American Muslims

[munirayousuf]

The American Muslims take pleasure in all kinds of National holidays in United State. One of them is thanksgiving holiday. This is observed on the fourth Thursday of November as a modern Christian sacred holiday. Americans celebrate this day by family gatherings, cooking and feasting and being thankful. This holiday has now turned into commercialism and indulgence.

Islam does not permit Muslims to take part with a non-believer in any of their religious celebrations or holidays. So, People mostly use this day for gatherings and family dinners for the purpose of strengthening family ties and keeping in touch. That’s usually not possible for them because of work obligations and distance.

But how to avail this holiday in the best way and pay thanks to the One and Only of whom we should be thankful to –Allah ﷻ!

Read More: Dawn Travels Blog

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-Halloween
-Christmas
-Thanksgiving
-Mother's Day
-Birthdays
-Independence Day
-New Years
-Valentine's Day
-Father's Day

are all not permissible to partake in! We have our own celebrations, Alhamdulilah.

[noraina]

Speaking of Halloween, considering it'll be in a week or so....I can't get over how dangerous this is. Apart from spiritually, but physically too.

At this time of year it is pitch black by 7pm, and you'll have children as young as ten with just a couple of friends or an older sibling knocking on the doors of strangers at night.

SubhanAllah....I feel worried for them, even though we never answer the door.

[Delete.]

Speaking of Halloween, considering it'll be in a week or so....I can't get over how dangerous this is. Apart from spiritually, but physically too.

At this time of year it is pitch black by 7pm, and you'll have children as young as ten with just a couple of friends or an older sibling knocking on the doors of strangers at night.

SubhanAllah....I feel worried for them, even though we never answer the door.

A'salamu alaykum. I was just thinking about this earlier today! I was thinking about those horrifying clowns that are popping up in USA and the UK. I just read that some people dress up as clowns and terrorize people, I don't know if they have murdered anyone.

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[noraina]

A'salamu alaykum. I was just thinking about this earlier today! I was thinking about those horrifying clowns that are popping up in USA and the UK. I just read that some people dress up as clowns and terrorize people, I don't know if they have murdered anyone.

Wa alaykum assalam,

I know....they call them 'killer' clowns, they just jump out from anywhere brandishing weapons and chase people down the street. I haven't heard of any murders, but they have done robberies or assaults on people.

I've always found clowns so creepy at the best of times...what on earth is the world coming to?

I'm hoping on Halloween a creepy clown doesn't come knocking on my front door....I won't be able to sleep :skeleton:.

[Delete.]

Wa alaykum assalam,

I know....they call them 'killer' clowns, they just jump out from anywhere brandishing weapons and chase people down the street. I haven't heard of any murders, but they have done robberies or assaults on people.

I've always found clowns so creepy at the best of times...what on earth is the world coming to?

I'm hoping on Halloween a creepy clown doesn't come knocking on my front door....I won't be able to sleep :skeleton:.

I didn't even know that. I just knew that they lure children into forest/wood areas. SubhanAllah.. Alhamdulilah for Islam.

[noraina]

I didn't even know that. I just knew that they lure children into forest/wood areas. SubhanAllah.. Alhamdulilah for Islam.

Alhamdulillah...saved us from this insanity.

And that's not even half of it, they've chased schoolchildren or jumped off buses and ran after people, they've threatened to shoot schools and brandished chainsaws at people, they're even on university campuses chasing down students. Utterly insane.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_clown_sightings

My heart sank just reading those sightings - this is like a horror film or somehing.

[Little_Lion]

Pfft, there's four American holidays that I happily celebrate every year. December 26, February 15, the day after Easter, and November 1st.

HALF-PRICED CANDY DAYS! ;D

[islamirama]

My heart sank just reading those sightings - this is like a horror film or somehing.

But wait, there's hope!

Now there is someone dressed as Batman chasing these clowns down the streets and beating them up. Welcome to the 22nd century where you can be anything you want, even comic villains and superheros :P

I know....they call them 'killer' clowns, they just jump out from anywhere brandishing weapons and chase people down the street. .

Do you know where that came from? There was a movie in 1990 called IT. It was about killer clowns from outer space. There is a remake of it coming next year to theaters. That is where these "killer clowns" are coming from.

On a side note, there are many clown pranks on YT if you want to see. Those are creepy pranks to scare people. But these clowns of now, these actually are dangerous people and not the same.

Pfft, there's four American holidays that I happily celebrate every year. December 26, February 15, the day after Easter, and November 1st.

HALF-PRICED CANDY DAYS! ;D

I'm with you on that sista! ;D

[Little_Lion]

Do you know where that came from? There was a movie in 1990 called IT. It was about killer clowns from outer space. There is a remake of it coming next year to theaters. That is where these "killer clowns" are coming from.

Actually the movie Killer Klowns from Outer Space came out in 1988. "It" was from beyond space and time, and not really from "outer space". I don't remember, they may have called it an alien in the movie, though.

The book was a LOT better. Now I want to reread it. :)

[sister_39738]

Thanksgiving is not a religious holiday. It is not Christian, Jewish, or Islamic just like the fourth of July so it is not haram to celebrate. Jus because kuffirs celebrate it doesn't mean we can't and there is no reason we cant join in with our family in celebration.

[Delete.]

Thanksgiving is not a religious holiday. It is not Christian, Jewish, or Islamic just like the fourth of July so it is not haram to celebrate. Jus because kuffirs celebrate it doesn't mean we can't and there is no reason we cant join in with our family in celebration.

Using that logic, Halloween isn't religious either.. Neither are Birthdays, Mother's Day, etc. It's not the fact that it is religious that makes it impermissible, it is the reason you are celebrating it.

Also, it is still a kaffir holiday, and it is imitation. Allah knows best.

[islamirama]

Actually the movie Killer Klowns from Outer Space came out in 1988. "It" was from beyond space and time, and not really from "outer space". I don't remember, they may have called it an alien in the movie, though.

The book was a LOT better. Now I want to reread it. :)

I do remember the "killer klowns from outer space" but just zoned it out i guess. The IT left a more lasting impression for me so i remember it better. I'd be interested to see how the new IT coming out next year will be like, only because of the special effects and advancement in technology to make it more realistic.

[Little_Lion]

I do remember the "killer klowns from outer space" but just zoned it out i guess. The IT left a more lasting impression for me so i remember it better. I'd be interested to see how the new IT coming out next year will be like, only because of the special effects and advancement in technology to make it more realistic.

Same here, I can't wait for it either, but I'm a huge Stephen King fan. :)

[islamirama]

Thanksgiving not religious holiday per se as it's not an official Bible sanctioned holiday. It is religious in the sense that the Anglo Christians sat down with a meal to thank God every time they massacred the Natives. There was a "Thanksgiving" after every massacre, and there were so so many. So rather then keeping doing that, the president suggested of setting one day of the year to celebrate "Thanksgiving". The white washed history will tell you otherwise, but ask the Natives. This holiday was nothing more than celebration of massacres of the Natives followed by a "thanking" feast to their God.

As for it not being haram. Islam has only two festivals, the two Eids. Any other festival is not part of Islam and not allowed to participate in, especially any festivals specific to the kuffars or a group of people/nation. By celebrating their festivals, you are imitating them and approving of their beliefs and way of life.

Why does Islam forbid Muslims to imitate disbelievers: https://islamqa.info/en/121554

From an ethical point of view, it would be more Muslim like to not celebrate it as it represents a history of massacre and celebration of it. You don't see the Natives celebrating it and you won't see those who know the real history either.

Yes, we get holiday break from school and work and only time we can get together with families and that is fine. But the notion of actually celebrating it as a "Thanksgiving" Puritan Christian practice, it is not something we take part in.

[sister_39738]

Using that logic, Halloween isn't religious either.. Neither are Birthdays, Mother's Day, etc. It's not the fact that it is religious that makes it impermissible, it is the reason you are celebrating it.

Also, it is still a kaffir holiday, and it is imitation. Allah knows best.

Halloween is a religious holiday originating in Mexico. It is known as the day of the dead. Look it up. Show me the hadeeth or surah where the other holidays you describe are haram. Does Allah or some muslims forbid it?

