Avoiding the Celebrations of Non-Muslims
The imam began by referencing the 140th ayat of Sura An-Nisa which is translated to say:
He has already revealed to you in the Book that when you hear Allah’s revelations being denied or ridiculed, then do not sit in that company unless they engage in a different topic, or else you will be like them.1 Surely Allah will gather the hypocrites and disbelievers all together in Hell.
Dear brothers and sisters, it is clarified by Allah SWT in the Glorious Quran that there is no religion to be followed except the religion of Islam. That is not to say that the religions that predated Islam were invalid, it is simply that the religion of Islam, which is to submit to Allah SWT alone and to worship Him alone, is now conveyed through the teachings revealed to the final Prophet Muhammad SAWS.
We are to believe in his message but also to believe in all the messengers that came before the Prophet Muhammad SAWS and all their messages, provided that they do not contradict the message of the Quran.
Dear brothers and sisters, we live in a country in which we have celebrations that are both religious and secular. We need to be mindful that we do not imitate the celebrations of a religion that is not ordained in our own.
One such example of this celebration is the one we have at this time of year. In a festival that involves Christmas Trees and Santa Claus, both by the way that have no origin in Christianity either, we need to be clear that this is not a religious holiday that we celebrate.
The imam warned us of following in the footsteps of other religions and imitating them by relaying the following hadith which is translated to say:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “You will follow the wrong ways, of your predecessors so completely and literally that if they should go into the hole of a lizard, you too will go there.” We said, “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! Do you mean the Jews and the Christians?” He replied, “Whom else?” (Meaning, of course, the Jews and the Christians.
Dear brothers and sisters, to accept our religion is to accept our obedience, which is to always follow the commandments, even when the going gets a bit tough. This may appear like a difficult ask and in the current climate asking this may raise the question of us being perceived as intolerant to others. However, this raises a wider question of mutual respect.
You see, we live in a city in which people are from many different faiths and backgrounds. The local children for example attend a school in which all different faiths are taught. They are taught how Muslims and Jews do not eat pork. They are taught Hindus do not eat beef. And they are taught how Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25th.
But alongside these facts about their faiths, the children are taught respect for one another. Growing up they have friends from all different religions but they are taught that if they are to progress in society then having a difference in faith does not mean having intolerance for the other person.
They are taught that if a Hindu is present, offering beef may be disrespecting that person’s faith. They are taught that if a Muslim is present, offering bacon may be disrespecting that person’s faith.
And so they are taught that being different is OK, provided you do not force your opinion onto others. Provided you do not be hateful towards others. Provided you show kindness, respect and tolerance towards others.
Dear brothers and sisters, this is what is taught to us in the Glorious Quran. Understand the message of Sura Kafiroon and you will see that difference in opinion on the most important of topics, faith, can exist in a society and yet still have a society that functions. This is what our faith teaches us and what we must teach ourselves and our children.
The imam reminded us of the 72 ayat of Sura Al-Furqan which is translated to say:
˹They are˺ those who do not bear false witness, and when they come across falsehood, they pass ˹it˺ by with dignity.
Dear brothers and sisters, Christmas is a time when living in the UK it is impossible to escape this festival. But actually we don’t have to. Take happiness from the fact that others are using this time to think of family and of friends. Take happiness from the fact that this is the time when schools are off, family-friendly movies are on TV, adults have holiday leave from work and even as Muslims, we get the time together with our family and our loved ones.
We don’t need to believe in Christmas to take all that is good from this time of year. We do though need to remind ourselves that our identity cannot be compromised during this time of year. We need to hold firm to our belief on who Prophet Jesus or Isa was. What he stood for and why we don’t celebrate this festival. We need to use this opportunity to create common bonds with those people who also think of Prophet Jesus, peace be upon him. But alongside that, we hold firm to our teachings of tolerance, respect and kindness to all of Allah SWTs creation, Muslim or otherwise.
Read MoreChristmas
The imam began by referencing the 19th ayat of Sura Imran which is translated to say:
Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam
Dear brothers and sisters, it is clarified by Allah SWT in the Glorious Quran that there Is no religion to be followed except the religion of Islam. That is not to say that the religions that predated Islam were invalid, it is simply that the religion of Islam, which is to submit to Allah SWT alone and to worship Him alone, is now conveyed through the religion revealed to the final Prophet Muhammad SAWS.
