In the Name of God, the Compassionate and Infinitely Merciful

This Sunday, billions of Christians around the world will celebrate what is the most important holiday of the Christian spiritual calendar: Easter. It commemorates the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is the central theological tenet of the Christian faith. As a Muslim, I will not be participating in Easter commemorations, per se. Nevertheless, it does not mean that the day means absolutely nothing to me.

Muslims also believe in and revere Jesus Christ. Not as God or God Incarnate, but he still plays a very important theological role in Islam. Yet, more than that, as a Muslim, I can see past the differences in belief between my Christian sisters and brothers and me and focus on the overarching theme: the victory over hatred and evil. And why did he win? Because right is might.

Jesus’ preaching raised the ire of many an enemy, and they sought to silence his – according to them – “dangerous ideas” by crucifying him. Yet, Jesus was doing nothing wrong. He was following God’s will and teaching what God commanded him to do. Moreover, what he taught was not dangerous at all: it called for a greater adoration for God and the attainment of a higher spiritual level. And when his enemies raised their objections, Jesus did not stop. He continued doing what he was commanded to do, because what he was doing was right in every way.

Thus, when they sought to kill him, he ultimately won by being resurrected after death (according to Christians) or raised up before crucifixion (according to Muslims). Still, the theme is the same: right is might.

This same theme applies, in fact, to all of the Prophets’ stories, including the Prophet Muhammad. In each instance, they did what God commanded them to do, despite the ire of their enemies. And all of them, to a tee, were saved by God when their enemies tried to destroy them and their missions. It is as God has decreed:

“God has thus ordained: ‘My apostles and I shall most certainly prevail.’ Verily, God is powerful [and] almighty.” (58:21)

That is because right is might, and God is always on the side of right. So many times in this world, it seems that might is right. Yet, the story of Jesus, Moses, Muhammad, and others shows that the reality is just the opposite. And the lesson we, their followers, should learn is that we must always strive to stay on the path of what is right, as best as humanly possible. It is not always easy to do, and there are many times where we will fail in that task. But, we must try the best we can.

And when we do, I know that God will be there to help us.

A most blessed Easter to all my Christian sisters and brothers and their families.