Do Muslims Celebrate Easter? (Quranic Answer)

You may have asked about Easter and its relation to Jesus Christ’s (PBUH) crucifixion and ascension. The question was raised regarding whether he was crucified, and if so, did he ascend on Good Friday or Easter Sunday? Let’s dive into this matter and shed some light on what both the Qur’an and the Bible have to say.

The Qur’anic Perspective on Jesus Christ (PBUH)

The Qur’an provides a very clear and explicit answer to the question of Jesus Christ’s (PBUH) death. In Surah An-Nisa (Chapter 4, Verse 157), it states:

“They said (in both the Jews), ‘We killed Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.’ They killed him not, neither did they crucify him; but it was made to appear so. And those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge but only conjecture to follow. For a surety they killed him not.”

This verse explicitly mentions that Jesus Christ (PBUH) was neither killed nor crucified. Instead, it was made to appear as though he was. There is no ambiguity in this statement—the Qur’an directly denies the crucifixion of Jesus (PBUH).

The next verse, Surah An-Nisa, 4:158, affirms that Allah raised him up alive. So, according to the Qur’an, Jesus Christ (PBUH) was not crucified, nor did he die on the cross.

The Bible’s Perspective on Jesus Christ (PBUH)

Interestingly, the Bible also offers some clues that suggest Jesus Christ (PBUH) did not die on the cross as commonly believed. For further clarification, one could refer to the video, Was Jesus Christ (PBUH) Really Crucified? which elaborates on this matter.

If Jesus Christ (PBUH) wasn’t crucified, then where does the concept of the Ascension fit in? Where do Good Friday and Easter come from?

What Does the Church Believe?

The Church teaches that Jesus Christ (PBUH) was taken down from the cross by the Jews, as they didn’t want the body to remain on the cross during the beginning of the Sabbath on Friday night. According to the Bible, only a soldier confirmed Jesus’ death, but there was no concrete evidence that Jesus (PBUH) had actually died.

The Bible then narrates that Jesus (PBUH) was placed in the sepulchre on Friday night. According to Christian tradition, they believe Jesus Christ (PBUH) died on the cross and ascended to heaven on a Friday. This is why they call it Good Friday. Furthermore, the Church teaches that Jesus (PBUH) spent three days in Hell, paying for the sins of humanity. After this, when he came back, the event is referred to as Easter Sunday.

However, this narrative doesn’t fulfill the prophecy of Jesus Christ (PBUH). In the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 12, Verses 30 and 40, Jesus (PBUH) himself says:

“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

The Prophecy of Jonah and Jesus Christ (PBUH)

If you carefully calculate the events, Jesus Christ (PBUH) was placed in the tomb on Friday night and the tomb was found empty on Sunday morning. This accounts for only two nights and one day, which does not fulfill the prophecy that Jesus (PBUH) would spend three days and three nights in the heart of the earth, just like Jonah did in the belly of the whale.

The story of Jonah (PBUH) is key here. He was alive in the belly of the whale, and for the prophecy to hold true, Jesus Christ (PBUH) would also need to be alive during the period in question.

Conclusion: The Islamic View

In Islam, Jesus Christ (PBUH) was neither crucified nor died on the cross. As both the Qur’an and the Biblical references suggest, Jesus Christ (PBUH) was raised alive by Allah.

This clarification should help address the common misconceptions surrounding the ascension of Jesus (PBUH) and the traditions of Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

Thus, according to both the Islamic and Biblical perspectives, Jesus Christ (PBUH) did not suffer a death on the cross. He was raised up alive, in fulfillment of divine prophecy.