We are to believe in his message but also to believe in all the messengers that came before the Prophet Muhammad SAWS and all their messages, provided that they do not contradict the message of the Quran.
As Muslims, if we understand the definition of Muslim correctly then we know that those who followed their messengers in the past were also Muslim as the message revealed came also from Allah SWT.
However, since the Prophet Muhammad SAWS came down with the final message, it is a fact that the religion of Islam will be valid from his time and until the end of time. There is to be no other religion or message that comes after this.
We are explicitly told in ayat 85 of Sura Imran that:
And whoever desires other than Islam as religion – never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.
The imam also mentioned a hadith in which this point is mentioned. It is translated to say:
“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) delivered a moving speech to us which made our eyes flow with tears and made our hearts melt. We said: ‘O Messenger of Allah. This is a speech of farewell. What did you enjoin upon us?’ He said: ‘I am leaving you upon a (path of) brightness whose night is like its day. No one will deviate from it after I am gone but one who is doomed. Whoever among you lives will see great conflict. I urge you to adhere to what you know of my Sunnah and the path of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs, and cling stubbornly to it. And you must obey, even if (your leader is) an Abyssinian leader. For the true believer is like a camel with a ring in its nose; wherever it is driven, it complies.”
Dear brothers and sisters, we live in a country in which we have celebrations that are both religious and secular. We need to be mindful that we do not imitate the celebrations of a religion that is not ordained in our own.
One such example of this celebration is the one we have at this time of year. In a festival that involves Christmas Trees and Santa Claus, both by the way that have no origin in Christianity either, we need to be clear that this is not a religious holiday that we celebrate.
And to accept our religion is to accept our obedience, which is to follow the commandments at all times, even when the going gets a bit tough. We had an example from back then when Muslims used to pray facing towards the city of Jerusalem before the order came to face towards the Qibla. This was done immediately and without question and that is the level of worship we look to attain.
And therefore as we have been given clear direction in our religion, some of it will overlap previous religions but some of it will be different. The celebration of Christmas is one of these examples and it is something which is not considered permissible to celebrate and so we should follow the correct religion and avoid doing so.
Dear brothers and sisters, this may appear like a difficult ask and in the current climate asking this may raise the question of us being perceived as intolerant to others. However, this raises a wider question of mutual respect.
You see, we live in a city in which people are from many different faiths and backgrounds. The local children for example attend a school in which all different faiths are taught. They are taught how Muslims and Jews do not eat pork. They are taught Hindus do not eat beef. And they are taught how Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25th.
But alongside these facts about their faiths, the children are taught respect for one another. Growing up they have friends from all different religions but they are taught that if they are to progress in society then having a difference in faith does not mean having intolerance for the other person.
They are taught that if a Hindu is present, offering beef may be disrespecting that person’s faith. They are taught that if a Muslim is present, offering bacon may be disrespecting that person’s faith.
And so they are taught that being different is OK, provided you do not force your opinion onto others. Provided you do not be hateful towards others. Provided you show kindness, respect and tolerance towards others.
Dear brothers and sisters, this is what is taught to us in the Glorious Quran. Understand the message of Sura Kafiroon and you will see that difference in opinion on the most important of topics, faith, can exist in a society and yet still have a society that functions. This is what our faith teaches us and what we must teach ourselves and our children.
Christmas is a time when living in the UK it is impossible to escape this festival. But actually we don’t have to. Take happiness from the fact that others are using this time to think of family and of friends. Take happiness from the fact that this is the time when schools are off, family-friendly movies are on TV, adults have holiday leave from work and even as Muslims, we get the time together with our family and our loved ones.
We don’t need to believe in Christmas to take all that is good from this time of year. We do though need to remind ourselves that our identity cannot be compromised during this time of year. We need to hold firm to our belief on who Prophet Jesus or Isa was. What he stood for and why we don’t celebrate this festival. We need to use this opportunity to create common bonds with those people who also think of Prophet Jesus, peace be upon him. But alongside that, we hold firm to our teachings of tolerance, respect and kindness to all of Allah SWTs creation, Muslim or otherwise.
Read MoreDefending our identity
These days we all know that the Muslim is portrayed by media as being someone intolerant, someone wanting to change the make-up of society and someone who is a threat to the status-quo.
So much is spoken of a tolerant society in which Muslims must learn to adapt in order to co-exist. We are told that they ought to be no compulsion in religion and that we must stop enforcing our beliefs on others.
