It is said that the Philippines have the longest Christmas season in the world which starts from September and ends on January 6, the celebration of the arrival of the three kings to Jesus bearing gifts. But every Christmas season, Christians find it somewhat difficult to understand that Muslims do not celebrate Christmas in unity with the whole world. Christmas that is being celebrated even by the Buddhist or Hindus who may not worship Jesus.
Some even think that maybe the Muslims hate Jesus or maybe the Muslims are really antichrists. So this is a brief explanation of why in spite of the professed love of Muslims for Jesus, we do not worship him or celebrate his supposed birthday.
JESUS, ONE OF THE GREATEST PROPHETS OF ALLAH
Allah said in the Quran,
“And mention, O Muhammad, when We took from the prophets their covenant and from you and from Noah and Abraham and Moses and Jesus, the son of Mary; and We took from them a solemn covenant.” Quran 33:7
The five prophets mentioned in this verse are the prophets who are known as Ulul ‘Azmi minar Rusul or the five Messengers who have the strongest determination in calling people to Islam and upholding the truth. Jesus is one of the greatest prophets and messengers of Allah. Muslims and Christians both attest to that. Muslims believe that the original Bible was sent down to him. Muslims believe that an original scripture was sent to Jesus but not the current versions of the Bible we have today which may contain some truth but most of it have been words of writers and compilers like John, Luke, Matthew, and others.
As a testament to his greatness and his importance in Islam, Jesus was mentioned by name 25 times in the Quran while Prophet Muhammad was only mentioned merely 3 times. Jesus was mentioned with all due respect to him as God’s messenger, acknowledging his prophethood and greatness.
Another proof of this is, upon becoming a Muslim, a Non-Muslim especially a Christian has to say, ‘I bear witness that there is no god worthy of being worshipped except Allah and Muhammad is His slave and Messenger and I bear that Jesus the son of Mary is slave of Allah and His prophet, and His word that He has brought upon Mary and the spirit from Him.’
This is to inculcate and indoctrinate to the new Muslim that Muslims love Jesus and believe in his prophethood yet we do not worship him or his mother as gods other than Allah.
MIRACLES OF JESUS
Muslims believe that Jesus performed miracles such as healing the sick, feeding a large number people by making little food enough for them and of course, giving life to the dead. Muslims believe in it too, except that we believe that it was done with the permission of Allah and not because of his divinity of him being the son of God. Allah said in the Quran,
“Jesus will be a messenger to the Children of Israel, who will say, ‘Indeed I have come to you with a sign from your Lord in that I design for you from clay that which is like the form of a bird, then I breathe into it and it becomes a bird by permission of Allah. I cure the blind and the leper, and I give life to the dead – by permission of Allah. And I inform you of what you eat and what you store in your houses. Indeed in that is a sign for you, if you are believers.” Surah Ali Imran: 49.
It is worth noting here that Jesus kept saying that his miracles are by the permission of Allah which means that it was Allah’s will and power that is manifested in those miracles and not his. It is clear in the teachings of Islam that Jesus is only a prophet and not God-incarnate or a god other than Allah.
He made miracles only by the permission of Allah only to show Allah’s power and as proof of his prophethood and he never said that he is a god that we should worship.
JESUS DID NOT ORDER THAT HE SHOULD BE WORSHIPPED
Allah said in the Quran,
“Jesus said ‘And verily, Allah is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him alone without partners. That is the Straight Path.’
Then the factions differed concerning Jesus from among them, so woe to those who disbelieved – from the scene of a tremendous Day.” Quran 19:36-37
And beware the Day when Allah will say, “O Jesus, Son of Mary, did you say to the people, ‘Take me and my mother as deities besides Allah ?'”
He will say, “Exalted are You! It was not for me to say which I have no right. If I had said it, You would have known it. You know what is within myself, and I do not know what is within Yourself. Indeed, it is You who is Knower of the unseen.” Quran 5:116
This is proof that Jesus will deny any of the peoples’ teachings about worshipping him and upon his second coming, in which the Muslims believe in also, he shall clarify his divinity to the people that he is only a prophet of Allah.
ALLAH ORDERED US NOT TO BE EXTREME IN OUR RELIGION
Allah said, “O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, “Three”; desist – it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs.” Quran 4: 171
