Is it wrong for a Muslim to wish a family member, colleague, or friend "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays"? Muslims often debate this issue, with opinions falling on both sides.
On the one hand, some say, congratulating people on the holy days of other faiths gives support to acts or beliefs which are un-Islamic.
Others believe that keeping polite company with those of other faiths may require one to set aside personal opinion at such a time. Wishing other people happiness on a day which is important to them is a positive step in the spirit of kinship and friendship.
Muslims often feel happy when non-Muslims wish them well on the Eid holidays or during Ramadan. Is wishing other people well on their holidays, then, a caring act or a sin?
Where do you stand on this issue? Do you greet and congratulate non-Muslims on their holidays? If you draw a line, where do you draw it and why?
As a newly reverted Muslim, I would think that wishing other faiths well on their holidays would foster understanding and good will…
Dear Brother,
Allah azz zawajal gave us Eid ul Fitr and EId Ul Adha as a day of celebration. We celebrate these ones, greet eachother and have fun.
As for the non muslim celebrations, they are not from Allah subhanaahu wa taala. As muslims, we do not recognize these non muslim celebrations as valid days of celebrations. Rather, people made up these festivals when Allah azz zawajal didn’t legislate it for them. These festivals in which they openly display their kufr and disobedience of Allah. They have come up with such processions in complete disregard for Allah azz zawajal. How can we as people of Tawheed, congratulate them on their pagan festivals ? How can we greet them for their disobedience to Allah ?
Even if it makes them happy, if we wish them. Do we want them to be happy with their processions of kufr and jahilliyah ? Rather, we should tell them to turn back to Allah azz zawajal and give them dawah. And if we are not in a situation to give dawah to them, we should keep quiet and not greet, wish or show any encouragement to them in their fabricated and pagan festivals.
May Allah azz zawajal guide them and bring them back towards the truth of Islam. Ameen.
Your a joke bruv. Islam and Allah are not part of our culture so while you are in our country you should respect our religion, beliefs and culture as you expect us to with yours.
All those in particular muslims that come to our western nations should not come here to lay their muslim law down in our countries. They should respect our nice Christmas trees displayed at churches and government buildings. Anyone that is against our culture should be picked up right at the spot and put in the slammer. If this idea is not being followed up we will lose our country.
As a Muslim, I do wish others Merry Christmas and respect their faith. In the end, Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) knows what is in our hearts and that we don’t believe Jesus (pbuh) is God/Son of God/etc (astaghfirullah). I loved and believed in (and still love and believe in) Santa Claus and enjoy Christmas movies. I always took part in singing Christmas jingles (and the only Hannukah jingle) at school, passing out candy canes, having an obsession with Santa Claus hats, giving cards, and almost all of the more secular traditions.
I draw the line at actually believing Jesus (pbuh) is actually God/Son of God/etc and performing in religious traditions (ex/ going to a church or hanging crosses) – then you’ve really gone too far. Anything before that is up to the family and I prefer not to criticize even if I might be criticized.
And, as always, Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) knows best.
Also,
@Carlos and Johan – You clearly don’t even understand your own country’s laws then. It’s called separation of church and state. If you don’t understand that then you should be picked up right on the spot and be put in a classroom that teaches you about your own country’s laws and “religion.”
And spec. @Johan,
You stop trying to lay your Christian laws down in “your countries.” -_- Calm down, a good majority of Americans are Christian. I believe there has only ever been two Muslim Congressmen and Muslims have not taken over the world. I have to say you sound borderline Islamophobic.
Just enjoy the wonderful holiday season, Merry Christmas/Happy Hanukkah/Happy Holidays! I personally like being told Merry Christmas, but because I look Jewish I wouldn’t take offense if someone told me Happy Hanukkah
Peace – you offer the best comment on this page. I’m a Muslim myself – and I see no reason to not respect my fellow man. There is no reason to call someone jahilliyah – or accuse them of having pagan festivals.
We’re in a season of peace, kindness, and brotherhood – we should all take a liking to the time of year, regardless of what we believe (or don’t.)
Another thing – I don’t know how someone could take it to call another man “kufr” – especially one who is Muslim, Jewish, or Christian. If you dare try and lay judgement on another man … well, go figure. You’re not Allah / God – judgement belongs to only one. Here’s a hint who the judge is: It is not you.
People who don’t even understand what that word means are just throwing it around … It’s disgusting.
Agreed, with the two comments above. Our religion teaches us to be loving and respectful towards all. Wishing others a happy holiday does not shake our iman, just how out of respect our non muslim friends and colleagues wish us happy eid. Living in north american culture its only fair to respect everyone around us. As far as whats right and what’s wrong that’s upto Allah to judge and help fill our hearts with light. Happy holidays to everyone.
Johan: no comment.. you just sound ignorant.
The US is not a Christian country. Christmas is part of the culture on a national level. The First Amendment gives freedom OF religion and freedom FROM religion. Muslims can come here and celebrate whatever they please or NOT do yours. Gov buildings can’t pick sides with religious holidays. If you want a xmas tree then you must have Menorahs, Flying Spaghetti Monsters and every single other religious symbol requested, regardless of your views on it. Or, easier, NONE OF THEM!
Agree with Peace (you have said it all better than I could have), Anonymous, Zan. Actually, this is a ridiculous question (like debatingabout how many angles can dance on the head of a needle). Quran tells us to use our common sense – everything can’t be spelled out (the tendency of so many of these Muslim forums). Greeting others is a common courtesy; when in doubt consult your heart.
to greet non_muslims on their festivals doesn’t mean that one agrees with their beliefs. it is a sign of love, peace, tolerance and humanity. you just respect and show that you accept difference of human kind and you coexist and are able to share them a peaceful world.
As a Sierra Leonean Muslim, we are brought up in a culture of Islam that knows no East or West. We celebrate both Christian and Islamic festivals as a nation( not as Christians or Muslims) and this question will totally be laughed at by most Sierra Leoneans.
I am a devout muslim. In Sierra Leone where the muslims dominates the christians in percentage wise, there is no line drawn between Christianity and Mohamedanism. During the Islamic festivals (Ramadan and the Eids) christians patronizes muslims in full force, and, when it comes to Christmas, the muslims will do the same. So what’s the big force. Let us realize that Islam is a compassionate and peaceful religion.
Let us ignore ignore the half educated muslims that claimed themselves
as educated who don’t know their right from their left.
May Allah have mercy on them. Ameen.
I see no wrong in Wishing someone (not of your faith) ‘a good time’ whatsoever.This is one of the opportunities to be respectful to someone’s choice of faith.
Items 1-13 are nice and educative. When there is no categorical rule prohibiting the act, than it is very much permissible. Besides, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus who is considered to be revered like Moses and Prophet Muhammad in Islam. Many Muslims grounded in the knowledge of Islam permitted wishing others happy birthday of Jesus, and it doesn’t go beyond that. Note that we are talking about Christmas and not any other thing as every issue stands on it’s own merit and worth!!!
Zakir,
How do you know that Eid ul Fitr and EId Ul Adha were not created by men and not by Allah? Your belief in these traditions has been written in a book by men. Has anyone seen Allah acutally write something to keep these days holy?
I am a Muslim living in the Philippines, predominated by Christians. A Muslim should live modestly and peaceably with Non-Muslims. During Islamic Holidays, Christians used to celebrate with us, we dine and have good fellowships. During Christian Holidays, even if we do not believe the reasons of the theirs celebrations, out of mutual respect, we also made reciprocal activities together. We always maintain an equilibrium on this matters. Allah (swt) knows every bit of our being. No matter what happens, we will live and die as Muslims, believing on the Absolute Oneness of the Divine Creator, Allah (swt), where at the same time making a balance on how to live and love our fellowmen, the Non Muslims around us.
In the Quran, there are many stories about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ (called ‘Isa in Arabic). The Quran recalls his miraculous birth, his teachings, the miracles he performed by God’s permission, and his life as a respected prophet of God.
So what is wrong about Muslims even celebrating his birth?
Islam Is A Religion Of Peace…We As Muslims Should Learn To Promote And Allow Peace For A Better World And For The Sake Of The Upcoming Generation…I Dont See Anything Wrong In Wishing A Fellow Man Happy Holidays During Their Festive Period…For Te Fact That We Are Not Meant To Celebrate With Them Doesnt Mean We Shudnt Keep A Good Relationship With Our Xtian Brothers n Sisters…The World I A Changed Place With Muslim and Xtians Working In The Same Organisation All In The Interest Of Making The World A Better Place….It Shudnt Be Haeard That A Muslim Is Hindering The Existence Of Peace…And We Should Remember The Word Of Our Prohet S.A.W…That Says….”If A Fellow Man Makes You Feel Bad, You Should Not Swear Vengence, You Should Only Promise Not To Do Same To A Fellow Man…So How Then Do We Expect Our Xtian Associates To Feel When We Dont Wish Them Joy And Happiness On The Day They Celebrate Their Festivities? Allah Knows Best…May HE Guide Us To The Right Part…Salamu Alaikum
If Islam is the religion, why do Islamists kill non muslims, forbid the non mulim religions in Islamist countries, convert by force and intimidation, speak unholy words about other religions, treat muslim women with less than the civil rights of Western countries, do NOT allow the Bible in muslim countries,(insecurity in the Islamic faith), need I go on? I have lived in North Africa and studied Islam. While the Quran may sound peaceful, the people do NOT extend the hand of peace to non-muslims.
Mohammad does not have the same background, childhood, manhood, or proclaim the same “love thy neighbor” that Jesus proclaimed. Mohammad’s life was not a peaceful life.
Finally, Blessings be Upon ALL who treat each other with respect
Islam rules maintaining good relation with non muslims . Greeting christians on their religious ocassions is a kind gesturet & does not at all mean that we agree with christians on their particular belief of Jesus being GOD , same as when christians congratulate muslims on their Eid does not mean that the Christians have converted to Islam .
Islam rules co existence watch this video for proof .. go to link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=848SO0L0Ckg&feature=plcp
All religion is crap. Consider the many lives lost in propagation on the diverse religions. All religions are from hell.
Sorry DOC.. i never see Islamist kill non Muslims, you have to be brave to observe from both side reason not only from your ego. This statement is for all who have same thoughts.
If you all brave enough to take a look at Qur’an, and think with your common sense and see what happen in this era, you will find answer.
Every Muslims open for discussions, im sure your muslim friend will explain for you..
ASSALAAMU ALAIKUM, Alhamdulilla…. If a non Muslim say to me merry Christmas, I say season greetings or happy holiday’s. Which means your not hurting no ones feelings by not speaking back. And your not accepting another holiday that’s not Islam or not committing shirk. May Allah bless us all. Allah knows best. Inshallah ta’ ala.
I quickly want to comment on what Hajj from Sieria Leone wrote ‘ Christians and Mohammedanism!’ I am good Muslim, I never want to be known or called Mohammadanism! What kind of Muslim called himself this name. Please brov, don’t use that word for the Muslims again, always use the word Muslim and not Mohammedanism! Jazakirllahu qairu.
Salam
Thank everyone for there comments. Have never seen any part of the Quran or hadith that said don’t greet your fellow on holiday. Greeting christian during their festival does not mean that your believe in there religion as a Muslim.
May Almighty Allah guide us onto the right path.
Well, all said and done,i will take my own case as case study i grew up in an environment where no religion bundary infact when we celebrate either eil-ilfitri or eil-ada all the chritians and non chritian will gather in an hall together with muslim and eat and drink samething happen when the christians are doing chrismas and new year even easter and threre was peace co-existing then.infact both my prim.and secondary schools were christians name school.and up till now that did not make me to be a christian alhamudulilahi we should leave the jugment to GOD and nothing bad in wishing them happy holiday only guard against your iman and your religion wish is islam.
thanks.
This is an issue that is answered by the sunnah of Mohammed(PBH).
There is no faith by force but by good will. Everyone has a choice of faith with due respect. Why waste time on petty issues when there are big ones ?