Getting involved in Christmas as a Muslim - Islam Veiwpoint

[Pygoscelis]

We are not to celebrate the birth of anyone. Not even the birth of Muhammad(PBUH) although many do.

Muslims don't have birthday parties for their friends?

 

[Woodrow]

Muslims don't have birthday parties for their friends?

Many in the USA do especially for their children. That does not mean they are supposed to.

 

[Perseveranze]

I know there are some Muslims like myself who have good relations with their neighbours, and on Eid days, these neighbours who are Christian will often knock on our doors and gift us an "Eid Mubarak" with a greeting card...

...Is it not common courtesy to respond back with the same? I'm a little confuddled on this matter. Can someone clarify?

Asalaamu Alaikum,

The logic applied here within the context of Islam is that, by congratulating them on Christmas (ie. saying Merry Christmas to them), is the same as congratulating them on committing shirk. "Merry celebrating Jesus Christ, son of god's birth".

And some Scholars have made the analogy that you wouldn't congratulate a murderer on doing murder, or a rapist on raping someone, so how can you congratulate someone on doing what is considered the biggest sin in Islam, celebrating ascribing partners to God?

The only thing you can do is that, on Christmas, if they give you a gift, then you're allowed to accept it with the intention that it softens their hearts.

 

[ardianto]

Yes you are right, we dont have to say it in the way i mentioned. However, you are also completely wrong... having a 'let other people believe their belief' is not a mentality sanctioned by Islaam - it is quite the opposite and sort of undermines any Da'wah work.

Dawah is an obligation. Its aim is to bring people to the belief system and way of life of Islaam [but obviously it should be done according to the Sunnah]. We make the effort while the result is in Allaah's Hands as He is the one who changes peoples hearts. So we should never have a 'live and let live' attitude, otherwise nobody is going to be there to stop people from walking into Hell Fire....

I know what is da'wah. And honestly, I do not agree with aggresive da'wah that attack other people belief.

We should tell other people about Islam. If they are interested to know more about Islam, we should explain them. If they want to become Muslim, we should help them entering Islam. But if they are not interested to become Muslim ...... there is no compulsion in entering Islam.

If those people choose to stay in their faith, and want to still believe what they believe, let them believe their belief. Remember, there is no compulsion in entering Islam.

And I very appreciate if Christian missionaries leave their aggresive method in spread Christianity.

 

[M.I.A.]

Asalaamu Alaikum,

The logic applied here within the context of Islam is that, by congratulating them on Christmas (ie. saying Merry Christmas to them), is the same as congratulating them on committing shirk. "Merry celebrating Jesus Christ, son of god's birth".

And some Scholars have made the analogy that you wouldn't congratulate a murderer on doing murder, or a rapist on raping someone, so how can you congratulate someone on doing what is considered the biggest sin in Islam, celebrating ascribing partners to God?

The only thing you can do is that, on Christmas, if they give you a gift, then you're allowed to accept it with the intention that it softens their hearts.

i just watched the vid.

it makes sense.



but most if not all christians are born into there shirk.

born into there customs and celebrations.


so are they still kuffar?

the easy answer is yes.


the long answer requires a lot more work.

and i know the person in the video is a lot more knowledgeable than me.


but i know that you cant dismiss people of other religions based on shirk, its not your judgement to make.


...otherwise why would we even have reverts?


im sorry but it is not always islam vs the west, the pagens, the non believers.

it is always islam vs those that stop the propagation of islam...

those within it and external.



and when they spend time in your company, they get what your really about.


i mean even if you do not greet them today, chances are they are not an alien and will still be in your lives tomorrow.



you get what you give really.. so maybe a softly softly approach is needed.


i mean under it all there are human beings... they must be.


the truth is if they seem like murderers and rapists then its a good time to walk away.

 

[crimsontide06]

You cannot condemn people for being born into a culture. People believe and practice cultures they were born into...everyone on this board, if you were born to a christian family, you would be a christian, atheists family.. atheists, Hindu, Indian, Jewish....etc..


