Easter Passover & Ismaili muslim faith

[mahebubchatur]

Easter & Ismaili Muslims

Easter is the most important Christian religious festival
Which is held on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the northern spring equinox.

Easter is when Jesus Christ was crucified and killed on good Friday and in 3 days he rose again (Believed to have been physically resurrected). These three days are known as Easter Triduum)

According to the Quran Jesus was a Prophet, and Prophet Muhammad is the last Prophet.

Easter Eggs - A symbol of Easter and Navroz

Before Jesus Christ, egg was a symbol of Spring, & celebration of rebirth & renewal. Mesopotamians - a Christian community living in Central Asia used to paint eggs red to symbolise the blood of Christ. Eggs would then be cracked against one another, leaving just empty shells - a symbol of the empty tomb which Jesus left & was resurrected.

Eggs and painting of Eggs are also religious symbols in the Persian and Afghanistan central Asian annual tradition of Navroz. This is also observed by Shia Muslims including Ismailis

The Easter egg tradition survives today of
1. egg rolling, representing the rolling away of the rock from Jesus' tomb.
2. Chocolate Easter Eggs
3. Easter eggs have also became more and more elaborately decorated. Perhaps the most famously by Russian jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé, creator of the priceless Fabergé eggs as Easter gifts for Tsars Alexander III and Nicholas II.

Easter Bunny

Originally an 'Easter hare', a buck-toothed bringer of chocolate was given to the kids who have behaved themselves. This was first mentioned in German literature in 1682. This tradition has progressed or evolved into Easter chocolate bunnies and And People Easter chocolate eggs and or chocolates

An overview according to Ismaili Muslim faith in context of Easter

1. Allah ( God), is One and Only, Eternal, Absolute; does not beget nor is begotten & there is no one & nothing like Allah
2. Jesus Christ is respected as a Prophet. A key difference is that Christians believe Jesus Christ was the son of God, who was physically resurrected by God in 3 days after he was crucified, killed and laid in a tomb.
3. Nothing is impossible with God, and everything is possible for God
4. Everyone has a soul which is a part God's creation, the manifestation of which is a continuous and revelational process.
5. Every soul is connected to and an inclusive & inextricable part of God's creation & God
6. Every soul is eternal.
7. The physical body of all living beings are on earth for a limited transitory period. When that ends the soul continues into becoming one again with the oneness of Gods creation.
8. The souls of Prophets are elevated as the chosen messengers of God for mankind.
9. Gods messages and guidance has always been communicated through messengers (Mankind).
10. Divine guidance through Prophets is by Divine authority, & revelational.
11. Continuity of Divine Guidance and interpretations is needed by mankind. In the case of Christian's this is through the Pope and or Priests. For Ismailis this is revelational and through their hereditary Imams of the time. Who is currently His Highness the Aga Khan

Jewish Passover

There are many similarities with other faiths in rites symbolism and shared values including Easter.

Passover is one of the most important religious festivals in the Jewish calendar. Jews celebrate the Feast of Passover (Pesach in Hebrew) to commemorate the liberation of the Children of Israel.

Some Christians observe a form of the Jewish holiday of Passover. The practice is found among Assemblies of Yahweh, Messianic Jews, and some congregations of the Church of God (Seventh Day).

In Israel
Passover lasts seven days - the first and seventh days are observed as full days of rest (yom tov), and the middle five as intermediate holidays (hol ha-moed). Outside Israel Passover lasts eight days

religious Rituals, Dinner, and 4 Questions
Before celebrations can begin the house must be cleaned from top to bottom to remove any traces of chametz (leaven- Yeast ) from the home.

This commemorates the Jews leaving Egypt who did not have time to let their bread rise, but also symbolises removing 'puffiness' (arrogance, pride) from their souls.

The day before Passover begins there is a ritual search for chametz in every home. The children usually join in.

A Jew may not eat yeast or derive benefit from it during Passover. He may not even own it or feed it to animals. Any yeast in his possession, or utensils used to prepare food with chametz, have to be temporarily 'sold' to non-Jews.

The Seder and the Haggadah
The Fast of the Firstborn
The day before Passover begins the Fast of the Firstborn is observed. All first born males fast on this day to celebrate their escape from the Plague of the First Born.

Seder meal and 14 steps - 4 questions

The highlight of Passover observance takes place on the first two nights, when friends and family gather together for ritual seder meals.

Seder means 'order' and the ceremonies are arranged in a specific order. Special plates and cutlery are used which are kept exclusively for Passover.

The Haggadah is a book which tells in fourteen steps the story of the Jewish experience in Egypt and of the Exodus and revelation of God. As the story of each of the ten plagues is read out a drop of wine is spilt to remind Jews that their liberation was tinged with sadness and suffering.
The book also contains songs, blessings, psalms and
Four Questions.

The celebrations cannot happen unless they are asked.

The Four Questions

1. Why do we eat unleavened bread? Unleavened bread or matzo is eaten to remember the Exodus when the Israelites fled Egypt with their dough to with no yeast.
2. Why do we eat bitter herbs?Bitter herbs, usually horseradish, are included in the meal to represent, appreciate and understand the bitterness of slavery.
3. Why do we dip our food in liquid? At the beginning of the meal a piece of potato is dipped in salt water to recall the tears the Jews shed as slaves and be thankful for seeking having and sharing freedom
4. Why do we eat in a reclining position?In ancient times, people who were free reclined on sofas while they ate. Today cushions are placed on chairs to symbolise freedom and relaxation, in contrast to slavery. Usually the youngest person present will ask the questions and the father will respond.

Quran

"Had Allah willed He could have made you one community. But that He may try you by that which He hath given you (He hath made you as ye are). So vie one with another in good works. Unto Allah ye will all return". (5:48)

sedar https://youtu.be/LhR13I6UE1c

[shivaathervedi]

The council of NICAEA in A.D 325 convened by the emperor CONSTANTINE, issued the Easter Rule: Easter should be celebrated on :" the first Sunday after the full moon on or after the equinox." This means Easter is astronomically bound never to fall earlier than March 21 or later than April 25. Before this rule Easter was celebrated on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday. At the same council, the CROSS was adopted as the official symbol of the Christian religion.
On Thursday, before the Friday crucifixion of Jesus Christ which is called Maundy Thursday " the washing ceremony of the feet of poor takes place, especially honoring Jesus by washing the feet of of his disciple's feet.