The Birth of Jesus (Peace be upon him) in the Qur'an

[Sabriyah Fatimah]

The version of the birth of Jesus in the Qur'an is a little different than in the New testament, but some aspects are the same. As in the bible, God Almighty (Allah) sends an angel to Mary announcing that she will bear a blessed child.

""She said: Oh my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me? He (the angel) said: Even so: Allah creates what He wills: When He has decreed a plan, He but says to it, "Be," and it is." 3:47

At that time Mary was under the guardianship of her uncle, the Prophet Zakariya, and living in a secluded room in the temple, as her mother had dedicated her to the temple before her birth. She spent her time in prayer.

After this the story becomes different from the biblical version, Mary is alone (and apparently marries Joseph afterwards). Some time after the immaculate conception she runs away and goes alone to a remote place. The pain of childbirth drives her to the trunk of a palm tree, and she cries out to God in anguish.

"But (an angelic voice) cried out to her from beneath the (palm tree): "Do not grieve! for your Lord has provided a rivulet beneath you; And shake the trunk of the palm tree toward yourself: it will let fresh ripe dates fall down to you. So eat and drink and cool your eye (Arabic expression for comfort yourself). 19:24-26

After her blessed child was born she carried him back to her people, who of course accused her of fornication, but as she had been told by the angel not to speak to anyone, she pointed to the babe, who spoke to the people and told them that he was blessed by God Almighty and so was his mother, who was innocent of what they accused her of.

I can imagine Mary as a young, scared teenager, running away from a very secure, sheltered life for the safety of her unborn child. I can imagine her comfort at the miracle of the rivulet and the dates and especially her miraculous defense. And I know that her pain and sacrifice gave a great gift to this world.

What these versions have in common are the miracles surrounding Jesus' birth. Both show me great hope and point out the way miracles occur after a great sacrifice.

I am posting this as a gift to foster understanding. It isn't so much about the specific circumstances of Jesus' birth, but what he taught us, Compassion, Simplicity, Devotion to God, God's Great Miracles, Forgiveness... that we all need to remember on this day.

[Effie Truver]

Very interesting and just as beautiful as the New Testament account of the birth of Jesus. I'm glad you shared this with us. Blessings, Effie

[Colleen Friday]

Thank you for sharing this. Over the years I have picked up snippets of this story, now I finally have the full story. God works in mysterious ways to bring us all together.There is only one God, unfortunately our human minds insist on trying to Divide and Conquer.