Is it wrong to participate in the christmas holiday?
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Peace,
I'm not convinced it's a terrible thing to do. It's important that we don't worship any god besides God.
And my office christmas party is not something to be taken as optional. After all, my attendance at the christmas party shows my attitude towards the company and reflects on me. It's really just the company doing something nice for the employees... it has nothing to do with religion and everything to do with tradition.
We work with pagans every day, we take loans from pagans, we are treated at the hospital by pagans, our appliances/appliances are made by pagans, etc... the point is... just because we share the world with pagans doesn't mean we think the same way they do.
dotty
Salaam dotty
You asked our opinion so My parents are so happy when we come and spend the day with them. They are christian, but the talk of religion does not come up when we visit. Yes, they know I am muslim. It's just tradition to spend time together and give gifts.
The rights of parents are clearly stated in the Qur?an and in my opinion visiting your Christian parents on Xmas is the best sadaqa as those moments of happiness you give to them by participating in their festival is ?lowering your wings in humbleness? to them.
Socializing at the office christmas party, hanging out with family and giving gifts doesn't do that from my point of view. . I agree that office parties are just a social event and have no religious value, but I would avoid eating any food dedicated to Christ, for example hot cross buns etc
Concentrating on it being a "pagan" holiday seems silly to me.If one does not want to go to Hajj for fear that there may be pagan rituals involved there, why not avoid the pagan ritual of Christmas?
However we have to think of rights of children too so when my children were small I decorated my house with bits and bobs and even had gifts for the children on Christmas including the stocking surprise so that my children would not feel at all that our way of life is sad; (you can?t argue with children especially when you are in minority) but at the same time I kept reminding them that this is just for fun and I do not believe in it. Now that my children have grown up no one bothers about the consumerism of Christmas. May Allah forgive me for wrongs I have done
Best regards
farida -
Peace DArgento,
Peace Amuslim,
We meet again jedi ;D
But that's the thing, a lot of non-christians and christians 'celebrate' christmas. Not for what it is, but to give to others. There are a lot of charities at this time of the year that focus on giving. I see nothing wrong with that. I believe it's the minority that focus on the Jesus aspect.
I don't need to participate in it; I haven't before. I just see nothing wrong with it. As long as the focus is not on jesus, which it rarely is. They even have laws in the states for these sort of things. I.E. say "Happy holidays" and NOT "Merry christmas"
There's nothing special about christmas. It's just a time of the year that's designated to something specific.
handshake
I enjoy the conversations with everyone on this board, provides insights and other POV on the subjects, so thanks.
Also sorry if it came out directed at you, I meant "you need" as a general statement. Perhaps I should go into greater detail as not everyone is thinking the exact same thing I am at that time D
I remember hearing about the Happy Holidays, I think it was started by the ACLU? Ive watched TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) and the 700 Club, and they always take shots at the ACLU because of this.
My problem with Christmas and all holidays is that people only do it or focus on this act at this time, when it would be better to just do it the whole year. Also, not necessarily the act of giving, but just the thought itself, similar to the God consciousness.
This also comes into play with seasonal Muslims during Ramadan, when they treat it as a holiday as well.
Peace
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Peace All
There are some warnings in the Quran about not taking People of the book as friends or protectors as that would make us one of them. I don't know if that applies here. On the other hand the importance of our intention is underlined again and again.
My general take is that in order to be able to influence people you need to maintain respect and good relations with them. Going to a Christmas party or spending time and presents in the company of your family is one of those things we may need to do to maintain good relations. hmm
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However we have to think of rights of children too so when my children were small I decorated my house with bits and bobs and even had gifts for the children on Christmas including the stocking surprise so that my children would not feel at all that our way of life is sad; (you can?t argue with children especially when you are in minority) but at the same time I kept reminding them that this is just for fun and I do not believe in it.
This too has become a topic with our 6 year old daughter. Recently she said she doesn't want to be muslim anymore so she can celebrate christmas. We live in a small town with no other muslim families for miles around. She is too small to be able to handle her surroundings in that way. I completely understand her feelings. She can't stand it that santa is coming to her school and she can't see him. What's the harm... a big fat jolly man brings gifts to children on christmas eve. A fabricated story for children. I think it is far more important to put our daughter's focus on what islam means and that there is only one God. She will learn the real meaning of the christmas holidays as she becomes older.
dotty
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This too has become a topic with our 6 year old daughter. Recently she said she doesn't want to be muslim anymore so she can celebrate christmas. We live in a small town with no other muslim families for miles around. She is too small to be able to handle her surroundings in that way. I completely understand her feelings. She can't stand it that santa is coming to her school and she can't see him. What's the harm... a big fat jolly man brings gifts to children on christmas eve. A fabricated story for children. I think it is far more important to put our daughter's focus on what islam means and that there is only one God. She will learn the real meaning of the christmas holidays as she becomes older.
dotty
Salaam dotty,
Allah knows secrets of our hearts and is most merciful. I hope you make most of holiday season with your six year old daughter. These are wonderful moments and do take picture of her when she is enjoying bit of pampering on this occasion. Your little flexibility today will pay back later insha?Allah and soon she will be big enough to understand meaning of consumerism and real Santa.
Lots of love to your little one
Best regards
farida -
Peace G Omar
Peace All
There are some warnings in the Quran about not taking People of the book as friends or protectors as that would make us one of them. I don't know if that applies here. On the other hand the importance of our intention is underlined again and again.
My general take is that in order to be able to influence people you need to maintain respect and good relations with them. Going to a Christmas party or spending time and presents in the company of your family is one of those things we may need to do to maintain good relations. hmm
First off, those so called Christians that believe in the divinity of Jesus are not People of the Book, they are in a different group classified in the Quran and are disbelievers/pagans.
Peace
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Peace Amuslim,
My problem with Christmas and all holidays is that people only do it or focus on this act at this time, when it would be better to just do it the whole year. Also, not necessarily the act of giving, but just the thought itself, similar to the God consciousness.
This also comes into play with seasonal Muslims during Ramadan, when they treat it as a holiday as well.
Peace
Well you can't afford to be giving all year long, can you? I do agree with what you are saying, but let's be realistic.
First off, those so called Christians that believe in the divinity of Jesus are not People of the Book, they are in a different group classified in the Quran and are disbelievers/pagans.
Based on what? Have you actually cross-referenced the term as used in al-quran?
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Peace Amuslim,Peace
Well you can't afford to be giving all year long, can you? I do agree with what you are saying, but let's be realistic.
So make a holiday out of it so you can give on that day? Just give when you can give, thats the point.
Based on what? Have you actually cross-referenced the term as used in al-quran?
Progressive Muslims 517 Rejecters indeed are those who have said "God is the Messiah the son of Mary." Say "Who has any power against God if He had wanted to destroy the Messiah son of Mary, and his mother, and all who are on Earth!" And to God is the sovereignty of heavens and Earth and all that is in-between; He creates what He pleases. God is capable of all things.
They are kafir. There are true Christians that follow the message of Jesus, monotheism, those are the People of the Book, despite whatever other discrepancies they might have.
Think about it. How can a Christian that worships Christ be accepted by God, especially when the Qurans message is against such a thing? Also the criteria state "Christian, Jew, Sabian, anyone who...believes in God", when the previous ayat says that Trinitarians are kafir?
Peace
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Peace,
So make a holiday out of it so you can give on that day? Just give when you can give, thats the point.
That's not the point. The point is this particular holiday has little to do with jesus. This particular holiday will exist for a long long time. And this particular holiday focuses on giving. That not many people can afford to give all year long. You will have to focus on a particular time of the year. What's wrong with that?
I think we have to agree to disagree here. handshake
And you are right about the trinitarian (?) christians.
peace
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Peace
Peace,
That's not the point. The point is this particular holiday has little to do with jesus. This particular holiday will exist for a long long time. And this particular holiday focuses on giving. That not many people can afford to give all year long. You will have to focus on a particular time of the year. What's wrong with that?
I think we have to agree to disagree here. handshake
And you are right about the trinitarian (?) christians.
peace
I didnt mean the point of Christmas, I meant the point that I was trying to make You dont have to give gifts to give. A smile, the way you act, etc. is all the act of giving. Volunteering for the poor, animal shelters, etc. is just as good, if not better. Money is just one aspect of it thats focused on too much. However, we can agree to disagree, just thought Id clear up the misunderstandings. handshake
Peace
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Salaam dotty,
Allah knows secrets of our hearts and is most merciful. I hope you make most of holiday season with your six year old daughter. These are wonderful moments and do take picture of her when she is enjoying bit of pampering on this occasion. Your little flexibility today will pay back later insha?Allah and soon she will be big enough to understand meaning of consumerism and real Santa.
Lots of love to your little one
Best regards
faridaThank you farida!