I do though find it creepy and scary to tell a child "hey there's a big bearded old man who will be roaming around the house while you are asleep"


santa clause... THAT part I do not agree with, an innovation on top of the innovation LOL

 

[Roasted Cashew]

Can I as a Muslim wish my Christian friends "Merry Christmas" ?? What is the general verdict on this?

 

[glo]

@ Glo

I thought today you are so busy in preparing Christmas celebration.

Christmas is a fairly low-key event in our house, ardianto.
The children wanted the house decorated - so I put them in charge of that.
We will do the food preparation together in the morning.

Christmas Eve was quiet for me - a church service in the afternoon, a take-away meal in the evening and then family time.

 

[glo]

I know there are some Muslims like myself who have good relations with their neighbours, and on Eid days, these neighbours who are Christian will often knock on our doors and gift us an "Eid Mubarak" with a greeting card...
...Is it not common courtesy to respond back with the same? I'm a little confuddled on this matter. Can someone clarify?

We have a Muslim family in our street and we have exchanged Eid and Christmas gifts for years.
I have to admit that it was our Muslim neighbours who started the tradition

Interestingly, when I took our gift around yesterday evening, I took note that the lady said "I hope YOU have a Merry Christmas" ... which kind of made it clear that this is OUR celebration and not hers.

 

[LauraS]

There seems to be a snobbish attitude when it comes to Christmas, that it's just about people spending ridiculous amounts of money on other ungrateful people but it's not like that at all. I've just spent a lovely two days with my family and that's what Christmas is also about- family time.

My family isn't really religious but love Christmas. It's a time, for a few days, when you put aside normal life and worries and just enjoy yourself. To address some of the things in the thread: we enjoy giving each other presents and what's wrong with that? People tend to enjoy giving more than receiving. It's not like we just give each other the latest expensive gadgets, I had books, jumpers and that kind of thing. And to Guestfellow, not all children are "brats" at Christmas. If you've never celebrated Christmas then you can't judge others and you don't realise what a magical time it is for kids. It isn't "creepy" to tell children about Father Christmas , my parents used to leave a couple of presents in my bedroom and in the morning I'd wake up while it was still dark and see the outline of the presents and get excited that Father Christmas had been. Christmas is a time when you just feel safe and warm with your family so I don't see what's wrong with enjoying it. I understand Muslim's reasons for not celebrating it, I'm just saying don't look down on those that do and think we just want to get expensive gifts because that's not the case at all. I had a very fun evening playing pictionary at my grandparents last night.

Sad that's it's the 27th now. imsad

 

[Cabdullahi]

No one is looking down at anyone..enjoy your Christmas and we would like obama and co to stop droning the kids so they too can enjoy festive holidays every year

 

[LauraS]

No one is looking down at anyone..enjoy your Christmas and we would like obama and co to stop droning the kids so they too can enjoy festive holidays every year

I will enjoy my Christmas thank you and your sudden inclusion of drones in the conversation makes no sense.... ^o)

 

[glo]

Sad that's it's the 27th now.

Don't you know that Christmas doesn't end until the 6th of January? So no need to be glum!

 

[ardianto]

In Indonesia where majority of people are Muslims, Christian people have 3 public holidays. But, does Eid-ul fitr becomes public holiday in UK?.

Okay, okay, maybe it's because the number of Muslims in UK are very small, and mostly of them are not native British people. But, just for information, in Indonesia, Confucian people are less than 0.3% and all of them are Chinese, but they have public holiday.

 

[Jalal~]

There seems to be a snobbish attitude when it comes to Christmas, that it's just about people spending ridiculous amounts of money on other ungrateful people but it's not like that at all. I've just spent a lovely two days with my family and that's what Christmas is also about- family time.

My family isn't really religious but love Christmas. It's a time, for a few days, when you put aside normal life and worries and just enjoy yourself. To address some of the things in the thread: we enjoy giving each other presents and what's wrong with that? People tend to enjoy giving more than receiving. It's not like we just give each other the latest expensive gadgets, I had books, jumpers and that kind of thing. And to Guestfellow, not all children are "brats" at Christmas. If you've never celebrated Christmas then you can't judge others and you don't realise what a magical time it is for kids. It isn't "creepy" to tell children about Father Christmas , my parents used to leave a couple of presents in my bedroom and in the morning I'd wake up while it was still dark and see the outline of the presents and get excited that Father Christmas had been. Christmas is a time when you just feel safe and warm with your family so I don't see what's wrong with enjoying it. I understand Muslim's reasons for not celebrating it, I'm just saying don't look down on those that do and think we just want to get expensive gifts because that's not the case at all. I had a very fun evening playing pictionary at my grandparents last night.

Sad that's it's the 27th now. imsad

Yes, of course, Christmas is a good holiday and many good things can be learned from celebrating this holiday. As Muslims we don't celebrate it because we already have two holidays of our own. And on these holidays, we still keep up with our religious duties, but at the same time we give each other gifts, attend gatherings to eat lunch or dinner, hang out with friends, etc. Muslims kids eventually learn why we celebrate Eid al Adha and Eid ul Fitr and learn more about their religion. And just to take a little pride in my holidays, Eid doesn't teach children to lie from a young age, as some Muslim children who do celebrate Christmas learn that its ok to lie once they find our Mr. Santa Claus isn't real

So I mean, why should I add another holiday to my religion when I already have two great ones? Why should I follow these traditions of getting together on one certain day of the year with all of my relatives, when Islam calls for people to maintain the ties of kinship? Why should I wait until December to buy a bunch of presents when Islam calls for people to spend on their wives and donate to charity, even if it's just a smile? These things you mention about getting together to eat, buying each other presents, and feeling safe and warm should be done moderately throughout the entire year, not just one day annually at such high intensity. Now that i think about it, I feel sad when in June my friends tell me they dont get gifts until Christmas, or can't wait for their birthdays to get money. Like that's a pretty long wait.

Same thing goes for Valentines Day, I mean it's a great reminder for love and affection towards your loved ones, but I know of many people who don't do anything special until this day comes.

I mean, by all means, if your non-Muslims, then you can celebrate those holidays, i don't mind. But when it comes to Muslims, I'm just like come on man, have some pride!:statisfie

 

[glo]

In Indonesia where majority of people are Muslims, Christian people have 3 public holidays. But, does Eid-ul fitr becomes public holiday in UK?.

Interesting question.

Whilst Eid is not a public holiday in the UK, it is very common for Muslim children to get the day off school. Also many employers make allowances.

 

[Muhaba]

For one thing, celebrating birthdays (including birthday of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم or Esa عليه السلام ) is bid'a since it wasn't done by Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم . A second thing is that celebrating christmas will make the one doing it love a kafir culture and that will effect their eman as well as the eman of the children /young ones. One should ask oneself: why do i want to celebrate christmas? Is it because i want to be more like these people (Westerns)? Why do i want that?

In the eend, it is because one loves their identity more than their own islamic identity. loves their culture more than their own. all of those are not good things. The best way is the Way of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم . the others are manmade ways and aren't equal to the best way in any way.

 

[LauraS]

Yes, of course, Christmas is a good holiday and many good things can be learned from celebrating this holiday. As Muslims we don't celebrate it because we already have two holidays of our own. And on these holidays, we still keep up with our religious duties, but at the same time we give each other gifts, attend gatherings to eat lunch or dinner, hang out with friends, etc. Muslims kids eventually learn why we celebrate Eid al Adha and Eid ul Fitr and learn more about their religion. And just to take a little pride in my holidays, Eid doesn't teach children to lie from a young age, as some Muslim children who do celebrate Christmas learn that its ok to lie once they find our Mr. Santa Claus isn't real

So I mean, why should I add another holiday to my religion when I already have two great ones? Why should I follow these traditions of getting together on one certain day of the year with all of my relatives, when Islam calls for people to maintain the ties of kinship? Why should I wait until December to buy a bunch of presents when Islam calls for people to spend on their wives and donate to charity, even if it's just a smile? These things you mention about getting together to eat, buying each other presents, and feeling safe and warm should be done moderately throughout the entire year, not just one day annually at such high intensity. Now that i think about it, I feel sad when in June my friends tell me they dont get gifts until Christmas, or can't wait for their birthdays to get money. Like that's a pretty long wait.

