The swoon theory is not the original Muslim explanation for Jesus’ apparent death, though, nor is it the majority view. Most Muslims believe “the substitution theory.” Early in Islamic history, it was argued that Jesus was substituted before being placed on the cross. Allah put Jesus’ face on someone else, and that person was crucified in Jesus’ place. This is how they interpreted the Quranic verse, “Jesus was neither killed nor crucified, but so it appeared.”21
