“ . . . they (i.e. the Jews) killed him (i.e. Jesus) not, nor crucified him . . . only a likeness of that was shown to them… for a surety they killed him not” (Surah An-Nisa, 4:157).
The context explains that the crucifixion and death of Jesus only appeared to have taken place. The court and police officials, the Roman soldiers who conducted the execution and the onlookers at that specific occasion, only imagined what they saw. The words “only a likeness of that was shown to them but God took Jesus to Himself”, later led to the assumption that someone else, some say Judas, was crucified instead.
In contrast to that the crucifixion and death of Jesus fills about one third of the four biographical accounts that are actually named Gospels, record the narrative of the crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus. In the New Testament the cross is mentioned 23 times, and the verb crucify 49 times. You will remember that even in the Old Testament the crucifixion and death can be found in the form of prophecies, which were fulfilled in the life and death of Jesus.
It is beyond doubt that both above versions cannot be true. Instead of entrenching ourselves and arguing against each other to defend our conviction, as it is often done, we rather use our objective ‘leg’ again. So let us consider the supporting evidence to secure the right conclusion.
In an earlier letter I have already mentioned the evidence of fulfilled prophecy, acknowledged eyewitness reports, and contemporary historical reports. All speak so unequivocally in support of Jesus’ crucifixion and death. All this evidence is contradicted by just one allegation, stated 600 years after the recorded event, and which supplies no evidence for this claim at all.
I am tempted to repeat our supporting evidence (as presented in my third letter), but will rely on your good memory. I am equally tempted to share with you the biblical teaching on the need for a sacrifice for the remission of sin. This was an essential part of and the basis for obtaining forgiveness, and with that reconciliation with God, under the Law of Moses. Every sacrifice pointed to the future, when Jesus would come to replace these symbols by sacrificing Himself. The former offerings were just shadows of things to come, to use a biblical term.
John the Baptist, recognising Jesus, pointed to Him and said:
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