Christmas A day of celebration or Isolation

[Showkat]

Christmas A day of celebration or Isolation
www.risala.org

The jingle of bells and colourful decorations transform the workplace and offices. The sound of laughter and the humming of Christmas carols. The talk of Christmas parties and New Years eve celebrations come to a near. The festive season supposedly creates a period of goodwill and an end to hostilities and conflict.

However it is not so joyous for all, especially for the Muslim employee. Like all the other workers he has received plentiful cards from his friends wishing him a 'Merry Christmas', which he promptly files away in the bin. As in previous years he is also invited to the annual Christmas party. Last year he couldn't go because he had an urgent appointment at the doctors, or so he told his friends. So what does he do this year? He can't use the ‘doctor’ excuse again. Does he grab his heart and fake a heart attack? Does he grit his teeth and just go to keep the peace?

This is a dilemma faced by Muslims in all walks of life, from the student at school, to the person in the office. As the season of goodwill arrives so too do the anxiety levels for some Muslims. E-mails and greetings received can cause confusion in not knowing how to reply without sounding disrespectful. The invitation 'Hey Mohamed, are you coming to the party' causes discomfort. The Muslim acknowledges the invite with an uncomfortable smile and a mumbled excuse that the questioner cannot make out and assumes he said 'yes’. Calls on the mobiles from non-Muslim friends are conveniently diverted to voicemail. So what does the poor Muslim do?

Many of us can relate to this to some degree. At best, Christmas is a time of discomfort with the thought of going through the annual chore of explaining why you will not be attending the company’s Xmas Party or explaining to Andrew from the IT department that you will definitely not be seeing him at the end of year Xmas lunch! At the other extreme many Muslims succumb to the Christmas spirit and cannot deal with the feeling of being the odd one out in explaining their absence from Christmas parties.

Every year there is pressure on Muslims to take part in the festive action. Children at school are expected to attend the Christmas party, take part in the nativity play and sing in the school carol service. For those who remain outside of this atmosphere they may well become ostracised; branded as extreme or unsocial. Worse still, accusations may be levelled that Muslims are not showing respect to the indigenous culture and adopting an intolerant attitude.

Muslim should not be held ransom to participating in Christmas festivals on the basis of showing respect and tolerance. The mentality of the Muslims should be to politely explain to his colleagues or fellow pupils that Islam has its own festivals and celebrations and that a Muslim is not allowed to partake in any others. Ultimately, the discussion should proceed to explaining that this is due to the belief in Allah (subhanhu wa ta’aala) and it is He (SWT) that has decided the limits for the Muslim. Of course, the Muslim should be available to explain at any time the reasons as to why he believes in a Creator and in the Prophethood of Muhammad (salAllahu alaihi wasallam).

Imitating the disbelievers in any of their religious affairs or in any gesture that distinguishes them as groups is forbidden. Al-Bukhari narrated in his Sahih that Abu Saeed Al-Khudri (ra) reported that Allah's Messenger (salAllahu alaihi wasallam) said,

"You will indeed follow the ways of those before you, hand span by hand span, and cubit by cubit even if they were to enter into a lizards hole, you will follow them." We asked 'is it the Jews and the Christians?' He (salAllahu alaihi wasallam) replied, "Who else!"

This ahadith condemns imitating them. It is a proof for the prohibition of imitating the Jews and the Christians in their occasions, symbols, or any matter related to their belief. Hence, it is not allowed for a Muslim to give Christmas cards, wish anyone a Merry Christmas, buy a Christmas tree or celebrate Christmas in any way.

As a Muslim, the Prophet (salAllahu alaihi wasallam) brought guidance to us with regards to celebrating the festivals of other people. Islam defined for us which festivals the Muslims are allowed to celebrate. It is reported that Anas bin Malik (ra) said: When the Prophet (salAllahu alaihi wasallam) came to Medina, the people had two holidays from the days of Jahiliyyah. He (salAllahu alaihi wasallam) said,

"When I came to you, you had two holidays, which you used to celebrate in Jahiliyyah. Allah has replaced them for you with better days, the days of slaughter (Adha) and the day of Fitr."

Also, Uqbah bin Amer (ra) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alaihi wasallam) said,

"The day of Arafat and the day of slaughter and the days of Tashriq are our holidays, the people of Islam." [Imam Ahmad]

Thus we have not been given a licence to add to the two celebrations Islam gave us. The Prophet (salAllahu alaihi wasallam) said,

"Whoever brings something that is not from our affair, it is rejected." [Bukhari]

Abu Zakariya

[Umar`]

and remember, its the 25th of december not 'christmas day@)'
and always make out you dont what day its on even if you do, same goes for 'new year':D

[Showkat]

Good idea u mentioned brother, but i think its best to explain to then why we can't participate, makes it easier ohterwise u will have to make excuses every year and non-Muslims are not stupid.

[Umar`]

without a doubt bro, both barrells.

[Khalilah]

Showkat, do you really think there is a need to lecture any person of any religion, especially their own.

As a British Muslim, I am aware of what I need to honour to be considered a Muslim and follow the teachings of my religion. However, I also understand that living in a traditionally Christian society, I have to tolerate the beliefs, the traditions and the celebrations of that society.

I am rather facinated by other people's beliefs and am not intimidated by them, nor do I feel the need to take part in their celebrations. As a school teacher, I have no problem during Ramadan explaining why I don't want my usual coffee at breaktime, or declining candy from pupils who kindly offer some to me. My older pupils, who are mostly Christian or Greek Orthadox, were even keeping up my spirits near the end of the holy month. Yet they did not feel the need to join in. Just like I have no problem with explaining why I don't celebrate Christmas. My pupils even enjoyed me explaining Eid al Fitr and sharing my food brought in to school for this reason.

However, as a Muslim, I do recognise Jesus (pbuh) as one of God's prophets and take Christmas to be a time of peace and thoughtfulness. Even Muslims I am in contact with in North Africa wish each other merry christmas. No trees, presents or lavish feasts, but blessings for their brothers or sisters, and the hope that this continues for the year. Perhaps you should try doing the same. It is Allah that you should fear, not a friendly invitation, or having to explain your beliefs. that is something, as a Muslim, you should be proud of, if you truly live by your beliefs.

[Umar`]

if you really fear Allah then why would you wish a kaafir a merry christmas:rolleyes: ?

[alialiyan]

Assalam au laikum,

I used to feel like what Brother showkat described but as I feel much stronger and confident as a person and a muslim I dont have any problem letting my fellow collegues down and also telling them a little about being a Muslim.

waslaam

[hugofuchs]

*sigh*
That depends on how you see christmas. If you chose to celebrate is as the birth of the messenger of god, rather than the the birth of the son of god, then it is not bad. If you choose to celebrate it as a season of peace and goodwill, then it is not bad.

Whether or not you choose to give presents is up to you. I give presents now and again throughout the year. I don't give them if they are demanded of me at any time, because that makes it something other than a gift.

Lights don't offend me, and if not overdone, can be simply beautiful for their own sake.

I find the bad manners of shoppers to be more offensive than anything else during this time of year. If you don't get the 'peace and goodwill' part of the message, why even bother with any other part?

Oh, as for cards, I don't find the plain merry-christmas or happy holidays ones offensive, though the thoroughly christian ones are put in circular file 13. Then you can feel free when you celebrate a holiday to give cards to your holiday, and they will have no procedure to complain to anyone, as you graciously accepted theirs.

You also get to invite them to celebrate with you during your holidays, which they will probably excuse themselves from. After a year of this, they will not feel bad if you don't join them.

Let me rephrase it as:
If you need an excuse not to join in, then offer to join in their celebration, if they will join in at yours. Either they will decline, which 99.9% they will, or perhaps, after seeing your holiday celebration, they will consider Islam. It is a win either way. Just make sure to stay away from the ham, the mistletoe, and the alcohol.

If you don't feel you can celebrate any part of it. Then simply tell them: "I'm sorry I can't join you, but I will be in prayer that night." Most people will nod and move on.

As for New Year, I don't celebrate that. Mostly because it has become a time about drinking to excess. Also because I see no need to kowtow to a dead pagan roman emperor. I make sure I pray to Allah every spring that everyone has a good growing year and harvest with a minimum of hostilities.

