Jesus in Quran and Islamic Celebrations

Written by Mulla Mujahidali Sheriff

Wednesday, 22 September 2010 17:34 - Last Updated Wednesday, 14 March 2012 11:15

TALK DELIVERED BY MULLA MUJAHIDALI SHERIFF AT PORTSMOUTH CATHEDRAL

Thursday 7th December 2004

In the Name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful

May his peace and blessings be upon all those who receive His guidance and follow it
devotedly.

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good evening and peace be upon you all.

Once again, we have the honour of gathering here this evening to celebrate the birth of Jesus
son of Mary (Peace be upon him).

Jesus has been referred to as Issa and his chaste mother as Maryam in the Holy Quran.

Both Jesus and his mother Mary have been held in high esteem in Islam. Muslims believe in
Jesus as the Prophet of the Almighty God and his mother Mary as a pure and chaste woman
who conceived and gave birth to her son purely by the will of God without any mortal touching
her.

Let us briefly look at some of the verses from the Holy Quran, which talks about them.

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Jesus in Quran and Islamic Celebrations

Written by Mulla Mujahidali Sheriff

Wednesday, 22 September 2010 17:34 - Last Updated Wednesday, 14 March 2012 11:15

BIRTH OF JESUS:  A WILL OF GOD

Regarding the birth of Jesus, in chapter 19 known as Maryam Quran states that:

"And mention in the book Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a house eastward.

Thus she secluded herself from them, whereupon We sent Our spirit to her, and he appeared to
her exactly like a sound human being.

She said, I seek protection from the All beneficent from you, should you be God wary.

He said, I am only a messenger of your Lord that I may give you a pure sonâ.

She said, How shall I have a child seeing that no human being has ever touched me nor have I
been unchaste?

He said, so it shall be. Your Lord says: It is simple for Me; and so that We make him a sign for
mankind and a mercy from Us; and that is a matter already decreed."

According to these verses, the birth of Jesus to a virgin mother, without a male partner, was an
immediate effect of Gods will, manifested to the world as a miracle. When the Almighty God
wills a thing to be, it becomes.

In the last two verses of chapter 36 known as Yasin Quran clearly states the power of the
Almighty God in His creation. It states:

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Jesus in Quran and Islamic Celebrations

Written by Mulla Mujahidali Sheriff

Wednesday, 22 September 2010 17:34 - Last Updated Wednesday, 14 March 2012 11:15

"Verily His command, when He intends a thing, is only to say: Be and so it becomes. Therefore,
glory be to Him in whose hand is the kingdom of all things. Unto Him, you will all return."

In chapter 3, known as Aali Imraan (the family of Imraan), verse 59, Quran says:

"Verily, the likeness of Jesus with God is as the likeness of Adam; He created him out of dust,
then He said to him: Be and he was."

According to this verse, just as the birth of Adam took place without the agency of a father and a
mother, so did the birth of Jesus without a father. The likeness of Jesus therefore is as the
likeness of Adam; and this is the manifestation of the Almighty Gods will and power.

JESUS REVERED IN THE QURAN

To Muslims, Jesus is one of the greatest prophets of the Almighty God. His miraculous birth
serves as the greatest sign of God and His mercy over mankind. In the following verses we see
how Jesus has been revered:

In chapter 2 verse 87 God says:

"We gave Jesus, the son of Mary, clear evidences, and aided him with the Holy Spirit."

Holy Spirit in Islam, has a special significance. According to the Scholars of Islam, it is in
reference to a very highly refined spiritual entity, whose function is to guide, inspire and infuse
the prophetic spirit. It also equips the divinely selected individual to exercise miraculous powers.
The repeated mention of Holy Spirit with the name of Jesus in the Holy Quran clearly
establishes the fact that he was particularly chosen for this distinction.

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Jesus in Quran and Islamic Celebrations

Written by Mulla Mujahidali Sheriff

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In chapter 5 verse 46 God, the Almighty says:

"And We followed them with Jesus son of Mary, to confirm that which was brought before him of
the Torah, and We gave him the Evangel containing guidance and light, confirming what was
before it of the Torah, and as guidance and advice for the Godwary."

This verse explains that Jesus came to confirm and verify the basic doctrines of the universal
religion of One God  unity and justice of the Almighty God, and truthfulness of all the prophets
who preceded him. Jesus himself came with Evangel containing guidance and light. Herein
therefore, there is a precise mention that the original Torah has been confirmed by the original
Evangel; and in every book of God there was guidance to people who are Godwary.

CELEBRATION OF EID

I have been requested to briefly talk about how Muslims celebrate their festivals, or rather how
Islam expects Muslims to hold their festivals?

Many at times we will see the behaviour of the followers contradicting the teachings of their
religion and its tenets. However, their behaviour does not necessarily represent the true
teachings of their religion. This problem is prevalent in all religions without exception!

These are the days of Christmas. They are the days to celebrate the birth of a great divine
representative of God who was sent to guide mankind to His path. The Christian brethren are
required to hold prayers, unite with their families; and revive and strengthen their spirituality.
However, it is not uncommon to see people behaving exactly opposite to the noble ethical
teachings of Christianity and committing offensive behaviour.

