As in the past, the symbols { } are used by this author to give clarification to the texts presented.
I was asked to capsulize the idea behind the concept of the non-crucifixion. The reason for this is that my works dealing with this issue tend to be scattered about in my various writings so it would be a boon, I guess, for people to have it in one straight forward format. There are other things that could be added it is true but they would take a lot more explanation than a capsulized version would take.
The world back then was divided into two major groups according to the Jews. There were Jews and then there were others called Gentiles with the understanding that the word Gentile referred to a lesser type of human being.
Some in the world back then would have us believe that ‘real life’ began after death and that if a man ‘rose from the dead’ he left this world and went into the Hereafter. Why? Because this is the world of the dead while the spiritual world is the world of the truly living. That idea has implications that are too ‘philosophical’ to discuss in this article.
Because that idea opens the door for believing in a person who did not die, but who left this world (rose up) with body and soul into the heavens. Hence, he ‘rose from the dead’. By the way, this implication comes from the New Testament (New International Version) itself from Luke (9: 60) where Jesus (pbh) is reputed to have said:
Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” He means here the spiritually dead.
This article, however, is about the crucifixion event. Doubts about Jesus (pbh) being even on the cross was NOT a rare phenomenon in very early Christianity. It took over 100 years (around 148 AD) after Jesus left the Earth for the notion that Jesus was put on the cross and killed to be accepted but that was from the Roman school of thought. The Roman school of thought was soon to dominate other schools and there you have it!
The notion that Jesus (pbh) was NOT put on the cross or even killed surprisingly enough can be gleaned from the New Testament itself but, in reality, that would be like finding a needle in the proverbial haystack with thousands of haystacks present. What one needs is a compass for guidance and there is no better guidance than the Quran. Simply put:
That they said (in boast), “We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the messenger of ALLAH” but they killed him NOT nor crucified him. Only a likeness of that was shown to them. And those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no certain knowledge but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they did NOT kill him. Q (4: 157)
Now that one is on solid ground, one can sniff out the jewels or pieces of the puzzle that make up the story of the non-crucifixion. ALLAH IS THE BEST TO KNOW THE TRUTH!
Jesus was born sometime in late B.C. or 3 to 4 years before he was thought in our modern era to have been born. According to the New Testament, he was the first of the children Mary had but a special one in that he was born from a Virgin and that he was born a prophet.
At length she brought the (babe) to her people, carrying him (in her arms). They said, “O Mary! Truly a strange thing you have brought!
“O sister of Aaron! Your father was not a man of evil, nor your mother an unchaste woman.”
But she pointed to the babe. They said, “How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?”
He {Jesus} said, “I am indeed a servant of ALLAH: HE has given me revelation and has made me a prophet.
And HE has made me blessed wheresoever I may be and has enjoined on me prayer and Zakat as long as I live.” Q (19: 27-31)
His mother being a devout and righteous Jew, that is, she was a Muslim in that sense of the word, had a husband by the name of Joseph and ALLAH’S WORD DOES NOT CHANGE. So, intimate relations between husband and wife get rewards of Baraka from ALLAH. Celibate behavior towards one’s husband is definitely NOT liked by ALLAH.
The Word of your LORD does find its fulfillment in truth and in justice: None can change HIS Words for HE is the ONE WHO hears and knows all {things}. Q (6: 115)
The Old Testament tells the woman to be ‘fruitful and multiply’ meaning to have children!
And when he was come {finally} into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished {as to what they saw and heard} and said, “Whence has this man this wisdom and these mighty works?
Is not this the carpenter’s son {Joseph’s son}? Is not his mother called Mary? And his brothers, James, Joses, Simon and Judas?
And his sisters, are they not all {present} with us? Whence then has this man all these {miraculous} things?
And they were offended in {by} him. But Jesus said unto them {about himself}, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.”
And he did only a few mighty miracles there due to their unbelief. Matthew (13: 54-58)
When the boy Jesus (pbh) was about 12 years of age, he lectured a group of highly trained and knowledgeable scholars of the Jewish religion and even corrected their false notions with proofs from their own texts as if he was blessed with the knowledge of the real Torah or Old Testament, which he was.
