Where was Prophet Isa (AS) born?

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

There is a difference of opinion among the Christian scholars regarding the birth place of Nabi ‘Isa عليهالصلاةوالسلام(Jesus, May peace and blessing be upon him). According to Christian tradition, he was born in Bethlehem; some say he was born in Nazareth, hence the term ‘Jesus of Nazareth’; and others say Galilee.

See http://www.religioustolerance.org/xmaswwjb.htm

However, as stated in the Holy Quran, Hazrat Maryam عليهاالسلام (Mary, May Allah be pleased with her) gave birth to Nabi ‘Isaعليهالصلاةوالسلامat a place where there had been a Date palm.

“She conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a remote place. And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said “Oh I wish I had died before this and was in oblivion, forgotten. But he called her from below her, “Do not grieve; your Lord has provided beneath you a stream. And shake towards you the trunk of the palm tree, it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates.” (Surah Maryam v.22, 23, 24)

Ibni Katheer mentions in his Tafseer on the commentary of these verses that the birth place of Nabi ‘Isa عليهالصلاةوالسلام was at a place called “Bayt al Lahm” (in Arabic meaning “House of Meat”). In English it is “Bethlehem”. This is also the majority view of Christian scholars.

There is a narration in his Tafseer regarding the opening verses of Surah Isra; it states that the final messenger of Allah-Prophet Muhammedصلىاللهعليهوسلم– performed Salaah at the birthplace of Nabi ‘Isa عليهالصلاةوالسلام(i.e. Bethlehem) on the night of Mi’raaj (ascension to the heavens). However, this is a very weak narration.

Nevertheless, in “Al Bidaya Wa Nihaya” (also authored by Ibni Katheer) it is mentioned (above) that the place Hazrat Maryam عليهاالسلام gave birth was Bethlehem; and this is authentic. (Al Bidaya Wa Nihaya vol.2 p444 Dari Hajr)

And Allah knows best

Wassalamu Alaikum

Ml. Zakariyya bin Ahmed,
Student Darul Iftaa

Checked and Approved by:

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa

(16/05/09)