In the name of Allah, the beneficent, the merciful'The similitude of Isa (Jesus Christ, upon him be peace) in the reckoning of Allah, is like Adam (upon him be peace); He created him from the earth and He said unto it Be! And it was.' (Quran 3:59)ON Sunday, December 25, 2011, our compatriots, who follow the teachings of Prophet Isa (Jesus Christ) will be celebrating his birthday. Even though much controversy exists over his birth and death, there is consensus among Christians on his mission while on earth, whereas much ignorance exists outside Islam on his position and status in Islamic annals and culture, Prophet Isa remains an adorable Prophethood and one in whom Moslems must express their belief and strive to emulate.In other words, many Christians are unaware that the true spirit of reverence, which Moslems display towards Jesus and his mother Maryam spring from the fountainhead of their faith as prescribed in the Holy Quran. Most do not know that a Moslem does not mention the name of Jesus without saying alayhi salaam, that is, upon him be peace.Many Christians do not know that in the Holy Quran Jesus is mentioned by name 25 times. For example Allah says: ' ... We gave Jesus the son of Mary Clear (Signs) and strengthened Him with the Holy Spirit.' (Q 2:87)'Behold! The angels said, 'O Mary! Allah gives thee glad tidings of a word from Him: His name will be al-Masih Isa (Christ Jesus), the son of Mary, held in honour in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to Allah.' (Q3: 45).Thus a Moslem, who scorns at or treats Prophet Isa (alyhi salam) with disrespect has disbelieved a cardinal aspect of Islam. In fact, to read and reread his life history, though short but eventful, is to lead a successful life here on earth and partake of the eternal bliss in the hereafter.Aside from the Quran, one book, which constantly reminds me of Prophet Isa (alyhi salam) is al-Mawardi's Adab al-din wa Dunya (Ethics of Religion and the World). I am always fascinated by the report that Prophet Isa (alyhi salam) was once asked by his followers, 'why don't you get married'' Prophet Isa was reported to have said: 'We prefer the prosperity and the plenitude of the hereafter.'Thus one of the challenges confronting Christendom today is how to bridge the gap between the eternal messages preached by Prophet Isa (alyhi salam) while he was alive - the message of abstinence and continence, the message of ascetism and humility and the ephemerality of the 'gospel' of prosperity and success which now holds Christian praxis in the jugular.In a recent conference organised by the Dominican Institute in Ibadan, one of the questions I sought answers to was whether Moslems and Christians have indeed not completely deviated from the noble teachings of the Prophets of Allah they claim to follow' In other words, should Jesus Christ appear today, which of these churches would he identify with' Were Prophet Muhammad (upon him be and blessings of Allah) to rise up today, would he not take flight from the oddities in Moslems' existential realities'Prophet Isa's birth, upon him be peace, was a sign of Allah, his life on earth will forever remain an important point of reference particularly for those who truly identify with his path and desire eternal redemption.Commemoration of his birthday, therefore, should be an opportunity for the church to do self-introspection. The Christian world should use the occasion to question the chasm between what he stood for while on earth and what Christianity has become of today. To what extent is the argument valid that material prosperity occupies the epicenter of Jesus Christ's ministry' Is it true that to be a true Christian is to be rich and affluent'On occasions like this, one question, which constantly confronts Moslems particularly those working in multinational corporations and others in government offices is this: Is it permissible for a Moslem to join in the celebration of the Christmas' Is it permissible for a Moslem employee to wish the Christian employer, 'Happy Christmas' and to attend Christmas parties' These questions are pertinent and relevant to the Moslems in the contemporary period- a period in which the ideological gap or difference between Islam and the other is being occluded on a daily basis.Answering these questions is both easy and difficult. Easy because the Quranic script on worship and rituals is exceptionally unambiguous. In the Quran, Chapter 109 with which we prefaced this sermon, Allah expressly forbids the Moslem from joining the non-Moslem in their rites of worship. Allah says, 'Say: O YE Disbelievers I worship not that which you worship, nor will you worship that which I worship'. This commandment does not in any way, and should not be seen as serving a deleterious purpose for the esteemed position in which Islam has placed Prophet Isa (alyhi salam), nor does it or should it be seen as a throw-back in the effort to promote inter-religious harmony.On the contrary, the injunction functions in preventing syncretism. It seeks to assist the Moslem attain the highest spiritual heights, which their participation in non-Moslem festivals and worship could jeopardise. Thus, it becomes unlawful for the conscious Moslem to partake of these celebrations. Islam says this because to a section of the Christian world, Prophet Isa is God (fal 'iyadhbiLLAH). To rejoice with those, who hold this belief is, therefore, tantamount to rejoicing with those who indulge in sacrilege and in committing grievous crimes, which the Almighty detests and abhors.Now with reference to that brother of mine, who has been asked by his boss to attend a 'Christmas party' such shall have two options to work with. One, he could politely inform his boss that attending and partaking in such activity has serious implication for his faith and spiritual prosperity. One is happy to note that nowadays most leaders of corporate organisations in the country are now more tolerant of their employees' religious preferences.However, our refusal to recognise the existence of private and governmental organisations, whose bosses are usually highly unwilling to accommodate the religions of others is to indulge in tomfoolery. For that sister of mine who finds herself in this type of situation, the Quran has also provided a leeway.Once she discovers that her non-participation in the Christmas party could be read to mean insubordination and consequent loss of her employment, she then becomes, in the strict Quranic sense, the oppressed, someone in grave situation. Allah says, 'he/she, who is pushed by necessity not with the intention to transgress, such shall have no sin'. Such a sister or brother may therefore attend the party. She should endeavour to abstain from indulging in committing sins, which Allah has forbidden, both the hidden and the manifest.Let us all be guided by the Quranic ethic, which says that we should not ridicule the religious beliefs of others, no matter how much we disagree with them and notwithstanding the extent they go to in oppressing our religious sensibilities. Allah says, 'And insult not those whom they worship besides God, lest they insult God wrongfully without knowledge.' (Quran, 6:108)(guardianfridayworship@gmail.com)
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