Christmas is celebrated with religious fervour and special prayers for peace in almost all churches across the whole world. Churches are being decorated with lights, balloons and ribbons to celebrate Christmas, the birthday of Jesus Christ (Prophet Isa). Christmas is an auspicious day when people from other faiths wish them. The Qur’an mentions Jesus more than 25 times in many chapters – more than any other Prophet in the Holy Book. He is frequently mentioned in the Qur’an as “The Messiah”, “A Mercy”, “Prophet”, “Messenger”, “Word from God”, “Spirit,” “A Sign”, “One brought near (to God)”, “Upright”, “Servant”, “Eminent”, “Blessed”,“A Witness”, and“A Parable.” As such he is honoured everywhere by Islam and Muslims.
Jesus is a revered figure in Islam. Islam is the only Non-Christian faith that prescribes faith in Jesus Christ. No Muslim is Muslim if he does not believe in Jesus Christ. We Muslims believe that he was one of the mightiest Messengers of God. We Muslims believe that God sent 1,24,000 Prophets from time to time and Jesus is one of them, and Muhammad ﷺ is the last and final Messenger of God. As such he is honoured everywhere by Muslims. That is why Jesus is a revered figure in Islam.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, described in Qur’an as “One exalted above all womenkind,” has one whole chapter in the Qur’an (Surah No. 19)named after her. This chapter tells of the miraculous birth of Jesus. The story begins with an angel announcing the birth of a holy son to Marry, who, being a chaste woman, was quite distraught at this news. But the Angel reassured her that this was the Will of God, that it was not a difficult thing for Him and it was a Sign and a Blessing to all humankind.
When Marry gave birth to Jesus without any male intervention, and brought him to her people, they all pointed fingers at her. But she was told by God to remain silent and to point to the Baby. As the people were wondering how they could talk to a child in the cradle, the baby Jesus performed his first miracle by saying these words: “I am God’s Servant. He has given me the book and made me a prophet.
The Bible says, “Trust your Lord with all your heart and lean not your own understanding and submit to Him and He will make your paths straight, put your trust in God, set aside your anxieties, doubts,suspicionand turn to the Lord.”
The Hebrew quotation says: “Hear O, Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord.” (Mark 12:29) The Holy Qur’an (Chapter 112) says: “He is Allah The one; the Eternal, Absolute; He beget not, Nor He begotten.”When Jesus attained manhood,God bestowed upon him “scriptures and wisdom along with the Torah and Gospel.” He was also given the power to perform a number of miracles, such as fishing a living bird out of clay; giving sight to a blind person; healing a leper and raising the dead to life.The Bible clearly says:We have sent Jesus to establish peace on earth. Islam means establishing peace through the Will of God. Prophet Muhammad ﷺwas also sent to establish peace on earth.
On the day of Christmas let us comprehend the dictums of the good and bad the just and unjust, the virtue and vice. Celebrating Christmas is rejoicing in this propounded truth and sharing it with others.
[The writer is a professor, Secab, Vijaypur, Karnataka]