[islamirama]

Same here, I can't wait for it either, but I'm a huge Stephen King fan. :)

I used to be nathaniel hawthrone's fan back in those reading days :)

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Halloween is a religious holiday originating in Mexico. It is known as the day of the dead. Look it up. Show me the hadeeth or surah where the other holidays you describe are haram. Does Allah or some muslims forbid it?

Sure, no problem, sister, in sha Allah Ta'ala.

https://islamqa.info/en/947

Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allaah have mercy on him, said in Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah: "Congratulating the kuffaar on the rituals that belong only to them is haraam by consensus, as is congratulating them on their festivals and fasts by saying ‘A happy festival to you’ or ‘May you enjoy your festival,’ and so on. If the one who says this has been saved from kufr, it is still forbidden. It is like congratulating someone for prostrating to the cross, or even worse than that. It is as great a sin as congratulating someone for drinking wine, or murdering someone, or having illicit sexual relations, and so on. Many of those who have no respect for their religion fall into this error; they do not realize the offensiveness of their actions. Whoever congratulates a person for his disobedience or bid’ah or kufr exposes himself to the wrath and anger of Allaah."

https://islamqa.info/en/145950

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "Praise be to Allah. It is not permissible for the Muslims to imitate them in any way that is unique to their festivals, whether it be food, clothes, bathing, lighting fires or refraining from usual work or worship, and so on. And it is not permissible to give a feast or to exchange gifts or to sell things that help them to celebrate their festivals, or to let children and others play the games that are played on their festivals, or to adorn oneself or put up decorations. In general, (Muslims) are not allowed to single out the festivals of the kuffaar for any of these rituals or customs. Rather the day of their festivals is just an ordinary day for the Muslims, and they should not single it out for any activity that is part of what the kuffaar do on these days." from al-Fataawa al-Kubra, 2/487; Majmoo‘ al-Fataawa, 25/329

https://islamqa.info/en/45200

And I found this interesting: http://islamqa.org/hanafi/askimam/77378

Imitation of any kuffar ceremony, holiday, rites, etc. are all impermissible by consensus. And also forbidden by Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala and RasoolAllah salaAllahu alayhi wa salam. I am sure you are familiar with the Hadith "Whoever imitates a people is one of them."

Also, Halloween and "day of the dead" are not the same. And Thanksgiving does have religious and cultural (kuffar) origins.

We (Muslims) have the two celebrations of Eid Alhamdulilah, and we should avoid all else.

Allah knows best.

Note: Be extremely cautious of the Fatwas found online, study yourself and speak to someone knowledgeable and trustworthy on all matters, even if you do find evidence online it is still best to speak to and study by the people of knowledge. I read these carefully before posting as I didn't have in front of me any sources regarding this. But I agree with this view and may Allah guide us to the Truth, sister.

[sister_39738]

Sure, no problem, sister, in sha Allah Ta'ala.

https://islamqa.info/en/947

Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allaah have mercy on him, said in Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah: "Congratulating the kuffaar on the rituals that belong only to them is haraam by consensus, as is congratulating them on their festivals and fasts by saying ‘A happy festival to you’ or ‘May you enjoy your festival,’ and so on. If the one who says this has been saved from kufr, it is still forbidden. It is like congratulating someone for prostrating to the cross, or even worse than that. It is as great a sin as congratulating someone for drinking wine, or murdering someone, or having illicit sexual relations, and so on. Many of those who have no respect for their religion fall into this error; they do not realize the offensiveness of their actions. Whoever congratulates a person for his disobedience or bid’ah or kufr exposes himself to the wrath and anger of Allaah."

https://islamqa.info/en/145950

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "Praise be to Allah. It is not permissible for the Muslims to imitate them in any way that is unique to their festivals, whether it be food, clothes, bathing, lighting fires or refraining from usual work or worship, and so on. And it is not permissible to give a feast or to exchange gifts or to sell things that help them to celebrate their festivals, or to let children and others play the games that are played on their festivals, or to adorn oneself or put up decorations. In general, (Muslims) are not allowed to single out the festivals of the kuffaar for any of these rituals or customs. Rather the day of their festivals is just an ordinary day for the Muslims, and they should not single it out for any activity that is part of what the kuffaar do on these days." from al-Fataawa al-Kubra, 2/487; Majmoo‘ al-Fataawa, 25/329

https://islamqa.info/en/45200

And I found this interesting: http://islamqa.org/hanafi/askimam/77378

Imitation of any kuffar ceremony, holiday, rites, etc. are all impermissible by consensus. And also forbidden by Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala and RasoolAllah salaAllahu alayhi wa salam. I am sure you are familiar with the Hadith "Whoever imitates a people is one of them."