And in their footsteps WE sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the Torah that had come before him: WE sent him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light and confirmation of the Torah that had come before him: a guidance and an admonition to those who fear ALLAH. Q (5: 46)
He then disappeared from Palestine and the manhunt that went out for this fantastically gifted child would bore no fruit because he, with a few others, went into Egypt. Even before this time he was thought of as a prophet which in his small circle was considered to be of the greatest and highest value that any man could obtain to or be blessed by.
It was here in Egypt that several important things happened:
- He became an adept at the so-called ‘shape changing’ or better known as changing one’s appearance or condition.
- The idea of him being a possible precursor to that special emissary known as ALLAH’s Prophet was considered a possibility but in order for that to be factual, he would then truly have to be that one whom the Jewish sects were eagerly waiting for or that what is known as the Messiah.
Jesus (pbh) now drops out of history due to his travels for nearly 17 years and then he hastens back to Palestine as his ‘mission to the Jews’ starts in earnest. It is here in the New Testament that the Jews, where his family lived, questioned his relationship to his claimed family basically because although his mother and younger siblings recognized him, all others did not. And why would they? He has been gone for a very long time. See the above verses from Matthew (13: 54-58)!
Jesus (pbh) now at about the age of 30 returns from his travels, for it would be hard to keep a prophet quiet if he remained in Palestine, begins to stir up interest amongst all of the sects of the Jews but he isn’t a member of any sect and therefore, doubt about who he is or what he represents sinks in. Sure there are miracles and sure there are notions but it seems like he is, like all prophets seem to do, going to upset the proverbial applecart. And that means trouble!!! Again refer to verses Matthew (13: 54-58)
The powers that be or the majority of the Jews in power are NOT liking what they hear or see. Here is a man who has a very strong appeal to the downtrodden and very radical ideas also. They seem radical due to the fact that corrupt Judaism was twisted Judaism.
Before things get too out of hand, several plots are devised to kill Jesus but ALLAH declares HE WILL keep the Jews at bay from harming the Messiah.
… And behold! I did restrain the Children of Israel from (violence to you {Jesus} when you did show them {the Jews} the Clear Signs… Q (5: 110)
Then they sought to take him: but no man {could lay} laid hands on him because his hour {time} had not yet come. John (7: 30)
So their plots are foiled but confrontations are building up on many fronts.
No Jewish sect really trusts this outsider but a few from the Essene Community do and there are also the poor and disenfranchised who became witnesses to his many miracles performed by Jesus (pbh). But if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again and so the Jews did lay in wait for him to ‘trip him up’ so they could condemn him.
However, try as they may, all of their filthy guile became undone in one way or another. As Jesus’ fame spread, it looked like corrupt Judaism was going to be cast aside. However, if he was eliminated, the day would be saved for those who sat in the false judgment seat of Moses (pbh).
Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples,
Saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses {as hypocrites};
Therefore, all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. Matthew (23: 1-3)
There were hypocrites also who baited Jesus (pbh) and actually swore that they would certainly believe in all righteousness and good faith and support him if they could see one special thing. That special thing would require, as the New Testament declares, that Jesus’ marvelous and miraculous wonders MUST BE DONE on the person of Jesus himself. This evil baiting of a true servant of GOD will have its consequences.
By their swearing that they would believe and NOT FULFILLING THEIR SACRED OATHS would be tantamount to inviting ALLAH’s curse on them IF INDEED JESUS PERFORMED MIRICLES ON HIMSELF and they did renege on their promise. Somehow this is a key point to remember but one which can’t be fully understood.
And all bare him witness and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?”
And he said unto them {those who had wrongful designs} “You will surely say to me this proverb”, ‘Physician, heal thyself: {for} whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, {you} do also here in your country.’ Luke (4: 22-23)
Meanwhile, escaping plots to kill him several times, he goes with his disciples to Jerusalem or the heart of the enemy camp. He NOW performs an amazing thing. Jesus (pbh) tells his disciples within a short time frame before the crucifixion event:
- Something of the near future events as they will enter Jerusalem, as recorded in the New Testament, is related by Jesus to his disciples. Some of these things seem to terrify his followers to no end. So, Jesus has to settle down his companions and calm their fears. They all believe or have a strong belief that he is the ‘promised Messiah’ but they weren’t expecting the ‘end game’ to be so soon. However, when push comes to shove, we see that they were apprehensive in going to Jerusalem.
