Birth Of Jesus(S)

[abshoeb]

Assalamalikum wa Rahmathullahi wa Thaala wa Barkathuhu Respected Brother Farooq..


The Muslims all over the world believe that Jesus(pbuh) was born without a father. His birth is the result of Immaculate Conception. His mother Mary was a virgin. Mother Mary never had marital relationship with anybody.

The Christians all over the world believe exactly the same thing. In fact, the entire foundation of Christian faith is based on the Immaculate Conception. They use this faith to justify his Son of God status. Although a Muslim would not believe in Son of God theory, yet he believes everything else the Christians say regarding the Immaculate Conception.

Muslim faith regarding the Immaculate Conception is based on the Quranic verses that says Jesus(pbuh) is Kalimah of Allah, that he is a sign of Allah, that his mother is a sign of Allah. Jesus(pbuh) was created in his mother's womb by a single blow of air or spirit. He was created by the word 'kun'. Muslims further contend that the Qur-an never said mother Mary had any matrimonial relationship with anybody! Not only that, apparently the Qur-an never mentioned anything about his father!!!

I am going to show you in a step by step approach that there is nothing extraordinary in the birth of Jesus(pbuh). My entire argument is based on the Qur-an. I will quote straight translations. I will not add commentary within parenthesis to derive a twisted or different meaning. If possible here and there I will quote distorted translations done by scholars to show you how the scholars made errors. It would not take lot of scholarship on your part to understand straight translations versus a distorted translation.

You will be surprised to see that so much of information is available in the Qur-an, yet Muslims are reluctant to pay attention to the facts. Probably you never investigated it mainly because it is a done deal, an accepted faith. Besides who has time to do all these investigative studies!!! Selectively only few verses were told to you and cleverly several other verses were never discussed. You just accepted whatever explanation was available to you. You never questioned because the preaching came from scholars. Like most Muslims, you are left to believe and support the Christian doctrines.

Ironically, it does not need any scholarship to find out the entire truth based on Islam. I am not a scholar by any means, but I am not a stupid either not to understand Allah's words. I believe in the total Qur-an and I believe no verses of the Qur-an contradicts one another and no verse is false.

However, it is possible that your mind is set to a given theory and not open to any new possibilities. Even then, please read along attentively and see every thing will make sense to you.

Father of Prophet Muhammad(pbuh):

To start with, let me ask you a very simple question: 'Did the last and final prophet Muhammad(pbuh) have a father?' I know your answer, YES! Second question, 'How do you know, was his father's name mentioned in the Qur-an ?' If you don't have a ready answer, let me help you. In the entire Qur-an , there is absolutely no mention of father of last and final prophet Muhammad(pbuh). Yet we believe prophet Muhammad(pbuh) did have a father. Fact remains that the Qur-an is not the chronology of the family history of all prophets

Jesus'(pbuh) Father Mentioned in The Quran:

As I said, although prophet Muhammad's(pbuh) father is not mentioned in the Qur-an, we do not argue about whether or not he had father. However, there is clear mention of the father of prophet Jesus(pbuh), yet we strongly believe that he did not have a father. In a way we are refusing to accept the truth propounded by the verse, or Quran in general.

In surah An-Aam verse 84-87 Allah mentions names of 18 prophets at a stretch. Of these, verse 86 specifically mentions name of Isa as: "…. And Zakariyya, and Yahya and Isa and Ilyas - everyone was of the righteous." After stating the names of the 18 prophets, in the very next verse 88 Allah goes on to say that:

6:88 And from among their fathers and their descendants and their brethren. And We chose them and We guided them towards the Right Path.

Yusuf Ali: (To them) and to their fathers, and progeny and brethren; …..
Pickthall: With some of their forefathers and their offspring, and their brethren; ……
Shakir: And from among their fathers and their descendants and their brethren;
Rodwell: And some of their fathers, and of their offspring, and of their brethren ….
Hilali & Khan: And also some of their fathers and their progeny and their brethren,…
Irving: We picked out some of their forefathers, their offspring and their brethren....
Arberry: And of their fathers, and of their seed, and of their brethren;....

In the verse 6:88, the Arabic words "…. Wa min aaba ihim…" is critical. Let me break down the words: Wa means And, Min means From Aaba means Fathers Ihim means Among theirs. Together it means …. And from among their fathers….

Muslim scholars are in jeopardy with this statement from Allah. They desperately try to justify their faith that Jesus(pbuh) did not have father. So now they start twisting the meaning and interpretation. Let us briefly analyze various interpretations.

