Short answer
Many authentic hadith mention Jesus (Isa). The Prophet ﷺ said he is the closest of people to Jesus, described his appearance, said he spoke in the cradle and was protected from Satan's touch at birth, and foretold that he will return as a just ruler and kill the Dajjal before the Last Day.
Belief in what the authentic hadith teach about Isa, including his return, is part of Sunni creed as set out in al-Fiqh al-Akbar and al-Aqida al-Tahawiyya. Weak reports and stories borrowed from earlier scriptures without a sound chain are not used to build belief.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
The Quran is the main source on Jesus, but the hadith add warm detail. Here are some of the best known, all from Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim:
- Brotherhood: "I am the closest of people to Jesus son of Mary in this world and the next. The prophets are brothers with different mothers and one religion." He also said there was no prophet between them.
- His appearance: on the night journey the Prophet ﷺ saw him, of medium height and reddish complexion, as if he had just come out of a bath.
- Speaking in the cradle: Jesus was one of only three who spoke as infants.
- Protected at birth: every child is touched by Satan at birth except Mary and her son.
- Part of the shahada: whoever bears witness that Jesus is Allah's servant, messenger and word will enter Paradise.
- On the Day of Judgement: when people ask him to intercede, he does not mention any sin of his, and sends them to Muhammad ﷺ.
- His return: "The son of Mary will soon descend among you as a just judge." He will break the cross, end the jizya, and pursue the Dajjal and kill him at the gate of Lydd.
These reports show how Muslims see him: a beloved brother of the Prophet ﷺ, pure and honoured, whose story is not finished. For more, see will Jesus return?, Prophet Isa and the Dajjal.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Az-Zukhruf 43:61
وَإِنَّهُۥ لَعِلْمٌۭ لِّلسَّاعَةِ فَلَا تَمْتَرُنَّ بِهَا وَٱتَّبِعُونِ ۚ هَٰذَا صِرَٰطٌۭ مُّسْتَقِيمٌۭ ﴿٦١﴾
And indeed, Jesus will be [a sign for] knowledge of the Hour, so be not in doubt of it, and follow Me. This is a straight path.
The Quran points to the return of Jesus as a sign of the Last Day.
Quran, Surah An-Nisaa 4:159
وَإِن مِّنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ إِلَّا لَيُؤْمِنَنَّ بِهِۦ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِۦ ۖ وَيَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَهِيدًۭا ﴿١٥٩﴾
And there is none from the People of the Scripture but that he will surely believe in Jesus before his death. And on the Day of Resurrection he will be against them a witness.
Many commentators read this as referring to his return before his death.
Sahih al-Bukhari 3443
Sahih... أنا أولى الناس بعيسى ابن مريم في الدنيا والآخرة ...
"I am the closest of people to Jesus son of Mary in this world and the Hereafter."
The Prophet ﷺ described a special closeness to Jesus.
Sahih al-Bukhari 3394
Sahih... ربعة أحمر كأنما خرج من ديماس ...
"He was of medium height and reddish, as if he had just come out of a bath."
The Prophet ﷺ described Jesus as he saw him on the night journey.
Sahih al-Bukhari 3448
Sahih... ليوشكن أن ينزل فيكم ابن مريم حكما عدلا ...
"The son of Mary will soon descend among you as a just judge."
The return of Jesus is established in authentic hadith.
Sahih Muslim 2937
Sahih... فيطلبه حتى يدركه بباب لد فيقتله ...
"He will pursue him until he catches him at the gate of Lydd and kills him."
Jesus will kill the Dajjal when he returns.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Fiqh al-Akbar, the section on the signs of the Last Day. Affirms the descent of Isa from the heaven as true.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.