What is the Relation Between December 25 th & Christ’s Birthday?

According to all historical records, people in European countries used to consider December 25 ^th a day of festival, several centuries before Jesus Christ.

Among the upper classes throughout the Roman Empire, the holiest day of the year was December 25 ^th, which they called the birthday of Mithras, believed to be the Sun God. Who was Mithras (or Mithra)? “In the ancient Persian myth Mithras is the God of light, identified with the sun, who slew a primordial bull and fertilized the world with its blood” (Definition by the Free Dictionary).

By the 4^th century the Church decided to begin celebrating Jesus’ birth. Since the birthday of Mithras was already a widely observed holy day, the Church simply declared December 25 ^th  to be the “Feast Day of the Nativity”. So the feast day of “the Sun” became the feast day of “the Son”. The Church also adopted and transformed many of the old winter solstice holiday traditions. Protestant churches in the United States of America did not begin to celebrate Christmas until the middle of the 19^th century. (www.Truthbook.com).

The Qur’an has made clear statements about Jesus, the son of Mary, and exalted him as a pious personage, a great prophet, the announcer of the coming of the last prophet Muhammad  (peace and God’s blessings upon both).

Prophet Jesus is mentioned many times in the Qur’an:

“When the angels said: O Mary, God gives you the good tiding of a Word from Him, whose name is the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, honored shall he be in this world and the Hereafter, and of those brought close (to God)” (3:45).

“And We made the son of Mary and his mother a sign (a symbol of God’s grace), and provided for both an abode in a lofty place of lasting restfulness and running springs” (23:50).

The Qur’an did not mention the date of Jesus’ birth, but it has given a beautiful panoramic story of it:

“Thus she (Mary) conceived him (Jesus) and then withdrew with him to far-off place. And the birth pangs brought her to the trunk of the palm-tree. She said: O would that I had died before this and become a forgotten thing, beyond recall. Then he called her from below her: Do not grieve. Your Lord has made below you a rivulet. And shake the trunk of the palm-tree towards you there will drop on you dates fresh and ripe. So eat and drink and (let) jour eye be comforted; and if you (happen to) see any human being, then say (by sign): I have vowed to the Compassionate One a fast, so I will not speak to any human today. Then carrying him, she brought him to her folk and they said: O Mary, truly you have done a curious thing! O sister of Aaron, your father was not a wicked man, nor was your mother unchaste. Thereat she pointed to him. They said: How can we talk to one who is in the cradle, (still) a little child? He said: Lo! I am God’s servant. He has revealed to me the Scripture and made me a Prophet. And He has made me blessed wherever I may be and He has enjoined upon me prayer and the giving of purifying alms, as long as I remain alive; and (He has made me) dutiful towards my mother. And He has not made me arrogant wretched. And peace be upon me the day I was born and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive!” (19:22-33). Then God said: “That is Jesus, son of Mary, a statement of truth concerning which they are in doubt” (19:34).

The Qur’an tells us about the announcement which was done by the Great Prophet Jesus Christ about the coming of the last of God’s messengers and the seal of all prophets:

“And (remember) when Jesus son of Mary said: O Children of Israel, I am indeed God’s messenger to you, confirming what is before me of the Torah and bringing good tidings of a messenger who will come after me, whose name is Ahmad. Yet when he came to them with manifest signs, they said: This is a clear magic” (61:6).

“Ahmad” or “Muhammad” is the name of the seal of all prophets, whose mission was announced by Jesus son of Mary. This Arabic word, which means “The Praised one” is almost a translation of the Greek word “Periclytos”. It is however falsely mentioned in the present English version of the Gospel of John xiv. 16, xv. 26, xvi. 7, as the “Comforter” from the Greek word “Paracletos” and not “Periclytos”, the praised one.

Two Forms Of Disobediences

In the Qur’an there is the story of a event where God gathered three parties for a dialogue: Adam, the Angels and Iblis. God ordered the Angels and Iblis to prostrate to Adam in order to show him their respect and honor, as he was being chosen to be the Master on Earth.

