Assalamu alaykum. I truly appreciate the work that you do answering questions, and I have a question that is really important and I need advice, Allaah willing. I am very eager to receive your response, Allaah willing, as I am very worried. I go to High School in America, where things are taught from a secular standpoint. Earlier this year, my dad and I had to have a meeting with my history teacher to tell him that we do not believe that the humans came from apes as the textbook teaches that. Now the class is in the chapter that talks about Jesus, may Allaah exalt his mention. My history teacher often says things like "according to Christians, Jesus was crucified" indicating that only Christians believe that. My worry is that today, he said, "Jesus died around..." indicating that he thinks that it is a fact agreed upon by everyone. Obviously, being Muslim, I know that Jesus did not die, but when my history teacher said, "Jesus died," I said somewhat outloud, "according to Christians," indicating that according to modern Christians, Jesus died. My history teacher did not hear me, and neither did anyone in the class, and he kept talking. Now I am very worried as I was in a classroom where they said that Jesus died and I did not openly disapprove of it. I tried to disapprove of it, but I did not complete it, and no one heard me. Does this mean that I am considered to have agreed with what they said about Jesus dying? I am very worried and have a terrible feeling in my heart as I feel that I was in a group where they said that Jesus died and I did not say anything that they heard in order to correct them. Is it ok as my history teacher knows that I am muslim? If I did commit disbelief or a major sin, would it be good to tell the whole class that I believe that Jesus did not die? If I did do something wrong, is it enough to repent, do ghusl (ritual shower), and tell the class that I believe that Jesus did not die? Thank you for your patience and your help towards your brothers and sisters in Islam. May Allaah reward you.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

First of all, we have previously highlighted the gravity of going to such schools that teach Christian curricula; please refer to fatwa 30220. It is impermissible to carry on studying in such schools. You should look for other schools free of such sharee'ah violations. It is prohibited for the Muslim to carry on studying in such schools except for a necessity or a pressing need and provided that there is no fear of undermining the Muslim individual's religiosity.

In any case, the Muslim is not declared a disbeliever merely because of listening to words of disbelief, even if he does not disapprove of them in public. As long as the person harbors faith within his heart and does not believe in such words of disbelief he is not declared a disbeliever nor is it considered an approval of such disbelief on his part.

On the other hand, the point of difference between Islam and Christianity is greater than the question of the death of Prophet ʻEesa (Jesus) . Some Muslim scholars held that he died and was raised to Heaven. However, Christians believe that he was killed and crucified, which clearly contradicts what has been stated in the Quran. Allaah, The Exalted, says (what means): {And (for) their saying, "Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allaah." 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] Indeed ,the correct scholarly view in this regard is that ʻEesa was raised to Heaven alive.

If you possess adequate knowledge to refute the false information provided by your teacher in this regard and convince your fellow students with it, then you should do so; otherwise, it is advisable that you spare yourself such a situation to begin with.

We also advise you to avail yourself of the useful writings of Shaykh Ahmed Deedat regarding his debates and dialogues with Christians. Also, please refer to fataawa 8210, 10326 and 90449 about the falsehood of Christianity and the contradictions in the various versions of the Bible.

Allaah knows best.