- It is a confident and relaxed Jesus (pbh) that has been given insight into the future events that are about to take place. This insight is so profound and accurate that he directs his disciples where to go when troubles arise. Not only that but he also gives them AN EXACT TIME PERIOD WHEN HE WILL SEE THEM NEXT – around 3 days and 3 nights after their forceful separation.
And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed {Jesus}, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve {disciples} and began to tell them what things should happen to him. Mark (10: 32)
Then he took unto him the twelve and said to them, “Behold, we go up to Jerusalem and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.
For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted upon {like common garbage}:
And they shall scourge him and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. Luke (18: 31-33)
The putting of Jesus (pbh) to death is not stated in any clear passage in the Old Testament. Besides this, scriptural manipulations of the New Testament are not unknown by honest scholars. Therefore, trying to put one to death can be manipulated into stating that ‘they will put me to death’. You be the Judge based on the New Testament’s track record!
Anyway, the above scriptural quotes show that the disciples of Jesus (pbh) were quite nervous about entering into Jerusalem. What the New Testament declares directly after this is quite astounding. It mentions that the disciples didn’t understand any of Jesus’ words!
Amazingly, they don’t seem to understand what grabbing someone, spitting on someone and torturing someone means? They also were with Jesus (pbh) on several occasions when he escaped being literally throttled so their total puzzlement about what is going on according to the New Testament is really quite baffling!
And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken. Luke (18: 34). Of course this directly contradicts Luke (18: 31)!
So he is given a triumphant entry into Jerusalem, which given the Jewish council’s fears, a kind of ‘now or never’ becomes tantamount for their plan to succeed. Jesus (pbh) is gathered with his disciples for dinner and Judas’ plot begins to unfold as was known by Jesus beforehand.
Supposedly Jesus goes into a garden for restful contemplation and NOW becomes strangely worried about things and even goes so far as to trying to back out from his responsibilities or ‘what must surely come to pass’. This, however, would paint Jesus (pbh) in a bad light. Why remonstrate and show displeasure with your disciples when they became afraid, when you are pulling the same kind of stunt yourself!!!
Was Jesus a hypocrite? Did he suddenly, with all the proofs he had in front of his very soul, doubt his GOD? Such ideas are pure nonsense and are beneath contempt. How can he one minute declare that he will ‘return’ after some ordeal in 3 days and 3 nights at a certain house to meet his disciples and then be seen quaking in his shoes the next asking that ‘this cup’ be taken away or that GOD HIMSELF change HIS PLAN.
According to the New Testament, this ‘shape changer’ is taken, manhandled, very roughly, and condemned to die a horrible death by crucifixion (noteworthy and deemed completely fair for a false prophet by Jewish custom). The Romans get the pleasure of rule over their conquered minions by allowing the conquered peoples to keep their customs and dignity if it doesn’t interfere with Roman law.
During this time a seemingly innocuous person just happens to be running around the neighborhood as some kind of tourist extraordinaire. His name is Simon the Cyrenian*** and he is an essential part of this story.
As Jesus (pbh) begins the tortuous journey up a steep incline while carrying his ‘death instrument’, he stumbles and falls. The Roman soldiers somehow grab the oddly nearby Simon from the boisterous crowd and force him to carry the heavy cross. He comes face to face (again?) with the fallen Jesus and then without complaint or argument of any kind, he goes up the hill where destiny waits.
Meanwhile, the huddled disciples are spending anxious moments in a safe house where they were told to wait for 3 days and 3 nights. Adding to their anxiety is the fact that they are receiving reports from their close associates concerning all things: trial, conviction, death sentence, beating and finally death on the cross. Some of these near-disciples will eventually go forth and become the ‘70’ who stayed in Jerusalem to propagate the true faith.
Real friends don’t lie to each other and right now it looks like from their vantage point at some distance from the actual event that Jesus (pbh) suffered, died and was buried. So that is what their report will be about. So that is the end of that matter but the next matter is about what will happen to them – the disciples. It seems like common sense that once the big fish is taken care of, the haters of Jesus will go after his organization – meaning them. So the mood inside that safe house was very tense and indeed some were ready to bolt.
