This post is also available in: عربى (Arabic) Indonesia (Indonesian) Français (French)

Will Jesus be buried next to Muhammad in Medina?

Muhammad is buried in Medina, Saudi Arabia. While Muslims do not believe Jesus died on the cross, they believe Jesus will one day return and be buried next to Muhammad in Medina.

Traditions (ahadith) that Muhammad taught about Jesus’ future return and death.

Muhammad reportedly taught of Jesus’ future return:

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “The Hour will not be established until the son of Mary (i.e. Jesus) descends amongst you as a just ruler, he will break the cross, kill the pigs, and abolish the Jizya tax. Money will be in abundance so that nobody will accept it (as charitable gifts). (Sahih al-Bukhari 2476)

Muhammad reportedly taught that when Jesus returns he will reign forty years and then die:

Narrated AbuHurayrah: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: There is no prophet between me and him, that is, Jesus (peace be upon him). He will descend (to the earth). When you see him, recognise him: a man of medium height, reddish fair, wearing two light yellow garments, looking as if drops were falling down from his head though it will not be wet. He will fight the people for the cause of Islam. He will break the cross, kill swine, and abolish jizyah. Allah will perish all religions except Islam. He will destroy the Antichrist and will live on the earth for forty years and then he will die. The Muslims will pray over him. (Sunan Abu Dawud Book 37, Number 4310)

These traditions were written about 200 years after Muhammad.

Is the evidence that Jesus will one day die and be buried next to Muhammad in Medina historically credible?

No. The historical fact is that Jesus died on the cross and rose again from the dead. Jesus’ tomb was empty, just as He said it would be.

The close connection between history and Christian beliefs is one of the main differences between Christianity and Islam,

“Christians have always claimed that their faith is rooted in history. In this respect, Christianity is different from all other religions. The substance of Hinduism, Buddhism, and even Islam is not found in their historical claims. What is important about these religions is certain general truths that they propose for belief. These truths do not depend on any historical events, even though they were supposedly discovered or revealed in historical situations. If these religions are true, they are true in all times and places, indeed timelessly. But Christianity is different. It is essentially a story about certain things that happened in geographic places and historic times: creation, fall, the history of Israel, the incarnation of Christ through the virgin birth, his miracles, his atonement, his resurrection, ascension, and return. One may be skeptical about the Buddha’s reported enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree and still be a good Buddhist. But one may not be skeptical about Jesus’ resurrection and be a good Christian. Indeed, Paul says that “if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain” (1 Cor. 15:14). In orthodox Christianity, our entire salvation comes through acts of God in history.”

Christians have a living hope

The Christian hope is unlike other types of hope that end in death and burial (Psalm 146:3). Christian hope is living. Jesus’ tomb is empty.

Jesus chose disciples (Apostles) to witness and testify to what He did and taught. One of Jesus’ foremost disciples was Peter. Peter was an eyewitness to the resurrection of Jesus from the dead and His ascension into heaven. Peter wrote,

1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Jesus now sits at the right hand of God and reigns as the Christ. Put your faith and hope in Jesus, because His tomb is empty.

You may also be interested to read: