As-salamu alaykum - Questions from a former Catholic sister about the Crucifixion

As-salamu alaykum, Hi, everyone. Call me Ari. I’m 28F and was raised Catholic but drifted away for a while. Lately I’ve been exploring Islam and have some sincere theological questions about the Islamic view of the Crucifixion of Jesus. A friend of mine, David, is a non-practicing Catholic. He’s been helping me think critically by playing devil’s advocate - he’s trying to challenge Islam in discussion to help me test my beliefs. He supports me if I choose Islam, but he doesn’t accept it himself. I’m also planning to speak with a priest friend of his on Monday for perspective and spiritual guidance. I’ve been struggling with tensions between Catholic and Islamic teachings, since both religions place a lot of importance on Jesus. The past couple of months have been stressful while I learn and try to reconcile things. Below I’ve written out some of the main points I’ve been wrestling with and would really like to hear how Muslims and Islamic scholars respond. Preface This is my first time writing out a debate-style post like this, so I might not be using formal structure perfectly. I’m presenting a thesis and some supporting points and I’d appreciate sincere, respectful counterarguments - Quranic references, tafsir, or historical perspectives are all welcome. My goal isn’t to attack; I genuinely want to understand how Islam addresses the evidence I’m citing. Thesis While Islam offers explanations denying that Jesus was crucified, I find the historical and textual evidence - eyewitness accounts in the Gospel narratives and independent Roman sources - make the crucifixion the most straightforward and probable explanation when judged by simple reasoning. Points I’m struggling with 1) Eyewitness details in the Gospel accounts John 19:25–27 describes people at the cross: Jesus’ mother, his relative, Mary Magdalene, and the Apostle John. To me, that sounds like multiple witnesses who saw the crucifixion, which raises questions about ideas that Jesus’ death was only a rumor or that someone else was crucified in his place. 2) Non-Christian historical references Writers like Tacitus mention that Christus suffered under Pontius Pilate, which seems to be independent historical confirmation that Jesus was executed. That kind of source feels like it supports a historical crucifixion rather than a later myth. 3) Theological concerns about the “deception” explanation If the Islamic explanation is understood as God causing people to believe Jesus was crucified when he was not, that seems hard to reconcile with God being al-Haqq (The Truth) and just. Is the idea of a divine deception meant metaphorically or in some other sense in Islamic thought? I’d like to understand how scholars treat this so it doesn’t sound like God is misleading people. Occam’s Razor argument From my perspective, the crucifixion hypothesis is simpler: a man named Jesus was executed, supported by multiple sources. The alternatives offered in Islamic interpretation - mass illusion, substitution, or mistaken identity - feel like they introduce extra complications. Questions for Muslim scholars How do scholars who accept the Quranic verse understood by many as denying the crucifixion reconcile those theological and historical points? Specifically, if Jesus was actually killed on the cross, how is that compatible with verses asserting he was raised to God and saved from the cross? Related question David and I also wonder: why would God wait about 600 years to send Prophet Muhammad if Christianity were a mistaken or corrupted religion? And how should we understand verses like Quran 10:94 that advise someone to ask the People of the Book if there’s doubt - does that imply the earlier scriptures retain authority even if parts were altered? Thanks for reading. I’d appreciate suggestions for thoughtful spiritual questions I can ask the priest on Monday as well. Any recommended ayahs, tafsir, or historical resources that address these topics would be very helpful. Jazakum Allahu khairan.