saying merry christmas

[ardianto]

Perhaps, but it is neither accurate nor logical. The celebration is called Christmas and it is a public holiday. It is as ludicrous as stating "Happy Holidays" instead of "Happy Thanksgiving" or "Happy Independence Day" or "Happy" any other celebration that happens to be a public holiday. Why the discrimination against Christmas?

Best regards.

Dear Walter.

How if I tell you "Congratulation to you who are celebrating Christmas"?.

 

[umairlooms]

i wish it because I want to be polite. We are Muslims and I believe we should be an example of politeness.

 

[Linkdeutscher]

Saying Merry Christmas is kufr, since you are essentially saying have a merry time celebrating the birthday of the son of god. Extremely dangerous statement.

 

[Walter]

Dear All:

My suggestion is to politely accept the greeting. You do not have to give the greeting, and you should not if it offends you. However, if you want to participate in wishing others well, then simply say that. Say something like: “Season’s greetings”, or “I wish you well for the season”, or “Enjoy the holiday” of any similar sentiment.

My only point is that once you start the greeting with “Happy”, then what follows should be the name of the holiday.

I wish you all good health, financial prosperity, peace in your households, and a closer relationship with God “For God did take Abraham for a friend." (4:125)

Best regards.

 

[Saqib Zaid]

Dear Sister Herb & Saqib:


Please be advised that the Bible does not appear to support the teaching that Jesus is God,

I appreciate your thinking , no doubt Jesus is creation like whole universe. God is free from son, wife or partners etc.

 

[sister herb]

Here is no problem to be kind and politely to those whose greet something like this. No need to answer by the same way. Unfortunately sometimes situations might be awkward to both.

Few years ago in my job where I was, some days before the christmas vacation, we had a good discussion with my boss and co-workers and I, as the only one there who didn´t spend the christian holidays, explained to others that I don´t spend their holiday (C thing), why I don´t and that I wish others would respect my values and don´t greet me anything, neither give me gifts or cards. I told this is same with every non-Islamic holidays. Everybody understood and said they don´t and they will respect me and my belief.

Then at the last day before the holiday started, our boss wanted to give a gift and a card to everyone, including to me. I refused to take it and asked, why she does this, why she didn´t want to respect my wish and belief. "But it´s just a little gift - it doesn´t matter. Nobody knows if you take it."

I: :facepalm:

Well, Allah knows.

Finally I didn´t take a gift, a card and didn´t greet her merry C. She was hurt and I was too.

So, the both parties should try to remember to respect each others. Yes we talked about it after the C vacation and it looked like she understood me well. But try to guess what happened just before the Easter vacation...

:facepalm:

 

[sister herb]

So, the respect should to be mutual - or it doesn´t work at all. :hmm:

 

[Pygoscelis]

Somewhat similar....

Is it permissible for non-muslims to say "Bismillah" before eating a meal if in a Muslim place? A local restaurant I go to for some really good biryani has a little business card and on the opposite side it has a little blurb about how to eat properly the Islamic way. I figure it is a little help sheet for people who are either lapsed Muslims or non-Muslims to show the proper respect to those around them. In such a place I would not strike up a conversation with a woman sitting alone or offer to shake my left hand with somebody, for example. but the sheet also says to say "Bismillah" before eating. I think means "for God"? Is it rude, disrespectful, or blasphemous for me to say that when I don't believe such a God exists? Is there something else I should say? Or is it best to just say nothing and eat?

 

[sister herb]

Somewhat similar....

Is it permissible for non-muslims to say "Bismillah" before eating a meal if in a Muslim place? A local restaurant I go to for some really good biryani has a little business card and on the opposite side it has a little blurb about how to eat properly the Islamic way. I figure it is a little help sheet for people who are either lapsed Muslims or non-Muslims to show the proper respect to those around them. In such a place I would not strike up a conversation with a woman sitting alone or offer to shake my left hand with somebody, for example. but the sheet also says to say "Bismillah" before eating. I think means "for God"? Is it rude, disrespectful, or blasphemous for me to say that when I don't believe such a God exists? Is there something else I should say? Or is it best to just say nothing and eat?

It´s ok to say bismillah (it means "in the name of the God"), specially if there is advice to say it. Maybe they like to keep the atmosphere in this restaurant "Islamic".

If you go to the restaurant and others there don´t know you (they don´t know are you Muslim or not, atheist or believer), there is no way how they could think it would to be anything rude or disrespectful. Anyways, if they would know you are not Muslim, most likely they just would think you try to be polite.

Also, hopely you will enjoy your biryani. :statisfie

 

[ardianto]

Somewhat similar....

