Answer
Short answer: There is no concept of a “rapture” within Islamic teachings, and the vast majority of Christians don’t even subscribe to this view, one which was only propagated in the early 1830’s.
Peace be with you,
Thank you for your question and for contacting Ask About Islam.
Your question regards the eschatology of Christianity, or the theological study of the End Times.
For a subset of Christians, known as Dispensationalists, the word “Rapture” refers to the end time event when all true Christians—living and the resurrected dead—will physically rise into the sky and join Christ for eternity.
However, there is a lot of disagreement among Christians on the details of what will happen in the final events of this world.
But Christians generally believe that Jesus Christ will return to this world for a second time. This is usually called the Second Coming.
Two-Stage Second-Coming
According to this view, first he will come for his real followers both living and dead in the “rapture”.
This is “the transformation and catching up of all Christians, dead or alive, to meet Christ in the air”, according to Billy Graham.
The second phase takes place after a period of seven years of great tribulation (i.e worldwide disasters, war and suffering) on earth.
Then, it is believed that Christ will return to the earth and defeat his enemies to reign on the earth for a thousand years (the millennium) with his saints, the Church.
At the end of this thousand years, the unbelieving dead will be raised to life to be judged and cast into a lake of fire.
But, the saved will live forever with Christ in a new heaven and new earth.
We can get a dramatic description of the rapture from the website of the Left Behind Novels, which are fictional writings meant to popularize the concept of rapture and the accompanying beliefs:
In one chaotic moment, millions of people around the world suddenly disappear leaving their clothes, wedding rings, eye glasses and shoes in crumpled piles. Mass confusion hits while vehicles suddenly unmanned veer out of control, fires erupt and hysteria breaks out as the living stare in disbelief and fear at the empty places where their loved ones were just seconds before. This is the rapture that God has planned as the first sign to begin the unraveling of the end of time. (Rapture: Will You Be Left Behind?)
The Catholic Belief about Rapture
Meanwhile, Catholics (who form more than 50% of the Christian world) as well as a large number of mainstream Protestants (about 37% of Christendom) do not believe in any rapture of the kind described above.
Catholics reject the idea of a pre-tribulation rapture altogether. They believe that Christ’s Second Coming will happen in just one event.
They reject the view that Christians will be spared of the great tribulation, and certainly history bears witness that the Church thrives under persecution.
Indeed, much Biblical evidence shows that persecution and suffering have a solid place in the Kingdom and that it can be a witness to the unfaithful.
History of Pre-Tribulation Rapture Beliefs
In fact, the pre-tribulation rapture theory was introduced into Christendom by John Darby, founder of the Plymouth Brethren, around 1830.
Before that, no theologian or denomination had ever suggested a “two stage” coming of Christ. The Early Church Fathers never suggested Christ would come again in two stages.
So, the idea of a “Rapture”, as touted by these small sects, is not held by the majority of Christians of the world on the plea that (1) it is not Biblical, (2) it is a fairly recent innovation by John Darby and (3) it was unknown to the early Church fathers.
Islam’s Concept of the End Times and Jesus’ Second Coming
Islam teaches that the life of this world will come to an end and all human beings will die:
Every soul shall taste death. Then unto Us you shall be returned. (Quran 29:57)
Towards the end of this world, we will see the return of Jesus Christ to earth.
Muslims hold the following beliefs about the second coming of Jesus:
- Jesus was a prophet of God and the Messiah prophesied by the earlier prophets, and his return is a sign of the end times.
- On his second coming Jesus will clear all the confusion regarding his life and mission.
- And Jesus will follow the law of God as perfected by the final prophet, Muhammad (peace be upon him).
After that, there will be a Day of Judgment before God Almighty when all created souls will have to give an account for their lives on earth.
The life of this world is a test to determine our place in the eternal life after death.
On Judgment Day, those who followed Divine Guidance and lead a life of goodness are the truly victorious ones, who enter an eternal abode of paradise.
But, those who didn’t will be thrown into the flames of Hell.
I hope this answered your question.
Read more…
https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-about-islam/second-coming-jesus/
https://aboutislam.net/reading-islam/understanding-islam/jesus-mission-on-his-second-coming/
https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-about-islam/islam-armageddon-end-times/
https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-about-islam/jesus-quran-signs-end-times/