Dispelling one of the greatest religious myths in human
history, Allah says, “And they did not kill him, nor did they
crucify him; but another was made to resemble him to
them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt…
Rather, Allah raised him to Himself. And ever is Allah
exalted in Might and Wise (4:157-159).
Furthermore, Allah says of Isa e, “And he (Isa), shall be
a Sign of the Hour” (43:61), which clearly predicts his
return in the end of times. The Prophet a expounded the
Qur’anic prediction as follows, “During this time, Allah
will send the Messiah, Ibn Maryam, who will descend by
the white minaret to the east of Damascus in two yellowcolored
shawls, his hands on the wings of two angels. When
he will lower his head, droplets will appear trickling down
and when he will raise, it will appear as though pearl-like
drops are rolling down” (Muslim).
The white minaret to the east of Damascus refers to
the tallest minaret of the Umayyad masjid (253 ft.) in
Damascus, which was built by the sixth caliph of the
Umayyad dynasty, Walid bin ‘Abdul Malik. The masjid has
three minarets but the Minaret of Isa e, or Mi’dhanat Isa
as it is known, is to the southeast of the masjid. Since the
minaret was near the Eastern Gate (Babun Sharqiyun), which
was one of the seven gates from which travelers entered the
historic city, it is indicated to as the minaret ‘to the east of
Damascus’.
UMAYYAD MASJID
Damascus, Syria
24 May - June 2020 | AL-MADINAH