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I begin with the Name of Allaah, the most Merciful, the One Who bestows Mercy

The Nativity Story

[Part of the "Find Jesus" Campaign]

• Wisdom Behind the Miraculous Birth of ‘Eesaa [Jesus]

Shaykh al-Shanqeeti said:

Part of the wisdom behind the fact that Allaah created ‘Eesaa - blessings and peace of Allaah be upon him - from a woman without a husband was to make that a sign for mankind, i.e., a sign that was indicative of His complete power, and to show that He can create whatever He wills however He wills. If He wills, He can create a person from a female without a male, as He did in the case of ‘Eesaa. If He wills, He can create a person from a male without a female, as He did in the case of Hawwa’ (Eve), as He states in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):

“and from him (Adam) He created his wife [Hawwa (Eve)]”
[al-Nisaa’ 4:1]

i.e., from that soul, who was Adam, He created his partner, who was Hawwa’. If He wills, He can create a person without a male or a female, as He created Adam. And if He wills, he can create a person from a male and a female, as He did with the rest of the sons of Adam.
[Adwaa’ al-Bayaan, 4/259]

• The Nativity Story

Kaaf­ Haa­ Yaa ‘Ayn ­Saad [these letters are one of the miracles of the Qur'aan, and none but Allaah (Alone) knows their meanings].

(This is) a mention of the mercy of your Lord to His slave Zakariya (Zachariah). When he called out his Lord (Allaah) a call in secret, saying: “My Lord! Indeed my bones have grown feeble, and grey hair has spread on my head, and I have never been unblest in my invocation to You, O my Lord! And Verily! I fear my relatives after me, since my wife is barren. So give me from Yourself a heir, who shall inherit me, and inherit (also) the posterity of Ya’qoob (Jacob) (inheritance of the religious knowledge and Prophethood, not the wealth, etc.). And make him, my Lord, one with whom You are Well-pleased!”.

(Allaah said) “O Zakariya (Zachariah)! Verily, We give you the glad tidings of a son, His name will be Yahya (John). We have given that name to none before (him).” He said: “My Lord! How can I have a son, when my wife is barren, and I have reached the extreme old age.” He said: “So (it will be). Your Lord says; It is easy for Me. Certainly I have created you before, when you had been nothing!”

[Zakariya (Zachariah)] said: “My Lord! Appoint for me a sign.” He said: “Your sign is that you shall not speak unto mankind for three nights, though having no bodily defect.” Then he came out to his people from Al-Mihraab (a praying place or a private room, etc.), he told them by signs to glorify Allaah’s Praises in the morning and in the afternoon.

(It was said to his son): “O Yahya (John)! Hold fast the Scripture [the Tauraat (Torah)].” And We gave him wisdom while yet a child. And (made him) sympathetic to men as a mercy (or a grant) from Us, and pure from sins [i.e. Yahya (John)] and he was righteous, and dutiful towards his parents, and he was neither an arrogant nor disobedient (to Allaah or to his parents). And Salaamun (peace) be on him the day he was born, the day he dies, and the day he will be raised up to life (again)!

And mention in the Book (the Qur’aan, 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 (Allaah) from you, if you do fear Allaah.” (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 (Allaah): And (We wish) to appoint him as a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us (Allaah), and it is a matter (already) decreed, (by Allaah).’”

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 'Eesaa (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 (Allaah) 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 Haaroon (Aaron) [not the brother of Moosaa (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 ['Eesaa (Jesus)] said: Verily! I am a slave of Allaah, 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 Salaat (prayer), and Zakaat, as long as I live. And dutiful to my mother, and made me not arrogant, unblest. And Salaam (peace) be upon me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive!”

Such is ‘Eesaa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary). (it is) a statement of truth, about which they doubt (or dispute).

It befits not (the Majesty of) Allaah that He should beget a son [this refers to the slander of Christians against Allaah, by saying that 'Eesaa (Jesus) is the son of Allaah]. 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. ['Eesaa (Jesus) said]: “And verily Allaah is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him (Alone). That is the Straight Path. (Allaah’s Religion of Islaamic Monotheism which He did ordain for all of His Prophets).” [Tafsir At-Tabaree]

[al-Qur'aan - Soorat Mariam (019:001-036)]

• Extract from “The Message” [Biopic of the Seal of the Prophets]

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