Should we greet others happy xmas or new year?
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There is no set creed in monotheism )
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Peace all. Is it part of monotheism to wish pagans happy whatever festival they celebrate? What about new year?
Peace Tarikh,
I see nothing wrong with wishing other people, who don't persecute us, a "happy what ever they're celebrating". We are after all instructed not to curse the Idols so that Idolaters may not blaspheme God. I wouldn't join them in their celebrations though.
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Peace all, by wishing others happy festival, aren't we kinda encouraging them to celebrate even more their idol worship and making them think that we approve their belief?
I am sorry i disagree with above.
How on earth can anyone encourage idol worship by wishing them for their festivals?
Also I am kind of disappointed to see this line of questioning in the free minds forum...I would not be surprised in a sunni/shia forum board...but I feel its petty. I think we have bigger battles to fight.
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I'm sorry but it's an important question. If you really believe in God, how on earth can you go and say to someone, happy xmas, the day when your god jesus, who's part of trinity, was born. How on earth can you tell someone, happy easter, or happy-the-day-when-your-god-jesus-was-resurrected?
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Peace Tarikh,
You asked
Is it part of monotheism to wish pagans happy whatever festival they celebrate? What about new year?
I believe Nazz quoted the answer
"When greeted with a greeting, you shall respond with a better greeting or at least an equal one. GOD reckons all things."
- 486
More importantly, what is a pagan?
www.dictionary.com?noun
- one of a people or community observing a polytheistic religion, as the ancient Romans and Greeks.
- a person who is not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim.
- an irreligious or hedonistic person.
?adjective - pertaining to the worship or worshipers of any religion that is neither Christian, Jewish, nor Muslim.
- of, pertaining to, or characteristic of pagans.
- irreligious or hedonistic.
So, if you do happen to find one of these "pagans" along with their festivals, and they greet you, it seems the quranic advice is to greet them better or equally.
Peace,
Tay -
Peace Tarikh,
by pagan, i meant a polytheist.
OK.
Also dont you think 4 86 applies to everyday greetings like good morning, hi, peace? There's no harm saying to disbelievers hi.
I'd say it applies to all greetings. As always, I believe, it's about intent. If someone says "Merry Christmas" to you, are they intending to secretly convert you to their religion? Are they looking for outside confirmation of their faith? Or, are they simply offering pleasantries? I'd say most of the time it's the latter and thus there's no harm in saying, "Happy Holidays" in return - a good greeting in return for a good greeting. What is the alternative? To ignore the person? To say, "you're a polytheist and I don't support your religion"? What seeds are we planting with these negative actions?
Peace,
Tay -
I'm sorry but it's an important question. If you really believe in God, how on earth can you go and say to someone, happy xmas, the day when your god jesus, who's part of trinity, was born. How on earth can you tell someone, happy easter, or happy-the-day-when-your-god-jesus-was-resurrected?
From my experience, there are a lot of people who celebrate christmas and easter, who don't even recongize it as a religious holiday. It may have started that way, but commercialism has changed it in many ways. So, in that respect, the ones who don't recognize it as a religious holiday are celebrating it as part of their culture. They spend time with family and friends and give gifts. In America it is the most giving time of the year. I don't think it is a bad thing to wish them a happy "whatever". Especially when they extend the greeting first.
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Salam,
I have a suggestion to people who really feel annoyed of greeting let's say Merry christmas of happy eastern. When someone greet you, then you kindly tell them thank's but I don't celebrate christmas but I wish you an happy weekend. So end of the problem!!!!
Maria
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So, in that respect, the ones who don't recognize it as a religious holiday are celebrating it as part of their culture. They spend time with family and friends and give gifts. In America it is the most giving time of the year. I don't think it is a bad thing to wish them a happy "whatever". Especially when they extend the greeting first.
Specially, if your parents do so,if they dont recognise it as a religious holiday.Koran command as to be kind with parents.At least to say greetings?
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I?d say peace unless they ask then explain the Dec 25th solstice pagan ritual of sun worship and makes no sense for God to pray.
New Year is a different (new start/beginning); everyday should be Merry New Year!
http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOiN5TQhP2Q
;D
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Abraham was extremely kind, and wise, and he is given as an excellent example of a monotheist follower. He argues on behalf of Lot's people, despite their wickedness.
1174 - 75"Do unto others as you would have them do to you." Luke 631
If you wished someone 'happy fasting' or 'happy pilgrimage', and they responded with "Get lost, I'm not a muslim" it wouldn't be very pleasant would it.Finally, Quran 486 really does settle this matter I feel. peace