One interpretation is that "some" of their fathers (Pickthall, Hilali & Khan, Irving) were chosen and guided. However, the statement does not say some HAD fathers and they were guided and some DID NOT have fathers and were not guided. Please review again before we proceed.

Another interpretation is that the word 'aaba ihim' means 'of their forefathers' (Pickthall, Irving). Meaning of Aaba is not forefather but father. I still would give benefit of doubt. Now if Isa did not have a father how can he have a forefather? The extreme twisting of the word 'aaba' is ancestor, predecessor or progenitor. What ever it may be, a male person cannot have a forefather or a progenitor or ancestor without a father.

In order to argue that Jesus(pbuh) cannot have a father, some Muslims suggest that 'forefather' can mean ancestors from mother's side. Thus in case of Jesus(pbuh), ancestors from mother's side were guided. At this time I would leave this strange interpretation open for further discussion. If several other verses suggest that Jesus(pbuh) did not have a father, then 'forefather' may be interpreted as ancestors from mother's side. On the other hand, if several verses suggest that Jesus(pbuh) have had a father, then use of the word 'forefather' is far fetched and cannot mean ancestors from mother's side. Except for Pickthall and Irving, all other translators translated the word ‘aaba’ as ‘fathers’ and not forefathers.

At this time I want to emphasize that if Jesus(pbuh) did not have a father then the verse 6:88 should not have included his name or should have specifically stated that illa Isa or except Isa. Or would you say it was an oversight (nauzubillah!) on part of Allah!!! If the argument is that some HAD fathers, then which other prophet did not have a father? Can you tell me who was born without a father other than Jesus(pbuh)?

There are several other prophets whose fathers are not specifically mentioned in the Qur-an , for example, Nuh, Dawud, Ayyub, Musa, Harun, Zakariya, whose name exists in the list of 18 prophets in the above verses. Even though we don’t find the mention of fathers of these prophets we believe these prophets did have fathers. But in case of Jesus(pbuh) we make the exception that he did not have a father. We make this exception because Bible tells that Jesus(pbuh) did not have a father, [although time and again Bible refers to his father as a person named Joseph] and the Quran addresses him as Son of Maryam.

Muslims are more interested to uphold the Biblical statement at the cost of the Quranic declaration!!! I know in all probability no body showed you the facts this way. But once the facts are unfolded in front of you, will you be bold enough to declare or admit (openly of silently) that Yes! I believe in the declaration of the Quran?

Wherever Allah made exceptions, He did not forget to mention the fact. Let us explore some of the instances of exceptions caused by Allah. I will leave it up to you to check the verses.

1. Allah had saved Nuh(pbuh) and his family from the deluge, but there was an exception in case of his wife (66:10) and his son(11:40-43) because they were misguided.

2. Allah saved Lut (pbuh) and his family from destruction, but there was an exception in case of his wife (7:83; 11:81; 15:59-60; 26:170-171; 27:57; 29:32) because she remained misguided.

The instances of these exceptions do tell that Allah is not oblivious to mention any exceptions. Please note, these exceptions are related to ordinary way of life and not to the Law of Nature. Yet Allah mentioned these. Then how come if Allah made an exception in the Law of Nature, He forgot to mention it?

Jesus(pbuh) is Kalimah of Allah:

The Quran stated that Jesus(pbuh) is Kalimah of Allah. Based on this, the Muslims try to fool themselves by suggesting that use of word Kalimah indicate Immaculate Conception was possible. Only they can tell if they mean the word Kalimah acted as a germ cell, or a sperm that caused Maryam's pregnancy.

The meaning of Kalimah is "a word", "a decree", "a prophecy", "a command". Jesus(pbuh) was born as a Kalimah of Allah, in other words in fulfillment of a prophecy or decree of Allah. Let us read the verse

3:34 "O Maryam, surely Allah gives thee glad tidings with a word (kalimah) from Him, whose name is the Masih Isa, son of Mryam…

4:171 The Masih, - Isa son of Maryam, is but a messenger of Allah, and His word (kalimah) which He imparted towards Maryam

There are lots of meandering explanations available to drive home the point that the use of the word Kalimah caused pregnancy. For a brief moment I would like to give benefit of doubt to this notion; because I want to bring in another argument. What about Yahya(pbuh)? Do you know that he too is Kalimah of Allah? How come in his case the use of the same word Kalimah did not cause a pregnancy without a conjugal relation? Or would you volunteer to say that Yahya(pbuh) was also born without a father or without a mother for that matter? Let us visit the verse. Please note, here Allah is talking to Zakariya(pbuh).

3:38 Allah indeed gives you glad tidings of Yahya, confirming the word (kalimah) of Allah …..

After receiving the glad tiding, Zakariya(pbuh) became concerned because he was old and his wife was barren. He questioned, how can a son be born to him?

3:40 Zechariah prayed to Allah, but then wondered, “My Lord! How could I have a son when old age has overtaken me already and my wife is barren?” He said, “So it will be, Allah does everything according to His Laws.” (The infertility in his wife was cured 21:90).

It may sound like as if with the word 'likewise does Allah do what He pleases’, Allah instantly caused pregnancy or created Yahya out of a thunder. The scholars invented absurd stories at this juncture and recommended miracles. They try to fool the Muslims by suggesting that Kalimah alone is sufficient to cause pregnancy or create a child paranormally. The scholars stop here and refuse to talk about another supporting verse. What Allah meant by the word 'likewise' is given elsewhere, in Surah Al-Anbiya verse 21:90.

21:90 And so We responded to him, and bestowed upon him Yahya, after making his wife fit to bear him a child. And verily, they (parents and son) used to race in doing good works, and remembered Us in situations of hope or fear. And they were always humble before Us

To recap, we find that although Yahya(pbuh) is also Kalimah of Allah, there is nothing unusual or paranormal in his birth. More precisely saying, Yahya(pbuh) was not conceived without conjugal relationship of his parents. Allah cured his mother from infertility so that he could be conceived.

With regards to other uses of the word Kalimah, Allah mentioned that the whole creation has been created as a manifestation of His command. You may verify the word in 18:109, 31:27, 6:34, 6:116, 10:64, 18:27 verses.

18:109 Say, "If all the sea were ink for my Sustainer’s Words, the sea would indeed be exhausted before my Sustainer’s Words are exhausted! And thus it would be if We were to add to it sea upon sea.” (31:27).

31:27 And if all the trees on earth were pens, and the sea were ink, with seven more seas yet added, the Words of Allah would not be exhausted (18:109). Verily, Allah is Almighty, Wise.

Isa(pbuh) and Yahya(pbuh) are Kalimah of Allah, just as the rest of the creations are – they have been born in fulfillment of His decree or prophecy made to Maryam or Zakariya(pbuh) respectively. The word Kalimah by itself did not act as germ cell.

Likeness of Jesus(pbuh) and Adam(pbuh):

A verse of Surah Al-e-Imran 3:58 is often used to justify that Jesus(pbuh) was born without a father. The verse states that the likeness of Jesus(pbuh) is the likeness of Adam(pbuh). The general conclusion of Muslims is that the "likeness" relates to their unusual birth. They argue that Adam(pbuh) was "born" without a father and a mother, so it is possible for Jesus(pbuh) to take birth without a father! I am little leery about it. Don't you think this is rather a forced conclusion? Let us read the verse from Surah Al-e-Imran to explore the issue of likeness.

3:59 Verily, with Allah, the example (or nature) of Jesus is that of Adam (other humans) who were initially created from dust and then evolved through different stages of life (22:5, 30:20). He created him (mankind) beginning from inorganic matter, then He said unto him, “Be! And he is.” (The process of procreation of the humans goes on, “IS”. 'Kun fayakoon' = The moment Allah decrees a thing, it starts happening).

First, let us check what likeness the two prophets might have regarding birth:

1. Adam(pbuh) is said to have been born without a father and a mother. So Jesus(pbuh) too should not have a father and a mother. Absence of only father will not establish the likeness.
2. Jesus(pbuh) is son of Maryam. Adam(pbuh) too should be son of Maryam, or at least son of a woman. If not, then it is not a true likeness.
3. Adam was not ‘born’ - he was created, whereas Jesus(pbuh) was born. So there is no likeness in birth. Birth is a different process and creation is a altogether different event. How can the two be linked and compared?
4. Adam is supposed to have been created a full-grown adult man. Jesus(pbuh) too should have been born a full-gown adult man. Since he was born as an infant, there is no likeness in their creation per se.
5. Adam(pbuh) was supposedly created in the Heaven and sent down on earth. Jesus(pbuh) should have been created in the Heaven and sent down on earth. If not then there is is no likeness in their creation.
6. Jesus(pbuh) underwent a normal gestation in his mother's womb. Adam(pbuh) should have passed through gestation period in his mother's (oops!) womb! If not, then there is no likeness in their birth.
7. Adam was created from clay or teen (7:12; 17:61; 38:71, 76). Please note, in case of Isa, the word teen was not used. Isa was created out of turab or dust. Therefore, the likeness of birth between Isa and Adam is not in the way they were created.

