The figure of Jesus—known as ʿĪsā ibn Maryam in Islam and Yeshua the Messiah in Judaism and Christianity—stands at the crossroads of the Abrahamic faiths. Though deeply divided in theology, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity all anticipate a future shaped by divine justice, peace, and moral restoration. Within Islamic eschatology, there exists a powerful and distinctive belief: that Jesus will return near the end of time, rule the world with justice from Jerusalem, lead the Muslims as an imam, and be recognized as the true Messiah awaited by the Children of Israel.
This vision does not erase religious distinctions but rather reorders them under divine truth, positioning Jesus as a unifying figure who restores monotheism, ends oppression, and establishes universal justice. Understanding this belief requires examining Islamic theology, Jewish messianic expectations, and the symbolic role of Jerusalem as the spiritual center of the world.
Jesus in Islamic Belief: A Returning Messiah
In Islam, Jesus (ʿĪsā) is one of the greatest prophets, born miraculously to Mary (Maryam), who herself holds an exalted status in the Qur’an. Muslims believe that Jesus was not crucified but was raised alive by God and will return before the Day of Judgment.
The Qur’an states:
“And there is none of the People of the Book but that he will surely believe in him before his death.” (Qur’an 4:159)
Classical Islamic scholars widely interpreted this verse to mean that Jesus will return in the end times and that both Jews and Christians will recognize the truth about him then.
Islamic tradition (hadith) describes Jesus’ return as part of a broader divine plan to restore justice, defeat falsehood, and bring humanity back to sincere worship of the One God.
Jesus as Imam of the Muslims
One of the most striking aspects of Islamic eschatology is that Jesus will lead the Muslims, not by introducing a new religion, but by upholding Islam itself.
According to authentic hadith traditions:
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Jesus will descend near the end of time
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He will pray behind a Muslim leader, demonstrating his adherence to the final revelation
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He will rule according to the Qur’an and the law of God
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He will abolish religious corruption and injustice
In Islam, an imam is not a divine figure but a leader in prayer and governance. Jesus serving as imam signifies his humility, his submission to God, and his role as a servant of divine truth.
This belief emphasizes a core Islamic principle: all prophets preached the same essential message—worship God alone and live righteously. Jesus’ leadership of the Muslims is thus seen not as a contradiction, but as a fulfillment of his original mission.
The Messiah of the Jews
Judaism has long awaited the coming of the Messiah (Mashiach), a human leader descended from David who would:
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Restore justice
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Rebuild Jerusalem
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Gather the exiles of Israel
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Establish peace and knowledge of God
Islam recognizes Jesus explicitly as al-Masīḥ (the Messiah), a title used multiple times in the Qur’an. However, Islam rejects the notion that the Messiah must be divine or that he must die for humanity’s sins.
From the Islamic perspective, Jesus was rejected by many of his people during his first mission, but his second coming will correct that historical rupture. When he returns, Jews will recognize him not as a false claimant, but as the true Messiah—one who fulfills the ethical and spiritual dimensions of messianic hope.
This recognition does not mean forced conversion, but rather the unveiling of truth through justice, clarity, and divine wisdom.
Jerusalem: The Center of Divine Rule
Jerusalem occupies a unique place in all three Abrahamic faiths. It is:
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The city of David and Solomon in Judaism
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The site of Jesus’ ministry in Christianity
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The location of al-Masjid al-Aqṣā, Islam’s third holiest mosque
Islamic tradition places Jerusalem at the heart of the end-times narrative. It is from this sacred land that Jesus will rule, not as a nationalist king, but as a universal leader of moral authority.
Jerusalem symbolizes continuity: the place where prophets walked, prayed, and called humanity to God. Jesus ruling from Jerusalem represents the restoration of that prophetic legacy, stripped of political corruption and religious distortion.
Ending Division and Falsehood
Islamic eschatology teaches that Jesus’ return will coincide with the defeat of major sources of deception and oppression in the world. Symbolically, this includes:
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Ending false messianic claims
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Correcting theological extremes
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Restoring balance between law, mercy, and spirituality
One well-known hadith states that Jesus will:
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Break the cross
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Kill the swine
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Abolish unjust taxation
These phrases are understood by scholars primarily in symbolic and theological terms—the removal of distorted beliefs, unlawful practices, and systemic injustice.
Rather than imposing belief by force, Jesus’ rule is described as one in which truth becomes self-evident, and people embrace righteousness because oppression and deception have been removed.
A Universal Era of Justice
Under Jesus’ rule, Islamic sources describe an era unlike any before:
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Wealth will be distributed fairly
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Violence and exploitation will decline
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Knowledge of God will be widespread
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Enmity between peoples will diminish
The Qur’an repeatedly emphasizes that God sent prophets to establish justice (qist) among humanity. Jesus’ final mission is portrayed as the culmination of that prophetic effort.
This era is not eternal; it is a preparation for the final judgment. Yet it stands as a model of what human society can look like when leadership is grounded in humility, accountability, and submission to God.
Interfaith Meaning and Modern Reflection
In a world fractured by religious conflict, the image of Jesus as a unifying figure carries deep interfaith significance. Islam’s portrayal of Jesus challenges exclusivist narratives by:
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Affirming his importance without deifying him
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Recognizing Jewish messianic hope without denying Islamic revelation
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Calling Christians back to pure monotheism without denying Jesus’ greatness
For Muslims, this belief reinforces confidence in the continuity of divine guidance. For Jews and Christians, it presents an invitation to re-examine Jesus not as a source of division, but as a servant of God whose mission ultimately restores unity.
Conclusion
The belief that Jesus will rule the world from Jerusalem as the Imam of the Muslims and the Messiah of the Jews represents one of the most profound and hopeful visions in Islamic theology. It envisions a future where truth overcomes distortion, justice replaces oppression, and humanity reunites under the worship of the One God.
Far from being a story of domination, this narrative is about restoration—of faith, of morality, and of the prophetic legacy shared by the children of Abraham. In this vision, Jerusalem becomes not a battleground of competing claims, but a center of divine justice and peace.
Whether approached as theology, symbolism, or moral aspiration, this belief invites reflection on a timeless question: what would the world look like if leadership were defined not by power, but by truth, humility, and submission to God?
With Qur’anic and Hadith Foundations
The return of Jesus—ʿĪsā ibn Maryam in Islam—occupies a central place in Islamic eschatology and carries profound implications for Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. Islam teaches that Jesus will return near the end of time, rule the world with justice, govern from the sacred land of Jerusalem, lead the Muslims as an imam, and be recognized as the true Messiah by the Children of Israel. This belief is not speculative folklore but is rooted in the Qur’an and in rigorously transmitted prophetic traditions (ḥadīth).
Rather than presenting Jesus as a figure of religious rivalry, Islam portrays him as a restorer of divine unity, a judge of justice, and a bridge across Abrahamic faiths.
Jesus (ʿĪsā) in the Qur’an
The Qur’an affirms Jesus’ miraculous birth, prophethood, messianic role, and exalted status, while emphasizing his humanity and servanthood to God.
His Miraculous Birth
“She said, ‘How can I have a son when no man has touched me?’
He said, ‘Thus it is; Allah creates what He wills.’”
(Qur’an 3:47)
“Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allah is like that of Adam. He created him from dust; then He said to him, ‘Be,’ and he was.”
(Qur’an 3:59)
Jesus as the Messiah (al-Masīḥ)
The Qur’an explicitly names Jesus as the Messiah:
“The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only a Messenger of Allah and His word which He conveyed to Mary, and a spirit from Him.”
(Qur’an 4:171)
Unlike later theological developments, Islam understands the Messiah not as divine, but as a chosen servant of God, tasked with restoring righteousness and guiding humanity back to true monotheism.
Jesus Was Raised and Will Return
Islam rejects the crucifixion of Jesus as a final defeat and instead affirms his elevation by God, which sets the foundation for his return.
“They did not kill him, nor did they crucify him—but it was made to appear so to them… rather, Allah raised him to Himself.”
(Qur’an 4:157–158)
The Qur’an further alludes to his future return:
“And indeed, he [Jesus] will be a sign for the Hour. So do not doubt it, and follow Me. This is a straight path.”
(Qur’an 43:61)
Classical exegetes such as Ibn Kathīr and al-Ṭabarī understood this verse as a reference to Jesus’ second coming before the Day of Judgment.
Recognition by the People of the Book
A key Qur’anic verse connects Jesus’ return with recognition by Jews and Christians:
“There is none from the People of the Book except that he will surely believe in him before his death.”
(Qur’an 4:159)
Islamic scholars explained that this belief will occur after Jesus returns, when misconceptions are removed and the truth of his mission becomes clear.
Jesus as Imam of the Muslims (Hadith Evidence)
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ described Jesus’ return in multiple authentic hadith recorded in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim.
Jesus Will Lead According to Islam
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“By Him in Whose Hand is my soul, the son of Mary will soon descend among you and will judge with justice… and your imam will be from among you.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, no. 3448; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, no. 155)
Another narration clarifies that Jesus will pray behind a Muslim leader, showing his adherence to the final revelation:
“The iqāmah for prayer will be given, and Jesus son of Mary will be told, ‘Lead us.’ He will say, ‘No, your leaders are from among you.’”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, no. 156)
This demonstrates that Jesus will rule as an imam within Islam, not by bringing a new law, but by upholding the Qur’an and the Sunnah.
Messiah of the Jews
Islam affirms Jewish messianic expectation but reorients it around Jesus’ true identity.
The Qur’an recounts Jesus saying:
“Indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is the straight path.”
(Qur’an 3:51)
At his return, Jesus will fulfill the ethical and spiritual dimensions of messianic hope—establishing justice, restoring Jerusalem, and guiding people to sincere worship of God. From the Islamic perspective, the rejection of Jesus was temporary, and his second coming resolves that historical division.
Jerusalem as the Center of Rule
Jerusalem holds unique religious significance in Islam:
“Exalted is He who took His servant by night from al-Masjid al-Ḥarām to al-Masjid al-Aqṣā, whose surroundings We have blessed.”
(Qur’an 17:1)
Islamic tradition situates Jesus’ rule in greater Syria (al-Shām), with Jerusalem at its heart. This is the land of prophets—David, Solomon, Zachariah, John, and Jesus himself—and symbolizes continuity of divine guidance.
Ending Falsehood and Injustice
The Prophet ﷺ described the reforms Jesus will bring:
“He will break the cross, abolish injustice, and wealth will become abundant.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, no. 2222; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, no. 155)
Scholars explain these statements primarily in theological and moral terms:
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“Breaking the cross” signifies correcting false beliefs
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Ending injustice reflects social and economic reform
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Abundance symbolizes fair distribution and peace
A Time of Global Justice
Under Jesus’ leadership, the world will experience an unparalleled era of justice:
“He will fill the earth with fairness and justice as it was filled with oppression and injustice.”
(Musnad Aḥmad, ḥasan by later scholars)
This aligns with the Qur’anic purpose of prophethood:
“We sent Our messengers with clear proofs and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance so that people may uphold justice.”
(Qur’an 57:25)
Interfaith Significance
Islam’s portrayal of Jesus challenges extremes:
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It rejects deification while honoring him deeply
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It affirms Jewish messianic hope without nationalism
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It calls Christians to monotheism without denying Jesus’ greatness
Jesus’ return is not portrayed as domination, but as clarification, reconciliation, and justice.
Conclusion
The belief that Jesus will rule the world from Jerusalem as the Imam of the Muslims and the Messiah of the Jews is firmly grounded in the Qur’an and authentic hadith. It presents a future in which divine justice prevails, religious distortions are corrected, and humanity is reunited under the worship of the One God.
In Islamic theology, Jesus’ final mission completes the prophetic story—not with conflict, but with truth, humility, and justice. Jerusalem, long a symbol of division, becomes once more a center of divine guidance and peace.
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