The birth of Jesus is the same as that of Adam who did not have either a father or a mother. Neither of them can claim divinity.

Allah says in Surah Al-Imran: “Indeed the likeness of Jesus with Allah is as the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust, then He said unto him: Be, and he is. This is the truth from your Lord (O Muhammad), so be not thou of those who waver.” (3: 59-60).

Jesus never asked his people to worship him or his mother. On the contrary, he asked them to worship Allah only. In this respect Allah says in Surah Al-Imran: “Indeed Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is a straight path.” (3: 51)

Jesus is dead like any other person. He is not alive, physically. Allah says in Surah Al-Imran: “And remember when Allah said, O Jesus, indeed I will take you and raise you to Myself and purify you from those who disbelieve and make those who follow you (in submission to Allah alone) superior to those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me is your return, and I will judge between you concerning that in which you used to differ.” (3: 55).

The followers of Jesus are not called Christians. Jesus never asked them to call themselves Christians. He asked them to be his helpers and for this reason, Christians in the Middle East are called Nasara.

In this respect, Allah told us what Jesus said to his people: “But when Jesus felt (persistence in) disbelief from them, he said, ‘Who are my supporters for the cause of Allah?’ The disciples said, ‘We are supporters of Allah. We have believed in Allah and testify that we are Muslim.’” (3: 52).

We, Muslims do not celebrate Christmas and we do not celebrate his birth. We should mention here that we believe in Jesus as a Prophet and as a Messenger of Allah like any other messenger. We believe that Jesus was among the Mighty Messengers (Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, Isa, and Muhammad).

We, Muslims do not discriminate among the Prophets of Allah and we believed in them as Allah asked us to do.

In this respect, Allah said in Surah Al-Imran: “Say (O Muhammad), We have believed in Allah and in what was revealed to us and what was revealed to Ibraham, Ismail, Ishaq, Ya’cub, and the descendants, and in what was given to Musa and Isa and to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims (submitting) to Him.” (3: 84).

During this occasion, we should talk to the Christians and inform them about our religion. We should explain to them how we look at them and about Jesus. We should interact with them; but we should not assimilate ourselves into their cultures, habits or customs. We should invite them for dialogue. Allah advised us to invite both Christians and Jews for such a dialogue.

Allah says in Surah Al-Imran: “Say, O people of the Scripture, come to a word that is equitable between us and you – that we will not worship except Allah and not associate anything with Him and not take one another as lords instead of Allah. But if they turn away, then say,’ Bear witness that we are Muslims (Submitting to Him).” (3: 64). 

On the occasion of the so-called birth of Jesus Christ, let me remind you that anyone who wants to celebrate a birthday, or anyone who wishes to attend a birthday party for someone should remember that one year is over and that he is one year older, one year closer to death, and one year closer to the grave.

Regarding death, Allah says in Surah Al-Imran: “Every soul will taste the death. And you will be paid on the Day of Resurrection only that which you have fairly earned. Whoso is removed from the Fire and is made to enter Paradise, he indeed is triumphant. The life of this world is but the comfort of illusion.” (3: 185)

Finally, let me remind you of Prophet Muhammad (saw) who said: “Whoever repents before the sun rises from its sunset horizon, Allah will forgive him.”

Let us ask Allah for forgiveness.

(ends)

by Ahmad Hussain Sakr