What lesson do we learn from the miraculous birth of Isa (As)?
Most of the Christian denominations celebrate Christmas on December 25th with the exception of the Orthodox who are mainly found in Central and Eastern Europe and celebrate it on January 7th.The Christian doctrine is basically found on the holy trinity holding that God is one but three coeternal consubstantial persons -The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. So basically, celebrating Christmas is definitely connected with one of the fundamental pillars of the Holy trinity which is to commemorate the birth of Jesus “Son of God” This creed is contrary to Islamic creed which has explicitly denied the concept of Allah taking for Himself a son and has described it as atrocious and grave sin. Allah (Swt) says:
And they say, “The Most Merciful has taken [for Himself] a son.” You have done an atrocious thing. The heavens almost rupture therefrom and the earth splits open and the mountains collapse in devastation. That they attribute to the Most Merciful a son. [TMQ 19:88-89-90-91]
Muslims have been obliged to believe in Prophets including Isa (AS) and therefore have every reason to protect the honor of Allah’s messengers. ISA Bin Maryam (AS) is among the Allah’s messengers whom Allah has wanted mankind to take a great lesson from the story of his birth.
Looking at the miraculous birth of Isa (AS), we can generally take three great lessons:-
First: The birth of Prophet Isa (Peace Be upon Him) is one of the signs and rational proofs that prove the existence of Allah SWT and his absolute power.
When addressing the matter of belief in existence of God, Islam took it as a matter of high necessity and not merely as a human idea. The Western theologians consider the matter of belief in God as a merely good idea that makes people attain good morals. In this sense, you will find that they do not engage themselves in depth upon on the signs that can rationally dispel doubts about the belief in the existence of God. However, the westerners on the other hand forged another atrocious belief that human beings should separate the belief in God from the sphere of their lives. They called this concept (Secularism) separating religion from life and finally separating Religion from government. Were the (Atheists) used their minds rationally over the story of the birth of Isa (AS) then they would shun away their paganism which itself contradict with intellect. The story of the birth of Isa AS makes us believe that for every action there should be a causer.
The only method toward the firm belief in Allah is through rational thinking of the surroundings that include, heavens, earth and day and night that all shows the existence of Allah. This is what Islam called for mankind to contemplate every sign that he sees in order to be able to establish his belief in Allah.
وَلِنَجْعَلَهُ آيَةً لِلنَّاسِ وَرَحْمَةً مِنَّا ۚ وَكَانَ أَمْرًا مَقْضِيًّا
So that we may make him a sign for mankind of our power and a mercy from Us and the creation of him is a thing already decreed
TMQ 19:21
In other words, Islam has forbidden imitations and speculation as methods toward the belief in Allah. That is why we find Allah has condemned those who base their Iman upon fanciful speculations and conjecture.
وإن الظن لا يغنى من الحق شيئا
Indeed conjecture can never substitute for the truth
Second: Allah’s majestic power: Looking into depth the birth of Isa (AS) will drive us to understand that what is ultimately impossible is definitely possible for Allah. Holding this concept is very important for human being as it always make them confident that despite facing hurdles and challenges in life eventually they will be successful. As the Muslim Ummah today faces disasters and atrocities making it desperate with some reaching to an extent of committing suicide. It should be clear that wherever a man is faced with hardships he is conditioned to consider it as a test to their Iman so that they be patient and firm knowing that the victory of Allah is close. Here is virgin Maryam after Jibril came to in human form giving her glad tidings to bear a son wondering;
قَالَتْ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِي غُلَامٌ وَلَمْ يَمْسَسْنِي بَشَرٌ وَلَمْ أَكُ بَغِيًّا قَالَ كَذَٰلِكِ قَالَ رَبُّكِ هُوَ عَلَيَّ هَيِّنٌ ۖ وَلِنَجْعَلَهُ آيَةً لِلنَّاسِ وَرَحْمَةً مِنَّا ۚ وَكَانَ أَمْرًا مَقْضِيًّا
She said: How can I have son when no Man has touched me nor am I unchaste?’ He said: So it will be) Your Lord said: ‘That is easy for Me Allah. And (We wish to appoint him as a sign to Mankind and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter already decreed. [TMQ 19: 19-20-21] This astonishment of Mother Maryam confirms that naturally every action must be made. Except in the story of Isa, Allah the Almighty wanted to show His miracle (something out of human nature) i.e. Almighty Allah wanted Maryam to have a son without being touched by man to serve as sign and lesson to Mankind that what is impossible before man is possible before Allah. Similarly, the prophet Zakaria (AS) got surprised how he is in the extreme old age his wife had been barren for many years and Jibril AS answered him with the same answer:
قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ قَالَ رَبُّكَ هُوَ عَلَيَّ هَيِّنٌ وَقَدْ خَلَقْتُكَ مِن قَبْلُ وَلَمْ تَكُ شَيْئًا
So it will be Your Lord says it is easy for me.
Third: In life, we are obliged to play our part. The birth of Isa (AS) teaches it is obligatory upon human to play his part in life and leave the other part for Allah. We see when Maryam was in a state of labor she decided to take rest far in a valley close to the trunk of the date palm. In a devastated state Allah told her:
(تُسَاقِطْ عَلَيْكِ رُطَبًا جَنِيًّا وَهُزِّي إِلَيْكِ بِجِذْعِ النَّخْلَةِ)
And shake the trunk of date-palm towards you it will let fall fresh ripe dates upon you
We therefore find that Allah commanded the Virgin Maryam to shake the trunk of the date palm though this this does not imply that Allah was not able to make the fresh dates fall in front of her automatically. This big lesson that we take is in our daily lives we are supposed to fully play our part knowing that its success relies upon Allah alone. The secular creed has made many to think that whatever they achieve is down to them. The creed further holds a view that your efforts alone will definitely determine your achievement or failure. Consequently looking at the current reality the Ummah – state of weakness, ignorance and poverty,majority of the Muslims may easily lose we may lose hope. It’s critical to understand that the issue is not about our strength that solely can make us prosperous and victorious rather it is Allah’s wishes. For Him nothing is impossible because He is strong and defeater who is not defeated.
Looking at this story, the Muslims should not look at the Western nations of what possess in terms of military power as an obstacle for resumption of Islam in the reign of power, this is because they have firm belief on Allah’s victory that He will make them victorious so long as they fully submit to His commands.
Shabani Mwalimu
Media Representative of Hizb ut Tahrir in Kenya