Personally, I find the overabundance of religious christmas songs piped in from the speakers overhead to be most annoying this time of year. Not the generic holiday ones like Let is snow or Peace on Earth or Winter Wonderland, but rather those try to extol Jesus as the son of God, rather than a messenger of God.
:rolleyes:

Admittedly, I'm generally irritated, but not easily inflamed by most people. I think I am more inflamed by kids demanding things from their parents, and their parents giving in to them.

[Showkat]

Salaams All

Jzk for the feedback inshAllah

Khalilah

I dont know what u mean by lecturing, but yes i think we as Muslims have a duty to explain Islam to non-Muslims and advice and educat Muslims about Islam.

We as Muslims have no problems with other people following other ways of life but we should engage in discussion with them because Allah swt said " the only way of life acceptable to Allah is Islam", it is our duty to explain the truth to non-Muslims, whether they accept or reject.

Muslims are not allowed to wish non-Muslims merry christmas or participate in any way. Those Muslims who say we can join in this pagan festival need to bring evidence form Islam to justify their actions because on the last day we will be accountd for all of our actions.

[`asiya]

its a good thing for the non muslim employers anyway because the muslims will be happy to work over their holidays and keep their buisnesses running masha Allah while they all go to celebrate their festivals.:up:

[Khalilah]

Well said, that wonderful person.

I could not agree more!!1

Peace and goodwill be with you for your days on earth

[Lu'Lu]

Assalam au laikum,

I used to feel like what Brother showkat described but as I feel much stronger and confident as a person and a muslim I dont have any problem letting my fellow collegues down and also telling them a little about being a Muslim.

waslaam

What I have come to notice from being at a predominantly non-Muslim secondary school (I was one of only 3 hijabis in the whole school!) is that by standing by your beliefs, you earn yourself more respect. I remember Muslim girls willing to go to the Christmas Service in the church because they were too scared and too ashamed that they are Muslim and it is against their beliefs. From the first year I had made it clear that I could not go, and the teachers and many students respected me for that.

In the same way, you had Muslim girls giving out Merry Christmas cards..I mean..come on..it looked so dumb. "Wishing you a Merry Christmas" -even though I dont celebrate Christmas because I am Muslim. :0: You dont see them giving you a card or present on Eid?! When I used to be given presents or cards on Christmas, it just so happened that an Eid was going to fall around the same time or just after. Thats why I would accept the gift, but return gifts as 'Eid presents' which I explained to them. Most of school is all about 'tit for tat' so you almost had to return a gift, but it was nicer because my friends got presents at an odd time of the year which was more fun and exciting.

I am not saying that you should not be civil and return the favour, but you should be confident to stand up for what you believe in. The whole basis of the celebration of Christmas is against the fundamentals of Islam, it is against Tawheed. The fact that they say that Jesus is the son of God is so completely against our religion, we are somewhat agreeing with them by celebrating and accepting Christmas. It is so utterly and completely kufr, how can we link it to Islam?

Allah will not humiliate or embarrass us if we stand by the haqq, in fact, you're more likely to be humiliated if you dont..

[nopah]

However, as a Muslim, I do recognise Jesus (pbuh) as one of God's prophets and take Christmas to be a time of peace and thoughtfulness. Even Muslims I am in contact with in North Africa wish each other merry christmas. No trees, presents or lavish feasts, but blessings for their brothers or sisters, and the hope that this continues for the year. Perhaps you should try doing the same. It is Allah that you should fear, not a friendly invitation, or having to explain your beliefs. that is something, as a Muslim, you should be proud of, if you truly live by your beliefs.
Ukhti Khalilah,
there is a slamdunk hadith to put this issue in a more airtight argument.

"Whoever imitates a people is one of them" (Sunan Abu Dawud) this is stronger hadith than the previously quoted by Showkat. If Christians today followed the true teachings of Jesus, its STILL forbidden to us to follow them.

Ahmed reported that Jabir Ibn Abdullah reported that Umar came to theProphet ( Peace be Upon him and his Cleansed and Pure progeny ) with a bookwhich he obtained from some followers of the scripture. He read it infrontof the Prophet ( Peace be Upon him and his Cleansed and Pure progeny ).The Prophet ( saw ) became furious and said: on of al-Khattab, by the One in Whose hand is my soul, if Moses were alive, he would have to follow me