Issue No: 261
25th March 2016
15th Jamaadi al Thaani 1437 A.H.
Salamun alaykum
The Easter break:
Eggs, eggs & more eggs! This is what Easter means to most children! The Easter holiday period has diverse significance to different people. Students in Colleges and Universities will be poring over their texts in preparing for their exams. A number of families proceed for ziyarat- visitation- to the sacred places. In the wider community families will be cracking to get away for holidays. But Easter means much more for the followers of the Christian faith. Unlike Christmas the Easter holiday, essentially religious, so far has not been buried under the flood of commercialism.
What is Easter?
Many of the Christian churches consider Easter as one of the most important occasions on the church calendar of events. This year it is observed from 25th to 28th March. It is one of the oldest holidays (holy days) of the Church year after the weekly Sabbath (a day of rest and/or time of worship) which is held on Sundays.
Why is Easter celebrated?
It is celebrated by Christians to commemorate the belief in the death by crucifixion of Jesus on Good Friday and his resurrection three days later on Easter Sunday. A core belief of the Christians is that Jesus was killed on the cross.
Nabi Isa : Prophet of great significance:
The person of Jesus (Isa in Arabic) is of great significance in both Islam and Christianity. However, there are differences in terms of beliefs about the nature and life occurrences of this noble Prophet of Allah.
The circumstances of his birth, his way of preaching and his ascension are repeatedly narrated in the Noble Qur'an.
Departure from this world: Alive by Ascension:
Muslims believe that Nabi Isa was neither slain nor crucified, but it was made to appear so. Almighty Allah raised him into heaven by His will. Like his birth from a virgin mother, the departure of Nabi Isa from this world to the heaven, alive, was also a miracle. It was another man who actually suffered the agony of crucifixion.
“And their saying: Surely we have killed the Messiah, Isa son of Maryam, the messenger of Allah; and they did not kill him nor did they crucify him, but so it was made to appear to them (like Isa) and most surely those who differ therein are only in a doubt about it; with no (certain) knowledge, but only follow a conjecture, and they killed him not for sure.” (Sura An Nisa 4:157)
Do we need to understand Easter?
Living in a community of different faiths, undoubtedly, the understanding of values between different religious traditions will promote awareness and respect. In addition it encourages cooperative and positive interaction between people.
Here I would like you to note a point:- If we want to be understood then we first need to understand. How will the local community understand me as a Muslim if I do not understand them or go into their history and traditions?
Therefore the response to the above question is a choice for all of us to consider........
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat