Salamu Alaikum.My 6year old friend (I am 10 years old) named Yousuf told me that he read in a book that 'Esa (Alayhisalam) was born in Bayt Lahm. I have a hard time making out if it is true or not. This is a Christian belief and I don't know about the author but this book is found in the Masjid's library. Is this true? If not were was Esa born?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

First of all, we greatly welcome you in our site as our son, and we will be delighted to answer all your questions, and we hope that you will continue to visit our site. We ask Allaah to enable you to do what benefits you in this worldly life and the Hereafter.

As regards the place where ‘Eesa (Jesus) was born, you should know that it is neither mentioned in the Quran nor in the Sunnah of the Prophet where he was exactly born. However, it is reported in some Dha’eef (inauthentic) narrations that he was born in Bayt Lahm. Nonetheless, it is commonly stated in Muslim biography books that he was born in Bayt Lahm; it was also said that he was born elsewhere.

In any case, whether he was born in Bayt Lahm or in another place, this is not very important for us and Allaah will not hold us accountable for this information, what is important for us is to believe that:

1-    ‘Eesa (Jesus) is a Messenger of Allaah and his mother was a supporter of truth.

2-    ‘Eesa (Jesus) gave glad tiding about the coming of the Prophet Muhammad after him, and he ordered the children of Israel to believe in him.

3-    We should know that the Christians falsified the Injeel (Gospel) which was revealed to ‘Eesa (Jesus) ; the Gospel which is available today is forged and falsified.

This is what a Muslim should believe with regards to ‘Eesa (Jesus) .

Allaah Knows best.