The Qur'an has a curious story (19:23-25) about the birth of Jesus, and Mary resting under a palm tree with the baby Jesus and then a little stream and fruit being provided for her. Read it, and then read this from the Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew, it seems like this is clearly the source, perhaps Muhammad heard it from some local Christians and retold it. In any case, here it is:
Chapter 20.
And it came to pass on the third day of their journey, while they were walking, that the blessed Mary was fatigued by the excessive heat of the sun in the desert; and seeing a palm tree, she said to Joseph: Let me rest a little under the shade of this tree. Joseph therefore made haste, and led her to the palm, and made her come down from her beast. And as the blessed Mary was sitting there, she looked up to the foliage of the palm, and saw it full of fruit, and said to Joseph: I wish it were possible to get some of the fruit of this palm. And Joseph said to her: I wonder that thou sayest this, when
thou seest how high the palm tree is; and that thou thinkest of eating of its fruit. I am thinking more of the want of water, because the skins are now empty, and we have none wherewith to refresh ourselves and our cattle. Then the child Jesus, with a joyful countenance, reposing in the bosom of His mother, said to the palm: O tree, bend thy branches, and refresh my mother with thy fruit. And immediately at these words the palm bent its top down to the very feet of the blessed Mary; and they gathered from it fruit, with which they were all refreshed. And after they had gathered all its fruit, it remained bent down, waiting the order to rise from Him who had commanded it to stoop. Then Jesus said to it: Raise thyself, O palm tree, and be strong, and be the companion of my trees, which are in the paradise of my Father; and open from thy roots a vein of water which has been hid in the earth, and let the waters flow, so that we may be satisfied from thee. And it rose up immediately, and at its root there began to come forth a spring of water exceedingly clear and cool and sparkling. And when they saw the spring of water, they rejoiced with great joy, and were satisfied, themselves and all their cattle and their beasts. Wherefore they gave thanks to God.
7 comments:
The story of the infant Jesus making the bird from clay is from the Gospel of Thomas.
Seems like the extra-canonical sources were popular in the Arabian peninsula.
My understanding from a book on (biography of Muhammad) was that there were many poorly educated Christians in the Arabian area. Many of the Christians could not properly explain the reasons for their beliefs, nor articulate the theology properly (sounds way too modern for me). Anyway, it probably led to Muhammad's moving away from Christianity and forming Islam (said as a Christian).
This is a beautiful story. It all depends on our world view. If we believe in God it is proof of His unlimited miracle working power. If we don't--or we think God has limits--we can read it as a fable or myth. Let us hope there really is a God and such miracles are not beyond His or Her bounty.
I am not surprised that he may have come across the pseudo gospel of Matthew. The eastern sees of Christianity had fallen into one heresy after another in the years including and immediately following Mohammed. Monophysitism, Monothelitism, etc... its no wonder Mohammed hated the Trinitarian God because it probably wasnt being defended theologically because of those rampant heresies. It is said that John wrote his Gospel in particular to refute the pseudo Gospel of Matthew.
why don't you people look it this way. i am a muslim and i believe in the Holy books that were sent from God,(Allah). i as a muslim faith have to belive in all these books that was sent to Christians and Jews in order for me to be a true muslim. i will suggest you to read the last Book sent from God to our last prophet Mohammad (P.b.u.h).
hi William,
like you said you have read the Holy Quran. Quran has forbidden adultery .so Miaz and the girl wanted repent their sins in this world because the sin of adultery is alot at the time of judgement . so with this act they might be forgiven when the judgment time comes. The answer is clear in the hadith if you understand it. If God will he can direct you to the right way. May God direct all of you to the right way. if you want more clarification ask one of the scholors of islam who can give you a more detail answer on this .He was a christian for alot of years then God directed him to the true and last religion islam which was given Mohammad p.b.u.h . The message was to those people at that time who were living their life in ignorance.
This is the name of the Scholor is Yousuf Estes. You can google him and you will find his numerous website and youtube videos.Plus his whole story on how he become a muslim. You can also ask question and answers them accordingly
website is http://www.islamtomorrow.com. May God guide you all to the right path.
God has little to do with fables.
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