*11. THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS (PBUH)* In the Islamic teachings, there is clear evidence indicating the second coming of Jesus (pbuh) before the final hour; this will be his final miracle. He will return not as God, as the Christians believe, but as Jesus, Allah’s messenger and slave, as he has always been. One of the purposes of his coming will be to correct the misconceptions surrounding his message and mission. According to a statement of Prophet Muhammad (bpuh), he will stay for forty years, and these will be the happiest years of life on this earth. During that time, those who had misconceptions about him will correct their understanding and believe in him as a messenger, not as the son of God (Allah). It was narrated by Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (bpuh) said: «By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, it will not be long before the son of Mary descends amongst you, a just judge and ruler. He will break the cross, kill the swine and abolish the jizyah*. - [*jizyah: a tax paid by Christians and Jews living under Muslim protection. (The Muslims do not pay jizyah, but they must give a percentage of their personal wealth as obligatory charity to designated categories of recipients, such as the poor and the needy.)] Money will be so plentiful that no one will accept it. At that time, a single prostration will be better than this world and everything in it. Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) then said: Read if you wish (the following verse of the Quran): {And there is none from the People of the Scripture but that he will surely believe in Jesus before his death. And on the Day of Resurrection, he will be against them a witness.} (Quran 4: 159)» (Recorded by Bukhari) In another narration, Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said that: «Among the things that Prophet Muhammad (bpuh) was recorded to have said regarding Prophet Jesus’ return is the following: There will be no prophet between Jesus and me, and Jesus will return. When he does, you will know him. He will be a well-built man of ruddy complexion, and he will descend wearing a two-piece garment. His hair will look wet, though no water will have touched it. He will fight people to establish Islam and he will break the cross, kill the swine and cancel the jizyah. During his time, Allah will destroy all religions except Islam, and the Antichrist* will be killed. - [*The Antichrist is also called the ‘false Christ’; he is a man who will claim that he is Allah, and he will be followed by ignorant people, but Prophet Jesus will find him and kill him] Jesus will remain on Earth for forty years, and when he dies, Muslims will pray the funeral prayer for him.» (A sound hadith recorded by Abu Dawood) Jesus’ return will be one of the signs of the Day of Judgement. It will be the final miracle given to him before he dies.