Easter is celebrated in the springtime in Christian majority countries. Muslim students in public and government run schools are often bombarded with the images of the holiday – rabbits, eggs and chocolate treats. Through the example of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) Muslims are taught to respect the people of the book and treat them with kindness and compassion. Muslims with Christian family and friends can share the love that Muslims have for Prophet Isa (AS).
Share him as a prophet seeking Allah’s provision
We can share with our Christian friends the nature of Prophet Isa (AS) through his du’a in the Holy Quran which establishes him as a prophet and servant of Allah relying on Allah’s provision, grateful to his Lord and seeking to sustain the Imam of all believers – the first and those who come later.
"Said Jesus, the son of Mary, 'O Allah, our Lord! Send us from heaven a table spread with food as a feast for us—the first and last of us—and as a sign from You. Provide for us! You are indeed the Best Provider'"
Suratul Maida 5:114
Share the proper reference of him as Prophet Isa ibn Maryum (AS)
- Christians refer to Prophet Isa ibn Maryum (AS) simply as Jesus. Some will say Jesus Christ. There is nothing inherently wrong with these anglicized references, but as Muslim we can share how our reference to him raises him in rank. When we refer to him as Prophet Isa ibn Maryum (AS) – meaning prophet Jesus, son of Mary, we are immediately establishing the Muslims belief that he is a prophet. Tawheed is the core belief in Islam – this understanding that there is only one God and He has no equals, partners or issue. Suratul-Iklhas confirms that absolute oneness of Allah. It makes the statement that we love and respect him as much as any Christian, while simultaneously clarifying the Islamic understanding as to his true nature
Christ the son of Mary was no more than a messenger; many were the messengers that passed away before him. His mother was a woman of truth.
They had both to eat their (daily) food.
Surah Ma’ida 5:75
Share alayi salaam after his name
- In the Judeo-Christian belief systems, they are instructed in Exodus verse 10 in the Bible as one of the 10 Commandments: “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain”. To take in vain means to refer to God in a dishonorable and disrespectful way. Egregious examples of American societal disregard for this commandment are in everyday conversation and media. It is common to hear people use the term “Jesus Christ” as a swear word to indicate anger or surprise. Even the phrase “gee whiz” is a euphemism for "Jesus Christ" with "gee" as a shortened version of "Jesus," and "whiz" as a filler word to make it sound less straightforward. In extreme cases people will add foul words in their “Jesus Christ” exclamation.
None of this is acceptable in Islam. Muslims say "Prophet Isa ibn Maryum alayhi salam" (Arabic: عليه السلام) as a form of respect and honor. "Alayhi as-salām" translates to "peace be upon him" and is typically written in the abbreviated form (AS) after the written expression on one of the prophets. Within the Seven Articles of Faith, which are the fundamental tenets of the Islam, is the beliefs in all the prophets of Allah from Adam (AS) to Muhammad (ﷺ). As Muslims when we mention one of the prophets we recognize and respect their role and status in the Qadir of Allah as an instrument of guidance for mankind. Thus, we send peace and blessings to them for their deeds and high station in the hereafter. When Muslim students publicly offer this short dua after they say Prophet Isa ibn Maryam’s (AS) name, it demonstrates our inherent repugnancy to the common offense of alluding to him as a god and referencing him in a coarse impudent manner.
In the Holy Quran, Prophet Isa ibn Maryum (AS) spoke to the people as a babe and wished peace upon himself:
“Peace be upon me the day I was born, the day I die, and the day I will be raised back to life!”
Surah Maryam 19:33
Share and defend his honor as a prophet
Referring to Prophet Isa ibn Maryam (AS) by his name and offering peace upon him is a very respectful way to honor him. But Muslim students, especially teens, may find themselves in a conversation about him and his life. The major developments in Christian doctrine came in the First Council of Nicaea convened in the Bithynian city of Nicaea (now İznik, Turkey) by the Roman Emperor Constantine I in July 325. Here they defined the nature of Jesus Christ as a divine being equal with God. It was a fundamental shift from the Arian doctrine, which declared that Jesus was a created being, not divine. The Easter holiday is meant to uphold this belief as him being divine.
In the traditions and sayings of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) we are taught that Muslim should not imitate the Jews and Christians in matter of their religion and things that are unique to them and their faith. Thus, we teach our children that we respect the rights of Christians to celebrate Easter, but that it is not our tradition. Muslims do not celebrate Easter because Muslims know Prophet Isa ibn Maryan (AS) is not a divine being. When asked Muslims can refer directly to the Quran:
Allah will say: “O Jesus the son of Mary! Didst thou say unto men, worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of Allah’?” He will say: “Glory to Thee! never could I say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, thou wouldst indeed have known it. Thou knowest what is in my heart . . .”
Surah Ma’ida 5:116
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