The very basis of modern Christianity and its foundational theological
concepts are shrouded in mythical haze. No less a festival than the ‘Christmas’-
celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ (as)- itself reminds one about the extraordinary
theological engineering that underpins and sustains the constructed belief
systems of contemporary Christians. In his Friday Sermon of December 23,
2011 Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) spoke about
the dimensions of mystery surrounding the faith and the futility of Christmas
when viewed through the prism of pristine spirituality. As the Divinely-raised
Warner of this (spiritually) empty age, Hadhrat Sahib reminds Muslims-including
Ahmadis and their leader- against indulging in vain pursuits-such as
celebration of Christmas- that takes one away from the true path of Allah.
Read the extracts from
the Friday Sermon:
”…That Jesus is the central figure and the very soul of Christian theology is manifestly clear. Without some kind of belief in his Christhood, whichever way may it be defined by various denominations and scholarly theologians, the very foundations of Christianity are totally altered. Throughout the last two thousand years, hundreds of millions of Christians have been sustained in their beliefs through their deep faith in the life of Jesus. The miraculous character attributed to his birth, the stories of the miracles he performed, his encounters with the Romans, Israelites and other gentiles, and finally, his crucifixion provide the basic ingredients which have continued to nourish this leading religion of the western world not only today but through the centuries past.
Yet, it is rather strange, indeed ironic, that
most important events of his life have always remained veiled in mystery.
Was he born of a virgin mother? When was he born? Why is hardly anything known
about his life from early infancy to the time when he proclaimed his ministry?
How long did his ministry last? Who were really responsible for his being led
to the cross – hostile Jewish leaders or the Roman rulers? Did he really die
during the few hours that he was on the cross or was he only unconscious when
he was taken off the cross with unusual haste? If there was a resurrection,
then who were the eye-witnesses, if any? What is the significance of the blood
stains of the shroud in which he was temporarily wrapped and which is now
preserved in the Cathedral of Turin, Italy? [Inset: An image of Christ which corresponds
exactly to the Shroud of Turin]. Did he leave
To illustrate, let us
briefly comment on just one issue of his birth. Since as early as the second century A.D, the Christian world has been
celebrating his birth on the 25th of December. The Christian
Calendar leads us to assume that he was born on this date, 2011 years ago. On
the other hand, Christian scholars have never come to a consensus either on the
exact year or the exact date of his birth.
Mr. David E. Anderson, UPI Religion writer, commented: “Scholars say that there is no hard evidence
to determine the precise date of Jesus birthday although most biblical experts
now place the date about 6 B.C.” (Newsday – December 22, 1983).
Most biblical scholars of our times not only conclude
that Jesus was born 6 years earlier than the popularly
acknowledged year but they also do not accept the widely-held belief that he
was born on December 25th.
As Mr. David Anderson
explains, this practice of celebrating
Christmas on this date started in “reaction to the Roman
Saturnalia, a harvest festival that marked the winter solstice – the return of
the sun – and honour to Saturn, the god of sowing.” In other words,
Christmas became “a means of replacing the worship of the sun with
worship of the son.”
He further observes
that: “By 529 A.D, after Christianity had become the state religion of the Roman Empire , Emperor Justinian made Christmas a civil
holiday and prohibited any work on that day.” From then on the
observance of Christmas became so firmly established that even though English
Parliament outlawed this holiday on June
3, 1647; it was forced to repeal this law and restore Christmas observance
under popular pressure.
It is distinctly clear
that the popular beliefs of both the year and the date of the birth of Jesus
are totally erroneous and quite contrary to the findings of the historians,
scholars and the experts of the Christian faith. The question is this: if
the same kind of fictional bases surround the story of the ‘resurrection’, does
it not strike a fatal blow to the most fundamental pillars of the Christian
theology such as atonement and belief in Jesus as the Saviour?
O you my Muslim brothers
and sisters in Mauritius
I also address myself in
particular to all Ahmadi Muslim brothers and sisters in the world and
especially in Mauritius
Does the actual fifth
Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Community (Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad Sahib) tolerate
all these innovations in the Community of the Promised Messiah (upon him be
peace)? Does he tolerate the so-called great defenders of Ahmadiyyat in Mauritius
He is playing with the
religion of Allah and with Allah and His Messenger. There is talk of Justice but no
actual justice, but innovations are welcome for the Ahmadi Muslims while he and
his circle scoff off the message of Allah. Soon,very soon now. Allah is
not in a hurry to punish people whereas there is still an opening for them to
repent and turn into a new leaf.”
For a Summary of the
Friday Sermon, see @: