Debate of Imam Musa Kadhim with a Christian monk
[dropcap]A[/dropcap] Christian monk came to Imam Musa Kadhim (a.s) claiming to have very deep knowledge about Torah and Gospel. Imam (a.s) asked him the name of Maryam’s (s.a.) mother and also the date, time and place of the birth of Prophet Jesus (a.s). The monk said that he didn’t know.
Imam said, “I will inform you about it. The name of Maryam’s mother in Greek language was “Martha” which is equivalent to the Arabic “Wahba”. The conception of Prophet Isa (a.s) took place at the time of noon on a Friday. Gabriel (a.s) descended for Maryam (a.s) at that very moment. The Holy Prophet (S) has ordained it to be a day of Eid (Festive) and Muslims are commanded to congregate at a place and perform worship. The day Prophet Jesus (a.s) was born was Tuesday. The day has risen four and a half hours. He was born on the banks of Euphrates.
The Almighty Allah bestowed such bounty to his birth that farmers said that it was very beneficial for the cultivation of dates and grapes. On that day Maryam (s.a.) did not speak to anyone. When King Qaidoos heard about it, he summoned the people of her tribe and ordered them: All of you go and ask Maryam about the truth behind this birth.
The people came to Maryam (s.a.) and said, “O Maryam! You have done a strange thing! O sister of Harun! Neither was your father an evil-doer nor your mother.” O Monk! Tell me what day was it?” The monk replied, “In our Gospel it is mentioned as a “New day.” Imam (a.s) said, “It is not a particular day. Thus it shows that people have made distortions in the book of God.” The monk said, “In order to confirm that you have the knowledge of the unseen. I challenge you to tell me the name of my mother.” Imam said, “In the Syrian language it is Utgaliya and in Arabic Maliha.
The name of your grandfather was Unfoor and that of your father is Abdul Masih. This name is incorrect; it should be Abdullah because no one can be the servant of the Masih (Christ). The name of your maternal grandfather was Gabriel. It is also incorrect. It should have been Abdur Rahman. Because it is not allowed to name people with the names of angels. Now you also listen to the account of the killing of your grandfather. The Syrians surrounded his residence and then killed him.” The monk said, “Now tell me, what my name is?” Imam said, “Your name is Abdul Saleeb but it should be Abdullah.” When the monk heard all these things, by the Grace of the Almighty he became a Muslim.
Objection Of Abu Hanifah
Abu Hanifah, an Imam of Ahle Sunnat told Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s), “Your son, Musa Ibn Ja’far (a.s) was performing prayers in such a way that people were passing across him in the front. Does this not make a difference in concentration and humility?” Imam said, “I will call him, you may ask him directly.” When this objection was mentioned to him he said, “One to Whom I was praying was more near to me than those people. He himself says: We are closer than the jugular vein.”
As soon as he heard this the face of Abu Hanifah paled and he could not say anything. Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s) embraced his son and said, “Bravo! O protector of the divine secrets!”
(Usūl al-Kāfī, v.1, p. 478-481)