However, they were told to wait a certain time and with much wrangling they collectively decided to wait. They waited but with a high degree of nervous tension and fear. Who knows when and if the Romans would show up or if someone out of fear or greed would voluntarily give them up. When lo! Right into a locked and secured room appeared a relaxed Jesus (pbh).
The disciples, it might be expected, would show the emotion of great joy and relief to see their precious and GOD’s gift to mankind alive and well. But they did not show that at first. What they did show, according to the New Testament, was deep suspicion and fear. Truly they were in shock and not able to think clearly or they would have been in rapturous joy.
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst and said unto them, “Peace be unto you.” John (20: 19)
Their minds declared that what they were seeing was either Satan making a clever trick on them or this vision was a ghost because they believed that Jesus (pbh) was really dead.
Both the New Testament and the Quran give interesting highlights about what happened next. The New Testament has Jesus (pbh) asking to be touched as no ghost has a corporal body and therefore, he was the real, living Jesus.
The Quran shows their (understood) fear also and their request that they be given a special blue-plate miracle to prove that this is the real Jesus. That is equivalent to challenging GOD to bring forth the goods. This then becomes the real Last Supper or Solemn Festival. Because the miracle was a super, special one, there would be the direst of consequences for any one of the disciples if they turned away from faith again.
Behold! The Disciples said: “O Jesus the son of Mary! Can your LORD send down to us a Table set (with viands) from Heaven”? Said Jesus, “Fear ALLAH If you have Faith.”
They said, “We only wish to eat thereof and satisfy our hearts and to know that indeed you have told us the truth, and that we ourselves may be a witness to the miracle.”
Said Jesus the son of Mary: “O ALLAH our LORD! Send us from Heaven a table set (with viands) that there may be for us – for the first of us and the last of us – a solemn festival and a SIGN from YOU; and provide for our substance for YOU are the BEST SUSTAINER (of our needs).
ALLAH said, “I will send it down to you but if any of you after that resists faith, I will punish him with a chastisement such as I have not inflicted on any among all the peoples.” Q (5: 112-115)
POST CRUCIFIXION ISSUES:
Most definitely a dead man was taken off the cross and buried in an above ground tomb. Also, one man walked out of that tomb in a very tired but altered state as if he was working or concentrating on something that was exceedingly difficult to do according to the New Testament. The thing is that apparently someone was doing a lot of work inside that tomb. Not only that but by logic of the non-crucifixion of Jesus, there were two men in that tomb and when one walked out, there was none left. Mathematically, that doesn’t make sense but this is not a story about mathematics!
There are several hints that we have of what might have occurred inside that tomb and one of them is the saying of Jesus (pbh) in the New Testament to the one who was crucified because of his belief is that ‘this day you will be with me in Paradise’. According to Acts in the New Testament, which is a fairly sound, historical document, Jesus (pbh) was to remain on Earth for 40 days before being lifted up in body and soul. That has implications but some things are best left unsaid.
Another hint that may be very pertinent to the case is that Jesus the son of Mary (pbh) declares that he will rebuild (restore) a certain destroyed (killed?) temple (body) back in three days.
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” John (2: 19)
After all, Jesus (pbh) was empowered by GOD HIMSELF to be able to ‘raise the dead’!
… And you heal those born blind and the lepers BY MY PERMISSION. And Behold! You bring forth the dead {able to raise the dead} BY MY PERMISSION. And Behold! I did restrain the Children of Israel from (violence to) you when you did show them the Clear Signs, and the unbelievers amongst them declared: ‘This is nothing but evident magic.’ Quran (5: 110)
Something or some likeness was going to be rebuilt or brought back to life in some form or fashion that we, at this present time, do not understand. But we are not required to understand these things for those who have faith. Enough for us are the WORDS of ALLAH and HE is the ONE CAPEABLE, ALL WISE, and THE MOST POWERFUL and able to carry out HIS PLAN with total ease!!!
Jesus’ stay on Earth after the crucifixion event, although short, gives him time with his disciples to clarify things or certain mysteries, according to the New Testament, as they are to move forward in advance of the faith. The New Testament also shows that this ‘shape changer’ is still active and able in changing his appearance. After a stay on Earth of 40 days, he gets lifted up body and soul into the heavens.
