Summary
Muslims do not believe that Jesus (as) was born on December 25th . According to the Holy Qur’an, Jesus (as) was born during the summer. Similarly, the Bible Jesus’ birth during the summer months (Luke, 2:8). Muslims believe that the birth of Jesus (as) occurred in August or September. The December 25th date was chosen for symbolic and practical reasons related to early Christian efforts to replace pagan traditions with Christian ones.
Table of Content
WHO IS JESUS (AS)?
Jesus, Son of Mary, is an internationally recognized figure, not only religiously, but historically. People all around the world recognize Jesus as an individual whose existence shaped the world as we know it today.
Jesus Prophet of God
In Islam, Jesus (as) is a prophet of God. Muslims believe Jesus (as) was the son of Mary and that he was born of miraculous conception, by the Grace of God.
Christians around the world hold the belief that Jesus (as) is God or the Son of God. However this is not the case for Muslims. In Islam, Jesus (as) is believed to have been a humble prophet and servant of God.
Some Other Miracles
The Holy Quran narrates several miracles of Jesus, including his ability to create birds, to cure ailments including blindness and raise the dead to life (Quran, 3:50). Ahmadi Muslims interpret these particular signs metaphorically. The people who accepted Jesus soared high like birds into the spiritual firmament above worldly, base concerns. Similarly in the metaphoric sense, he restored sight to the spiritually blind and life to the spiritually dead.
Jesus himself called the enemies of his day “blind” because of their hypocritical nature in matters of faith (Matthew, 23:26). The very nature of his words about healing convey a spiritual change, not physical. It should also be remembered that Jesus spoke in parables, such as the famous line, “let the dead bury their dead” (Matthew, 8:22).
The Holy Quran also describes disbelievers as deaf, dumb and blind (Quran, 2:19) and the Holy Prophet ( offered them ‘life’ and revival from such death (Quran, 8:25). This comparison further helps establish the foundation that Jesus came to his people as a servant of God.
He is servant of God, not God
Muslims believe Jesus (Peace be On Him) was a servant of God. He was sent as a prophet with the mission to guide the children of Israel. He was the last prophet in Israel. The Holy Qur’an clearly highlights Jesus as a prophet who worshiped God:
“We sent no Messenger before thee but We directed him: There is no God but I; so worship Me alone. But they say: The Gracious One has taken to Himself a son. Holy is He. Those whom they so designate are only His honoured servants. They utter not a word more than he directs, and they only carry out His commands. He knows what lies ahead of them and what is left behind them, and they intercede not except only he whose intercession He permits, and they tremble with fear of Him. Whosoever of them should say: I am a god beside Him; We shall requite him with hell. Thus do We requite the wrongdoers.” (21:26-30).
This verse shows the clear distinction that Jesus was a prophet and not the son of God.
THE ISLAMIC VERSION OF JESUS’ BIRTH
The Holy Qu’ran states:
She said, ‘How can I have a son when no man has touched me, neither have I been unchaste?’ [19:21]
The commentary of this verse tells us that the words ‘no man has touched me’ show that Mary thought that the glad tidings about the birth of a son to her meant that the child would be born to her without contracting a regular marriage, otherwise there was no sense in her denying having known any man. The words, ‘neither have I been unchaste’ show that whereas in the previous clause she had denied having known any man lawfully i.e. in a married state, these words refer to her denial of having known any person unlawfully i.e. outside legal wedlock. In her reply to the angel she seemed to be thinking of the circumstances of her life in the Temple and of her vow of celibacy which obviated the possibility of her having any offspring. [Holy Quran 5 Volume Commentary, Pg 1941]
WAS JESUS BORN IN SUMMER OR WINTER?
3.IIn the Quran, there are many verses that give us information regarding the time of Jesus’ birth;
Then he (the angel) called her from beneath her, saying, “Grieve not. Thy Lord has placed a rivulet below thee; [19:25]
And shake towards thyself the trunk of the palm-tree; it will cause fresh ripe dates to fall upon thee. [19:26]
In the commentary of this verse we understand that Mary could not have drank the water and
washed herself using the water in the stream if it had been December as the water would have
been icy cold. The second verse is significant because it highlights palm trees and dates. Dates are grown in the months of August and September. Thus explaining that Jesus was born in the summer months.
BIRTH OF JESUS ACCORDING TO CHRISTIANITY
The Bible gives us some hints to the Christian perspective on the Birth of Jesus;
“And there were shepherds in the same country (Judaea) abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flocks” (Luke 2:8)
This verse from the Bible places Jesus’ birth at a time where there were shepherds living in the fields nearby watching over their flock over night (Luke 2:8). This would only have occurred during the summer months as it would not have been possible to watch over the flock outside during the cold climate of Judea in the winter.
THEORIES ABOUT JESUS’ (AS) BIRTH BASED ON ISLAMIC SOURCES AND NATURAL CLUES
According to the Quran, Jesus (as) was born when fresh dates were on the palm trees which suggests a timeline of around August – September. This seasonal clue given in the Quran is significant and aligns with the natural timing of ripe dates in the region which is usually during late summer.
Regarding the miraculous birth of Jesus (as), the Quran has described it as a sign of God. The Islamic perspective is that Jesus (as) is a prophet of God and that his miraculous birth was a sign of divine will, because he was born to the Virgin Mary (peace be upon her) without a father. Christians hold the same beliefs in regards to his birth, but believe he is the son of God. ,
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY ABOUT JESUS’ BIRTH
In Islam, Jesus (as) was born miraculously without a father and is considered to be one of the great prophets in Islam but is not a divine being in and of himself. The Qur’an speaks of his birth in the context of a miraculous event, emphasizing his prophethood and the signs accompanying his life. Muslims consider him to be a great and honorable prophet who guided the children of Israel. He worshiped God and instructed people to do the same.
In Christianity, Jesus is seen as the Son of God, part of the Holy Trinity. His birth is not only miraculous but also holds theological significance regarding the salvation of humanity through his divinity.
SOME HISTORICAL FACTS ABOUT THE BIRTH OF JESUS (AS)
The history and facts surrounding Jesus and his birth have been talked about for centuries, but due to the differences in beliefs, can become a very controversial subject to speak upon.
Historical and scriptural evidence, such as the Quran and the Gospel of Luke, suggest the fact that Jesus (as) was not born on December 25th, as is popular opinion. In fact, there are indications that the birth likely occurred in August or September, based on clues of nature like the ripening of dates and the mention of shepherds tending to their flocks by night, which would be difficult in the cold winter months of Judea.
WAS JESUS REALLY BORN ON DECEMBER 25TH?
Based on historical evidence and natural clues, Jesus (AS) was likely not born on December 25th. The idea of December 25th being Jesus’ birth date was not established until around 300 AD, during a period when Christianity was integrating with various pagan traditions. The winter solstice which took place around December 25th was celebrated as the “birth of the sun” in many cultures. It was then adopted by early Christians as a symbolic date for Jesus’ birth, as Jesus was often metaphorically associated with the “Sun of Righteousness” (Malachi 4:2). [Rise of Christianity]. However there is no real evidence to suggest that Jesus was actually born on December 25th.
WHY IS JESUS (AS)’S BIRTH CELEBRATED ON DECEMBER 25TH?
The selection of December 25th as the date for Jesus’ birth was influenced by the Roman celebration of the winter solstice and the Roman festival of “Sol Invictus” (the Unconquered Sun), which was observed on that date. The church, in an effort to provide a Christian alternative to this pagan festival, designated December 25th as the day to celebrate the birth of Jesus (AS). Over time, this date became entrenched in Christian tradition as the day of Jesus’ nativity.
Interestingly the birth of Jesus was not always celebrated. Christmas only became popular in 800 CE, when Charlemagne was crowned emperor of the Roman Empire on Christmas Day (F. Ahmad, n.d). This also influenced the decision to celebrate Christmas on December 25th. It was also to make Christmad more appealing to the Pagans by celebrating it on December 25th.
Conclusion
While Christmas is celebrated on December 25th, historical evidence suggests Jesus was born in the summer months. The Islamic belief is that Jesus was born in the summer months. This belief is backed up by the Holy Qu’ran. There are many verses that describe the conditions of the birth of Jesus. For example, at the time of his birth there is a mention of ripe dates on palm trees. Since Dates did not grow in the winter months, it signals that it was summer. Christmas is believed to be celebrated in the winter instead to follow Pagan traditions.
References:
The Holy Quran
The Holy Quran 5 Volume Commentary
The Holy Bible – Gospel of Luke
The Rise of Christianity by Luke Bishop Barnes Quotes in Holy Quran Commentary