Is it permissible for non-muslims to say "Bismillah" before eating a meal if in a Muslim place? A local restaurant I go to for some really good biryani has a little business card and on the opposite side it has a little blurb about how to eat properly the Islamic way. I figure it is a little help sheet for people who are either lapsed Muslims or non-Muslims to show the proper respect to those around them. In such a place I would not strike up a conversation with a woman sitting alone or offer to shake my left hand with somebody, for example. but the sheet also says to say "Bismillah" before eating. I think means "for God"? Is it rude, disrespectful, or blasphemous for me to say that when I don't believe such a God exists? Is there something else I should say? Or is it best to just say nothing and eat?

I don't mind if a non-Muslim says "Bismillah", but I never ask non-Muslim to say it because probably he feel uncomfortable, probably his religion forbid it. How if you eat in a place and there is a sheet that says to say "Bismillah" before eating?. You don't need to say anything because that sheet actually addressed only to Muslims. Not different than if you visited a Muslim's home and you found sticker "Say Assalamualaikum", you could say "Hello" or "Good noon". And the home owner would understand that you are not a Muslim.

 

[M.I.A.]

...forever shouting right hand use your right hand in public.

although i dont know if it translates as right hand or correct hand.

o_o

 

[Muhammad]

:salamext:

i wish it because I want to be polite. We are Muslims and I believe we should be an example of politeness.

We should be kind towards the non-Muslims. However, in our endeavour we should carry out our responsibilities as witnesses unto mankind. This does not require that we begin to compromise key and fundamental concepts of our religion. Most Christians will understand the Muslim's perspective when explained to them properly. If a Muslim behaves in a good manner with them throughout his stay with them, they would certainly know that he is not rude and he is not a person of bad character even if he does not congratulate them on the day of their celebration. Indeed, being rude is when one disobeys Allah. Pleasing Allah takes priority over pleasing His creation, and whoever pleases people by ensuing the wrath of Allah, Allah will be angry with him and He will make people be angry with him.

Many scholars stated it is not permitted for Muslims to participate in the festivals of non-Muslims because it is a kind of cooperation in their disobedience of Allah :swt:.

{…Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression….} [Quran 5:2].

The Prophet

said: "Whoever imitates a nation is but one of them." [Abu Daawood]

Scholars stated that a Muslim is neither allowed to celebrate such festivals nor is he allowed to congratulate non-Muslims for their feasts because congratulating them for their feasts is synonymous of accepting their wrongdoing and disbelief in Allah. It is also accepting their rites and rituals, which are nothing but disbelief.

Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim

reported the consensus of all scholars that congratulate non-Muslims for their religious occasions is forbidden. He said: “As for congratulating the unbelievers for their rituals, it is forbidden according to the agreement of all scholars like congratulating them for their feasts and fast by expressing good wishes: happy feast or enjoy your feast… etc. If the Muslim who says this does not become a disbeliever himself, he, at least, commits a sin as this is the same as congratulating him (a non Muslim) for his belief in the Trinity, which is a greater sin and much more disliked by Almighty Allah than congratulating him for drinking alcohol or killing a soul or committing fornication or adultery…etc.”

[Christmas] is not an innocent festival based on regional customs, but an ideological celebration based on the theological beliefs of Christians and pagans, and used by capitalists to exploit unaware citizens. Allāh the Most High states,

And those who do not witness falsehood, and if they pass by some evil play or evil talk, they pass it by with dignity.[SUP]18

[/SUP]
​

We as Muslims should pass this festival by with dignity, refraining from the office parties’, Christmas celebrations, the exchange of gifts, and even exchanging Christmas greetings. There are a number of reasons for this; firstly, to become involved in a festival is to sanction the beliefs behind such a festival and as Muslims we are forbidden to sanction anything other than Islām. Just as we as Muslims distance ourselves from celebrations such as Diwali (Hinduism) and Hanukkah (Judaism), we must also do so with Christmas. By celebrating Christmas, not only do we sanction pagan and Christian practices, but we imply that the festival of polytheism is pleasing to us, although Allāh states,

This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islām as your religion.[SUP]19

[/SUP]
​

Secondly, Allāh describes Christians as “those who went astray” in the opening chapter of the Qur’ān, thus to celebrate something that is not even sanctioned in their religion is to imply that their straying is of no consequence. Thirdly, to take part in their festivities or to give greetings such as ‘merry/happy Christmas’ is to encourage and congratulate them in their actions instead of censuring them for their falsehood. This is in opposition to Qur’anic teachings whereby Allāh states,

They believe in Allāh and the Last Day; they enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong; and they hasten (in emulation) in (all) good works: They are in the ranks of the righteous.[SUP]20[/SUP]
Help ye one another in righteousness and piety, but help ye not one another in sin and rancour. Fear Allāh, for Allāh is strict in punishment.[SUP]21

[/SUP]​

http://www.islam21c.com/theology/173-christmas-and-the-paganisation-of-christianity/

We need to consider the practice of the Prophet :saws: and his Companions, whether any of them congratulated non-Muslims on their festivals. Abdullaah Ibn Amr Ibn al-'Aas

is reported to have said: “Whoever celebrates the Persian New Year's Day or their carnival and imitates them till his death he will be resurrected with them on the Day Judgment.”

