Christmas is celebrated on25th Decemberwith religiousfervourandspecialprayersforpeaceinalmostallchurchesacrossthewholeworld. Churches are decoratedwithlights, balloons and ribbonstocelebrateChristmas, thebirthdayof Jesus Christ. Christmas isan auspiciousdaywhenpeoplefromotherfaithswish the Christians.
Jesus is mentioned as a prophet morethan25times in the Quran. He isfrequentlymentionedin theQuranas ‘TheMessiah’, ‘A Mercy’, ‘Prophet’, ‘Messenger’, ‘wordfrom God’, ‘Spirit’, ‘A Sign’, ‘Onebrought near(to GOD)’, ‘Upright’, ‘Servant’, ‘Eminent’, ‘Blessed’, ‘Witness’, ‘A Parable’. Assuchhe is honouredeverywhere byMuslims.
Jesus is a reveredfigure in Islam. Islam is the only Non-Christian faith that prescribes faith in Jesus Christ. A Muslim loses his faith in Islam if he does notbelieve in Jesus Christ (or for that matter any other Prophet).We Muslims believe that he was one ofthemightiestMessengers of God. WeMuslimsbelievethat God sent1,24000 Prophets fromtimetotime and Jesus isoneofthem, andMuhammad ﷺ was the last and finalMessengerof God. That is why Jesus is a reveredfigurein Islam.
Mary, themotherof Jesus,describedinQuranas“Oneexaltedaboveall womenkind”hasonechapteroftheQuran (No. 19)namedafterher. This chapter tellsofthemiraculousbirthofJesus. Thestory beginswith an Angel announcingthe birthof a holysontoMarry,whobeingachastewoman, wasquitedistraughtatthisnews.Butthe AngelreassuredherthatthiswastheWill ofGod, thatit wasnota difficultthingforHimand itwas aSign anda Blessing toallhumankind.
WhenMarrygavebirthtoJesus withoutanymaleintervention, and broughthim to herpeople, theyallpointedfingers ather.ButshewastoldbyGod toremain silent andpoint tothe Baby. As thepeoplewerewonderinghowthey couldtalkto achildin thecradle, thebabyJesus performedhisfirstmiraclebysayingthesewords: “I amGod’s Servant.Hehasgivenmethebookandmademeaprophet.”
The Biblesays: “Trust yourLord with allyourheart andlean notyourownunderstanding andsubmitto Him and Hewillmakeyourpathsstraight,putyourtrust in God,setasideyouranxieties, doubts,suspension andturntoLord.
In Hebrewquotationit is: “Hear O, Israel! TheLordourGod isonelord. (Mark, 12:29)
The HolyQuran(Chapter 112)says: “He is AllahTheone; theEternal, Absolute;He begetnot,NorHebegotten;whenJesus attainedmanhood,God bestoweduponhim scripturesand wisdom, alongwith theTorahand Gospel.”
Hewas alsogiventhepowertoperformanumberofmiracles,suchasfishingalivingbirdoutofclay;givingsighttoa blind person;healinga leperandraisingthedeadtolife;the Bible clearlysays:We (God) havesentJesus forestablishingpeace on earth. Islam means establishing peace through the Will ofGOD. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was alsosent toestablishpeace on earth.
Christmas is a day when truth dawned on the world.Withthistruth,the worldisable tocomprehendthedictumsofgoodandbad, just and unjust,virtue and evil.CelebratingChristmasisrejoicinginthispropoundedtruthandsharingitwithothers,
[The writer is a Professor, Secab, Vijaypur, Karnataka]