Christmas and Islam
﴿الكريسماس والإسلام ﴾
] English – إنجليزي [
2011 -1432
Quitea number of Muslims today, especially those living in Christian dominatedcountries or those influenced to a large degree by western culture, have beenled to consider that taking part in the Christmas celebrations of friends andrelatives is, at very least, a harmless pastime if not a legitimate source ofpleasure for children and adults alike. In many instances, pressure to conformwith the practices of society is too great for those of weak resolve towithstand. Parents are often tempted to give in to the pleading of children whohave been invited to a party or who are unable to understand why they alone arebeing prevented from joining the festivities they observe all around them orwhy they cannot receive gifts on this occasion like the other children.
Indeed,the Christmas season has been aggressively promoted in every aspect ofbusiness, in schools, in every public place. High pressure sales tactics haveinvaded the home through television, radio, magazine and newspaper, captivatingthe imagination with every kind of attraction day and night for a month or moreevery year. Little wonder that many of those thus targeted so persistentlysuccumb to temptation. Among earlier generations, Christmas was an occasionwhich was still basically religious in orientation. Gifts, trees, decorationsand feasting assumed lesser roles. But now all of this has changed. As noted inan American publication, Christmas has gone the way of many other aspects ofsociety, becoming one more element in the mass culture which every seasonenables manufacturers and merchants to make millions of dollars through anelaborate system of gift exchange which comes more often from mutualexpectations that "must" be fulfilled than from the heart. Thecommonly accepted notion that happiness is derived largely from possessions andentertainment is the driving force behind the month-long preparations andfestivities which continue on through the end of the year. This fact, althoughblameworthy in itself, has led many Muslims into the delusion that Christmas isno longer a religious occasion and therefore does not conflict with Islamicbelief.
Thematerialistic atmosphere surrounding the celebration of Christmas is, inreality, a manifestation of pagan culture (Jaahiliyyah) at its worst. It canonly be seen by the conscious Muslim believer as a rat-race designed andimplemented by Shaytaan to accomplish a great waste of time, effort, money andresources while countless families barely subsist in a state of povertythroughout many areas of the world. In addition to the commercial side ofChristmas, although less obvious to the casual observer, are certain religiousaspects to be noted. The celebration was and still is intended by practisingChristians as a remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ (peace be upon him)who is considered by many of them as God incarnate or the second person in atrinity, and thus they celebrate the birth of "divinity." The worditself is an abbreviated form of "Christ Mass," i.e., sacrament incommemoration of Christ. Although taken by Christians to be the birthday ofJesus, the actual date of celebration, December 25th, cannot be traced back anyfurther than the fourth century after Christ. Ironically, this day is alsoconsidered to be the birthday of the Hindu god, Krishna, as well as Mithra, theGreek god of light. It also coincides with the annual Tree Festival which hadlong been celebrated in Northern Europe before the Christian era and which hasbeen recently revived in some Arab countries in an attempt to encouragecelebration by disguising the religious significance of the day.
TheChristmas tree is the most obvious aspect of that pagan celebration which wasincorporated along with its date of observance, December 25th, into churchrites. The evergreen tree, because it keeps its green needles throughout thewinter months, was believed by pre-Christian pagans to have special powers ofprotection against the forces of nature and evil spirits. The end of Decembermarked the onset of a visible lengthening of daylight hours - the return ofwarmth and light and defeat of those evil forces of cold and darkness. At aparticular stage of its development, the church is known to have adoptedcertain of the popular pagan practices into Christianity for political orsocial reasons.
Thus,in more aspects than one, the holiday is deeply rooted in the worship ofdifferent forms of creation rather than the Creator Himself. A Muslim cannotpossibly approve of such beliefs or the practices which stem from them. Anyonewith a minimal knowledge of Islam would surely reject kufr (disbelief) andshirk (association of partners with Allaah) in every form. Only throughignorance or unawareness could one continue to participate in activities thatreflect the acceptance of both. Muslims must be firm in refusal of all which iscontrary to the concept of "Laa ilaaha illallaaha (there is none deservingof subservience except Allaah alone)." Consideration for others is welland good on the condition that Islamic principles are not compromised. Allah(subhaanahu wa ta’aalaa) says: {If you obey mostof those upon the earth, they will lead you away from the way of Allaah} [An’aam 6:116]
AndHe commands: {Follow what has been revealed to youfrom your Lord and do not follow any patrons other than Him} [A’raaf 7:3]
Althoughsome, in all honesty, admit their weakness in the face of continual socialpressure, others defend their participation by the strange assertion that theyobserve the occasion through regard for Jesus ('Isa), a prophet of Islam. Ifsuch an observance, with its semblance of Islamic atmosphere, is invalid forProphet Muhammad (saws), how then can it reasonably be valid for other prophetswho neither observed nor encouraged such practices, which were later devised bythose who abandoned prophetic teachings for their own inclinations andpreferences?
{Have you seen him who take as his god his own desire, and Allahhas left him astray through knowledge} [Jaathiyah45:23]
Again,the Muslim is reminded of the hadiths in which the Prophet (saws) warnedagainst imitating the non-believers and encouraged distinguishing oneself fromthem in dress and manner. Whether taken from the materialistic or the religiousstandpoint, Christmas can have no place in the Muslim's heart nor in his home.Any Muslim, young or old, who has a secure place in an Islamic community orgroup which has regular activities and affords companionship will find littledifficulty in rejecting that which is harmful to himself and his family, inspite of the apparent attractions. In some societies, refusal and resistancemay require actual jihad, but those who seek the acceptance of Allah and fearHim will undertake the task with knowledge that they are striving for salvationand will thus be firm and resolute. For Allah (subhaanahu wa ta'aalaa) calls tobelievers, saying:{O you who have believed, protectyourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is men and stones} [Tahreem 66:6]
Andin the avoidance of Hellfire lies Paradise.
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