Same thing goes for Valentines Day, I mean it's a great reminder for love and affection towards your loved ones, but I know of many people who don't do anything special until this day comes.

I mean, by all means, if your non-Muslims, then you can celebrate those holidays, i don't mind. But when it comes to Muslims, I'm just like come on man, have some pride!:statisfie

I'm not saying Muslims should celebrate Christmas, just explaining why people enjoy Christmas, addressing comments made on this thread like it's "meaningless". You have Eid (which sounds just as pleasant!) and we have Christmas each is just as special for each culture. Valentines Day is very different, it's not such a big deal and people don't really care so much.

As for Father Christmas- all cultures/religions teach children not to lie! When I was told Father Christmas wasn't real I didn't think "oh so it's all right to lie" you just accept it's something for children. Besides I think every child has that little part inside of them that knows it's nonsense.

 

[marwen]

Salam and hi all !

I just want to clarify some points, for muslims and especially for our non muslim brothers and sisters here who wonder why muslims are so reserved in such issues :

- Islam is a religion that is very important for muslims. Muslims believe Islam is a message sent by Allah, litterally. So it's not a human invention or a human perception of the meaning of God, Life or Universe. No human contribution should occur to the fundamentals of Islam (Quran, Sunnah, Ibadat, Aqeedah, etc.), but humans could propose explanations (tafseer) or interpretation of those fundamentals. That's why the original message of Islam consisting of Quran and Sunnah (Hadeeth) is preserved, in addition with other books of tafseer and fiqh (islamic jurisprudence), etc.

- Muslims are so strict about conserving the integrity of the message of Islam in its original form. Any type of addition that has no justification (daleel) from the original Islamic principles, is considered as innovation (bid'a), and is rejected especially by the most strict islamic schools.

- Islam should not be altered by ideas and concepts contradicting the fundamentals of the islamic religion, whether it be from other ideologies, philosophies or religions.

- In islam, Interfaith dialogue means : respect for other religions, coexisting with other religions, and freedom to talk or ask questions about any religion, without insulting each others' sanctities. But should not in any way generate an altered version of Islam that is a mix of Islam and other ideologies. Islam is also strict concerning the act of leaving the religion of Islam. Adopting ideas that contradict the principles of Islam is also considered and implicit act of Kufr (disbelief).

- Celebrating christmas is an act of kufr, as many scholars pointed out. Giving help, attending, or contributing to the celebration of Christmas is also Haram, even giving/sending Christmas greetings is considered haram because it shows the approval of this celebration.

 

[marwen]

A remark :
The Birth of Jesus : (Read these verses)