And he said unto them, “These are the words that I spoke unto you while I was yet with you that all things must be fulfilled {in GOD’s PLAN} which were written in the Law of Moses and in the prophets and in the psalms concerning me.
Then he opened their understanding that they might understand the scriptures. Luke (24: 44-45)
Several things are in the historical record concerning the crucifixion escapade. However, it seems in the future that this event is going to be presented in certain ways among certain peoples and to answer that question is to answer why some people are born blind while others are not.
As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth.
And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?”
Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him. John (9: 1-3)
Even though this is the case, it comes down to a matter of perception and does one trust the uncorrupted WORD of GOD – the Quran or does one trust the vagaries of man’s imaginations?
Paul, a controversial figure as well as an enigma, declares in one of his Epistles that ‘we preach Christ crucified as a STUMBLING BLOCK to the Jews and as FOOLISHNESS to the Greeks’. These are NOT words of praise! He also declared that Jesus (pbh) rose from the dead but that is another matter.
“But we preach Christ crucified as a STUMBLING BLOCK TO THE JEWS AND AS FOOLISHNESS TO THE GREEKS.” 1 Corinthians (1: 23)
In order for the Jews to become enlightened, they would have to admit to their responsibility of practicing evil and the corruption of GOD’s LAWS but they won’t do that. The proof of doing right for them is that IF Jesus was an honored prophet and truly the Messiah, they would have been the first to follow him. Because they had him killed and therefore he died this showed that he was a false prophet. So they will NOT turn to him and therefore this became a STUMBLING BLOCK.
The Greeks (THE NON-JEW CALLED GENTILES) are held up as a fundamental building block for Western thought, civilization, logic and democracy. We also honor the Greeks for expanding for us our sensual and mythological delights.
Calling the notion of the idea of the crucifixion as being FOOLISH to these people, the Gentiles, with their history of invented gods, is like calling a spade a spade. It gives one the impression that the notion of the crucifixion will be dressed up and paraded about in all its glorious make believe.
THEN THERE IS RECORDED HISTORY:
When Peter’s secretary Glaucias was asked by Basilides about the crucifixion, he was asked if Jesus was actually crucified. This was because at that time there was plenty of doubt about what occurred to the Master. The answer was NO he was NOT crucified. He was asked (because there was a real crucifixion) who then was crucified. Glaucias answered that the man Simon the Cyrenian was actually the one put on the cross instead of Jesus (pbh).
So far, however, no discussion of how or why it was done has ever been recorded. There may be a sound reason for this. Basilides was a peculiar character and he was a leader of an early Christian sect. His and his son’s group stuck with the non-crucifixion of Jesus (pbh) but altered the story by explaining on various occasions different methods on how it was accomplished.
This shows something very significant. The original disciples (long gone before Basilides came on the scene) communicated the truth but refused to declare how it was done. So Peter’s secretary who belonged to the next generation of believers called the Presbyters (those acquainted with the disciples and who wrote much of the New Testament or their interpretation therein) knew only the basic facts and not the means and the methods behind this miraculous event or non-event as the case may be.
THE NOTION OF THE CROSS:
The cross was not the original symbol for Christianity. The symbol for those early and better informed Christians was the fish. According to what is found in the New Testament today, the cross is something to bear by every human being in patience and persistence.
This is similar to a Muslim’s belief that everything that is good that comes to you is from ALLAH and everything that is bad that comes to you is from what your own hands have passed on before you. Therefore, seek out to do good, be patient and endure hardships while praising ALLAH through prayer and fasting to learn restraint. So that is what the cross ORIGINALLY meant.
Who is in charge of this universe? By answering that question, one answers the question of how the foolish get fooled. That may sound demeaning but it is not meant to be. We are human beings but are we really honest about ourselves? Are we honest about our insights and pathways to search the truth amongst the records and to throw off the yoke of gods from Mount Olympus? You be the Judge!
“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about me.” John (5: 39)
***The library in Caesarea in Palestine, which would give us so much historical insight, has long since been destroyed. What really happened in early Christianity (they couldn’t even get the correct birthdate, month or year concerning Jesus) has been reflected in the many forged Gospels which try to tell a sectarian slant concerning Jesus.