The Angels peacefully obeyed God’s order and prostrated to Adam recognizing his sagacity. But Iblis (the Satan, who is in fact a Jinn) refused to act as the Lord had ordered him. He disdained and even brutally said “I am better than him; You created me from fire, while him You created from clay” (Qur’an, 7:12).

Adam (thus all human beings after him), was given all faculties, which make man capable to be worth of respect and honor, as long as he obeys God’s ordinances. This special honor, however, was not without wage. This honor, which includes a certain free will, puts him to the test. He then will be recompensed by a good reward if he succeeds or will be punished if he fails.

Before Adam and his wife started their task, God tried them, with an educational trial: God warned Adam and his wife of the enmity of Iblis (the Satan) against them. He let them enjoy whatever they liked in the garden except for one tree they were not allowed to approach.

Iblis asked God a respite till the Day of Resurrection to cause Adam’s descendants to become his followers and obey him blindly. He said he will adorn all that is evil on earth, so it will seem goodly for them, and will beguile them into grievous error, save those sincerely devoted to God.

So God said to him: “Go then, for whoever of them follows you, the Hell shall be the recompense of you all, a full recompense. And tempt whomever of them you can with your voice, and rally against them your cavalry and your infantry, and share with them in wealth, and children, and make promise to them. And Satan promises them nothing but delusion. As for my devotees, indeed you shall have no warrant. And your Lord suffices as a Guardian” (17:63-65).

The trial started for Adam and his wife, when Iblis came to them. “Then Satan (= Iblis) whispered to him (= Adam) saying: O Adam, shall I guide you to the Tree of Immortality, and a Kingdom that will never decay? And so the two (Adam and his wife) ate of it, and thereupon they became conscious of their nakedness and began to cover themselves with pieced-together leaves from the garden. And thus did Adam disobey his Lord, and thus did he fall into grievous error. Thereafter (however) his Lord elected him (for His grace), and accepted his repentance, and bestowed His guidance upon him” (20:120-122).

From this dialogue we understand that there are two kinds of disobediences from two different parties: Adam and Iblis. Satan (Iblis) disobeyed God because of his arrogance, while Adam disobeyed God because of his negligence or carelessness. Deceived by Satan, Adam soon became aware of his negligence, he repented to God, asking His forgiveness and God accepted his repent and forgave him. The arrogance of Satan made him a seducer and a tyrant.

It is reported that the Prophet (peace and God’s blessings upon him) said: “He who has, in his heart, an atom’s weight of arrogance will not enter Paradise”.  Some of his audience said: A person likes to wear beautiful cloths and shoes? The messenger of God said clearly: “God is Beautiful, He loves beauty. Arrogance is ridiculing and rejecting the Truth and despising people” (Narrated by Abdullah bin Masoud, and reported by Muslim in his Collection of Hadith).

Thus we have to understand how dangerous arrogance is. Observe Iblis (the Satan), he knows well that God is the Mighty, and that is why he swore “by Your Might” (Qur’an, 38:82): “He (Satan) said (to God): Then, I swear by Your Might, that I will definitely lead them (human beings) astray, all of them, except Your sincere devotees among them” (38:82-83).

And we can reflect and understand why God said to Adam and his wife “eat and enjoy” from whatever they want in the garden of test, but “do not approach this specific tree”.

He did not say “do not eat” from this tree. When God forbids, the most grievous and unpardonable sins to Adam, his wife and all their descendants, He uses the same term “do not approach” and “do not come near”, which is much stronger than “it is forbidden”.

“O mankind, eat of all what is in the earth, lawful and wholesome; and do not follow the steps of Satan, who is a manifest foe to you” (2:168).

This is the same term used for Adam and his wife when they were in the garden of trial:

“And (as for you) O Adam, dwell you and your wife in this garden, and eat, both of you, whatever you may wish, but do not approach this one tree, lest you become evildoers!” 87:19).

Again, let’s compare it with the following:

 “ And do not even go close to fornication (or adultery). It is indeed a shameful act, and an evil way to follow” (17:32).

“And do not come near (touch) the substance of an orphan, save to improve it, before he comes of age …” (17:34). 