سورة مريم - الآيات : 16 .. 40 :ـ​

وَٱذۡكُرۡ فِى ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ مَرۡيَمَ إِذِ ٱنتَبَذَتۡ مِنۡ أَهۡلِهَا مَكَانً۬ا شَرۡقِيًّ۬ا (١٦) فَٱتَّخَذَتۡ مِن دُونِهِمۡ حِجَابً۬ا فَأَرۡسَلۡنَآ إِلَيۡهَا رُوحَنَا فَتَمَثَّلَ لَهَا بَشَرً۬ا سَوِيًّ۬ا (١٧) قَالَتۡ إِنِّىٓ أَعُوذُ بِٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ مِنكَ إِن كُنتَ تَقِيًّ۬ا (١٨) قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۟ رَسُولُ رَبِّكِ لِأَهَبَ لَكِ غُلَـٰمً۬ا زَڪِيًّ۬ا (١٩) قَالَتۡ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِى غُلَـٰمٌ۬ وَلَمۡ يَمۡسَسۡنِى بَشَرٌ۬ وَلَمۡ أَكُ بَغِيًّ۬ا (٢٠) قَالَ كَذَٲلِكِ قَالَ رَبُّكِ هُوَ عَلَىَّ هَيِّنٌ۬*ۖ وَلِنَجۡعَلَهُ ۥۤ ءَايَةً۬ لِّلنَّاسِ وَرَحۡمَةً۬ مِّنَّا*ۚ وَكَانَ أَمۡرً۬ا مَّقۡضِيًّ۬ا (٢١) ۞ فَحَمَلَتۡهُ فَٱنتَبَذَتۡ بِهِۦ مَكَانً۬ا قَصِيًّ۬ا (٢٢) فَأَجَآءَهَا ٱلۡمَخَاضُ إِلَىٰ جِذۡعِ ٱلنَّخۡلَةِ قَالَتۡ يَـٰلَيۡتَنِى مِتُّ قَبۡلَ هَـٰذَا وَڪُنتُ نَسۡيً۬ا مَّنسِيًّ۬ا (٢٣) فَنَادَٮٰهَا مِن تَحۡتِہَآ أَلَّا تَحۡزَنِى قَدۡ جَعَلَ رَبُّكِ تَحۡتَكِ سَرِيًّ۬ا (٢٤) وَهُزِّىٓ إِلَيۡكِ بِجِذۡعِ ٱلنَّخۡلَةِ تُسَـٰقِطۡ عَلَيۡكِ رُطَبً۬ا جَنِيًّ۬ا (٢٥) فَكُلِى وَٱشۡرَبِى وَقَرِّى عَيۡنً۬ا*ۖ فَإِمَّا تَرَيِنَّ مِنَ ٱلۡبَشَرِ أَحَدً۬ا فَقُولِىٓ إِنِّى نَذَرۡتُ لِلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ صَوۡمً۬ا فَلَنۡ أُڪَلِّمَ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ إِنسِيًّ۬ا (٢٦) فَأَتَتۡ بِهِۦ قَوۡمَهَا تَحۡمِلُهُ ۥ*ۖ قَالُواْ يَـٰمَرۡيَمُ لَقَدۡ جِئۡتِ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا فَرِيًّ۬ا (٢٧) يَـٰٓأُخۡتَ هَـٰرُونَ مَا كَانَ أَبُوكِ ٱمۡرَأَ سَوۡءٍ۬ وَمَا كَانَتۡ أُمُّكِ بَغِيًّ۬ا (٢٨) فَأَشَارَتۡ إِلَيۡهِ*ۖ قَالُواْ كَيۡفَ نُكَلِّمُ مَن كَانَ فِى ٱلۡمَهۡدِ صَبِيًّ۬ا (٢٩) قَالَ إِنِّى عَبۡدُ ٱللَّهِ ءَاتَٮٰنِىَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ وَجَعَلَنِى نَبِيًّ۬ا (٣٠) وَجَعَلَنِى مُبَارَكًا أَيۡنَ مَا ڪُنتُ وَأَوۡصَـٰنِى بِٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَٱلزَّڪَوٰةِ مَا دُمۡتُ حَيًّ۬ا (٣١) وَبَرَّۢا بِوَٲلِدَتِى وَلَمۡ يَجۡعَلۡنِى جَبَّارً۬ا شَقِيًّ۬ا (٣٢) وَٱلسَّلَـٰمُ عَلَىَّ يَوۡمَ وُلِدتُّ وَيَوۡمَ أَمُوتُ وَيَوۡمَ أُبۡعَثُ حَيًّ۬ا (٣٣) ذَٲلِكَ عِيسَى ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ*ۚ قَوۡلَ ٱلۡحَقِّ ٱلَّذِى فِيهِ يَمۡتَرُونَ (٣٤) مَا كَانَ لِلَّهِ أَن يَتَّخِذَ مِن وَلَدٍ۬*ۖ سُبۡحَـٰنَهُ ۥۤ*ۚ إِذَا قَضَىٰٓ أَمۡرً۬ا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ ۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ (٣٥) وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُوهُ*ۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطٌ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٌ۬ (٣٦) فَٱخۡتَلَفَ ٱلۡأَحۡزَابُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِہِمۡ*ۖ فَوَيۡلٌ۬ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِن مَّشۡہَدِ يَوۡمٍ عَظِيمٍ (٣٧) أَسۡمِعۡ بِہِمۡ وَأَبۡصِرۡ يَوۡمَ يَأۡتُونَنَا*ۖ لَـٰكِنِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬ (٣٨) وَأَنذِرۡهُمۡ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡحَسۡرَةِ إِذۡ قُضِىَ ٱلۡأَمۡرُ وَهُمۡ فِى غَفۡلَةٍ۬ وَهُمۡ لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ (٣٩) إِنَّا نَحۡنُ نَرِثُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَمَنۡ عَلَيۡہَا وَإِلَيۡنَا يُرۡجَعُونَ (٤٠)

