IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Muslims believe in the immaculate conception (i.e., not conceived in sin) of only two persons: Mary and Jesus, as do the Roman Catholic Church. All Christians believe in the immaculate conception of Jesus, but not all believe in the immaculate conception of Mary. The doctrine of Immaculate Conception of Mary was imposed as an Article of Faith in the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Pious IX on Dec. 18th, 1854. The Muslim belief stem from the hadiths:

> Narrated Said bin Al-Musaiyab:
> Abu Huraira said, "I heard Allah's Apostle saying, 'There is none born among the off-spring of Adam, but Satan touches it. A child therefore, cries loudly at the time of birth because of the touch of Satan, except Mary and her child." Then Abu Huraira recited: "And I seek refuge with You for her and for her offspring from the outcast Satan" (3.36) (Sahih Bukhari 4.641)

Thus, Islam believes that only Mary and Jesus were not touched by Satan. Even Muhammad did not have this distinction.

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