Did Prophet Muhammad Celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ?
Historical Narration from Islamic Sources
According to a narration attributed to ʿĀʾisha, the wife of Prophet Muhammad, it is claimed:
“The Prophet of Allah used to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Jesus, son of Mary, every year on the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth month by inviting the Abyssinians (Habesha) who would sing and perform in the mosque.”
Source:
ʿUmdat al-Akhwān, Volume 4, Page 299.
Arabic Text:
وروت زوجة عائشة محمد:
"كان نبي الله يحتفل بمولد النبي عيسى بن مريم كل يوم الخامس والعشرين من الشهر الثاني عشر بدعوة الأحباش الذين يغنون ويغنون في المسجد."
عمدة الأخان المجلد 4 ، صفحة 299
Transliteration:
Warawat zawjat ʿĀʾisha Muḥammad:
"Kan Nabī Allāh yaḥtafil bimawlid al-Nabī ʿĪsā ibn Maryam kulla yawm al-khamīs wal-ʿishrīn min al-shahr al-thānī ʿashar bidaʿwat al-Aḥbāsh alladhīna yughannūna wa yuʿriḍūna fī al-masjid."
ʿUmdat al-Akhwān, Volume 4, Page 299
Academic Commentary and Context
This narration, if authentic, presents an intriguing cultural and interfaith dimension in early Islamic tradition, wherein Prophet Muhammad is said to have acknowledged the birth of Jesus (ʿĪsā ibn Maryam) with a communal gathering, including performances by the Abyssinians (from modern-day Ethiopia/Eritrea) inside the mosque. The reported date—the 25th of the 12th month—coincides with December 25th, which is recognized in much of the Christian world as Christmas Day, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Critical Analysis of the Source
While this text is attributed to ʿUmdat al-Akhwān, a reference not widely recognized or authenticated within mainstream Sunni or Shia canonical Hadith literature (like Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan Abu Dawood, etc.), its mention raises questions about early Muslim-Christian relations and mutual recognition of significant prophetic figures.
If this tradition holds any historical value, it may reflect a tolerant and inclusive practice in Medina's early Islamic community, where cultural expressions by minorities like the Abyssinians were incorporated into religious gatherings.
However, it should be noted:
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Classical Muslim scholars do not generally record any sanctioned Islamic celebration of Jesus' birthday.
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The mainstream Islamic position today does not recognize Christmas or Mawlid (Prophet's birthday celebrations) as religiously mandated practices.
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The concept of celebrating birthdays, including those of prophets, has historically been a point of contention in Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh).
Possible Origins and Cultural Influence
It is possible that early Muslims, many of whom had close cultural and religious interactions with Christian communities—especially those from Abyssinia, which embraced Christianity long before Islam—might have informally acknowledged Christian feasts within a broader spirit of coexistence.
Modern Relevance
In contemporary interfaith dialogues, references like this can be valuable for promoting mutual respect and historical acknowledgment of shared figures like Jesus, who is honored in Islam as a mighty prophet and the Messiah (al-Masīḥ). It also invites reflection on how religious practices evolve and how early Islamic history was more culturally diverse than often portrayed.
Conclusion
While this narration remains outside the authenticated corpus of Hadith literature, it offers a fascinating lens into early Islamic communal life and possible interactions with Christian customs. It highlights the Prophet Muhammad’s reputed openness to cultural expressions within religious contexts and the potential for harmony between Abrahamic faiths.
