Difference Between Islam and Christian about the Birth of Isa/Jesus

The end of the year is approaching us again and I think I would like to make another post regarding The Prophet Isa/Jesus! Before I go one with the article I just want to say that I want this blog while being a platform for art and architecture lovers to learn and discuss about Islamic aesthetics, I would like for it to act as a bridge between communities and cultures for us to understand each other, for example as in this article I would like to invite my Christian (or those who are familiar with Christian bible stories) readers to see and understand from the viewpoint of a Muslim about the figures and stories they know. I would like to inform you now that I intend to make this kind of posting a yearly one to coincide with special occassions, in this instance Christmas and the New Year. So with that being said, let’s look into this year’s special article!

I think it is safe to say now that many people are aware that Jesus or the Prophet Isa (Peace be Upon Him) exists in the Islamic narration, and considered one of the most important figure in the religion. Even though we are talking about the figure that is considered the same person in Christianity, there are several notable differences between the Islamic and Christian narration about this Prophet. For this article we shall look into the differences during the miraculous birth of the Prophet Isa, or the Nativity in Christianity.

About Maryam, the Mother of Prophet Isa during his birth :

The Virgin Mary, or Mariam/Maryam in Islam, is the mother of Jesus or the Prophet Isa in Islam. She is one of the revered woman in the Muslim community, and she even have a chapter in the Qur’an dedicated to her. Many of her stories are parallel to the Christian narratives, such as the Annunciation and the Virgin Birth. But what are the differences between the Islamic and Christian narratives of her? Let’s look into what is different during the moment when she gave birth to The Prophet Isa.

In Islamic tradition, Maryam was alone when she gave birth, as told in the Qur’an in 19:22 – “So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a remote place“. Conversely in Christianity, she was said to gave birth in the presence of her husband Joseph and visited by the three wise men, although this is open to dispute because apparently there were very little detail in the bible about the birth itself, for example Luke only mentioned that she gave birth to him.

During the birth, Maryam gave birth under a palm tree, where Allah assisted her during the birth by providing her with Ripe dates and A stream at your feet and told her to put her heart at ease (Al Qur’an Chapter 19 : Ayat 24, 25 and 26). In Christianity, Jesus was put in a manger after his birth, as there were no place at the inn – implying that Mary gave birth in a stable.

A miniature showing the Virgin Mary shaking a date palm, referring to the story in the Quran.
By Anonymous – TURKEY, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15208406

Was There Joseph in Islamic narration ?

This one is interesting to point. When I first studied the Christian story of the birth of Jesus, I was wondering, who was Joseph? As I was comparing between Islamic and Christian versions of the story and I am familiar with the Muslim narration, and seeing that in Islam Joseph is Yusuf, I wonder why, the first time around, the Prophet Yusuf was there during the birth of Isa. Turns out they were two different men altogether, and in Christianity, the husband of Mary is referred to as Saint Joseph. But there are no mention of him whatsoever in the Qur’an or the Prophetic Narrations ; in other words, Maryam was unmarried, and that’s the reason why the townsfolk were surprised to see her with the Prophet Isa when she returned as she was seen as a pious woman, compared to being the sister of the Prophet Haroon (generally understood as a figure of speech due to Maryam’s piousness she could have been the sister of a Prophet). This story was mentioned in Sura Maryam ayat 27 and 28.

So these are some of the differences of the story of the birth of the Prophet Isa and the story of the Nativity. There are some more differences but I think these are the most important ones. Whichever story you subscribe too, I hope that you learn something and try to understand that while we differ about our beliefs in Isa/Jesus, we share a common faith of believing there was a man more than 2000 years ago who was sent from God to deliver His message to mankind.

Happy holidays and Merry Christmas to our Christian friends 🙂 See you next year!

Study : Other Religious Symbols in Islamic Art and Architecture Part 6: Six Pointed Star

Another rather controversial symbol used in Islamic art and architecture, yet rife with symbolism and history, The Six Pointed Star nowadays is not used as much as the eight pointed star in Islam, however it had been traditionally used since the early days of Islamic art. But how, and why, is this symbol used in Islamic art when it was a well known symbol for one particular religious group? In this article we are going to find out together the origins and significance of the Six Pointed Star in Islam and other religions.

History and Origins :

The Six pointed star or also known as the Hexagram was used across multiple cultures and religions. It is believed that it only started as a harmonious decoration, being two equilateral triangles overlapping one another. This composition is a mathematically perfect and such is a pleasing motif to be used as decoration.

Usages in Other Religions and Cultures :

In Hinduisim, it is called Sadkona Yantra. The hexagram symbolizes the nara-narayana, the state of balance between man and God. It also refers to the Om and Hrim, the embodiment of feminine Shakti and masculine Shiva. In Tibetan Buddhism the hexagram is connected to Vajrayogini and is the central part of her mandala.

In Medieval heraldry it was a common charge, although it is only referred to as Star in Germany and Mullet of Six Points in English and French Heraldry.

In Judaism, it is a well known symbol for the faith, being referred to as the Star of David. The earliest usage was in the 3rd – 4th century as a shield from an arch in Galilee. Although the identification of the symbol with Jewish identity only started during the Middle Ages.

In Christianity, it was used as decorative motif in medieval churches, and used by the Latter-Day Saints as the symbol of the Tribes of Israel and the symbolism of God and Man reaching to each other

Usage and significance in Islamic Art

In Islamic art, the hexagon is known as the Khatim Sulayman (The Seal of Solomon) or Najmat Dawud (Star of David) although it maybe also be represented with a five pointed star / pentagram. The symbol was used by many Muslim empires and individuals such as the Anatolian Beyliks or Hayreddin Barbarossa, who used the hexagon on their flags. The usage of the hexagon in these instances are as a homage and reverence to the Prophets Sulayman (Solomon) and Dawud (David)

It was mainly used as a decoration, however. The six fold pattern often uses hexagons and hexagrams as a part of the pattern, like the pentagram in five fold patterns and the octagram in four fold patterns. You can see them all over the Islamic Islamic civilization, decorating mosques, palaces, minted on coinage, painted on pottery, tiles or miniaturesand even drawn on illuminated Qur’ans. Although nowadays with the association of the star to Israel, the usage in Islam now is often frowned upon.

Examples :

The flag of the famous Ottoman Admiral Hayreddin Barbarossa.
By Mdupont – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12278058

An Ottoman miniature of Osman I, the founder of the Ottoman Empire. In the background you can see a pattern based on the hexagram.
By Ottoman miniature painting – Badisches Landesmuseum, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2725247

Study – Minbars

Yet another series of Study articles, this time I am going to discuss about another feature of an Islamic religious building, which is quite important in any mosques. The Mimbar or Minbar is a structure within a mosque that serves a specific purpose especially during congregational prayer service. What is it and what is the story behind it, and is there any difference between regions? Let’s find out!

Etymology

The word Minbar/Mimbar originates from the Arabic word which means to raise or elevate, thus through the process of Arabic grammar, the word Minbar means the elevated place, referring to a spot where the imam or the khatib (sermon giver) stands during the weekly Friday sermon and during special days such as Eid.

History and Origins

The first recorded Minbar in Islamic history is the humble Minbar of the Prophet Muhammad in his mosque in Medina, which was just two steps and a seat, and such it looks like a throne. Caliphs after him continued the tradition, making the Minbar a statement of political and religious legitimacy, as it was used as both for religious sermons and making public announcements. as well as names of the current ruler being mentioned in the sermons read from these Minbars As such seeing the importance of Minbars, it came to be richly decorated as time passes by. Flamboyantly decorated Minbars such as the Minbar of Saladin in Jerusalem, Palestine is one of the example of this structure being one of the focal point of a mosque.

As time passes, the height of the Minbar also increased, particularly to allow the imam to be seen by the whole congregant of the mosque as they become larger than during the time of the Prophet , or to symbolize political or religious authority. Muawiyah, the Ummayad Caliph added four extra steps to the original two of the prophet’s minbar, and the oldest preserved minbar was in The Great Mosque of Kairouan, Tunisia, which had eleven steps altogether. Nowadays it is not unusual to see Minbars reaching up to one story heights+.

Symbolism

As I had noted before, Minbar evolved from the simple two stepped from the Prophet Muhammad’s time to an impressive tall structures. The origin of the Minbar which had a seat and being elevated from the floor, which looks like a throne, in time turned to symbolize religious and political authority.

Examples