Do Muslims believe Jesus was crucified?

No. Muslims believe Jesus was not crucified and did not die on the cross. The Quran says his enemies did not kill him or crucify him, but it was made to appear so to them, and God raised Jesus up to Himself. This is one of the clearest differences between Islam and Christianity.

What the Quran says

The key passage responds to people who boasted that they had killed Jesus:

وَقَوْلِهِمْ إِنَّا قَتَلْنَا ٱلْمَسِيحَ عِيسَى ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ وَمَا صَلَبُوهُ وَلَـٰكِن شُبِّهَ لَهُمْ ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ فِيهِ لَفِى شَكٍّ مِّنْهُ ۚ مَا لَهُم بِهِۦ مِنْ عِلْمٍ إِلَّا ٱتِّبَاعَ ٱلظَّنِّ ۚ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ يَقِينًۢا "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." Quran 4:157

The next verse continues: "Rather, Allah raised him to Himself. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise" (Quran 4:158). So Muslims believe God rescued Jesus, much as He rescued other prophets from those who wanted to harm them.

So what happened?

The Quran doesn't give every detail, so Muslim scholars have explained it in a few ways:

Another man was made to look like him: this is the view of most classical commentators. Some said it was a disciple who volunteered; others said it was the one who betrayed him.
Jesus was raised alive, body and soul: this is the mainstream Sunni belief, and it connects to his return before the end of time.
The word "take" in Quran 3:55: God says, "O Jesus, indeed I will take you and raise you to Myself." Most scholars understand "take" here as taking him up, or as a kind of sleep, not as death on the cross.

What all mainstream Muslims agree on is the core: he was not killed and not crucified. See Do I have to believe Jesus isn't God to become Muslim?

Why it matters

For Christians, the crucifixion is central: it is how sins are forgiven. Islam teaches that no one needs to die for another person's sins. God forgives anyone who sincerely turns to Him, directly, without any go-between. That's why Muslims don't see the cross as necessary for salvation.

Muslims also see God's rescue of Jesus as an honor. In the Quran, God protects His chosen messengers, and raising Jesus to Himself shows his high rank.

Talking about it with Christian family

This topic can feel sensitive, especially around Easter. You don't have to argue. It's enough to say that you love Jesus too and believe God saved him. See Can I still go to my family's Easter dinner as a Muslim?

Many families find it easier to start from what they share: Jesus was a messenger of God, born of Mary, who performed miracles and will return.

Key points

Muslims believe Jesus was not killed or crucified (Quran 4:157).
God raised him up to Himself (Quran 4:158).
Most scholars say someone else was made to resemble him.
In Islam, forgiveness doesn't depend on anyone's sacrifice.

Tip: If a relative asks you about this, answer briefly and kindly, then ask what the crucifixion means to them. Listening first usually leads to a much better conversation than debating proof texts.

Do Muslims believe Jesus was crucified?

What the Quran says

So what happened?

Why it matters

Talking about it with Christian family

People also ask