To conclude I would say that if we do not want to fall into negligence, then we have to be more watchful, and not treat others with even the tiniest arrogance in our hearts. The Prophet said: “Anyone displays humbleness towards another seeking God’s pleasure, God will exalt him in ranks” (Narrated by Muslim from Abu-Hurairah).

  

Principles Of Muslim Conduct

                       “Hold to forgiveness, enjoin good,  

                       and turn aside from the ignorant”

                                                    (Qur’an, 7:199)

When Prophet Muhammad (peace and God’s blessings upon him) was appointed to be the last messenger of God to humanity in 610, the world was in its darkest and wildest period of history. The duty to save humanity in general from oppression and savagery was given to him. Conveying this great message was indeed a very heavy task:

“Indeed, We will bestow upon you a weighty word” (73 : 5). “Alif. Lam. Ra. A Divine Writ (is this – a revelation) which We have revealed to you in order that you might bring forth mankind, by their Lord’s leave, out of the depths of darkness into the light: onto the way that leads to the Almighty, the Praiseworthy” (14:1).

Hence for this great task he suffered a lot in approaching and trying to convince people that “there is no other deity than God alone”. “Truly, your Lord is God, the One who created the heavens and the earth in six ions, and then He presided Himself on the Throne. He governs all affaires (of His creation). There is no one could intercede before Him, except after His permission. That is God, your Lord (the Sustainer). So, worship (obey) Him (alone): will you not,

then, keep this in mind? To Him you all must return: this is truth God’s promise – for, behold, He creates (man) in the first instance, and then brings him forth anew to the end that He may reward with equity all who attain to faith and do righteous deeds; whereas for those who are bent on denying the truth there is in store a draught of burning despair and grievous suffering because of their persistent refusal to acknowledge the truth” (10:3-4).

The prophet (peace and God’s blessings upon him) started his mission secretly through his wife (Khadija) and his very close friend (Abubakr). In three years, he could only convince around forty persons (men and women). They used to have their gatherings in a hall, in the house of Al-Arqam, to learn the revelation (al-Qur’an), which came down to the Prophet almost everyday; some of them had the duty to write it down.

The people of Mecca, under the leadership of Quraish were opposing the Prophet’s call. They did not only refuse it, but considered him as an ardent enemy. If the Prophet got somehow a protection from his uncle Abutalib, he however shared the sorrows and afflictions of his followers who were persecuted, tortured and oppressed by Quraish. In 615 he let 11 men and 4 women of his followers migrate to Abyssinia. In 616, a group of 101 persons (83 men and 18 women) under the leadership of his cousin Jaafar left Mecca for Abyssinia and received well by the Emperor. The Prophet and his followers (together with the Hashemites, who were the kin of the Prophet) were isolated by the Quraish leaders for two years. He went to Taif for eventual refuge and help, but encountered a complete refusal. He found himself in a very difficult situation.

So God revealed to him: “And endure with patience whatever people may say (against you), and avoid them with a comely avoidance” (73:10). “And if they deny you, then say: Unto me (shall be accounted) my doings, and unto you, your doings: you are not accountable for what I am doing, and I am not accountable for whatever you do” (10:41).

What I want to make it clear here is, that during the whole time of the Messenger’s mission, there have been three principles he held on to firmly: the capacity for forgiveness, the persistence in pursuing God’s ordinances together with enjoining it to others, and avoid arguing with the ignorant.

As for why did the Prophet (peace and God’s blessings upon him), in certain periods of his mission, go to war against his enemies? That was because the Muslim community was obliged to defend itself from the enemy’s attack or to liberate oppressed people from the wickedness of some oppressors:  

“And fight in God’s cause against those who wage war against you, and do not commit aggression – for, verily, God does not love aggressors” (2:190).

“And what reason have you that you should not fight in the way of God, and for the oppressed men, women, and children who say: Our Lord, bring us forth from this town whose people are evildoers, and raise for us out of Your grace, a protector, and raise for us, out of Your grace, one who will bring us succour!” (4:75).

