Muslims in the United States often request that their children not attend Christmas functions at school because the belief of Jesus, peace be upon him, being the son of God runs directly against the core Muslim belief. Do Muslims Celebrate Christmas? Usually my response is always the same, "I don't celebrate Christmas.". Q. The few Muslims I've asked about this all say they do not celebrate Christmas, yet I'm an atheist and still celebrate it as a secular holiday, as I'm sure do most here - winter solstice and all that. The three days of celebration marking the end of Ramadan have arrived, and Eid, specifically Eid al-Fitr, is here. Hajj. No ones saying to shun the holiday period or be anti Christmas, ... One thought on “ Do Muslims Celebrate Christmas? In a nutshell, Ahmadi Muslims do not celebrate Christmas because: 1. They said: We used to engage ourselves on them in the pre-Islamic period. Muslims do have their own biannual celebration that most people interpret as being as the equivalent of Christmas. What do Muslims celebrate instead of Christmas? I do think there is a large population of Americans who find Merry Christmas offensive. Christmas. Posted on December 26, 2014 by zaramohsin. At their age, the best explanation I can give my kids is that we are Muslim and that's why we don't celebrate Christmas. “No such festival as christmas was ever heard of until the THIRD century, and not until the FOURTH century was far advanced did it gain much observance. What Holidays Don’t Muslims Celebrate? My partner is a muslim and therefore doesn't really celebrate Christmas, however I am British and although not a Christian have always celebrated Christmas with family. How do Muslims Celebrate Jesus’s Life? Some of my Muslim friends try to convince me that Christmas isn't "our holiday" and that I would be punished by God for observing it. He asked: What are these two days (what is the significance)? What do Muslims celebrate instead of Christmas? At the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate the "Festival of Fast-Breaking." Muslims do not celebrate Christmas like Christians. Written by: Shamshad Ahmad Nasir, Missionary USA. We also get hate sometimes from our own Muslim brothers and sisters if we decide to partake or not. People of today, including Muslims, however, do not have this attitude. What do Muslims celebrate instead of Christmas? Our holidays are filled with spending time with loved ones, charity, worship and other festive activities. A) CAN MUSLIM WISH MERRY CHRISTMAS? Muslims do not celebrate Christmas like Christians. However, during the holidays there are often charity drives through different organizations. On the contrary, Muslims do not celebrate Christmas because it is a Christian holiday that has pagan traditions mixed in with the belief Jesus is the son of God. Some non-Muslims may say we don't have the right to celebrate Christmas, or berate us for not celebrating at all. These festivals are so unique and have great significance in the Islamic religion. We do not know why the authors are so keen to exclude crowds of Muslims from God's religion. Allah is an nafi. Some Muslim students do not celebrate Halloween because they consider it to have pagan origins. Interestingly, while debates over the religious appropriateness of singing Christmas carols, gift giving, and stories of Santa Clause heat up, the recognition of December 25th is anything but new in many majority-Muslim countries. Muslims believe that his mother Mary is one of the greatest women to ever live, and a chapter of the Qur'an is devoted to her. To ease the pagans into becoming Christians, the church adopted Christmas within the same period of the year. Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar, being 11 to 12 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar. Even though Muslims do not celebrate Christmas but they do enjoy the festivities (holidays and end of season sales ONLY). “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” [Abu Dawood, graded Hasan Saheeh by Al-Albaani]. Being a Muslim, it is part of our belief to believe in all the Prophets. Instead, daily remembrance of the Prophets and applying their teachings is the only ideal way to celebrate their life and show love for them. Christmas is a seasonal celebration whereas Eid never lasts more than a day. Muslim, Black, Interfaith Presenter, Blogger and Blog Editor, Seeker of Truth, Promoting Consciousness, Tar Heel Born & Bred, Sign up for membership to become a founding member and help shape HuffPost's next chapter. Our holidays are filled with spending time with loved ones, charity, worship and other festive activities. I disagree. Now, as a Muslim, do I celebrate Christmas as a religious festival of the birth of the Son of God? When Muslims are asked what Eid is, the easiest answer is: "It's like the Muslim Christmas ." Part of HuffPost Religion. The blogs of CityIslam include articles, videos, and other beneficial material to help you understand Islam in its true essence. Unfortunately, whether you do or do not choose to celebrate Christmas, Muslims get hate either way sometimes. Now, as a Muslim, do I celebrate Christmas as a religious festival of the birth of the Son of God? (Sunan Abi Dawud 1134 – Sahih Al-Albaani). Growing up, my grandparents would send us Christmas gifts and my parents would save them for us to open on our religious holiday. And the wrongdoers will have no helpers. On the contrary, Muslims do not celebrate Christmas because it is a Christian holiday that has pagan traditions mixed in with the belief Jesus is the son of God. Millions of Christian Americans also recognize and take part in this festive celebration. Allah (SWT) says in the Quran: Surely those who say, “Our Lord is Allah,” and then remain steadfast, the angels descend upon them (saying), “Do not fear, nor grieve. If Rasulallah (s.a.w.) However, it is not the practice of Muslims to celebrate the birth of their Prophets. Muslims should not condone anti Islamic holidays in any way, shape or form. And, they also had to consider what and how they would teach their children about the celebration of Christmas as Muslims. A small number of Muslims even go so far as to say that wishing someone a “Merry Christmas” is tantamount to blasphemy. You might ask why? I know Christmas has become such a cultural phenomenon for some, that the religious ties and historical background are sometimes forgotten. This is shown in the short video posted on Facebook by the Abu Dhabi-based artist. Some of my Muslim friends try to convince me that Christmas isn't "our holiday" and that I would be punished by God for observing it. Now lets us look into 2 questions here. Christmas is all around us, and it is not something you can ignore. ” The Revert Muslimah. did not celebrate Christmas, if the sahabah (r.a.) did not celebrate Christmas, if the tabieen did not celebrate Christmas how can we as Muslims write or say that Christians who celebrate Christmas should not be talked about. In fact, if Muslim, rulers and scholars were to be apathetic regarding this issue, the common Muslims would glorify and celebrate the feasts of the non-Muslims just like their own feasts. Even though Muslims do not celebrate Christmas but they do enjoy the festivities (holidays and end of season sales ONLY). ©2021 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. And there is none comparable to Him.” [Al-Qur’an 112:1-4]. No. We have our own celebratory foods and traditions and fun. How do Muslims Celebrate Jesus’s Life? The Messiah (himself) said, “O Children of Israel! Muslims have two major holiday celebrations a year called Eid, as well as the month of Ramadan, that come at different times of the year based on the lunar calendar. On the day of Eid, fasting is prohibited. Listen, Recite and memorize The Holy Quran to Understand Islam in a Better Way With Most Comprehensive Quran App Quran Majeed Available on Android and iOS. These festivals are so unique and have great significance in the Islamic religion. In the Muslim world, Christmas is not celebrated publicly, except in the minority Christian communities in the Middle East. Muslims celebrate two great festivals in a year which includes, Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) and Eid al-Fitr (Festival of Breaking Fast). However, they do not perform the rituals specific to Christianity performed by Christians during the season or perform any other act that is considered Haram in Islam. Yes, Muslims do believe in Jesus! This goes against the core of Muslim faith with a fundamental belief of monotheism, believing in the oneness of Allah (SWT) worthy of lordship and worship. During the ninth day of the Hajj, the holiest day in Islam, pilgrims gather at the Plain of … The main question here is, being a Muslim is it right to take part in Christmas festivities? He has never had offspring, nor was He born. However, if we were to look deeply inside everything it’s not a pleasant picture, alot of commercialism, greed and pressure. I can then use that interaction to educate others about what my religion teaches. Developed By PakData. did not celebrate Christmas, if the sahabah (r.a.) did not celebrate Christmas, if the tabieen did not celebrate Christmas how can we as Muslims write or say that Christians who celebrate Christmas should not be talked about. To a Western Christian living there, the absence of the usual sights, sounds, and practices of Christmas, which are such a part of our culture, is most striking -- and can even be depressing. While some Moroccans see it … It was included here because of the percentage of Orthadox Christians who follow the Gregorian calendar and celebrate the day on January 7, like Russia. The end of Ramadan is generally celebrated by a ceremonial fast-breaking, as well as the performance of the Eid prayer in an open, outdoor area or mosque. As Muslim we really don’t believe in the religious undertone of the Christmas festivities. Muslim Professionals and Their Top 10 Characteristics. and "Will you be attending any Christmas parties?" Muslims celebrate when the Quran was revealed to Muhammad by fasting from dawn to sunset during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. As the forces of hate in this country try to pull Muslims and Christians apart, we are in desperate need of a unifying force. Muslims do celebrate Christmas in our own way, by celebrating our love to this blessed baby and Messiah. Would it be the end of the world if a Muslim celebrated Halloween? The celebration starts at the first sighting of the moon in Ramadan. The time of year as a Muslim where I am asked by co-workers and friends, "What are you doing for Christmas?" "Why are you not decorating?" Why Muslims do not celebrate Christmas. It was an ongoing question for my parents as we grew up on how to participate in Christmas traditions with their families, if at all. Muslims should not condone anti Islamic holidays in any way, shape or form. For many, Christmas is a fun and joyous occasion about being with family and giving. In the Christian majority countries, Christmas is that time of the year where people take a break from their daily routines and hard work and spend their time with family and friends. Khalid Al Ameri Shares How Muslims Celebrate Christmas in the UAE In fact, it means that millions of people are now no longer Muslims. Keeping ties and good relations with kin is an important concept in Islam and to my parents. Eid will always be different from Christmas because Muslims are so different from each other, let alone from Christians. They assume because so many people celebrate it around the world, that it is no longer a religious holiday but instead is a non-religious holiday. The act of fasting represents the condition experienced by the needy, who although already hungry must also fast for Ramadan. Often, when people hear I do not celebrate Christmas, they express their "condolences." No, celebrating Christmas is haram in Islam. The three days of celebration marking the end of Ramadan have arrived, and Eid, specifically Eid al-Fitr, is here. It typically comes down to individuals deciding for themselves how they define celebrating the holiday. Some of my Muslim friends try to convince me that Christmas isn't "our holiday" and that I would be punished by God for observing it. Of course not. Instead, various people of different cultures and religions are given the freedom to practice their beliefs and to share it among fellow citizens. Muslims around the world celebrate Ramadan, which marks the month the prophet Mohammed is believed to have had their holy book, the Koran, revealed to him by God. I guess it would depend on various things. We believe Jesus was sent as a beloved Prophet of God to deliver the word to the people of his time. And in North Africa not at all. Instead, daily remembrance of the Prophets and applying their teachings is the only ideal way to celebrate their life and show love for them. We are bringing our daughter up to be a muslim, however I want to do Christmas with her, as it's my tradition . Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Eid Al-Adhaa is celebrated after the Hajj; the pilgrimage to Makkah in Saudi Arabia. Just take the furore surrounding the recent Tesco Christmas advert which featured a Muslim family holding Christmas … But Eid is exclusive to a minority, and so Eid fever doesn’t carry the same weight as its Christian counterpart. At their age, the best explanation I can give my kids is that we are Muslim and that's why we don't celebrate Christmas. Chanukah memorializes the small army of Jews that defeated the mighty Greek Army in the second century BCE. The observance of Christmas in the UAE goes beyond private festivities and gatherings. Muslims are damned if they celebrate Christmas and damned if they don’t. As a Muslim at Christmas, however, it’s still a little annoying. Parties, giving gifts, and decorating are things that we do on other occasions. If Rasulallah (s.a.w.) It is that time of year again. Meg Jerrard January 11, 2016 Hi there :) Thanks for letting us know about Eritrea. People should follow the teachings of their prophets and take the time for reflection, rather than make their birthdays’ occasion for merriment and enjoyment. Fasting is a purifying experience so that Muslims can gain compassion and deepen their faith in Allah. Saturnalia was one of the festivals celebrated by ancient Romans to commemorate the god of harvest, Saturn. The reality is it is still and will forever be based on the pagan winter solstice holiday and the Christian belief of it being Jesus’ birth. Many times, my extended family would come together for the holiday season. Today is National Voter Registration Day! Christmas is not a Muslim holiday, therefore, Muslim countries do not celebrate it. In western countries, Christmas is more than just a passing holiday; it’s an entire season and a lifestyle within itself. I have removed it from the list. But by that rational you could say let’s celebrate Christmas and Easter, because many people who are not Christian do so just for fun and out of no religious belief. Eid al-Adha being the commemoration of prophet Ibrahim willing to sacrifice his son Ismail, peace be upon them both, and Eid al-Fitr, celebrating the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.” Whoever associates others with Allah (in worship) will surely be forbidden Paradise by Allah. For non-Christians they celebrate it as a supposed secular holiday. Christians celebrate Christmas, the birth of Christ, on 25 th December. What festivals do muslims celebrate instead of Christmas Day? We do celebrate Christmas happily and colorfully–just for your information. Would their intention matter to Allah if they did go out trick or treating? I don't argue that decorating, parties, receiving and giving gifts and time with family is not fun. Though I heard a great line saying a person should celebrate the birth of Prophets (As) across the whole year out of love for them, instead of one day a year to remember. The Qur'an venerates both Jesus and Virgin Mary by sharing their story of Jesus' miraculous birth, his special gift of speaking from the cradle, and his ability to perform miracles with the help of God. Someone may ask why I do not celebrate or what is it that I actually believe. Muslims have two major holiday celebrations a year called Eid, as well as the month of Ramadan, that come at different times of the year based on the lunar calendar. The bible doesn’t actually support the idea that Jesus was born in the winter. But this enlightening and heartwarming video showcases unity in diversity and the tolerance towards non-Muslims in the UAE. Celebrate ” Christmas? charities with the specific actions you are Jewish in this matter the three of! 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