Definition: The crucifixion of Jesus, a pivotal event in Christian theology, is interpreted differently in Islam. According to Islamic teachings, Jesus was not crucified, but it appeared so to his persecutors, and he was taken up to God.
Etymology: “Crucifixion” derives from the Latin “crux,” meaning “cross,” and “fixus,” meaning “fixed.” The term intimately associates with the method of execution used in Roman times, particularly with the death of Jesus Christ.
Background: Islamic perspective on Jesus’ crucifixion derives from specific Qur’anic ayat (verses), primarily Sūrah iii. 47–50 and Sūrah iv. 155–156. These texts assert that God made it appear to Jesus’ adversaries as if he was crucified, but in reality, Jesus was raised to heaven.
Cultural Differences and Similarities: Although Christianity and Islam both acknowledge Jesus (Isa in Islam), their interpretations significantly differ. Christians consider the crucifixion and subsequent resurrection of Jesus as central to their faith, symbolizing redemption and atonement. Meanwhile, Islam respects Jesus as a prophet and messenger but denies the crucifixion, aligning with other beliefs in theological distinctness such as emphasizing God’s absolute oneness and justice.
Synonyms:
- Impalement
- Execution by cross
Antonyms:
- Resurrection (In Christian theology, the resurrection follows crucifixion, forming a duo event)
- Salvation through sacrifice (related to atonement doctrine in Christianity)
Related Terms:
- Tawhid (توحيد): The concept of monotheism in Islam, emphasizing the oneness of God.
- Eschatology: The part of theology concerned with death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul and of humankind.
- Shirk (شرك): The sin of practicing idolatry or polytheism in Islam.
- Gnosticism: Early Christian movements, some of which believed in secret knowledge and had distinct interpretations of Jesus’ nature and crucifixion.
Exciting Facts:
- Gnostic Influence: Some Gnostic sects, like the Basilidians and Carpocratians, proposed that someone else was crucified in Jesus’ place, paralleling Islamic beliefs.
- Literary Recounts: Historical texts like Photius’s “The Journeys of the Apostles” reference non-canonical stories of Jesus not being crucified.
Quotations: From Sūrah iv. 155-156:
“Yet they slew him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them…”
Literature and Further Studies:
- “The Cross and the Crescent: Christianity and Islam from Muhammad to the Reformation” by Richard Fletcher
- “The Crucifixion” by Fleming Rutledge
- “Jesus in the Qur’an” by Geoffrey Parrinder
- “The Arab Conquest of Egypt and the Last Thirty Years of the Roman Dominion” by Alfred J. Butler
Inspirational Farewell: “In exploring the intersections and divergences of religious narratives, not only do we find depth in our theological understanding but also cultivate respect for the diverse paths of faith that have shaped human civilization.”