This is an indication of bolting the barn door after the horses have already fled. In other words, much confusion concerning the events surrounding Jesus (pbh) abounded as various groups had parts of the puzzle but couldn’t figure out the reality of the case.
The Gospels that we possess currently have to suffice as being the most accurate as well as partially flawed literature concerning the life and times of Jesus the Christ. Here mysteries abound and one of them is the man called Simon the Cyrenian.
In my research, many decades ago, I came across the knowledge that Jesus and Simon had a private meeting away from but insight of the disciples. Their curiosity being peeked, were told to forget asking any questions aimed at their Master (pbh) and the man he was engaged in discussions with.
To me, it is most unfortunate that I could never re-visit the source by finding where I obtained this information. It would be a very important and valuable piece of information showing that Jesus (pbh) and Simon knew each other beforehand but because I lack the source reference, the information must be regulated to only a footnote at best.
Praise, Honor and Glory to ALLAH alone WHO has no partners and whose Book is Complete! Nevertheless, the information concerning the non-crucifixion of Jesus is not weak but very strong indeed. Truly, ALLAH has man covered front to back and on both sides.
Concerning the crucifixion, it is the ‘Emperor’s New Clothes’ all over again. While billions of people believe in the actual, physical crucifixion of Jesus (pbh) a significant amount of these people probably still believe in lucky charms. Whether it is a plastic, glow in the dark cross or an artificial rabbit’s foot used as a key chain for good luck, man is indeed a puzzling creature filled with primitive notions.
The Quranic verse (4: 157) that directly discusses the non-crucifixion of Jesus (pbh) is spot on as to what took place. We know for a fact that Jesus (pbh) was NOT on the cross and was NOT killed. We know also that a ghost, spirit or emanation was NOT on the cross because whoever might be argued to have been on the cross had a real, physical body that could carry something heavy (the cross) and could feel and be touched. That means that there must have been a ‘similitude’ of sorts and a very good ‘similitude’ to match the characteristics of the real body of Jesus (pbh).
Secondly, there must have occurred in earliest times of the formation of Christianity a great deal of doubt and confusion and ‘theory’ building concerning the crucifixion event and this has been proven true historically. So those who differed about the truth of the non-crucifixion were full of doubts but had to rely on only conjecture for their answer – just as the Quran has stated.
A church father, philosopher and all around bombastic showman, by the name of Justin Martyr FINALLY TOOK THE REIGNS and in around 148 AD went in search for the ‘truth’. How odd is that? It is very odd when one realizes that back then ‘they’ didn’t even have a handle on things of what should have been a basic understanding.
So, a physical entity was on the cross and he resembled Jesus so much that for all intents and purposes one would swear that Jesus (pbh) was indeed killed. Killed because he was, according to the top religion of the day in Palestine, a false, lying prophet bent on besmirching GOD’s Laws. However, because he didn’t die any kind of death, Jesus (pbh) must, like all human beings, according to Scriptures, must some time die a normal, human-type of death as Islam declares, i.e. , when he returns. Logic is logic – GAME OVER!
Of course, someone was entombed because a dead body was taken down from the cross and actually buried. However, the body did NOT remain in the tomb and it definitely was not ‘stolen’ by the Disciples. That ‘action’ (the case of the missing body) caused a great deal of consternation and some believed while others disbelieved in the ‘real miracle’ of how GOD protected HIS beloved servant Jesus the son of Mary (pbh) against the ravages of the past events and the ravages of future events as he was raised up and cleared from all blasphemy.
Behold! ALLAH said, “O Jesus! I will take you and raise you to Myself and clear you (of the falsehoods) of those who blaspheme; I will make those who follow you superior to those who reject faith to the Day of Resurrection: then you all shall return to ME and I will judge between you of the matters wherein you dispute. Q (3: 55)
ALL PRAISE AND GLORY BELONG TO ALLAH WHO IS THE MOST POWERFUL, THE MOST WISE.
Finally, every child of TRUTH must love his mother. For Muslims in an earnest search for Paradise, the Mother of the Believers is ‘Aisha the beloved wife of Prophet Muhammad (pbh). Any person or sect that denounces ‘Aisha also slurs the character and intelligence of the Prophet (pbh) for obvious reasons. How deluded those individuals are!!! So as one can readily see, delusion is not the only prerogative of one group of peoples!