However, is there a case for the opposite also being true? As Muslims, we are in a difficult and stressful position at this time of year. It is the time of the Christmas, a time that is associated with happiness, presents, caring for others and coming together.
But we as Muslims, do not celebrate Christmas. Alongside Hindus, Jews, even orthodox Christians, this is not something which is marked as a religious festival for us.
So how does one navigate this festive period? After all, Allah SWT and his Prophet SAWS has made this very clear. The imam mentioned the following hadith of the Prophet SAWS in which he said:
“He who imitates any people (in their actions) is considered to be one of them.”
Dear brothers and sisters, what makes this all the more difficult is that we are also believers in Jesus as we hold him in the highest regard as a Prophet of Allah, may peace be upon him.
However, to celebrate Christmas is to acknowledge Christmas and this celebration has key differences which make it wrong for us to partake in it.
Firstly, this is a celebration of God’s son or God’s Incarnate which is not only the celebration of another religion but also a celebration which is based on a belief that is totally against the teachings of Islam. Through the Quran we know that Allah SWT is one and He has no offspring.
Secondly, the argument that this is a celebration of a birthday of the Prophet Jesus holds no logical sense. We have 24 prophets mentioned in the Quran and so why aren’t we celebrating them all? Non-Muslim historians have also proved that this date isn’t even the birthday of Prophet Jesus which adds to the illogical standpoint.
Dear brothers and sisters, if we are being encouraged to be more tolerant of others then doesn’t the same point apply here? Surely, we are entitled then to hold on to our identity as a Muslim and exercise our right to not partake in another religions’ celebration?
The Imam mentioned ayat 48 of Sura Al-Maidah in which Allah SWT says:
And We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it. So judge between them by what Allah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth. To each of you We prescribed a law and a method. Had Allah willed, He would have made you one nation [united in religion], but [He intended] to test you in what He has given you; so race to [all that is] good. To Allah is your return all together, and He will [then] inform you concerning that over which you used to differ.
Dear brothers and sisters, we also have our children to consider in all of this. From Christmas celebrations in schools to advertisements on the television to shops covered in reminders for Christmas, it is overwhelming to see the amount of emphasis given to this day.
However, we need to understand that children are more resilient than we give them credit for. They are able to defend their identity better than adults at times. From this we ought to learn lessons and so this reminder concludes with three practical tips we ought to adopt during this period of the year.
- We can still be nice to others. Our faith demands that we keep our manners with our neighbours and our friends. This isn’t a time to miserable as this puts us in a bad light. We ought to use this time to show our neighbours that we can demonstrate this peace, love and unity all year round with them and not just on the day of Christmas. Just replacing the term “Merry Xmas” with “Happy Holidays” keeps our identity intact but allows us to demonstrate that we can also enjoy this time of closeness with those around us. Don’t slam the door on those who want to give you a gift on this day but instead take it with the intention it is given. It’s their time of year to demonstrate the love and good faith we must demonstrate all year round so give them that opportunity to do so.
- We need to be able to talk to others. Allah SWT has put us on this land as ambassadors of Islam. Tell them of our similarities in faith. Tell them how much we love Jesus, peace be upon him. And although we are not allowed to give them gifts to mark Christmas day but why not gift them otherwise on any other day? Aren’t we the ummah of kindness and of peace and of love and of tolerance towards others? Why not take the opportunity to give them a gift a few days afterwards and tell them about our beloved Prophet Jesus and what we believe?
- Lastly, we need to remember that this faith has granted us a weekly celebration of Friday and more importantly, two Eid festivals each year. This point is crucial for both our identity as Muslims and the identity of Muslims in the eyes of our children. Eid should be prepared for just like Christmas is here in December. Book time off work in advance, not just an hour for prayers. Arrange it with schools that the children are taking time off during Eid. Put up celebrations around the house leading up to Eid. Get the Toy catalogue out in the weeks up to Eid. Get the family together for Eid dinner. Send cards or gifts to all your relatives all over the world celebrating Eid. And, give cards or gifts to each and every friend, neighbour and associate to tell them it’s the festival of Eid. Do it with a smile and with happiness and with the same love and goodwill that they do during Christmas. Tell them why you are doing it. And lastly, and best of all, do the same level of celebration on both Eids so our kids know that we are the lucky ones that do all this twice a year and not just once like their friends do.
