No. The Quran says Jesus was neither killed nor crucified, and that it was made to appear so to the people, while God raised him up to Himself. Muslims believe he will return to earth before the Day of Judgment.
The fuller answer
The Quran does not say who or what was shown in his place, and Muslims do not need to know. Their belief rests on the statement of the verse itself: they did not kill him, and they did not crucify him, but it appeared so to them.
Islam also teaches that no soul carries another's sin, so a person does not need a sacrifice to be forgiven. Anyone who repents sincerely is forgiven directly by God, who is the Most Merciful. This is a difference with the Christian belief that the cross is the means of salvation, and Muslims speak about it with respect.
And [for] their saying, "Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah." 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 about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain. Rather, Allah raised him to Himself. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise.
[Mention] when Allah said, "O Jesus, indeed I will take you and raise you to Myself and purify you from those who disbelieve and make those who follow you [in submission to Allah alone] superior to those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me is your return, and I will judge between you concerning that in which you used to differ.
This answer follows the mainstream Sunni understanding and is general learning, not a fatwa. Where Muslims differ, the answer says so. Have a question of your own? Write to us.
