Believers! Patiently endure, persevere, stand on guard and be mindful of Allah, so you may be successful. – Koran, 3:200

Success means passing the test of trials and tribulations of this very short earthly life and to pass on to the eternal life of Jannah (Heaven). This should be what we strive for, to obey God and attain His promise of an eternal life of bliss.

Allah says in His Noble Koran, which is indeed a book of guidance for all mankind: “So, the one who is saved from the Fire and is admitted into Paradise, he is successful.” (Koran, 3:185)

Christmas is hailed to be the season of peace and goodwill. The message of “peace to all” resonates throughout this festive season.

During this time, especially love, togetherness and humanity is the theme. Well at least the theme of peace and love is what is portrayed by civilised nations. But is this really the case? Does the world really want peace and goodwill for all? Or is it just lip service and abject hypocrisy.

Muslims do not celebrate Christmas. We do not believe that Jesus is the son of God, this to us is blasphemy. Allah says in Koran 18:4-5, “And to warn those who say, ‘Allah has taken a son’. They have no knowledge of it, nor had their fathers. Grave is the word that comes out of their mouths; they speak not except a lie.”

Further, the Koran says: “People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, ‘Three; desist – it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the Earth. And sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs.” (Koran, 4:171)

Christians remind us constantly that Jesus is the “reason for the season”, that season being Christmas. The Christmas season’s theme promotes peace and goodwill towards humanity. Jesus to Christians is the “King of Peace”, yet where is peace being fostered by the powers of the Christian nations?

The Jews denied Jesus and it is alleged that they killed him by crucifixion. Ironically Jesus was sent to the Jews, yet they absolutely rejected him and are still awaiting their Messiah.

The Koran teaches that Jesus did not die on the Cross. Muslims do not believe that Allah would allow one of His prophets to be killed in the manner they say that Jesus was killed. Instead of dying on the Cross, he was protected from a death of crucifixion.

The Koran says: “And for their unbelief and their uttering against Mary a mighty calumny and for their boasting, ‘We killed the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.’ But they neither killed nor crucified him – it was only made to appear so.

“Even those who argue for this ‘crucifixion’ are in doubt. They have no knowledge whatsoever – only making assumptions. They certainly did not kill him. Rather, Allah raised him up to Himself. And Allah is Almighty, All-Wise. Every one of the People of the Book will definitely believe in him before his death. And on the Day of Judgement Jesus will be a witness against them.” (Koran, 4:156-159)

We, the Muslims love and revere Jesus whom we call Isa and say the prayer of “peace be upon him” every time his name is mentioned, just as we do for all the prophets.

To truly forge humanity, we need to earnestly embrace and implement the meaning of peace on earth and goodwill towards all men. We need to declare loudly with sincerity the message of humanity and freedom for all.

Let our voices resound for immediate ceasefire and lasting peace; surely peace is needed in all seasons everywhere on God’s earth.

Bermuda enjoy friends and family, feast and festivities, but above all be safe and happy and obey the commands of God so that you may be successful.

As salaam alaikum (peace be unto you).

• Linda Walia Ming is a member of the Bermuda Hijab Dawah team, a group of Muslim women who reside in Bermuda and have a goal of educating the community about the religion of Islam