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One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Asalamualaikum, may Allah bless you and your family for helping Muslims find the truth by the means of this website. My question is did Prophet Jesus really was baptized in Jordan River by John the Baptist in Quran? Is there a recording of this event? Because baptismal was mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible, therefore a lot of people were following this tradition. However I was told that every child born is a Muslim but the parents themselves change their religion by letting them baptize. What is your opinion on baptismal? 

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Answer:

Baptism in islam

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: My question is did Prophet Jesus really was baptized in Jordan River by John the Baptist in Quran? Is there a recording of this event? Because baptismal was mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible, therefore a lot of people were following this tradition.

1:9 Now in those days Jesus came from Nazareth  in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan River. (Bible Mark 1:9)

3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John to be baptized by him in the Jordan River. (Bible Mathew 3:13)

3:21 Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized. And while he was praying, the heavens opened,

3:22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my one dear Son; in you I take great delight. (Bible Luke 3:21-22)

Although the ritual of the supposed ‘baptism’ of Prophet Jesus (a.s.) by Prophet John (Yayha a.s.)) does indeed find mention in several places in the present-day Bible, the Quran and the Sunnah are absolutely silent regarding this particular issue….thus we as believers in the Quran and the Sunnah can neither deny nor confirm with absolute conviction whether or not this specific ritual of the ‘baptism’ of Prophet Jesus (a.s.) at the hands of Prophet Yahya (r.a.) on the Jordan River did take place or not. And Allah Alone Knows Best.

Your Question: However I was told that every child born is a Muslim but the parents themselves change their religion by letting them baptize. What is your opinion on baptismal? 

The term ‘baptism’ is described by the American Heritage Dictionary as: ‘A religious sacrament marked by the symbolic application of water to the head or immersion of the body into water and resulting in admission of the recipient into the community of Christians.’

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verses 135-138:

135 They say: "Become Jews or Christians if ye would be guided (to salvation)." Say thou: "Nay! (I would rather follow) the religion of Ibraheem, the true; and he joined not gods with Allah."

136 Say ye: "We believe in Allah, and the Revelation given to us, and to Ibraheem, Ismail, Is-haaq, Yaqoob and the Tribes, and that given to Musa and Isa, and that given to (all) Prophets from their Lord; we make no difference between one and another of them, and we bow to Allah (in Islam)."

137 So if they believe as ye believe they are indeed on the Right Path; but if they turn back it is they who are in schism; but Allah will suffice thee as against them and He is The All-Hearing, The All- Knowing.

138 (Our religion is) the ‘baptism’ of Allah; and who can baptize better than Allah? and it is He whom we worship.

Al-Muwatta Hadith 16.53

Yahya related from Malik from Abu'z Zinad from al-Araj from Abu Hurayra that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said, “Every child is born on the ‘fitra’ (nature, ie. Islam) and it is his parents who make him a Jew or a Christian.”

Islam guides that every child that is born is born on ‘fitra’ or nature, and the inherent nature of all human beings is to believe in the One Lord Creator Who created everything in existence….it is only his parents/guardians who formulate rituals to initiate them into their self-invented ‘deens’ other than Islam.

If one trusts, obeys, and follows the guidance and commands of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of never ever being misled; but if one believes, obeys and follows any other guidance, other than that of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of being led astray.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan