Across centuries of religious scholarship, few topics have generated as much fascination, debate, and expectation as the return of Jesus—known as ʿĪsā ibn Maryam in Islam. In the Qur’an and the hadith literature, Jesus is portrayed as a revered prophet, a miracle-worker, the Messiah, and a key figure in the events preceding the Day of Judgment. Unlike Christian theology, which centers on Jesus’ divinity, the Islamic narrative positions him firmly within the prophetic tradition, culminating in his future descent to restore justice.
One of the most discussed aspects of Islamic eschatology is the belief that when Jesus returns, he will govern the world not by the Torah or the Gospel, but by the Qur’an, implementing its moral, legal, and spiritual framework. This belief has far-reaching implications—not only for Muslims but also for Christians and Jews who seek a messianic figure aligned with justice, peace, and liberation from oppression.
In recent decades, the concept of “anti-Zionist Christians and Jews” has emerged as a label for individuals whose religious or ethical worldview opposes political Zionism yet maintains respect for Jewish identity and religious tradition. Within Islamic eschatology, some scholars suggest that such individuals could be among the first non-Muslims to recognize and embrace Jesus when he returns—not because of political ideology, but because of spiritual readiness and alignment with core scriptural principles.
This article explores these themes through a historical, theological, and sociocultural lens.
I. Jesus in Islam: A Messiah With a Global Mission
1. A Prophet and the Messiah, but Not Divine
The Qur’an refers to Jesus with titles that emphasize his sacred role:
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“Word from God” (kalimah minhu)
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“Spirit from God” (rūḥun minhu)
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“Messiah” (al-Masīḥ)
He performs miracles from infancy, calls Israel to righteousness, and receives the support of God’s spirit. Yet Islam firmly maintains that he is a human prophet, not divine—a distinction foundational to Islamic monotheism.
2. The Promise of His Return
Islamic texts describe Jesus’ second coming as a future event with specific objectives:
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defeating the false messiah (al-Dajjāl)
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restoring justice
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unifying humanity under God’s guidance
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ending religious confusion
His return is not symbolic; it is a literal, global intervention at a time of widespread chaos.
3. Why He Will Rule by the Qur’an
Islamic scholars argue that the Qur’an is the final revelation and therefore supersedes previous scriptures, including the Torah and the Gospel. Jesus’ governance by the Qur’an symbolizes:
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the unity of divine law
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the completion of prophetic guidance
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the fulfillment of God’s covenant with humanity
Jesus’ return marks the practical manifestation of Qur’anic justice on earth.
II. Why Not the Torah or Gospel? The Islamic View of Scripture
1. The Torah and Gospel Are Revered but Not Final
Islam holds that:
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the Torah (Tawrah) was revealed to Moses
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the Gospel (Injīl) was revealed to Jesus
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over time, both texts were altered, reinterpreted, or lost in their original forms
Thus, while they contain wisdom and truth, they are not regarded as complete or preserved revelations.
2. The Qur’an Is Considered the Last and Preserved Revelation
From an Islamic perspective, the Qur’an:
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completes the Abrahamic tradition
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corrects past distortions
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provides a universal legal and moral system
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remains unaltered and memorized in full since its revelation
Thus, Jesus’ adherence to the Qur’an symbolizes the culmination of prophetic history.
3. Jesus as a Bridge Between Revelations
Jesus returning to govern by the Qur’an does not erase the Torah or Gospel traditions; rather, it unites them under a final divine authority. In Islamic theology, this affirms continuity rather than rupture. Jesus becomes the figure who reconciles the divergent paths of Abrahamic faiths.
III. The Eschatological Landscape: Justice, Oppression, and Liberation
Islamic end-times narratives emphasize a world engulfed by injustice, materialism, and political exploitation. Jesus’ return represents the moment when oppression is confronted directly.
1. A Time of Confusion and Manipulated Religion
The hadith literature describes a period when:
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truth becomes obscured by propaganda
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injustice is carried out in the name of faith
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power and wealth overshadow spiritual integrity
Such conditions are not unique to any religion or nation; they reflect global structures.
2. Jesus’ Role as a Restorer of Authentic Spirituality
Jesus does not bring a new religion. Instead, he restores:
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sincerity in worship
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compassion in governance
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humility in leadership
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moral clarity
His leadership unmasks hypocrisy, whether political, religious, or ideological.
3. Universal Acceptance
Islamic eschatology teaches that when Jesus appears, many people from varying backgrounds will recognize him—not solely through doctrine, but through spiritual intuition and moral resonance.
IV. Anti-Zionist Christians and Jews: A Unique Theological Positioning
The phrase “anti-Zionist Christians and Jews” refers to individuals motivated by religious conviction, ethical principles, or historical interpretation, not hostility toward Jews or Judaism. They may oppose:
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political Zionism as a nationalist ideology
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injustice committed in the name of religion
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the merging of scripture with political agendas
1. Christian Anti-Zionism
Some Christians reject Zionism because:
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they interpret Jesus’ kingdom as spiritual, not geopolitical
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they believe the Sermon on the Mount prohibits oppression
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they see modern nationalism as incompatible with Christ’s teachings
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they interpret biblical prophecy through symbolic rather than literalist lenses
These Christians may feel religious kinship with the figure of Jesus who returns to establish justice, not political power.
2. Jewish Anti-Zionism
Anti-Zionist Jewish thought has deep roots, particularly among:
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Haredi and Hasidic groups who believe only the Messiah—not modern states—may restore Israel
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ethical and reformist Jewish thinkers who oppose injustice on universal moral grounds
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secular or left-wing Jews who critique nationalism in general
These groups often emphasize humility, justice, and universal ethics—values central to Jesus’ mission as described in Islam.
3. Why They Might Embrace the Returning Jesus
From a theological perspective, these communities could be spiritually aligned with the returning Jesus because:
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they oppose injustice committed in God’s name
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they await a messiah defined by righteousness, not nationalist power
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they value moral teachings consistent with Jesus’ character
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they prioritize peace, compassion, and universal ethics
Thus, their embrace of Jesus—within an Islamic framework—may arise from moral convergence, not doctrinal unity.
V. How Jesus’ Rule by the Qur’an Speaks to Their Values
1. A Universal Moral Code
The Qur’anic principles Jesus implements are not unfamiliar to Christians or Jews. They include:
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justice
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mercy
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protection of the oppressed
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restriction of violence
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honesty in trade and politics
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human dignity
These values resonate across Abrahamic traditions.
2. Rejection of Oppression
The Qur’an repeatedly condemns:
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tyranny
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corruption
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arrogance
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exploitation
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persecution
Jesus’ governance aligns with these themes, making him a figure who transcends political boundaries.
3. Unity Under One God
Ultimately, Jesus’ return is described not as a sectarian victory but as the moment when humanity recognizes the oneness of God and the unity of His message.
Anti-Zionist Christians and Jews who reject injustice and yearn for authentic spirituality may see in Jesus’ Qur’anic governance a fulfillment—not a negation—of their deepest hopes.
VI. The Embrace of Jesus: A Spiritual Convergence, Not a Political One
The Islamic portrayal of Jesus’ return envisions a world where people are drawn to him because:
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he restores truth
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he exemplifies mercy
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he dissolves divisions
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he reveals the divine path
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he embodies the moral ideals they already cherish
The embrace is based on ethical alignment, not political allegiance.
1. Beyond Religious Labels
Islamic eschatology does not depict Jesus as returning to create new divisions or punish people based on identity. Instead, it describes him calling humanity to:
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sincerity
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humility
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justice
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faith in one God
People who value these principles—regardless of religious background—are naturally inclined toward him.
2. A Return to Abrahamic Unity
Jesus represents the convergence of:
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Jewish messianic heritage
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Christian spiritual tradition
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Islamic monotheistic completion
His use of the Qur’an symbolizes the final harmonization of these traditions.
3. Embrace Through Recognition
According to Islamic tradition, people will embrace Jesus because they recognize truth in him, not because they are coerced or politically compelled.
VII. Conclusion: A Vision of Unity, Justice, and Spiritual Awakening
The belief that Jesus will descend to rule humanity by the Qur’an is a central pillar of Islamic eschatology. It represents the completion of prophetic teachings, the restoration of divine justice, and the dissolution of religious and political corruption.
For anti-Zionist Christians and Jews—whose theological worldview prioritizes justice, compassion, humility, and liberation—Jesus' return may resonate deeply. Their embrace of him is not about abandoning their heritage, but about recognizing a universal moral leader who embodies the values they already uphold.
In this vision, Jesus’ return is not an event of domination or exclusion—it is an event of reconciliation, clarity, and unity under one God, where humanity moves beyond political divisions toward a future defined by justice and spiritual truth.
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