I am about to do my Iftar and then fly out of town for the weekend but felt like I need to express my gratitude for this rather rare intersection of the holy week(month in the case of Muslims) for the people of the three major Abrahamic faiths. The Passover and Easter week generally coincide during each spring. For the past year and the next couple of years, the month of Ramadan is also falling and crosses over the passover and Easter week.
Though celebrated for different reasons, these times call for reflection and gratitude to the Lord Almighty. The Passover celebrates the liberation of the Jews from the jaws of one of the biggest tyrants in history, Pharaoh (or simply known as Firoun in the Qur’an). The liberation is chronicled in the book of Exodus, part of the Christian and the Jewish Bible. The Muslims also believe in the source of the Torah (as a singular Scripture) from the same One true God. It is often referred to as the guidance and light.
It was We who revealed the Torah (to Moses): therein was guidance and light. By its standard have been judged the Jews, by the prophets who bowed (as in Islam) to Allah’s will, by the rabbis and the doctors of law: for to them was entrusted the protection of Allah’s book, and they were witnesses thereto: therefore fear not men, but fear me, and sell not my signs for a miserable price. If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) Unbelievers.
We ordained therein for them: “Life for life, eye for eye, nose or nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth, and wounds equal for equal.” But if any one remits the retaliation by way of charity, it is an act of atonement for himself. And if any fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (No better than) wrong-doers.
And in their footsteps We sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the Torah that had come before him: We sent him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light, and confirmation of the Law that had come before him: a guidance and an admonition to those who fear Allah.
The Qur’an 5:44-46
The story of Moses and Pharaoh is one of the most often told stories in the Qur’an. In fact Moses is mentioned by name more often than any Prophet, including Muhammad!(though Prophet Muhammad is referred without naming him quite often). Moses and Jesus are not considered holy Prophets in Islam but two of the five most elite Prophets (the other three being Noah, Abraham and Muhammad- Peace be upon them all).
Muslims do believe in the Prophecy of Jesus and revere him and his mother, Mary but the Qur’an is also clear that he was not God or the son of God. The story of crucifixion os mentioned in the Qur’an as well but according to Islamic teachings, Jesus was taken up to God where he will live until his second coming before the end of times. This was because God did not want his enemies to succeed.
That they said (in boast), “We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah”;- but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not.
Nay, Allah raised him up unto Himself; and Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise;-
The Qur’an 4:156-157
And they planned and Allah (also) planned, and Allah is the best of planners.
The Qur’an 3:54
Ramadan, the month of fasting is the most blessed month of the islamic calendar. It is a month of fasting but also avoiding major and minor sins, asking for atonement, charity and strengthening our relationship with Our Creator.
These are blessed times. Yes there are some differing opinions but let us rejoice the blessings and the calmness in our hearts these blessed weeks/month bring to children of Abraham.
Happy Easter, Chag Pesach and Ramadan kareem to you all!
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