Jesus in Islam (peace be on him)

Month of December brings with it a spirit of festivity and celebration all over the country. It brings beautiful scenes of decorated homes to a hustle and bustle in the stores. One can feel the warmth of love and giving in the air as people are getting together to spend their holidays or celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah during the month this year.

Many people may know that Muslims do not celebrate Christmas. But our fellow Americans may not know that Muslims love and revere Jesus (peace be on him) as a Prophet of God. Here are some noteworthy facts about Jesus (pboh) in Islam:

1. Jesus (pboh) is mentioned by name in the Qur’an 25 times.
2. Mother of Prophet Jesus (peace be on them) is mentioned by name 34 times in the Holy Qur’an.
3. Muslims believe in the virgin birth of Jesus and that his mother Mary (peace be on them) was a pious lady.
4. Mary (peace be on her) is referred in the Qur’an as a role model for all Muslims.
5. Belief in Prophet Jesus and all the prophets sent by God in different times and to different people is a mandatory part of the belief to be a Muslim.
6. A chapter of Qur’an (19) is named after Mary, mother of Jesus (Maryam).
7. Qur’an also hints that the birth of Jesus was in the summer as trees had dates on them at the time of his birth which happens to be in summer time in that part of the world.
8. Second coming of Jesus (pboh) is also part of Islamic belief. According to Ahmadi Muslims this return was metaphorical and has already taken place in 1889 in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (peace be on him).

Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas to all those who are celebrating.