Anas

reported: "The Prophet

came to Madeenah while they had two days they celebrated. The Prophet

asked, "What are these two days?" They said, 'These are two days we used to celebrate in our pre Islamic era. The Prophet

said: "Allaah has replaced them with two better days: 'Eed Al-Adh-Haa and 'Eed Al- Fitr."

A person came to the Prophet

and said: "I have taken a vow to sacrifice a camel at Buwaanah.” The Prophet

asked: “Did the place contain any idol worshipped in Jaahiliyyah (pre-Islamic times)?” They (the people) said: “No.” He asked: “Was any pre-Islamic festival observed there?” They replied: “No.” The Prophet

said: “Fulfil your vow, for a vow to do an act of disobedience to Allah must not be fulfilled, neither must one do something over which a human being has no control." [Sunan Abi Dawud 3313]


In light of the guidelines in the Qur'an and Sunnah and the stern warnings given by numerous scholars based upon such teachings, we should do what is safer for our deen and akhirah. We should not feel pressurised to compromise this for the sake of being polite or integrating amongst others.

And Allaah :swt: knows best.

 

[Eric H]

Greetings and peace be with you HappyMuslimaa;

To many others who are non-christian or non-religious it can have a secular meaning just in the spirit of happiness and celebration of giving gifts and families and so forth.

Sadly, this seems to be the message of Christmas, every shop that has the Christmas message, is only after your money, this has nothing to do with Christ. Most Christmas cards and presents have no real religeous meaning. Christmas parties, have little to do with Christ.

In the spirit of praying to One God

Eric

 

[Walter]

The wisdom of Muhammad is evident in his post. I agree that we should not compromise key and fundamental concepts of our religion. By doing this, one side will feel the victor and the other the vanquished. Is it possible that both paths can be correct? Let us review the evidence.

The Israelites strayed from Abraham’s traditions. Therefore, God sent His prophet Moses to the Israelites and established a covenant with them. He also used the Israelites to execute His judgement on the surrounding nations whose ‘cup of iniquity’ had overflowed after centuries of oppression. Unfortunately, the Israelites kept straying from God’s path despite God sending them several other prophets to call them back to the right way.

God then sent the Messiah Jesus and established a new covenant, not only for the Israelites, but for all nations. Church history shows that many Christians strayed from Jesus’ teachings, but that does not make the teachings invalid. Those who follow His teachings will benefit significantly.

The Ishmaelites also strayed from Abraham’s traditions. I believe that He sent prophet Mohammed to call them back to a relationship with Him. I believe that He also used the Muslims to execute His judgement on surrounding nations who had oppressed others for centuries.

The history of nations reveals one certainty. God hears the cries of the oppressed, and a fearful judgement awaits the oppressor. The Bible teaches that God used the Israelites to execute His judgement on the oppressive Canaanites. He then used the Babylonians to execute His judgement on the oppressive Israelites. Then the Persians to execute His judgement on the oppressive Babylonians. Then the Greeks on the Persians. Then the Romans on the Greeks. It appears that He then used the Muslims (Ishmaelites) to execute His judgement on the oppressive Romans.

There are two very important lessons to be learnt. The first is that the judgement, or Holy War, is always relatively short (less than a generation). The second is that we should always ensure that we are not on the side of the oppressor.

So what has this to do with Christmas? Christmas is not a teaching of Jesus. Instead, it is a tradition of Christianity. Therefore, you will not be obeying or disobeying Jesus’ teachings whether you celebrate Christmas or do not celebrate it. Christmas is simply a celebration of Jesus’ birth. Some justify the celebration because of the angels’ song, the shepherds’ proclamations, and the wise men’s gifts.

The celebration does not result in the oppression of others. Instead, it results in meaningful assistance for some of the most desperate persons. Christians have strayed from important parts of Jesus’ message. However, His teachings of helping those in desperate need appears to be obeyed frequently during the Christmas season. That should be encouraged.

Best regards.

 

[M.I.A.]

one side will feel the victor and the other the vanquished

...died for your sins thing?

although i found the rest of the post profound.


the "celebration" is like a straw.. it is much the same as any other piece of straw.

there is a middle path.

with extremes at either end.


maybe carrying less straws is sometimes not a bad idea.

especially if there are people who would beat you about the head with there own straw.


...people be like merry christmas and then reading quran in private.



all paths on monotheism.. Abrahamic AS faiths can be correct.. but its a pretty long piece of string.

 

[sister herb]

Greetings and peace be with you HappyMuslimaa;



Sadly, this seems to be the message of Christmas, every shop that has the Christmas message, is only after your money, this has nothing to do with Christ. Most Christmas cards and presents have no real religeous meaning. Christmas parties, have little to do with Christ.

In the spirit of praying to One God

Eric

This same is unfortunately danger to happen to Islamic holidays (eids) too - people add to them everything what doesn´t belongs to them. :hmm: I afraid it has partly happened already.