Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, surely (Jesus,) the son of Mary will soon descend amongst you and will judge mankind justly (as a Just Ruler); he will break the Cross and kill the pigs and there will be no Jizya (i.e. taxation taken from non Muslims). Money will be in abundance so that nobody will accept it, and a single prostration to Allah (in prayer) will be better than the whole world and whatever is in it." Abu Huraira added "If you wish, you can recite (this verse of the Holy Book): -- 'And there is none Of the people of the Scriptures (Jews and Christians) But must believe in him (i.e Jesus as an Apostle of Allah and a human being) Before his death. And on the Day of Judgment He will be a witness Against them." (4.159) (See Fath-ul-Bari, Page 302 Vol 7)
Hadith Commentary: The Descent of Jesus Son of Mary
This noble hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari 3448, narrated by Abu Huraira, concerns the descent of Jesus son of Mary (peace be upon him) before the Day of Judgment. This is a matter of established creed (aqidah) for Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah, based on clear texts from the Quran and Sunnah.
Analysis of Key Prophecies
"He will break the Cross" - Scholars explain this means he will abolish Christianity as a religion, demonstrating its invalidity and proving his true nature as a servant and messenger of Allah, not a deity or son of God. The physical cross, as a symbol of shirk, will be destroyed.
"Kill the pigs" - This signifies the establishment of Islamic law (Shari'ah) in its purity. The prohibition of pigs, which was abrogated for previous nations, will be fully enforced, symbolizing the removal of all impurities from divine legislation.
"No Jizya" - This indicates that Islam will be the only accepted religion. People will either embrace Islam or face combat, as there will be no option for protected non-Muslim status under Islamic rule during his time.
Eschatological Significance
The abundance of wealth mentioned shows the complete establishment of justice and prosperity under his rule. The spiritual value will surpass material worth, where a single prostration to Allah will be more valuable than the entire world - indicating the perfection of faith and devotion that will prevail.
The reference to Surah An-Nisa (4:159) confirms that all People of the Scripture will believe in Jesus before his natural death after his descent, affirming his true prophethood and refuting claims of his divinity.
Scholarly Consensus
Classical commentators like Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani in Fath al-Bari and Ibn Kathir in his Tafsir unanimously affirm this prophecy. His descent will occur near Damascus, he will pray behind Imam Mahdi, defeat the Dajjal (Antichrist), establish peace and justice, and eventually die as a Muslim and be buried in Medina next to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).