From this discussion any sensible person can see that likeness cannot be likened to their birth. There is absolutely no likeness in the way they were born or created. Adhering to any one likeness and ignoring all other will be a partisan approach. The verse is not talking about the likeness of birth - rather the likeness of the two in general.

Further, note that in the above verse, "He created him out of dust…." Allah is referring to the creation of Isa alone and not their creation. Here, the word 'him' refers to Isa, who was created out of dust (turab). Ironically, you will find that all human being are created from dust (turab) as mentioned in verses 18:37; 22:5; 30:20; 35:11; 40:67). Therefore how is Isa's creation any different from the creation of human being?

22:5 O Mankind! If you are in doubt that humanity will one day stand at its feet, and that you will be resurrected back to life after death, consider the process of your own evolution. We have created you in stages: From dust, then from male and female gametes, then from a zygote, then from an embryo, shapely and first shapeless. We thus clearly explain things for you. The embryo and then the fetus stay in the womb until an appointed term according to Our Laws. Then We bring you forth as infants and carry you to maturity. While some of you die young, others live to the feeblest old age so that they know nothing after knowing much. (Resurgence of humanity can take place just as) you, O Prophet, see a dry barren land, but when We send down water on it, it vibrates with life and grows all kinds of beautiful plants.

[Recapturing the earlier stages of evolution, We initiated life from inorganic matter, the clay, then hydrated clay. Through it We brought forth the single life cell, the unicellular organism. Then We created the male and the female cells. Thus procreation came into play. Male and female gametes join, a clot, a little lump of flesh, turning into the embryo that ‘hangs’ in the womb. The embryo is partly formed and partly unformed, until it becomes the fetus and then assumes the final evident proportions. For the origin of life on the planet and creation of the human being, herein are given some important references for the research minded reader]

Fee Amanillah
Ali Bin Ali Alharbi (Al Madina)

[Arnold Yasin Mol]

Salaam Aleikum dear Sayyid,

First of all does our brother Ali clearly prove that the Quran rejects the notion that Jesus has no father. In the above mentioned verse, it clearly mentions Jesus had a father. So why still reject this and come with conjecture? Nowhere does the Quran even imply a Virginbirth.

Mary denies fornication to the Malikah, this doesn't apply at all that she was not gonna get married in the future or that she was made pregnant on that instant she was told. The word Kun means 'Be', this only refers to a certainty it will happen in Arabic. It doesn't refer at all that the willed objective, as Mary's pregnancy will go against the Laws of Nature or in a rare special way. The Universe is also created by Kun, and we all don't doubt the Universe is created through the Laws of the Universe.

Holding on to speculative beliefs as virginbirth is illogical, as far more logical explanations lay right before us. Why choose the illogical above the logical? This you must question yourself.

Her family later on accusses her of Bagiyaa, which means 'to cross the boundaries of custom'. She had fled the temple as she had broken the Temple rules by becoming pregnant in the non-holy months of the Nazarenes. This is the custom she broke. She was married, as this is also why the men of the Temple drew lots, to decide which one of them was getting married to Mary.
Jesus is compared to Adam, which comes from Adama, meaning Mankind, and all of mankind was born through the merging of male and female cells, see 22:5.

Also there is no message in a virgin-birth. Even if it is a rare natural phenomena, it does not contain a message for the Deen. Going against man-made rules as 'Holy' birth-months of the Nazarenes does contain a clear Message. Mary was told to bow down to the Laws of Allah, and not to the laws of man.

Your post of komodo-dragon was already posted before:
komodo dragon discussion

Please read my book on how the Quran rejects belief in Miracles or the supernatural, and how the verses are correctly explained:

Evolution of Thinking--Rejection on the supernatural and the true explanation of the Quranic Arabic

You are eager to learn the Quraish dialect, then I suggest you read my above book. Also look at this Quran, Deen and Islam Category, where we have posted several books on Quranic meanings of words as Jinn, Malikah, Yasha and Jannah. Check Short Articles, Jinn in the Quran, Jannah and Jahannam, Salat in the Quran.

Link to the Book Library

This will be already a great start to learn from.