Yuza Asif or Yus Asaf is the name given to Jesus by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Movement, who believe that he survived the crucifixion and migrated to Kashmir. Yuza Asif was revered as a prophet and a holy (but mortal) man. These beliefs are discussed in the book Negaristan-i-Kashmir , written by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (the founder of the Ahmadiyya sect of Islam, who claims to be the Promised Messiah for both Muslims and Christians). Drawing on some Kashmiri oral traditions, as well as the Qur'an, Hadith, and accounts by explorers, he claims that Jesus travelled eastwards to Srinagar, where he settled and married a woman called Marjam (that is, Mary). Marjam bore Yuza Asif children, before he died aged 120 years. It is also claimed that Jesus' mother, Mary, is buried in the town Murree in Pakistan.

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad further claims that Yuza Asif is buried in the Rozabal Muslim shrine, situated in the Mohala Kan Yar district of Srinagar. This is claimed to be the tomb of a man who was both a prince and a prophet, dating to about AD 100. Ahmad claims that the name Yuza Asif means "Jesus the Gatherer", while Buddhist writings claims that the tomb was a tomb of Metteyya (Messiah), the fifth advent of Buddha. His teachings are often compared with those of Jesus in form and sentiment and influenced later Buddhism.

The tomb consists of a low rectangular building on raised platform surrounded by railings at the front. It has three arches at the front where entry can be had and four arches at the side. Inside is a wooden box shaped screen where the tomb can be viewed on a lower floor near a river. An interesting aspect of the tomb are two carved feet with niches in which could have represented the nails driven into Jesus's feet at the time of Crucifixion. It is maintained by the Guardians of the Tomb, an Ahmadiyya Muslim family who claim descent from the interred prophet.

Bibliography

• Nicolas Notovitch, The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ, Leaves of Healing Publications (April 1, 1990), ISBN 0960285016. Reprint of this 1890s publication, which first proposed this theory.
• Holger Kersten, Jesus Lived in India (in German)
• Abubakr Ben Ishmael Salahuddin, Saving the Savior: Did Christ Survive the Crucifixion?, Jammu Pr; 1st Pbk edition (June, 2001), ISBN 0970828012
• Kaiser, Jesus died in Kashmir
• Khwaja Nazir Ahmad, Jesus in Heaven on Earth: Journey of Jesus to Kashmir, His Preaching to the Lost Tribes of Israel, and Death and Burial in Srinagar, Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat, 1999, ISBN 0913321605
• Maury Lee, Jesus of India
• Paul C. Pappas, Jesus' Tomb in India: The Debate on His Death and Resurrection, Asian Humanities Press, (September 1, 1991), ISBN 0895819465
• Gene Matloc, Jesus and Moses Are Buried in India, Birthplace of Abraham and the Hebrews
• Richard G. Patton, The Autobiography of Jesus of Nazareth and the Missing Years A fictional account, based on this theory.

External links

• Tomb of Jesus Organisation
• Ahmadiyya Website
• A buddhist perspective
• Jesus in the East
• American Researcher
• Holger Kersten's book "Jesus Lived in India"
• Muslim Opposition
• Church in the East