Islamic belief.

The Christian Belief in the Cross:

According to Christian doctrine:

1. Humanity inherited sin from Adam and Eve (Original Sin).

2. No human could atone for this sin; therefore, God became man in the person of Jesus.

3. Jesus’s death on the cross paid the price for humanity’s sins.

4. Believing in Jesus’s sacrifice is necessary for salvation.

The Apostle Paul wrote:“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” — 1 Corinthians 15:3. While this belief is deeply held by Christians, Islam views it as a misunderstanding of both God’s nature and Jesus’s mission.

The Qur’anic Account:

The Qur’an is clear regarding the Crucifixion: “And for their saying, ‘We killed the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah’—but they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but it was made to appear so to them. And those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except for the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain.” — Surah An-Nisa (4:157)“Rather, Allah raised him to Himself. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise.” — Surah An-Nisa (4:158)According to Islam:- Jesus was not killed or crucified.- It only appeared so to his enemies.- Allah saved him from humiliation and raised him to the heavens.- He will return before the Day of Judgment to finalise his mission.

The Nature of Jesus’s Mission:

In Islam, Jesus (ʿĪsā عليه السلام) was:- A prophet and messenger sent to the Children of Israel- A servant of Allah, not divine- A human born through a miracle, like Adam, who was created without a father “The likeness of Jesus before Allah is that of Adam. He created him from dust, then said to him, ‘Be,’ and he was.” — Surah Aal ‘Imran (3:59)His message was consistent with that of all prophets: “Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.” — Surah Maryam (19:36)Thus, Jesus came not to die for sins but to guide his people back to the worship of the One True God.

Why Islam Rejects the Idea of Atonement Through Blood:

Islam rejects the notion that God requires a blood sacrifice to forgive. Forgiveness in Islam is not bought; it is earned through repentance, mercy, and sincere faith. “Allah does not forgive that partners be associated with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills.” — Surah An-Nisa (4:48)“Do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins.” — Surah Az-Zumar (39:53)In Islam:- God is All-Merciful—He does not need to punish Himself to forgive His creation.- No soul bears the sin of another (Qur’an 35:18).- Forgiveness is granted to those who repent and do good.The concept of vicarious atonement—one person dying for another’s sin—is inconsistent with both divine justice and personal accountability.

Biblical Support for the Islamic View:

Even within the Bible, there are passages that align more with the Islamic narrative than later Christian doctrine:

1. Jesus Prayed to Be Saved from the Cross: “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me.” — Matthew 26:39 This prayer indicates that he did not desire death, and God does not reject the prayers of His prophets.

2. God Does Not Die: “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me.” — Isaiah 46:9 The idea that God can die is theologically impossible.

3. The Alleged Cry of Jesus on the Cross: “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” — Matthew 27:46 If Jesus were truly God, to whom was he crying? This indicates a servant-to-Lord relationship, not divine identity.

4. The Early Christians Disagreed About Crucifixion: Early sects, such as the Basilidians and Docetists (1st–2nd centuries CE), believed that Jesus was not crucified—echoing what the Qur’an later confirmed.

The Return of Jesus (ʿĪsā):

Islam teaches that Jesus was raised alive and will return before the Day of Judgment to:- Defeat the false messiah (Dajjal)- Restore justice and peace- Reaffirm the truth of Islam- Die a natural death and be buried on earth “By Him in Whose Hand is my life, the son of Mary will soon descend among you as a just ruler.” — Hadith (Sahih al-Bukhari, 3448) This prophecy illustrates that Jesus’s mission is not finished but will conclude according to Allah’s plan—not through crucifixion.

Salvation in Islam

In Islam, salvation is not earned by another’s death, but by faith and righteous deeds: “Whoever does righteousness, it is for his own soul; and whoever does evil, it is against it.”— Qur’an, Surah Fussilat (41:46) This aligns with the consistent teaching of earlier prophets, including Jesus. Ezekiel 18:20 “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father… the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him.” Matthew 19:17 “If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”. Romans 2:6–7 “God will repay each person according to what they have done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory and honor… he will give eternal life.” James 2:24 “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.”

To be saved:

1. Believe in Allah (The True God) and His messengers, including Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them).

2. Repent sincerely for sins.

3. Live a life of righteousness and mercy. Islam’s message is simple and universal: “Worship Allah alone and do good — and you will be saved.”

A Message of Unity:

The Qur’an calls Christians and Jews back to their original message: “Say, O People of the Book, come to a word that is common between us and you — that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate no partners with Him.”— Surah Aal ‘Imran (3:64) This is not a rejection of Jesus — it is an affirmation of his true mission: to call humanity to worship the One True God.

Conclusion:

Islam honors Jesus as one of the greatest prophets —born miraculously, speaking from the cradle, healing the sick, and raising the dead by Allah’s permission. But Islam rejects the idea that he was God or died for the sins of others. His mission was the same as that of every prophet: “O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him.” (Qur’an 11:50) Forgiveness in Islam comes not through crucifixion, but through mercy and repentance. And that mercy is open to all who turn sincerely to Allah. “And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers.”— Surah Aal ‘Imran (3:85)

References:

1. Qur’an 4:157–158, 3:59, 3:64, 11:50, 39:53, 41:46

2. Hadith — Sahih al-Bukhari 3448

3. Bible — Romans 3:23, Matthew 26:39, Matthew 27:46, Isaiah 46:9

4. “The Cross and the Crescent” — Ahmed Deedat

5. “Jesus in the Qur’an” — Dr. Jamal Badawi