In Islamic eschatology, the return of Jesus (‘Isa, peace be upon him) is a central belief with profound spiritual, moral, and political implications. According to many classical and contemporary Islamic scholars, Jesus’ second coming will mark the final phase of human history before the Day of Judgment. One of the key aspects of this phase, as derived from hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ), is the idea that by the time Jesus returns and completes his earthly mission, the entire world will come under the fold of Islam.
This belief is not rooted in coercion or domination but in the conviction that truth and justice, as embodied by the message of Islam and personified in the character of Jesus, will prevail over falsehood and corruption. Understanding this concept requires exploring its scriptural foundations, theological significance, and the diverse scholarly opinions that surround it.
Jesus in Islam: A Prophet and the Messiah
Muslims believe in Jesus (peace be upon him) as one of the greatest messengers of God. He is mentioned frequently in the Qur’an, where he is described as the Messiah (al-Masih), born miraculously to the Virgin Mary (Maryam), and honored with miracles. Unlike Christian theology, Islam rejects the divinity of Jesus and the concept of the Trinity, asserting instead that he is a human prophet who called people to worship One God.
Importantly, Muslims believe that Jesus was not crucified but rather raised up by God, and that he will return before the end of time. This belief is based on several hadiths as well as interpretations of Qur’anic verses such as:
"And [for] their saying, 'Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.' And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them..." (Qur'an 4:157)
"There is none from the People of the Scripture but that he will surely believe in him before his death. And on the Day of Resurrection, he will be against them a witness." (Qur’an 4:159)
These verses are interpreted to mean that Jesus will return and be a witness to the truth of Islam.
The Return of Jesus: Scriptural and Prophetic Sources
Numerous hadiths from Prophet Muhammad ﷺ describe the events that will precede and follow Jesus’ return. Among the most widely cited is the narration found in Sahih Muslim:
“By the One in Whose hand is my soul, the son of Mary will soon descend among you as a just ruler. He will break the cross, kill the pig, and abolish the jizya (tax on non-Muslims). Wealth will be so abundant that no one will accept it.” (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
This hadith has been interpreted to mean that when Jesus returns, he will:
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Break the cross: Symbolically reject the idea of his divinity.
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Kill the pig: End practices considered unlawful (haram) in Islam.
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Abolish the jizya: End the distinction between Muslims and non-Muslims under Islamic governance, as the entire world would then follow the religion of Islam.
Universal Acceptance of Islam
The idea that the whole world will turn to Islam is rooted in these hadiths and others like them. According to classical scholars such as Ibn Kathir and Imam Nawawi, Jesus will come as a just ruler who implements the shari‘ah (Islamic law) of Prophet Muhammad, not bringing a new revelation but affirming and finalizing the message of Islam.
Ibn Kathir, in his famous work Al-Bidaya wa’l-Nihaya (The Beginning and the End), states:
"When Jesus returns, he will rule by the law of Islam, and during his time, all people will become Muslim, and there will be no other religion."
This concept of universal Islam is tied not to forced conversion but to a time of global peace and justice. With the removal of false doctrines and the leadership of a prophet whose truth is undeniable, people will recognize Islam as the pure and final message from God.
The Role of the Mahdi and the Defeat of the Dajjal
Islamic eschatology places Jesus’ return in the context of broader end-time events. Before his descent, the world will witness the rise of the Mahdi—a righteous leader from the lineage of Prophet Muhammad—who will restore justice. Shortly thereafter, the Dajjal (Antichrist or False Messiah) will emerge, spreading evil and deception.
According to hadith, Jesus will descend from heaven in Damascus and join the Mahdi. He will ultimately confront and kill the Dajjal, symbolizing the triumph of truth over falsehood.
Following the defeat of the Dajjal, Islam will spread rapidly and completely, with all people accepting it as the truth. Jesus will live for a period—often said to be 40 years—ruling with justice, performing pilgrimage, and ultimately dying a natural death.
A Time of Peace and Justice
After these climactic events, the world is expected to enter a golden age of peace, prosperity, and spiritual fulfillment. War will cease, wealth will be abundant, and people will live in harmony. These conditions are considered the natural consequence of truth being universally accepted.
Muslims believe that Jesus will not establish a new religion or return as a prophet with a new message, but will be a follower of Muhammad ﷺ, ruling by his teachings and restoring true monotheism.
Contemporary Views and Interpretations
While this vision of global Islam is widely accepted in Sunni traditions, interpretations can vary. Some modern scholars emphasize metaphorical understandings, suggesting that the global dominance of Islam could reflect spiritual or ethical leadership rather than literal demographic conversion.
Others warn against interpreting these prophecies as justification for political domination or coercion. Islam, as the Qur’an makes clear, prohibits compulsion in religion:
“There is no compulsion in religion. Truth has become clear from error...” (Qur’an 2:256)
This verse affirms that true acceptance of faith must come from conviction, not force. Accordingly, the Islamic eschatological vision of global Islam is one where people willingly turn to God’s guidance under the leadership of a universally recognized and divinely supported figure.
Conclusion
The belief that the whole world will turn to Islam by the time Jesus returns is rooted in Islamic scripture and tradition. It reflects not a desire for conquest, but a vision of spiritual fulfillment, moral clarity, and the triumph of divine truth. For Muslims, the return of Jesus is not just a prophetic event—it is a promise of justice, peace, and the ultimate vindication of faith.
In a world filled with division, injustice, and spiritual confusion, this eschatological hope serves as a reminder that divine justice will ultimately prevail, and that truth, embodied in the message of Islam, will be recognized by all.