Dear brothers and sisters, this needn’t be time for us to feel uneasy. If we do right by our own identity as Muslims then we need not feel inadequate or miserable at this time of year. If anything this presents a great opportunity for us to open ties of communication with those whom normally wouldn’t be so open to doing so. Let’s use this opportunity to show them that despite our differences in belief, our identity is also one of peace and of love and is following the 63rd ayat from Sura Al-Furqan which says:
And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace.
Read MoreChristmas, tolerance and mutual respect
Many Muslims fully endorse and engross themselves in celebrating non-Muslim religious holidays, such as Christmas. They also celebrate New Years Day whilst not even knowing the Islamic new year.
In fact some have transferred this behaviour to Islamic nations, but without realising the damage that this is causing.
The evidence from the Quran and the Sunnah prove that celebrating Christmas is not allowed by joining in with the non-Muslims from the Jews and the Christans in their celebrations. This is mentioned in the Quran and the imam makes reference to Sura Al-Furqan, ayat 72:
And [they are] those who do not testify to falsehood, and when they pass near ill speech, they pass by with dignity.
Dear brothers and sisters, the scholars have said that this ayat is referring to celebrating the ‘eids’ of the non-Muslims, and Christmas being on of those.
The imam also mentioned a hadith in which the Messenger of Allah SAWS said:
“He who imitates any people (in their actions) is considered to be one of them.”
So what lessons can we take from this practically to ensure we are doing right by our faith?
Firstly, the concept of wishing someone Merry Xmas can be simply overcome by wishing someone Happy Holidays. This is preferred as we want to reciprocate to our neighbours but not compromise on our faith.
By wishing someone Merry Christmas, Muslim scholars state that this is agreeing with the notion of Jesus being the Son of God and therefore impermissible to us as Muslims.
The other things associated with this festival aren’t even strictly religious such as the Red Santa Claus. This was originally a man in green depicting a Christian saint and he was even in green instead of red until Coca Cola made him red one year and it stuck. He isn’t even celebrated in other Christian countries and the same goes for the tradition of the Christmas tree.
However, this point is merely to educate on the specifics of Christmas and it isn’t about ridiculing the beliefs of anyone.
Lastly, this reminder should expand beyond the topic and to the wider question of intolerance that the media portrays Muslims as being guilty of.
You see we are not a people who don’t believe in a multi-cultural co-existence. This masjid is multi-cultural as you look around you. We are not a people who don’t believe in a multi-religious co-existence. Our masjid opens its doors to all, often and when asked of it.
After the Manchester Arena atrocitity, this city proved to all the world that it is a city of tolerance, co-existence and respect to one another. Average people came out in the street in support of Muslims to show us that they did not believe the hype and that besides a few bigoted idiots, this city is a safe city in which Muslims can practice their faith.
Manchester is a city in which people are from many different faiths and all backgrounds. My children for example attend a school in which all different faiths are taught. They are taught how Muslims and Jews do not eat pork. They are taught Hindus do not eat beef. And they are taught how Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25th.
But alongside these facts about their faiths, the children are taught respect for one another. Growing up they have friends from all the different faiths but they are taught that if they are to progress in society then having a difference in faith does not mean having intolerance for the other person.
They are taught that if a Hindu is present, offering beef may be disrespecting that person’s faith. They are taught that if a Muslim is present, offering ham may be disrespecting that person’s faith. So they are taught that being different is OK, provided you do not shove your opinion onto others. Provided you do not be hateful towards others. Provided you show kindness, respect and tolerance towards others.
Dear brothers and sisters, this is what is taught to us in the Glorious Quran. Understand the message of Sura Kafiroon and you will see that difference in opinion on the most important of topics, faith, can exist in a society and yet still have a society that functions. This is what our faith teaches us and what we must teach ourselves and our children.
Christmas is a time when living in the UK it is impossible to escape this festival. But ultimately we don’t have to. Take happiness from the fact that others are using this time to think of family and of friends. Take happiness from the fact that this is the time when schools are off, family movies are on TV, adults have holiday leave from work and even as Muslims, we get the time together with our family and our loved ones.
We don’t need to believe in Christmas to take all that is good from this time of year. We do though need to remind ourselves that our identity cannot be compromised during this time of year. We need to hold firm to our belief on who Prophet Jesus or Isa was. What he stood for and why we don’t celebrate this festival. But alongside that, we hold firm to our teachings of tolerance, respect and kindness to all of Allah SWTs creation, Muslim or otherwise.
Read MoreProphet Isa (Jesus Christ)
No Muslim is a Muslim if he does not believe in Jesus or Prophet Isa, peace be upon him.
However, growing up in these lands, it is important though that the Islamic viewpoint is
highlighted on the Prophet Isa (peace be upon him) and the differences with our faith and
Christianity in relation to Prophet Jesus.
Allah SWT said the Quran is Sura Maryam, ayat 88-95:
The disbelievers say: “The Lord of Mercy has an offspring”. How terrible is this thing
you assert: it almost causes the heavens to be torn apart, the earth to split asunder,
the mountains to crumble to pieces, that they attribute offspring to the Lord of
Mercy.
It does not befit the Lord of Mercy to have offspring: there is no-one in the heavens
or earth who will not come to the Lord of Mercy as a servant – He has counted them
all: he has numbered them exactly – and they will each return to Him on the Day of
Resurrection all alone.
Dear brothers and sisters, with this passage of the Quran, it is clear that there is a difference
between what we believe as Muslims and what the Christians believe in the West.
However the Quran is full of accounts of Prophet Eesa, peace be upon him, and there is
even a chapter dedicated to his mother Mary or Maryum (may Allah be pleased with her).
Allah speaks of the impending birth of Prophet Eesa, peace be upon him in that sura, in ayat
27-28 in which it says:
She went back to her people carrying the child, and they said: “Mary, you have done
something terrible! Sister of Aaron! Your father was not an evil man, your mother
was not unchaste!
Dear brothers and sisters, within the next few passages of this chapter we encounter the
first miracle of Prophet Eesa after the miraculous conception and that is that he was given
the ability to speak from birth and he does so to confirm his status as a Prophet of Allah.
And as Muslims, we believe that our Prophet Eesa, peace be upon him, was unique is this
regard as he was given many powers from Allah SWT as is confirmed in the Quran.
As Muslims, we are also differing in our opinion on the crucifixion that the Christians
symbolise with the cross.
Again, with all things relating to Prophet Eesa, peace be upon him, and indeed all things
relating to any part of life, we refer to the Quran first as a source of truth, guidance and
reference.
In Sura Nisa, ayat 157 and 158, Allah SWT is translated as saying:
And [for] their saying, “Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary,
the messenger of Allah .” And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but
[another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it
are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of
assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain.
Rather, Allah raised him to Himself. And ever is Allah Almighty and Wise.
Dear brothers and sisters, from this selection from the Quran we can see that Allah SWT has
made it clear on the event of the crucifixion.
What we need to do as Muslims is to be clear that there is a place in our heart for this
beloved Prophet of ours. Prophet Eesa, peace be upon him, was a messenger of Allah and
we believe and testify that.
As Muslims living amongst Christians, we have a duty to communicate our beliefs relating to
Prophet Eesa, but at the same time, we must also aim to find common ground between
them and ourselves.
For example, we as Muslims believe that in the second coming of Prophet Eesa just like the
Christians do. This belief stems from the hadith of the Prophet Muhammed SAWS, in which
he is reported to have said that it is one of the signs of Judgment day that Prophet Eesa will
come down and will rule once again and then will die as normal.
Such is the level of belief that we share in regards to the Prophet Eesa, peace be upon him,
we refer to this hadith of the Prophet Muhammed SAWS in which he said:
whoever testifies that there is no Lord but Allah, with no partners, and that the
Prophet Mohamed his slave and messenger, and that Jesus is his slave and
messenger and his word sent it to Maryam and soul, and that Pardise and Hellfire
are true, entered him the Paradise regardless of what work hes on
Dear brothers and sisters, today is the day that the nation is celebrating the birth of Jesus.
Although we as Muslims do not celebrate this day for many reasons, we should use this
opportunity to inform our friends, colleagues and neighbours of our love of Jesus as well as
educate them on the beliefs we share with them on one of the greatest of Prophets.
May Allah SWT enable us to remember our beloved Prophet Eesa, peace be upon him, may
Allah SWT help us in educating others on our beloved Prophet Eesa, peace be upon him, and
may Allah SWT reward us for our efforts in doing this.
Ameen.Walhamdullilahi Rabilalameen.
Read More