بَل رَّفَعَهُ اللّهُ إِلَيْهِ وَكَانَ اللّهُ عَزِيزًا
But Allah raised him up unto Himself. And Allah is Ever All-Powerful,
meaning, He is the Almighty, and He is never weak, nor will those who seek refuge in Him ever be subjected to disgrace.
حَكِيمًا
All-Wise.
in all that He decides and ordains for His creatures. Indeed, Allah's is the clearest wisdom, unequivocal proof and the most glorious authority.
Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Ibn Abbas said,
"Just before Allah raised `Isa to the heavens, `Isa went to his companions, who were twelve inside the house. When he arrived, his hair was dripping water and he said, `There are those among you who will disbelieve in me twelve times after he had believed in me.'
He then asked, `Who volunteers that his image appear as mine, and be killed in my place. He will be with me (in Paradise).'
One of the youngest ones among them volunteered and `Isa asked him to sit down.
`Isa again asked for a volunteer, and the young man kept volunteering and `Isa asking him to sit down. Then the young man volunteered again and `Isa said, `You will be that man,' and the resemblance of `Isa was cast over that man while `Isa ascended to heaven from a hole in the house.
When the Jews came looking for `Isa, they found that young man and crucified him.
Some of `Isa's followers disbelieved in him twelve times after they had believed in him. They then divided into three groups.
One group, Al-Ya`qubiyyah (Jacobites), said, `Allah remained with us as long as He willed and then ascended to heaven.'
Another group, An-Nasturiyyah (Nestorians), said, `The son of Allah was with us as long as he willed and Allah took him to heaven.'
Another group, Muslims, said, `The servant and Messenger of Allah remained with us as long as Allah willed, and Allah then took him to Him.'
The two disbelieving groups cooperated against the Muslim group and they killed them. Ever since that happened, Islam was then veiled until Allah sent Muhammad."
This statement has an authentic chain of narration leading to Ibn Abbas, and An-Nasa'i narrated it through Abu Kurayb who reported it from Abu Mu`awiyah.
Many among the Salaf stated that;
`Isa asked if someone would volunteer for his appearance to be cast over him, and that he will be killed instead of `Isa, for which he would be his companion in Paradise.
All Christians Will Believe in `Isa Before He Dies
Allah said,
وَإِن مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ إِلاَّ لَيُوْمِنَنَّ بِهِ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ
وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَهِيدًا