Christmas

Islam and Christmas

Quite a number of Muslims today believe that taking part in Christmas celebrations is a harmless pastime and a legitimate source of happiness for children and adults alike. Indeed the Christmas season has been aggressively promoted in every aspect of business, in schools and in every public place. Little wonder that many of those targeted so persistently succumb to temptation. In addition to the commercial side of Christmas, are certain religious aspects to be noted.

The celebration is intended by Chris-tians 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 a trinity, and thus they celebrate the birth of "divinity."The word itself is an abbreviated form of "Christ Mass," i.e., sacrament in commemoration of Christ.

Although taken by Christians to be the birthday of Jesus, the actual date of celebration, December 25th, cannot be traced back any further than the fourth century after Christ. Ironically, this day is also considered to be the birthday of the Hindu god, Krishna, as well as Mithra, the Greek god of light. It also coincides with the an-nual Tree Festival which had long been celebrated in Northern Europe before the Christian era.

The Christmas tree is the most obvious aspect of that pagan celebration which was incorporated along with its date of obser-vance, December 25th, into church rites. The evergreen tree, because it keeps its green needles throughout the winter months, was believed by pre-Christian pagans to have special powers of protection against the forces of nature and evil spirits.

Thus, in more aspects than one, the holiday is deeply rooted in the worship of different forms of creation rather than the Creator Himself. A Muslim cannot possibly approve of such beliefs or the practices which stem from them. Anyone with a minimal knowledge of Islam would surely reject kufr (disbelief) and shirk (association of partners with Allaah) in every form.

Only through ignorance or unawareness could one continue to participate in activities that reflect the acceptance of both.

Muslims must be firm in refusal of all which is contrary to the concept of "Laa ilaaha illallaaha (there is none deserving of subservience except Allaah alone)."

Consideration for others is well and good on the condition that Islamic principles are not compromised.

Allah (subhaanahu wa ta’aalaa) says: “If you obey most of those upon the earth, they will lead you away from the way of Allaah.” [An’aam 6:116]. And He commands: “Follow what has been revealed to you from your Lord and do not follow any patrons other than Him.” [A’raaf 7:3]

Whether taken from the materialistic or the religious standpoint, Christmas can have no place in the Muslim's heart nor in his home.

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Ruling on celebrating Christmas
http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/947/christmas