do muslims celebrate christmas? Here is why.

Do Muslims celebrate Christmas? Here is why.

do muslims celebrate christmas? Christmas is not a Muslim holiday, therefore, Muslim countries do not celebrate it. Muslims in the United States often request that their children not attend Christmas functions at school because the belief of Jesus, peace be upon him, being the son of God runs directly against the core Muslim belief.

However, in a world where Muslims and Christians both are present, how should Muslims react? The Prophet of God, peace and blessings be upon him, was faced with this question when he established the first peace sanctuary of Madinah, where the majority of the people were not Muslims. Here is what he said about the Christians of Najran (Yaman):

"Najran has the protection of God and the pledges of Muhammad, the Prophet, to protect their (the Christians') lives, faith, land, property, those who are absent and those who are present, and their clan and allies. They need not change anything of their past customs. No right of theirs or their religion shall be altered. No church leader, monk or church guard shall be removed from his position."

It was this historical commitment towards people of other faiths that formed the ideals of Islam regarding other faith groups in their midst, whether they were Christian, Jews, Sun worshipers, or Hindus. The Prophet even allowed a Christian delegation to celebrate their religious services in the very Mosque of the Prophet according to classic historians Ibn Hisham and Ibn Sa'd.

In the current context of American aggression in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, it has been difficult for Muslim minorities in the US and for Christian minorities in the Muslim world.

Here are some things which Muslims can do in Muslim countries to help Christian minorities enjoy their holidays in the best possible manner:

Give Christian employees an extended holiday break:

Muslim businesses can extend a day off to Christian workers on Christmas day at least, if not longer. Just as some Muslims in the US have successfully gotten days off from work and school on Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha, Christians in Muslim countries should get the same on their holidays. Many Muslim countries, like Pakistan, already do this.

Reassuring Christian Neighbors:

In countries where there has been recent conflict between Christians and Muslims, for example, in Nigeria and Indonesia, the Muslim leadership can take measures in their communities to make the Christian minority feel more comfortable in their days of happiness.

A gesture of neighborly duty:

Although security is a government matter, and in many Muslim countries governments are providing extra police to churches, it will be a good gesture on the part of Muslim neighbors to offer their time to volunteer for the security of churches during Christmas time. This is especially important in places like Iraq and Pakistan, where, since the American bombing and occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq, churches have been targets of terrorism.

Muslim and Christian minorities in India:

In India, where Muslims and Christians are both minorities, Christians have been vocal in supporting the Muslim community during the horrific murders and crimes against the community in the state of Gujurat in 2002. This Christmas, a large number of Indian churches will be fearful about the ongoing compaigns of Hindu militants and self-professed fascists in that part of India. It is critical that Muslims in India support Christians during their holiday season.

Historically, when Muslims have held state power, they have, for the most part, worked hard to protect the rights of non-Muslims in their midst, from idol-worshipping Hindus, to fire-worshipping Zorastrians. Christians, who are described in the Quran as "People of the Book", hold a special place as a faith community from the Abrahamic tradition. Protecting religious freedom has not been the Muslim state’s tactic of appeasement. Rather, it is an order from God, and a practice of our beloved Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, who once said, "Whoever hurts a non-Muslim citizen of a Muslim society hurts me."

It is critical for Muslims to remember that a person is not considered a Muslim unless they believe in Jesus (Islamic and Christian View of Jesus). This love for this noble Prophet ties us to the Christian community in a special way.

Although the history of relations between Muslims and Christians has not always been good, it is important to remember that Muslims always stood for a society where the rights of all individuals are not only tolerated, but respected and protected.

Comments

salam to all .i was really touched by ur artical and it was one of the greatest i read in my life .its good to know all that but i hope all of our mullahs and preists would know the things u wrote in ur artical hope they were as well educated as u r . lets pray for them that they can do something good for islam and not to preach people the wrong way as we've been witness the fightings between sheat and sooni going on in afghanistan and all over the world we have to do something about it god bless u and hope u live long to write such nice articals thanx a million

Location

toronto canada

I'm reminiscing so much of my childhood Chistmas and than God for the impetus it has given me into Interfaith work around the world.

Location

Guyana

Salam, A very great article. In South West Nigeria, hardly would you know the difference between Muslims and Christians. We live together in all harmonies. Christmas or Eids are part of everyone of us without compromising individual beliefs. The bond is too thick. How I wish this applies all over the world.Wasalam

Location

Nigeria

AOA all & Happy Holidays to all those celebrating Xmas :)Indeed, a refreshing article highlighting some of the many virtues of Islam - great use of references from pr. Muhammed (pbuh).I'm also heartened to read the comments of the Islamic & Xtian readers that also echo the virtues of peace, love, tolerance, understading, & support...bascially, qualities that every faithful believer practises & ememplifies.AOA

Location

Salam,as a matter of fact, the article is nice and I hope every Muslim gets to see this.Also it serves to educate those that are used as instruments for religious conflicts and desructions to desist from such act.Jazak Allah.

Location

Agbowo,Oyo state.Nigeria

Islam is the only religion who testifies Christianity. It suports very strongly the very "not easy to understand " description of the birth of prophet Jesus. He assigns a very high degree of respect to the mother of Jesus. Islam and Quran are the great defenders of real christianity. I dont see any reference here. The holy prophet have mentioned even in the last khutba that he will stay in the court of the Lord for the Non-Believers who was unjustly descriminated by his fellow Muslim and give his witness. So you left many good quotes so I givwe it a 3 Star.

Location

Toronto, Canada

I'm Christian, and sad-to-say, there are old men in my church who teach that Islam orders its faithful to kill non-Muslims. I've told them they're wrong, that what I know of Islam is that it is a peaceful and loving religion. They won't listen to me...I said why don't you get a guest speaker from a local Mosque? But I don't think they have tried to invite anyone. I'm going to print out this article and some of the awesome comments and show people!

Location

USA

Salaams, The article was alhumdulilah but I want to add that we should be showing kindness respect and "tolerance" during all seasons to our christian, hindu, and whatever else fellow humans. During it particularly during the Xmas season is like you are acknowledging the holiday yourself and you are doing it for Xmas not because that is what you are suppose to do. Remember to stay balanced all through the year, don't only extend kindness in Xmas season.

Location

Virginia, USA

Your article made a very wonderful reading to me.Although I have never been out of Nigeria but I've seen full hijab sisters on the streets in many European countries even in America(pre sept. 11) but I dont know to the extent to which my brothers from the northern part of Nigera could tolerate christians in the north.the only snag about the article is the part where u wrote muslims must believe in views about Jesus according to Islam and chistians.can u please clarify?

Location

Akowonjo,Lagos,Nigeria

Well-written article. Hopefully those in positions of influence will access this article and implement its suggestions. I appreciated the fact that the article doesn't encourage the huge Christmas displays found in shopping centers in Muslim countries.

Location

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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