Surat Maryam - verses 16 .. 40 :
And make mention of Mary in the Scripture, when she had withdrawn from her people to a chamber looking East, (16) And had chosen seclusion from them. Then We sent unto her Our Spirit and it assumed for her the likeness of a perfect man. (17) She said: Lo! I seek refuge in the Beneficent One from thee, if thou art God-fearing. (18) He said: I am only a messenger of thy Lord, that I may bestow on thee a faultless son. (19) She said: How can I have a son when no mortal hath touched me, neither have I been unchaste? (20) He said: So (it will be). Thy Lord saith: It is easy for Me. And (it will be) that We may make of him a Revelation for mankind and a mercy from Us, and it is a thing ordained. (21)And she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place. (22) And the pangs of childbirth drove her unto the trunk of the palm-tree. She said: Oh, would that I had died ere this and had become a thing of naught, forgotten! (23) Then (one) cried unto her from below her, saying: Grieve not! Thy Lord hath placed a rivulet beneath thee, (24) And shake the trunk of the palm-tree toward thee, thou wilt cause ripe dates to fall upon thee. (25) So eat and drink and be consoled. And if thou meetest any mortal, say: Lo! I have vowed a fast unto the Beneficent, and may not speak this day to any mortal. (26) Then she brought him to her own folk, carrying him. They said: O Mary! Thou hast come with an amazing thing. (27) O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a wicked man nor was thy mother a harlot. (28) Then she pointed to him. They said: How can we talk to one who is in the cradle, a young boy? (29) He spake: Lo! I am the slave of Allah. He hath given me the Scripture and hath appointed me a Prophet, (30) And hath made me blessed wheresoever I may be, and hath enjoined upon me prayer and almsgiving so long as I remain alive, (31)And (hath made me) dutiful toward her who bore me, and hath not made me arrogant, unblest. (32) Peace on me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive! (33) Such was Jesus, son of Mary: (this is) a statement of the truth concerning which they doubt. (34) It befitteth not (the Majesty of) Allah that He should take unto Himself a son. Glory be to Him! When He decreeth a thing, He saith unto it only: Be! and it is. (35) And lo! Allah is my Lord and your Lord. So serve Him. That is the right path. (36)The sects among them differ: but woe unto the disbelievers from the meeting of an awful Day. (37) How well they hear and see and hear them on the Day they come unto Us! yet the evil-doers are to-day in error manifest. (38) And warn them of the Day of anguish when the case hath been decided. Now they are in a state of carelessness, and they believe not. (39) Lo! We Only, We inherit the earth and all who are thereon, and unto Us they are returned.(40)


In the verse 25 of Surat Maryam (in red above), in order to eat, Maryam is ordered to shake the trunk of the palm tree, and the dates will fall upon her easily, which means dates are ripe, and we know that dates are ripe only in summer, so celebrating the birthday of christ should be in summer not in winter.