Also, Halloween and "day of the dead" are not the same. And Thanksgiving does have religious and cultural (kuffar) origins.

We (Muslims) have the two celebrations of Eid Alhamdulilah, and we should avoid all else.

Allah knows best.

Note: Be extremely cautious of the Fatwas found online, study yourself and speak to someone knowledgeable and trustworthy on all matters, even if you do find evidence online it is still best to speak to and study by the people of knowledge. I read these carefully before posting as I didn't have in front of me any sources regarding this. But I agree with this view and may Allah guide us to the Truth, sister.

''The Muslims have no need to imitate any of the other nations in matters of religious rituals and acts of worship, for Allaah has perfected His religion and completed His Favour, and chosen for us Islam as our religion, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): “This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion”
[al-Maa'idah 5:3]
Islam forbids the Muslims to imitate the kuffaar, especially the Jews and Christians, but this prohibition does not apply to all their affairs, rather it applies to matters of their religion and things that are unique to them, by which they are known.''

This text is a direct quote from the link you gave me proving that if a holiday does not originate from Christianity (or any of it sub sections) or Judaism it is not haram. So if this link you gave disproves what you said and neither you or I have been able to find an hadeeth or surah saying that non religious holidays (including holidays with multiple gods) or haram then it is safe for an individual to use their own judgement derived from the intelligence that Allah gave them, to decide for themselves what they celebrate. So I will never celebrate any religious holiday (easter, mardi gras, saint patricks day, Halloween, valentines day, good Friday etc.) but if I want to give my mother a gift on mothers day or go to a eat dinner with family on thanksgiving I can do so. Especially since no one has proven any haram in doing so.

[Delete.]

''The Muslims have no need to imitate any of the other nations in matters of religious rituals and acts of worship, for Allaah has perfected His religion and completed His Favour, and chosen for us Islam as our religion, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): “This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion”
[al-Maa'idah 5:3]
Islam forbids the Muslims to imitate the kuffaar, especially the Jews and Christians, but this prohibition does not apply to all their affairs, rather it applies to matters of their religion and things that are unique to them, by which they are known.''

This text is a direct quote from the link you gave me proving that if a holiday does not originate from Christianity (or any of it sub sections) or Judaism it is not haram. So if this link you gave disproves what you said and neither you or I have been able to find an hadeeth or surah saying that non religious holidays (including holidays with multiple gods) or haram then it is safe for an individual to use their own judgement derived from the intelligence that Allah gave them, to decide for themselves what they celebrate. So I will never celebrate any religious holiday (easter, mardi gras, saint patricks day, Halloween, valentines day, good Friday etc.) but if I want to give my mother a gift on mothers day or go to a eat dinner with family on thanksgiving I can do so. Especially since no one has proven any haram in doing so.

Sister, how can you misunderstand so much clear and valid proof? It does apply to all the celebrations, religious or not, scholars clearly state that. It is agreed upon. What it does not apply to is the things that they (kuffar) do and invent from which we may benefit. Seek refuge in Allah, there is no contradiction in any of it, nor is anything disproved.

"Another example is their imitation of the festivals of shirk and bid’ah, such as birthday celebrations, whether it is the birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or the birthdays of presidents and kings. Or these festivals of bid’ah and shirk may be named after days or weeks, such as a country’s national day or independence day, or Mother’s Day, or hygiene week, and other days or weeks that are celebrated. All of these have come to the Muslims from the kuffaar, for Islam has only two festivals: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Anything else is bid’ah and an imitation of the kuffaar. From a khutbah entitled al-Hathth ‘ala Mukhaalafat al-Kuffaar (Exhortation to be distinct from the kuffaar) "

I am not here to debate or argue with you. I am informing you of the clear and abundant evidence. If it is still not clear to you, I advise you to seek the answer by other means which you are comfortable with. It is agreed upon that all kuffar holidays (religious or not) are not permissible to celebrate. Allah knows best and He is the best Judge in all matters.

