In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَمَا يَتَّبِعُ أَكْثَرُهُمْ إِلَّا ظَنًّا إِنَّ ٱلظَّنَّ لَا يُغْنِى مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ شَيْـًٔا إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌۢ بِمَا يَفْعَلُونَ

And most of them follow nothing but conjecture. Certainly, conjecture can be of no avail against the truth. Surely, Allah is All-Aware of what they do. [Yunus 36]

Allah, The Most Most High, said:

يَٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ قَدْ جَآءَكُمْ رَسُولُنَا يُبَيِّنُ لَكُمْ كَثِيرًا مِّمَّا كُنتُمْ تُخْفُونَ مِنَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ وَيَعْفُوا۟ عَن كَثِيرٍ قَدْ جَآءَكُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ نُورٌ وَكِتَٰبٌ مُّبِينٌ

يَهْدِى بِهِ ٱللَّهُ مَنِ ٱتَّبَعَ رِضْوَٰنَهُۥ سُبُلَ ٱلسَّلَٰمِ وَيُخْرِجُهُم مِّنَ ٱلظُّلُمَٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِ بِإِذْنِهِۦ وَيَهْدِيهِمْ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ

O people of the Scripture! Now has come to you Our Messenger (Muhammad) explaining to you much of that which you used to hide from the Scripture and passing over (i.e. leaving out without explaining) much. Indeed, there has come to you from Allah a light (Prophet Muhammad) and a plain Book (this Quran); wherewith Allah guides all those who seek His Good Pleasure to ways of peace, and He brings them out of darkness by His Will unto light and guides them to a Straight Way (Islamic Monotheism). [Al-Ma’idah 15-16]

To Proceed:

In this article, we want to notify Steven concerning what he subtly diverted from, which is that the issue at hand is not whether Jesus was a Jew, but rather the most important thing regarding this noble Prophet and Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, is that he was sent with upright guidance. Therefore, the main issue to make clear is propagate is that before the arrival of the final noble Messenger Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, the noble Prophet Jesus, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was sent to The Children of Israel, and it was their duty to believe in and adhere to his teachings. Thus, in this brief article, we will first discuss the matter of the noble Jesus’s date of birth and his lineage, and then we will address the most important point that Steven overlooked, which is Jesus’s message and the nation who were required to follow him.

Steven said:

Response

The Date of Noble Jesus’s Date of Birth

Shaikh Abu Khadeejah, may Allah preserve him, stated in a research of his:

The exact date of the birth of the noble Prophet Isa (Jesus), peace be upon him, is not specified in the final infallible revelation, nor is it known by the people of the Scripture. Furthermore, it is not deemed essential to ascertain this information. However, it is essential to illuminate certain aspects of this topic, revealing that his birth did not occur on the 25th of December. This date, historically linked to other events later intertwined with Christian religious beliefs, thus warranting a closer examination.

“Both “Matthew” and “Luke” pinpoint the birth of Jesus Christ to the period when “Herod” was reigning as king over Judea, particularly during the final days of his rule. He passed away in 4 BC according to the Roman calendar, which indicates that the birth of Jesus occurred prior to this date. This suggests that it likely took place around the end of the fifth year or the beginning of the fourth year before Christ. The author of the third Gospel states: “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip was tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. When all the people were baptised, Jesus was also baptised.” This indicates that Jesus Christ, at the age of thirty, was baptised by the Prophet John (known as John the Baptist), during the fifteenth year of Emperor Tiberius, around 26 or 27 CE. Therefore, his birth would correspond to either 6 or 4 BCE.

The author of the third Gospel also connects the birth of Jesus Christ to the census ordered by the governor of Syria, Quirinius, under the directive of Emperor Augustus. Historically, historians agree that “Quirinius” served as the governor of Syria between 6 and 12 BC, and the census he ordered in Judea took place around 6 or 7 CE, as noted by “Josephus.” However, “Tertullian” claims that the census conducted in Judea was carried out by “Sentius,” the governor of Syria, in 7 or 8 BC. This suggests that if this census is the one referenced by Luke in his Gospel, then the birth of Jesus Christ would have occurred around 6 BC. The specific birth date of Prophet Jesus, from the perspective of Christianity, is inevitably considered speculative and is lacking reliable and verified document to support it. Moreover, the celebration of Christmas on December 25 is not mentioned in the Bible, nor was it observed in early Christianity”. [1]

We shall now draw upon the Shaikh Abu Khadeejah’s research, referencing some sources that delve into the celebration of Christmas and its connection to the designation of December 25th as the birth date of the Messiah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Shaikh Abu Khadeejah, may Allah preserve him, stated:

The celebration was a pagan practice introduced into the Christian faith by the Catholic Church. The Catholic Encyclopedia (1911 edition) itself states, “Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the church. The first evidence of the feast comes from Egypt… Pagan customs around the month of January gravitated to Christmas.”

So this was centuries after Jesus (peace be upon him) was taken up into the Heavens. In the same Catholic Encyclopedia under the title ‘Natal Day’, the early Catholic father, Origen stated, “In the Scriptures, no one is recorded to have kept a feast or held a banquet on his birthday. It was only the sinners who made great rejoicings over the day in which they were born into this world.”

In the 1946 edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica, it states, “Christmas (or the Mass of Christ) was not from the earliest festivals of the church.” It is clear from these short references that the well-known festival has no basis or authority in Scripture. The 1944 edition of Encyclopedia Americana states, “Christmas: It was, according to many authorities, not celebrated in the first centuries of the Christian Church.” Elsewhere, the Encyclopedia states regarding Christmas, “A feast was established in memory of this event (i.e. the birth of Jesus) in the fourth century. In the fifth century, the Western Church ordered it to be celebrated forever on the day of the old Roman Feast of the birth of Sol, as no certain knowledge of the day of Christ’s birth existed.”

Sol was the solar deity in the Ancient Roman religion. According to at least one ancient source dating back to 354 CE, the Romans held a festival on the twenty-first of December called, “the birthday of the unconquered one” which refers to Sol, the solar deity. The winter solstice (or midwinter) marks the day with the shortest hours of daylight and the longest night of the year. The day after is the day when the sunlight hours start to extend once more, so they saw this as a great day to be celebrated. Julius Caesar introduced his own calendar in the year 45 BCE and he marked the winter solstice as the twenty-fifth of December, though it is actually the twenty-first or twenty-second of the month. It is this twenty-fifth day of December that eventually found its way into the Christian Religion, and is celebrated across the world by ill-informed and unlearned Christians, as well as groups of clueless Muslims and people of many other religions.

So for the first three hundred years after Jesus (peace be upon him), the celebration had no connection to Christianity, then in the fourth century it was instituted, and in the fifth, it was ordered by the Western Church. This is similar to what some Muslims have done by introducing a celebration in memory of the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). These practices have no basis in scripture or revelation, rather they are latter-day innovations rooted in pagan festivals. [2] 

Noble Jesus’s Lineage

First, it is unequivocal that the noble Prophet Isa (Jesus), peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, hailed from Bani Israel. Ibn Al-Athir, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Imran Ibn Mathan, who is the grandfather of Jesus, peace be upon him, and the father of Mary, was a descendant of Sulayman, son of Dawud, peace be upon them. The family of Mathan held prominent positions as leaders and scholars among the Children of Israel. [3]

Imam Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated:

“There is no disagreement that she [meaning Maryam, peace be upon her] is from the lineage of Dawud, peace be upon him, and her father, Imran, was the one who led the prayers of the Children of Israel during his time.” [4]

Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated:

“There is no doubt that the people of Musa, peace be upon him, were the Children of Israel, and the Torah was revealed in their language. Likewise, the Children of Israel are the people of Christ, peace be upon him, and he spoke in their tongue. Neither of the two Messengers addressed anyone in any language other than Hebrew; neither spoke in Latin, Syriac, Greek, nor Coptic.” [5]

It is well known among the Christians that Christ spoke exclusively in Hebrew, similar to other prophets of the Israelites. Furthermore, it is noted that He was circumcised on the eighth day, in accordance with the customs of the Israelites, and that He prayed facing their designated direction, rather than towards the east, nor did he instruct others to pray in that direction. [6]

His Miraculous Birth and Message

The narrative of Isa (Jesus), peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, is well known for its precise details found in the final and infallible divine revelation, namely The Qur’an and the Sunnah. Allah, The Most High, stated:

وَٱذۡكُرۡ فِى ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ مَرۡيَمَ إِذِ ٱنتَبَذَتۡ مِنۡ أَهۡلِهَا مَكَانً۬ا شَرۡقِيًّ۬ا (١٦) فَٱتَّخَذَتۡ مِن دُونِهِمۡ حِجَابً۬ا فَأَرۡسَلۡنَآ إِلَيۡهَا رُوحَنَا فَتَمَثَّلَ لَهَا بَشَرً۬ا سَوِيًّ۬ا (١٧) قَالَتۡ إِنِّىٓ أَعُوذُ بِٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ مِنكَ إِن كُنتَ تَقِيًّ۬ا (١٨) قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۟ رَسُولُ رَبِّكِ لِأَهَبَ لَكِ غُلَـٰمً۬ا زَڪِيًّ۬ا (١٩) قَالَتۡ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِى غُلَـٰمٌ۬ وَلَمۡ يَمۡسَسۡنِى بَشَرٌ۬ وَلَمۡ أَكُ بَغِيًّ۬ا (٢٠) قَالَ كَذَٲلِكِ قَالَ رَبُّكِ هُوَ عَلَىَّ هَيِّنٌ۬‌ۖ وَلِنَجۡعَلَهُ ۥۤ ءَايَةً۬ لِّلنَّاسِ وَرَحۡمَةً۬ مِّنَّا‌ۚ وَكَانَ أَمۡرً۬ا مَّقۡضِيًّ۬ا (٢١) ۞ فَحَمَلَتۡهُ فَٱنتَبَذَتۡ بِهِۦ مَكَانً۬ا قَصِيًّ۬ا (٢٢) فَأَجَآءَهَا ٱلۡمَخَاضُ إِلَىٰ جِذۡعِ ٱلنَّخۡلَةِ قَالَتۡ يَـٰلَيۡتَنِى مِتُّ قَبۡلَ هَـٰذَا وَڪُنتُ نَسۡيً۬ا مَّنسِيًّ۬ا (٢٣) فَنَادَٮٰهَا مِن تَحۡتِہَآ أَلَّا تَحۡزَنِى قَدۡ جَعَلَ رَبُّكِ تَحۡتَكِ سَرِيًّ۬ا (٢٤) وَهُزِّىٓ إِلَيۡكِ بِجِذۡعِ ٱلنَّخۡلَةِ تُسَـٰقِطۡ عَلَيۡكِ رُطَبً۬ا جَنِيًّ۬ا (٢٥) فَكُلِى وَٱشۡرَبِى وَقَرِّى عَيۡنً۬ا‌ۖ فَإِمَّا تَرَيِنَّ مِنَ ٱلۡبَشَرِ أَحَدً۬ا فَقُولِىٓ إِنِّى نَذَرۡتُ لِلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ صَوۡمً۬ا فَلَنۡ أُڪَلِّمَ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ إِنسِيًّ۬ا (٢٦) فَأَتَتۡ بِهِۦ قَوۡمَهَا تَحۡمِلُهُ ۥ‌ۖ قَالُواْ يَـٰمَرۡيَمُ لَقَدۡ جِئۡتِ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا فَرِيًّ۬ا (٢٧) يَـٰٓأُخۡتَ هَـٰرُونَ مَا كَانَ أَبُوكِ ٱمۡرَأَ سَوۡءٍ۬ وَمَا كَانَتۡ أُمُّكِ بَغِيًّ۬ا (٢٨) فَأَشَارَتۡ إِلَيۡهِ‌ۖ قَالُواْ كَيۡفَ نُكَلِّمُ مَن كَانَ فِى ٱلۡمَهۡدِ صَبِيًّ۬ا (٢٩) قَالَ إِنِّى عَبۡدُ ٱللَّهِ ءَاتَٮٰنِىَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ وَجَعَلَنِى نَبِيًّ۬ا (٣٠) وَجَعَلَنِى مُبَارَكًا أَيۡنَ مَا ڪُنتُ وَأَوۡصَـٰنِى بِٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَٱلزَّڪَوٰةِ مَا دُمۡتُ حَيًّ۬ا (٣١) وَبَرَّۢا بِوَٲلِدَتِى وَلَمۡ يَجۡعَلۡنِى جَبَّارً۬ا شَقِيًّ۬ا (٣٢) وَٱلسَّلَـٰمُ عَلَىَّ يَوۡمَ وُلِدتُّ وَيَوۡمَ أَمُوتُ وَيَوۡمَ أُبۡعَثُ حَيًّ۬ا (٣٣) ذَٲلِكَ عِيسَى ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ‌ۚ قَوۡلَ ٱلۡحَقِّ ٱلَّذِى فِيهِ يَمۡتَرُونَ (٣٤) مَا كَانَ لِلَّهِ أَن يَتَّخِذَ مِن وَلَدٍ۬‌ۖ سُبۡحَـٰنَهُ ۥۤ‌ۚ إِذَا قَضَىٰٓ أَمۡرً۬ا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ ۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ (٣٥) وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُوهُ‌ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬ (٣٦) فَٱخۡتَلَفَ ٱلۡأَحۡزَابُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِہِمۡ‌ۖ فَوَيۡلٌ۬ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِن مَّشۡہَدِ يَوۡمٍ عَظِيمٍ (٣٧) أَسۡمِعۡ بِہِمۡ وَأَبۡصِرۡ يَوۡمَ يَأۡتُونَنَا‌ۖ لَـٰكِنِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬ (٣٨) وَأَنذِرۡهُمۡ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡحَسۡرَةِ إِذۡ قُضِىَ ٱلۡأَمۡرُ وَهُمۡ فِى غَفۡلَةٍ۬ وَهُمۡ لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ (٣٩) إِنَّا نَحۡنُ نَرِثُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَمَنۡ عَلَيۡہَا وَإِلَيۡنَا يُرۡجَعُونَ (٤٠)

And mention in the Book (the Qur’an, O Muhammad , the story of) Maryam (Mary), when she withdrew in seclusion from her family to a place facing east. She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent to her Our Ruh [angel Jibrael (Gabriel)], and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects. She said: “Verily! I seek refuge with the Most Beneficent (Allah) from you, if you do fear Allah.” (The angel) said: “I am only a Messenger from your Lord, (to announce) to you the gift of a righteous son.” She said: “How can I have a 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 (Allah), and it is a matter (already) decreed, (by Allah).’ So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place (i.e. Bethlehem valley about 4-6 miles from Jerusalem). And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a date-palm. She said: “Would that I had died before this, and had been forgotten and out of sight!” Then [the babe ‘Iesa (Jesus) or Jibrael (Gabriel)] cried unto her from below her, saying: “Grieve not! Your Lord has provided a water stream under you; and shake the trunk of date-palm towards you, it will let fall fresh ripe-dates upon you. So eat and drink and be glad, and if you see any human being, say: ‘Verily! I have vowed a fast unto the Most Beneficent (Allah) so I shall not speak to any human being this day.’”

Then she brought him (the baby) to her people, carrying him. They said: “O Mary! Indeed you have brought a thing Fariya (an unheard mighty thing). “O sister (i.e. the like) of Harun (Aaron) [not the brother of Musa (Moses), but he was another pious man at the time of Maryam (Mary)]! Your father was not a man who used to commit adultery, nor your mother was an unchaste woman.” Then she pointed to him. They said: “How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?” He [‘Iesa (Jesus)] said: “Verily! I am a slave of Allah, He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet; and He has made me blessed wheresoever I be, and has enjoined on me Salat (prayer), and Zakat, as long as I live. And dutiful to my mother, and made me not arrogant, unblest. And Salam (peace) be upon me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive!”

Such is ‘Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary). (it is) a statement of truth, about which they doubt (or dispute). It befits not (the Majesty of) Allah that He should beget a son [this refers to the slander of Christians against Allah, by saying that ‘Iesa (Jesus) is the son of Allah]. Glorified (and Exalted be He above all that they associate with Him). When He decrees a thing, He only says to it, “Be!” and it is. [‘Iesa (Jesus) said]: “And verily Allah is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him (Alone). That is the Straight Path. (Allah’s Religion of Islamic Monotheism which He did ordain for all of His Prophets).” Then the sects differed [i.e. the Christians about ‘Iesa (Jesus)], so woe unto the disbelievers [those who gave false witness by saying that ‘Iesa (Jesus) is the son of Allah] from the meeting of a great Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection, when they will be thrown in the blazing Fire). How clearly will they (polytheists and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah) see and hear, the Day when they will appear before Us! But the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers) today are in plain error. And warn them (O Muhammad ) of the Day of grief and regrets, when the case has been decided, while (now) they are in a state of carelessness, and they believe not. Verily! We will inherit the earth and whatsoever is thereon. And to Us they all shall be returned. [Maryam 16-40]

Allah said:

وَإِذۡ قَالَتِ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَةُ يَـٰمَرۡيَمُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصۡطَفَٮٰكِ وَطَهَّرَكِ وَٱصۡطَفَٮٰكِ عَلَىٰ نِسَآءِ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ (٤٢) يَـٰمَرۡيَمُ ٱقۡنُتِى لِرَبِّكِ وَٱسۡجُدِى وَٱرۡكَعِى مَعَ ٱلرَّٲكِعِينَ (٤٣) ذَٲلِكَ مِنۡ أَنۢبَآءِ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ نُوحِيهِ إِلَيۡكَ‌ۚ وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيۡهِمۡ إِذۡ يُلۡقُونَ أَقۡلَـٰمَهُمۡ أَيُّهُمۡ يَكۡفُلُ مَرۡيَمَ وَمَا ڪُنتَ لَدَيۡهِمۡ إِذۡ يَخۡتَصِمُونَ (٤٤) إِذۡ قَالَتِ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ يَـٰمَرۡيَمُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكِ بِكَلِمَةٍ۬ مِّنۡهُ ٱسۡمُهُ ٱلۡمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ وَجِيهً۬ا فِى ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَٱلۡأَخِرَةِ وَمِنَ ٱلۡمُقَرَّبِينَ (٤٥) وَيُڪَلِّمُ ٱلنَّاسَ فِى ٱلۡمَهۡدِ وَڪَهۡلاً۬ وَمِنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ (٤٦) قَالَتۡ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِى وَلَدٌ۬ وَلَمۡ يَمۡسَسۡنِى بَشَرٌ۬‌ۖ قَالَ ڪَذَٲلِكِ ٱللَّهُ يَخۡلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُ‌ۚ إِذَا قَضَىٰٓ أَمۡرً۬ا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ ۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ (٤٧) وَيُعَلِّمُهُ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلۡحِڪۡمَةَ وَٱلتَّوۡرَٮٰةَ وَٱلۡإِنجِيلَ (٤٨) وَرَسُولاً إِلَىٰ بَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ أَنِّى قَدۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِـَٔايَةٍ۬ مِّن رَّبِّڪُمۡ‌ۖ أَنِّىٓ أَخۡلُقُ لَڪُم مِّنَ ٱلطِّينِ كَهَيۡـٴَـةِِ ٱلطَّيۡرِ فَأَنفُخُ فِيهِ فَيَكُونُ طَيۡرَۢا بِإِذۡنِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۖ وَأُبۡرِئُ ٱلۡأَڪۡمَهَ وَٱلۡأَبۡرَصَ وَأُحۡىِ ٱلۡمَوۡتَىٰ بِإِذۡنِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۖ وَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا تَأۡكُلُونَ وَمَا تَدَّخِرُونَ فِى بُيُوتِڪُمۡ‌ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَةً۬ لَّكُمۡ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ (٤٩) وَمُصَدِّقً۬ا لِّمَا بَيۡنَ يَدَىَّ مِنَ ٱلتَّوۡرَٮٰةِ وَلِأُحِلَّ لَڪُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِى حُرِّمَ عَلَيۡڪُمۡ‌ۚ وَجِئۡتُكُم بِـَٔايَةٍ۬ مِّن رَّبِّڪُمۡ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ (٥٠) إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّڪُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُوهُ‌ۗ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬ (٥١) ۞ فَلَمَّآ أَحَسَّ عِيسَىٰ مِنۡہُمُ ٱلۡكُفۡرَ قَالَ مَنۡ أَنصَارِىٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ‌ۖ قَالَ ٱلۡحَوَارِيُّونَ نَحۡنُ أَنصَارُ ٱللَّهِ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَٱشۡهَدۡ بِأَنَّا مُسۡلِمُونَ (٥٢) رَبَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا بِمَآ أَنزَلۡتَ وَٱتَّبَعۡنَا ٱلرَّسُولَ فَٱڪۡتُبۡنَا مَعَ ٱلشَّـٰهِدِينَ (٥٣) وَمَڪَرُواْ وَمَڪَرَ ٱللَّهُ‌ۖ وَٱللَّهُ خَيۡرُ ٱلۡمَـٰكِرِينَ (٥٤) إِذۡ قَالَ ٱللَّهُ يَـٰعِيسَىٰٓ إِنِّى مُتَوَفِّيكَ وَرَافِعُكَ إِلَىَّ وَمُطَهِّرُكَ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ ڪَفَرُواْ وَجَاعِلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوكَ فَوۡقَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓاْ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ‌ۖ ثُمَّ إِلَىَّ مَرۡجِعُڪُمۡ فَأَحۡڪُمُ بَيۡنَكُمۡ فِيمَا كُنتُمۡ فِيهِ تَخۡتَلِفُونَ (٥٥) فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فَأُعَذِّبُهُمۡ عَذَابً۬ا شَدِيدً۬ا فِى ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَٱلۡأَخِرَةِ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّـٰصِرِينَ (٥٦) وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ فَيُوَفِّيهِمۡ أُجُورَهُمۡ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ (٥٧) ذَٲلِكَ نَتۡلُوهُ عَلَيۡكَ مِنَ ٱلۡأَيَـٰتِ وَٱلذِّكۡرِ ٱلۡحَكِيمِ (٥٨) إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِيسَىٰ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ ءَادَمَ‌ۖ خَلَقَهُ ۥ مِن تُرَابٍ۬ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ ۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ (٥٩) ٱلۡحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ فَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ ٱلۡمُمۡتَرِينَ (٦٠)

And (remember) when the angels said: “O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allah has chosen you, purified you (from polytheism and disbelief), and chosen you above the women of the ‘Alamin (mankind and jinns) (of her lifetime). O Mary! Submit yourself with obedience to your Lord (Allah, by worshipping none but Him Alone) and prostrate yourself, and Irka’i (bow down etc.) along with Ar-Raki’un (those who bow down etc.).” This is a part of the news of the Ghaib (unseen, i.e. the news of the past nations of which you have no knowledge) which We inspire you with (O Muhammad ). You were not with them, when they cast lots with their pens as to which of them should be charged with the care of Maryam (Mary); nor were you with them when they disputed.

(Remember) when the angels said: “O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allah gives you the glad tidings of a Word [“Be!” – and he was! i.e. ‘Iesa (Jesus) the son of Maryam (Mary)] from Him, his name will be the Messiah ‘Iesa (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary), held in honour in this world and in the Hereafter, and will be one of those who are near to Allah. He will speak to the people in the cradle and in manhood, and he will be one of the righteous.” She said: “O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me.” He said: “So (it will be) for Allah creates what He wills. When He has decreed something, He says to it only: “Be!” and it is. And He (Allah) will teach him [‘Iesa (Jesus)] the Book and Al-Hikmah (i.e. the Sunnah, the faultless speech of the Prophets, wisdom, etc.), (and) the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel). And will make him [‘Iesa (Jesus)] a Messenger to the Children of Israel (saying): “I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, that I design for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah’s Leave; and I heal him who was born blind, and the leper, and I bring the dead to life by Allah’s Leave. And I inform you of what you eat, and what you store in your houses. Surely, therein is a sign for you, if you believe. And I have come confirming that which was before me of the Taurat (Torah), and to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden to you, and I have come to you with a proof from your Lord. So fear Allah and obey me. Truly! Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him (Alone). This is the Straight Path.

Then when ‘Iesa (Jesus) came to know of their disbelief, he said: “Who will be my helpers in Allah’s Cause?” Al-Hawariun (the disciples) said: “We are the helpers of Allah; we believe in Allah, and bear witness that we are Muslims (i.e. we submit to Allah).” Our Lord! We believe in what You have sent down, and we follow the Messenger [‘Iesa (Jesus)]; so write us down among those who bear witness (to the truth i.e. La ilaha ill-Allah – none has the right to be worshipped but Allah). And they (disbelievers) plotted [to kill ‘Iesa (Jesus)], and Allah planned too. And Allah is the Best of the planners.

And (remember) when Allah said: “O ‘Iesa (Jesus)! I will take you and raise you to Myself and clear you [of the forged statement that ‘Iesa (Jesus) is Allah’s son] of those who disbelieve, and I will make those who follow you (Monotheists, who worship none but Allah) superior to those who disbelieve [in the Oneness of Allah, or disbelieve in some of His Messengers, e.g. Muhammad , ‘Iesa (Jesus), Musa (Moses), etc., or in His Holy Books, e.g. the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel), the Qur’an] till the Day of Resurrection. Then you will return to Me and I will judge between you in the matters in which you used to dispute.

As to those who disbelieve, I will punish them with a severe torment in this world and in the Hereafter, and they will have no helpers. And as for those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah) and do righteous good deeds, Allah will pay them their reward in full. And Allah does not like the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers). This is what We recite to you (O Muhammad ) of the Verses and the Wise Reminder (i.e. the Qur’an). Verily, the likeness of ‘Iesa (Jesus) before Allah is the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust, then (He) said to him: “Be!” – and he was. (This is) the truth from your Lord, so be not of those who doubt. [Aal Imran 42-60]

Therefore, it appears that Steven has either forgotten or intentionally disregarded the crucial detail that Isa (Jesus), peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was specifically sent to the Children of Israel. His teachings were rooted in the Torah, complemented by the Injeel, the new scripture bestowed upon him as a Messenger, and the Children were instructed to adhere to his guidance. Consequently, to confine Christianity solely to a group identified as Christians, while omitting the fact that his initial mission was directed towards the Children of Israel, diverts attention from the fundamental essence of the discussion.

Allah, The Exalted, said:

وَإِذْ قَالَ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ يَٰبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ إِنِّى رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ إِلَيْكُم مُّصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَىَّ مِنَ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ وَمُبَشِّرًۢا بِرَسُولٍ يَأْتِى مِنۢ بَعْدِى ٱسْمُهُۥٓ أَحْمَدُ فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ قَالُوا۟ هَٰذَا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ

And (remember) when Jesus, son of Mary, said: ” Children of Israel, I am the Messenger of Allāh to you, confirming what came before me of the Torah and giving good tidings of a Messenger to come after me whose name is Aḥmad”. But when he (the prophesied messenger, Muḥammad) came to them (the Jews) with clear evidences, they said: “This is plain magic”. [As-Saff. 6]

Allah said:

وَقَفَّيْنَا عَلَى آَثَارِهِمْ بِعِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ مُصَدِّقًا لِمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَآَتَيْنَاهُ الْإِنْجِيلَ فِيهِ هُدًى وَنُورٌ وَمُصَدِّقًا لِمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَهُدًى وَمَوْعِظَةً لِلْمُتَّقِينَ

And in their footsteps, We sent ‘Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), confirming the Taurat (Torah) that had come before him, and We gave him the Injeel (Gospel), in which was guidance and light and confirmation of the Taurat (Torah) that had come before it, a guidance and an admonition for the pious. [Al-Ma’idah 46]

“And in their footsteps”, meaning, “We succeeded the prophets of the Children of Israel with Isa (Jesus), son of Mary, who confirmed the Torah that preceded him. Meaning, he believed in it and judge according to its teachings. “And We gave him Injeel (Gospel) in which was guidance and light”, guiding to the truth and a light illuminating the path to removing doubts and solving problems. “And confirmation of the Taurat (Torah) that had come before it”, meaning, adhering to it and not doing other than what is in it, except in a few matters about which they differed, as Allah stated that the Messiah said to tyhe Children of Israel: “And to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden to you”. This is why the most well-known statement of the scholars (of Islam) is that the Gospel abrogated certain laws of the Torah. [7]

Thus, Steven is reminded that Isa (Jesus), peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, not only upheld the teachings of the Torah but also received the Injeel, accompanied by further guidance. Nevertheless, many Jews during that time rejected his message, sought to undermine his mission, and even plotted against his life, yet Allah protected him. Prior to the arrival of Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, many Jews continued to disbelieve in Jesus, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, while many of his followers had already altered the original teachings of the Injeel, introducing things that were never part of it. Then both groups turned away from Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, when he was sent as the final Messenger, bearing a message intended to guide them all once more.

Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

When Allah, The Exalted, sent Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him,, they disbelieved in him, thus their disbelief and misguidance occurred in two ways- substitution of the religion of the first Messenger (i.e. the Messiah) and belied the second Messenger (i.e. Muhammad), just as the Jews substituted the rulings of the Torah before the Messiah was sent and then belied him. The Christians’ denial of Muhammad’s Messengership is a well-known belief of theirs to every Muslim, which is similar to the Jews’ disbelief in the Messiah. The Christians emphasise the disbelief of the Jews greater than what the Jews deserve, because the Jews claimed that the Messiah was a magician and a liar; rather they said that he is an illegitimate child, as Allah informed us about them: [وَقَوۡلِهِمۡ عَلَىٰ مَرۡيَمَ بُہۡتَـٰنًا عَظِيمً۬ا – And their speech against Maryam (Mary)- a grave false charge (that she has committed illegal sexual intercourse]. [An-Nisaa. 156]; but the Christians claimed that the Messiah is Allah, therefore the trial between them and the Jews regarding the Messiah involved a lot of contradictions, misguidance at similar levels and confrontation, and this is why both nations rebuked one another with something more than what each of them deserved, just as Allah said:

وَقَالَتِ ٱلۡيَهُودُ لَيۡسَتِ ٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ عَلَىٰ شَىۡءٍ۬ وَقَالَتِ ٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ لَيۡسَتِ ٱلۡيَهُودُ عَلَىٰ شَىۡءٍ۬ وَهُمۡ يَتۡلُونَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ‌ۗ كَذَٲلِكَ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ مِثۡلَ قَوۡلِهِمۡ‌ۚ فَٱللَّهُ يَحۡكُمُ بَيۡنَهُمۡ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ فِيمَا كَانُواْ فِيهِ يَخۡتَلِفُونَ

The Jews said that the Christians follow nothing; and the Christians said that the Jews follow nothing; though they both recite the Scripture. Like unto their word, said (the pagans) who know not. Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection about that wherein they have been differing. [Al-Baqarah. 113]

Muhammad Bin Abee Muhammad the protege of Zaid Bin Thabit reported from Ikrimah or Saeed Bin Jubayr, who reported from Ibn Abbaas that when the Christian delegation of Najraan came to Allaah’s Messenger, the Rabbis came and argued with them in the presence of the Messenger; so Rabee Bin Hurmilah said, “You are upon nothing” and thus he disbelieved in Isa and all the Injeel. Then a man from the people of Najran said to the Jews, “You are upon nothing”, and thus he willfully denied Musa’s, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, Prophethood and disbelieved in the Torah, thus, Allah revealed: [وَقَالَتِ ٱلۡيَهُودُ لَيۡسَتِ ٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ عَلَىٰ شَىۡءٍ۬ وَقَالَتِ ٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ لَيۡسَتِ ٱلۡيَهُودُ عَلَىٰ شَىۡءٍ۬ وَهُمۡ يَتۡلُونَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ‌ۗ -The Jews said that the Christians follow nothing; and the Christians said that the Jews follow nothing; though they both recite the Scripture. [Al-Baqarah. 113]

So each of them recited the affirmation of what they reject in their book- meaning, the Jews disbelieved in Isa whilst they had the Torah in which Allah established the evidence against them through Musa that they should believe in Isa and the Injeel, and Isa confirmed Musa’s Messengership and what he came with. So, each one disbelieved in what was in the possession of the other. [Ibn Abee Hatim. 1/339]

[وَقَالَتِ ٱلۡيَهُودُ لَيۡسَتِ ٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ عَلَىٰ شَىۡءٍ۬ – The Jews said that the Christians follow nothing]: Qatadah said regarding this verse, “Certainly, the early Christians were upon something, but they innovated and split”.

[وَقَالَتِ ٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ لَيۡسَتِ ٱلۡيَهُودُ عَلَىٰ شَىۡءٍ۬ – and the Christians said that the Jews follow nothing]: Qatadah said regarding this verse: “Certainly, the early Jews were upon something, but they innovated and split”. The Jews belied the religion of the Christians and said that the Christians were upon nothing; and the Christians denied everything through which the Jews were distinguished from them, even the laws of the Torah which the Messiah did not abrogate; rather he commanded them to act upon it. As for the Jews, they denied many of things through which others were distinguished from them, until they denied the truth brought by Isa.

So, even though the Christians – due to that which they innovated of exaggeration and misguidance – went into extremes in excommunicating the Jews and showed them enmity beyond what is obligated, however there is no doubt that the Jews disbelieved when they belied the Messiah, as Allah [The Exalted] said to the Messiah [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him]:

[إِنِّى مُتَوَفِّيكَ وَرَافِعُكَ إِلَىَّ وَمُطَهِّرُكَ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ ڪَفَرُواْ وَجَاعِلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوكَ فَوۡقَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓاْ – I will take you and raise you to Myself and clear you [of the forged statement that ‘Isa (Jesus) is Allah’s son] of those who disbelieve, and I will make those who follow you (Monotheists, who worship none but Allah) superior to those who disbelieve [in the Oneness of Allah, or disbelieve in some of His Messengers, e.g. Muhammad, ‘Isa (Jesus), Musa (Moses), etc., or in His Holy Books, e.g. the Tawrat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel), the Qur’an] till the Day of Resurrection. [Aal Imran. 55]

Allah, The Exalted, said:

قَالَ عِيسَى ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ لِلۡحَوَارِيِّـۧنَ مَنۡ أَنصَارِىٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ‌ۖ قَالَ ٱلۡحَوَارِيُّونَ نَحۡنُ أَنصَارُ ٱللَّهِ‌ۖ فَـَٔامَنَت طَّآٮِٕفَةٌ۬ مِّنۢ بَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ وَكَفَرَت طَّآٮِٕفَةٌ۬‌ۖ فَأَيَّدۡنَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ عَلَىٰ عَدُوِّهِمۡ فَأَصۡبَحُواْ ظَـٰهِرِينَ

Isa the son of Maryam said to Al-Hawariun (the disciples): “Who are my helpers (in the Cause) of Allah?” Al-Hawarieen (the disciples) said: “We are Allah’s helpers” (i.e. we will strive in His Cause!). Then a group of the Children of Israel believed and a group disbelieved. So We gave power to those who believed against their enemies, and they became the uppermost. [As-Saff. 14]

The disbelief of the Christians – due to their denial of Muhammad’s Messengership and – is greater than the disbelief of the Jews due to their denial of the Messiah’s Messengership, because indeed the Messiah only abrogated a little from the Torah and all the laws and acts of worship ordained for him could be traced back to the Torah; however the majority of the beliefs and practices of the Christians were innovated after the departure of the Messiah. That which is found in the Jews’ denial of the Messiah by opposing Allah’s Shariah is not the same as the Christians’ denial of Muhammad, who brought an independent book from Allah, because nothing in the laws of the Qur’an was ordained based on the law of another Messenger. Allah [The Exalted] said:

[أَوَلَمۡ يَكۡفِهِمۡ أَنَّآ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبَ يُتۡلَىٰ عَلَيۡهِمۡ‌ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَرَحۡمَةً۬ وَذِڪۡرَىٰ لِقَوۡمٍ۬ يُؤۡمِنُونَ – Is it not sufficient for them that We have sent down to you the Book (the Qur’an) which is recited to them? Verily, herein is mercy and a reminder (or an admonition) for a people who believe]. [Al-Ankabut. 51]

The Qur’an is an independent book like the Torah of Musa, even though the Qur’an is greater than it. And this is why the Christian scholars made a connection between Musa and Muhammad, just as when An-Najaashee [may Allaah have mercy upon him]- the Ethiopian king of the Christians- heard the Qur’an, he said, “Indeed, this and what Musa brought came from the same source”. Also, when Waqarah bin Nawfil, may Allah have mercy upon him, – who was one of Christian Arab scholars- heard the statement of the Prophet, he said, “Indeed, the Naamoos [i.e. Jibreel] who came to you was sent to Musa. I wish that I were young till when your people expel you”. Allaah’s Messenger asked, “Will these people drive me out?” Waraqah said, “Yes, because nobody brought the like of what you have brought, but was treated with hostility. If I were to remain alive till your day (when you start calling to Islam), then I would support you strongly”. [Bukhari]

And this is why Allah mentioned the Torah and the Qur’an together in His statement:

فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ مِنۡ عِندِنَا قَالُواْ لَوۡلَآ أُوتِىَ مِثۡلَ مَآ أُوتِىَ مُوسَىٰٓ‌ۚ أَوَلَمۡ يَڪۡفُرُواْ بِمَآ أُوتِىَ مُوسَىٰ مِن قَبۡلُ‌ۖ قَالُواْ سِحۡرَانِ تَظَـٰهَرَا وَقَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا بِكُلٍّ۬ كَـٰفِرُونَ
قُلۡ فَأۡتُواْ بِكِتَـٰبٍ۬ مِّنۡ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ هُوَ أَهۡدَىٰ مِنۡہُمَآ أَتَّبِعۡهُ إِن ڪُنتُمۡ صَـٰدِقِينَ

But when the truth (i.e. Muhammad with his Message) has come to them from Us, they say: “Why is he not given the like of what was given to Musa (Moses)? Did they not disbelieve in that which was given to Musa (Moses) of old? They say: “Two kinds of magic [the Tawrat (Torah) and the Qur’an] each helping the other!” And they say: “Verily! In both we are disbelievers.” Say (to them, O Muhammad): “Then bring a Book from Allah, which is a better guide than these two [the Taurat (Torah) and the Qur’an], that I may follow it, if you are truthful.” [Al-Qasas. 48-49]

Allah did not revealed books that were a better guide than the Tawraat and the Qur’an. Then Allah said:

فَإِن لَّمۡ يَسۡتَجِيبُواْ لَكَ فَٱعۡلَمۡ أَنَّمَا يَتَّبِعُونَ أَهۡوَآءَهُمۡ‌ۚ وَمَنۡ أَضَلُّ مِمَّنِ ٱتَّبَعَ هَوَٮٰهُ بِغَيۡرِ هُدً۬ى مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَہۡدِى ٱلۡقَوۡمَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ

But if they answer you not (i.e. do not believe in your doctrine of Islamic Monotheism, nor follow you), then know that they only follow their own lusts. And who is more astray than one who follows his own lusts, without guidance from Allah? Verily! Allah guides not the people who are Zalimun (wrong-doers, disobedient to Allah, and polytheists). [Al-Qasas. 50] [8]

Read: The Status of Jesus In Islam

https://abukhadeejah.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Jesus-in-Islam-2016.pdf

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[1] An Excerpt from “Ishkal Tahdid Tarikh Milad An-Nabi Isa, alayhis salam, Fee Fee ad-Diyanah An Nasraniyyah” pages 1-7

[2] https://abukhadeejah.com/the-pagan-roots-of-christmas-and-how-a-muslim-should-behave-during-this-season/

[3] Al-Kamil Fee at-Tarikh 1/252

[4] Al-Bidaya Wan Nihaya 2/52

[5] Al-Jawab As-Sahih 2/94

[6] Al-Jawab As-Sahih 3/32

[7] Tafsir Ibn Kathir.

[8] An Excerpt from Al-Jawab As-Sahih Liman Baddala Deen Al-Masih. 1/26-28