Those three principles are really the aim of the mission of all God’s messengers throughout human history. To do and enjoin others to do good, as well as to behave correctly is the most important thing in human conduct. When the Prophet (peace and God’s blessings upon him) was asked: “What is Benevolence?” He said: “Benevolence is to worship God (= pursue God’s ordinances) as if you see Him, and if you do not achieve this state of devotion, then (take it for granted that) God sees you” (Reported by al-Bukhari).

So, whatever situation one faces during his life, God is there to observe and evaluate:

“Have you not observed that God knows all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth? Never can there be a secret confabulation between three persons without His being the fourth of them, nor between five without His being the sixth of them; and neither between less than that, or more, without His being with them wherever they may be. And in the end, on Resurrection Day, He will make them truly understand what they did: for, verily, God has full knowledge of everything” (58:7).

God’s Mercy & Omnipotence

When we open the Holy Book, al-Qur’an, the first thing we read is “Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Raheem” (= In the Name of God, the Most Merciful, the Dispenser of mercy). This is logical, if we remember that the first word revealed to the Prophet (peace and God’s blessings upon him) was “Iqraa bismi Rabbik” (= Read in the Name of your Lord!). And the Name of His Lord is “Allah”, “ar-Rahman”, “ar-Raheem”.

What is a name? A name is a word or a symbol used in logic to designate an entity. The real name of God in Arabic is “Allaah”. And He Himself says (in the Qur’an):

“And to God (alone) belong the most Beautiful Names (= the Attributes of Perfection). Invoke Him, then, by these, and stand aloof from all who distort the meaning of His attributes; they shall be requited for all that they were wont to do!” (Qur’an, 7 : 20).

“God is He, other than whom there is no deity: the One Who knows all that is beyond the reach of a created being’s perception, as well as all that can be witnessed by a creature’s senses or mind; He is the Most Merciful, the Dispenser of mercy” (Qur’an, 59:22).

There are many more Names or Attributes of God, such as:

“al-Malik” (= the Sovereign Supreme), “al-Quddoos” (= the Holy), “as-Salaam” (= the One with whom all salvation rests), “al-Mu’min” (= the Giver of Faith), “al-Muhaimin” (= the One who determines what is true and what is false), “al-‘Azeez” (= the Allmighty), “al-Jabbaar” (= the Omnipotent), “al-Mutakabbir” (= the One to whom all Greatness belongs), and many more Names or Attributes.

Some people may ask: why should God, the Most Merciful, possess attributes such as “al-Jabbar” (the Omnipotent), and “al-Qahhar” (the Compeller), while He is the Most Merciful and the Dispenser of Mercy?

If we deeply reflect on the reality of life in this world, we surely will come to understand that God has put human beings to the test and given them responsibility for as long as they shall live. They are given a certain free will and the capability to know how to manage and develop their skills in order to live in a civilized way, by following His Guidance.

Actually in reality we see so many people everywhere and all the time transgressing God’s given rules. Many people oppress others, without pity or humane feelings. Before this unjust reality, we need God’s Omnipotence to stop the absolute chaos. And for this reason God has warned them that He will not let the unjust go without punishment; sometimes their punishment will be immediate, but often He will punish the unjust only in the hereafter.

“And if God were to take mankind to task for their wrongdoing, He would not leave upon it any living being; but He gives them respite until an appointed term; and when their term comes they will not defer by a single hour nor advance” (Qur’an, 16:61).

The problem of many people is that instead of following the guidance that comes from God, or even their conscience, they follow their unfair desires at the expense of others. They do not care of wronging others if it is for their own “benefit”. But in fact, with such conduct, they will gain nothing except that they will wrong themselves and others as well.

“(By that conduct) they think that they are deceiving God and those who believe, while they are not deceiving except themselves, although they are unaware of it. There is disease in their hearts, and so God lets their disease increase; and grievous suffering awaits them because of their persistent lying” (2 : 9-10).

God has admonished them by saying: “O My servants, I have made oppression unlawful for Myself, and I made it unlawful among you all, so do not oppress one another” (God’s saying remitted by Prophet Muhammad -peace and God’s blessings upon him- and recorded by the Collector of Hadith Imam Muslim).

“Indeed to God belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth: and so He will reward those who do evil in accordance with what they did, and will reward those who do good with ultimate good” (Qur’an, 53:31).