Fi aman Allah, may Allah protect you.

[sister_39738]

Sister, how can you misunderstand so much clear and valid proof? It does apply to all the celebrations, religious or not, scholars clearly state that. What it doesn't apply to is the things that they do and invent from which we may benefit. Seek refuge in Allah, there is no contradiction in any of it.

"Another example is their imitation of the festivals of shirk and bid’ah, such as birthday celebrations, whether it is the birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or the birthdays of presidents and kings. Or these festivals of bid’ah and shirk may be named after days or weeks, such as a country’s national day or independence day, or Mother’s Day, or hygiene week, and other days or weeks that are celebrated. All of these have come to the Muslims from the kuffaar, for Islam has only two festivals: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Anything else is bid’ah and an imitation of the kuffaar. From a khutbah entitled al-Hathth ‘ala Mukhaalafat al-Kuffaar (Exhortation to be distinct from the kuffaar) "

I am not here to debate you, argue you, or prove myself right in any way, shape or form. I am informing you of the clear and abundant evidence. It is clear to me, and if it is not to you, I advise you, as a sister, to seek the answer by other means which you are comfortable with. No Muslim scholar has deemed Thanksgiving, or any other kuffar holiday religious or not, permissible to celebrate. Allah knows best and He is the best Judge in all matters.

Fi aman Allah, may Allah protect you.

What clear evidence? There was no hadeeth from the prophet and no surah excluding non religious holidays. Even the 'evidence' you provided does not exclude it. It does, however, give a valid judgement based on a surah about religious holidays and greetings. It also gives a scholar's personal opinion on non muslim/ non religious holidays. You don't have to debate me because there is no proof on which you can debate. So in this case I will use my personal judgement and not the common belief of muslims.

[islamirama]

:popcorn:

[noraina]

But wait, there's hope!

Now there is someone dressed as Batman chasing these clowns down the streets and beating them up. Welcome to the 22nd century where you can be anything you want, even comic villains and superheros :P

I watched those videos, they're at once funny and tragic. We're so far gone we actually need Batman to emerge from the comic books to save us. :facepalm:

I'm just not trying to reach the conclusion that if this carries on we'll soon have the Joker at large.

[Hafiz Ikram]

You should be thankful to Allah every second of the day not just on one particular day. If this is the American holiday, let them observe it. You can observe your own holidays in your way.

[Greg_al_eahd]

It seems like your problem is that the holiday is American. Halloween and Christmas both originated as pagan holidays and Christmas was at the time the Yule celebration that Christians converted to celebrate the birth of Isa. Those two I agree with you should not be celebrated but the others are just traditions that have been made to bring families together . Just like every other country has their own national past times . I don't really celebrate these events cause well they are just another day but I will not judge someone cause they go to a family members house on thanksgiving to see their family members. If they support your journey in Islam why can I not support their tradition respectfully?

[islamirama]

I watched those videos, they're at once funny and tragic. We're so far gone we actually need Batman to emerge from the comic books to save us. :facepalm:

I'm just not trying to reach the conclusion that if this carries on we'll soon have the Joker at large.

My favorite one is where these clowns try to scare a black guy in an underground garage and the guy had all his buddies around there and they call ganged up and beat them clowns up so bad :D


Isn't joker a clown also? thus all these jokers ^o)

[LaSorcia]

Islam forbids the Muslims to imitate the kuffaar, especially the Jews and Christians, but this prohibition does not apply to all their affairs, rather it applies to matters of their religion and things that are unique to them, by which they are known.''

So then, Christians and Jews as people of the Book are not cousins in the faith in the one (and only) true God? We are unbelievers?

[sister herb]

In the first post was mentioned Thanksgiving but you started to talk about Halloween. ^o)

[sister_39738]

So then, Christians and Jews as people of the Book are not cousins in the faith in the one (and only) true God? We are unbelievers?

If you associate others with Allah, like the holy trinity or believing that christ is more than a prophet (christians) or if you dont recognize all of his prophets (jews and christians) or if you alter sacred texts (both jews and christians) then you are an unbeliever.

I know what I wrote about altering sacred texts will be disputed so I will explain it now. The Bible has been changed countless times over the centuries and I dont just mean how it is worded. The actual stories have been changed. One great example of this is James Ussher,Archbishop of Armagh (primate of all Ireland). In the mid 1600s he was a respected scholar of the bible. He constructed a chronology of human and Earth existence in which he estimated that the Earth was created in 4004 B.C and was only a few thousand years old. This was taken as fact even though he has no evidence to back his claims up and was soon printed in the margins of the bible. Which is why some Christians falsely believe that the Earth is 6,000 years old (trust me I have met these people).
Another example is the old testament which is largely ignored by many christians. The image of Isa (Jesus) is completely altered because only after the new testament was Isa thought of as being equal to Allah or as Allah himself. However, Isa never claimed to be God.

[ardianto]

So then, Christians and Jews as people of the Book are not cousins in the faith in the one (and only) true God? We are unbelievers?

Christians and Jews are believers of God, although not believers of Islam.

[Aay1K0]

Never celebrate non-Muslims festivals.

[M.I.A.]

how to lose friends and alienate people.. the thread.

put it this way..

i wont talk about any holiday.

lets talk about two of the main problems within the lower classes of society.

alcohol and gambling.. and more importantly..

what the quran says about them wherever they are mentioned.

read for yourself.

in conclusion, those deplorable people were not turned away.. the dredges of society who knew no better were not slapped in the face and told to bugger off..

they were shown a better way..

now if that means the company of alcoholics snd gamblers then you should be able to put two and two together.

..and if you think that means taking up drinking and gambling then you should really re-evaluate your answers.

please grow up..

to be something better.

i once went on at local drug dealers to stop peddling.

then one day a young brother of one of them came to ask me for a job.

i had no money for him..

i cant do the math on that one.


aint no point in complaining about losing the majority vote.

[jabeady]

Been gone a while, so please excuse the necrothread.

To clear up some misconceptions: Halloween is neither Christian nor Mexican in origin, it is Druidic. The Druids (pre-Christian European priests -- see Merlin, etc) celebrated four main holidays: Beltane (summer solstice), Samhain (autumn equinox, final harvest - modern Halloween), Ostera (spring equinox -- modern Easter) and Yule (winter solstice -- modern Christmas). Roman Christianity appropriated these holidays to help erase the pagan faith and help Christianity spread. Oddly enough, the Pope didn't touch the names of the months (imperial Roman) or the days of the week (Druidic and Norse).

Halloween, in particular, morphed into different traditions. In the Roman church it is the night before All Hallows (or All Saints) Day. I don't know how coincidental it was that it was All Hallows Eve when Martin Luther posted his 95 thesis, sparking the Protestant Reformation that, essentially, gave birth to most of the non-Catholic Christian denominations. Meanwhile, Halloween managed to survive as an "underground" holiday that was dedicated to appeasing the spirit world by sharing the harvest with random ghosts and dead relatives. From there, it became a child's holiday and the Day of the Dead, depending on local tradition. In North America, Halloween is now apparently at least as big a holiday as Christmas.

Speaking of Christmas, it was originally a Roman holiday called Saturnalia, marked by exchanging presents, and masters serving dinner to their household slaves. At the same time, across the Rhine, the barbarians decorated evergreen trees in the hope that, like the trees, they would survive the winter. Sometime in the mid-19th century, Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, himself a German royal, imported the Christmas Tree to England.

For several decades, Christians have decried the commercialization of Christmas, particularly the abbreviation "Xmas," and you will often see signs on houses during the holidays that say "Put the Christ back in Christmas." Atheists like to parody this with "Put the Saturn back in Saturnalia." There doesn't seem to be any particular outcry, either from Christians or atheists, about the commercialization of Halloween; this strikes me as odd, considering that both holidays are now largely dedicated to greed and gluttony, never mind their roots in superstition. In any event, both are now public holidays more than they are religious.