Authentic Hadith Proves that Messiah (A.S) Lived for 120 Years then Died

In an authentic Hadith, whose narrators are all trustworthy according to the Muhadditheen and experts of the science of Ilm al-Rijal, the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihi wasallam) said:

إِنَّهُ لَمْ يُبْعَثْ نَبِيٌّ قَطُّ إِلا عَاشَ نِصْفَ مَا عَاشَ الَّذِي كَانَ قَبْلَهُ

Translation: “Verily, a Prophet was never sent except that he lived for half the lifespan of the Prophet who preceded him.”

Imam Tabarani (Rahimahullah) has reported this Hadith with a chain of narrators going back to the illustrious companion Zaid bin Arqam (Radiyallahu anhu). This is the complete Sanad:

حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ ، ثنا أَبُو نُعَيْمٍ ، ثنا كَامِلُ أَبُو الْعَلاءِ ، قَالَ : سَمِعْتُ حَبِيبَ بْنَ أَبِي ثَابِتٍ ، يُحَدِّثُ ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ جَعْدَةَ ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَرْقَمَ

This Hadith proves quite plainly that the Messiah (peace be upon him) has died, since he was the Prophet who preceded our Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaho alaihi wasallam). Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaho alaihi wasallam) lived a life of approximately sixty years then passed away. Therefore, according to the purport of this Hadith, the Messiah (alaihis-salaam) must have lived for about 120 years.

*If it is accepted that the Messiah is still alive and has not died, his age would be about two thousand years – which contradicts this Hadith.

Reference: Mu'jam al-Kabir (Imam Tabarani); v.5, p.171-172, H. 4986