Unfortunately, the same is also true with some Muslims and in the process; the whole ideology
behind such religious festivals is shattered and lost.

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Jesus in Quran and Islamic Celebrations

Written by Mulla Mujahidali Sheriff

Wednesday, 22 September 2010 17:34 - Last Updated Wednesday, 14 March 2012 11:15

In Islam, there are two great festivals known to one and all.

One is Eid al-Fitr meaning the festival of breaking fast marked at the end of Ramadhan (9th
month of the lunar calendar), and the other is Eid al-Ad-haa meaning festival of sacrifice
celebrated on the 10th day of the 12th month of the lunar calendar marking the end of the Hajj
(rituals of pilgrimage to Mecca).

In addition to these two festivals, Muslims also celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH) in the 3rd month of the lunar calendar.

The celebrations of the two great Eids in Islam, which follows the fasting of Ramadhan and
rituals of pilgrimage to Mecca are basically to mark the achievement of piety; and to remind
Muslims about the Hereafter so that they continue to remain God conscious at all times.

The rituals of Ramadhan and pilgrimage to Mecca are in fact meant to train the Muslims to learn
self-restraint and become Godwary at all times. Therefore, the philosophy of the two Eids is to
mark these achievements after having undergone the exhaustive trainings.

Let me quote here what Ali bin Abi Talib (PBUH), the successor of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
had said in his sermon to the Muslims of his time during the day of Eid al-Fitr. He (PBUH) said:

"O People! Verily this day of yours is the day when the righteous are awarded and the wretched
are the losers. Meaning those who benefited from the trainings given in Ramadhan are
awarded; whereas those who did not spiritually benefit, and their fasting was no more than
hunger and thirst inflicted upon themselves are losers."

The he (PBUH) continued and said,

"It is a day which is similar to the one when you shall be standing before your Lord. (Here, the
reference has been made to Judgement day when one and all shall be gathered to account for

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Jesus in Quran and Islamic Celebrations

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their deeds).

The first thing that the Muslims do on the day of Eid is to go to the Mosque to say special
prayers for that day." Talking about how they should behave, Ali (PBUH) then added,

"Therefore, when you come out of your houses to go to the places of your (EID) prayer, remind
yourselves about the day when you shall come out of your bodies to go to your Lord."

When you stand on places of your prayer, remind yourselves of your standing in presence of
your Lord (to give account of your deeds).

And when you return to your homes, remind yourselves about your returning to your houses in
Paradise.

Thus we see that the whole concept of celebrating the Eids is related to the spiritual aspects of
our lives.

SO WHAT DO MUSLIMS DO ON EID?

Muslims have been directed to spend the day of Eid in a useful manner without going against
the commandments of God.

- On Eid al-Fitr they first pay Zakat (Poor rate). This is compulsory on all Muslims who can
afford to pay the poor rate and it amounts to approximately 3kgs per person of their staple food.
On Eid al-Ad-haa they offer sacrifice of lamb in remembrance of the great sacrifice of Abraham,
the champion of Monotheism and distribute its meat to the poor and the relatives.

- They offer special prayer early in the morning together at the Mosque.

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- Visit the graveyard to remember their dead, offer prayers for them and remind themselves of
their eventual return to the Almighty God.

- Visit relatives and friends to exchange greetings and gifts; and to resolve their differences.

CELEBRATING PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH)S BIRTHDAY

Every community honours its saints. For Muslims, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is not only a
servant and messenger of the Almighty God, but also an excellent example to follow and
emulate in all aspects of life. In chapter 33, verse 21 Quran says:

"Certainly you have in the Apostle of God an excellent exemplar for him, who believes in (One)
God and the latter day, and remembers God much."

With regard to his birth, there is a difference of opinion among the Muslim historians. Some say
that he (PBUH) was born on 12th day of the 3rd month in the lunar calendar whereas some
insist that he (PBUH) was born on 17th day of the said month. To patch up the minor difference,
the scholars of Islam have declared the week between 12th and 17th of the month as UNITY
week; and have called the Muslims of the world to dedicate the entire week for the celebration
of the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Once again, the celebration does not entitle one to go against the commandments of God.
Rather, it provides Muslims with an opportunity to learn more about their noble Prophet (PBUH),
and motivates them to strengthen their belief and faith in him.

-Poems are recited in praise of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his mission

-Islamic Scholars address Muslims in the mosques to talk to them about their Prophets life

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Jesus in Quran and Islamic Celebrations

Written by Mulla Mujahidali Sheriff

Wednesday, 22 September 2010 17:34 - Last Updated Wednesday, 14 March 2012 11:15

-Seminars are organized and conducted on the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in different
parts of the Muslim and non-Muslim world

-Islamic Television and Radio channels relay programs on his noble life too.

With this, I conclude my talk.

On behalf of my Shia Muslim Community of Wessex, and on my own behalf, I offer our heartiest
greetings and best wishes to all our Christian brethren and a happy New Year!

Thank you.

Source: http://www.almahdi.org.uk

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