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To wish Merry Christmas or not?

MenInG

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Personally speaking, it has no religious meaning to me - but if it makes my friend happy, I will do it.

Your thoughts?
 
This is an odd one witnessing on PP, certainly in my day-to-day life I know a lot of Muslims (mostly from work) and the majority of them either “softly” celebrate Christmas with a decorated tree, a turkey dinner and their children taking part in a Nativity play; or if not they will usually at least acknowledge the occasion and gift presents to their non-Muslim peers. I too will sometimes gift presents to Muslims for Eid. Personally speaking, Muslims have gifted Christmas presents to myself + wife for the last 2 years. However read PP and there seem to be a lot of Muslims against even the idea of people having 2 days off for Christmas & Boxing Day. I don’t get it.
 
This is an odd one witnessing on PP, certainly in my day-to-day life I know a lot of Muslims (mostly from work) and the majority of them either “softly” celebrate Christmas with a decorated tree, a turkey dinner and their children taking part in a Nativity play; or if not they will usually at least acknowledge the occasion and gift presents to their non-Muslim peers. I too will sometimes gift presents to Muslims for Eid. Personally speaking, Muslims have gifted Christmas presents to myself + wife for the last 2 years. However read PP and there seem to be a lot of Muslims against even the idea of people having 2 days off for Christmas & Boxing Day. I don’t get it.

I don't think online forums reflects the real world in many aspects, you get a lot of polarised views which you don't in day to life. I treat the two as different entities.
 
Only a couple of days ago I read an article by a reliable scholar on this issue. His verdict was there is nothing wrong in wishing merry christmas to those who celebrate it, it is part of normal manners and humanity to do it.
 
Nothing wrong with it at all, no harm being friendly and civil. But there are uptight people who take this so seriously though
 
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Only a couple of days ago I read an article by a reliable scholar on this issue. His verdict was there is nothing wrong in wishing merry christmas to those who celebrate it, it is part of normal manners and humanity to do it.

Sure, but why do you need a scholar to tell you it's okay?
 
My family has Christmas dinner with turkey and all and we are moderate practicing Muslims. If some mullah has problem with it then it's their problem.
 
To think that someone would be more comfortable living in a western society but not comfortable with saying merry christmas to those who live there....
 
That's some basic courtesy one should have while living in a multicultural society.
 
That's some basic courtesy one should have while living in a multicultural society.

There are so many other ways to reflect courtesy. Why crossing this one? You can still wish them a good day instead.
 
There are so many other ways to reflect courtesy. Why crossing this one? You can still wish them a good day instead.

I'm sure I won't become a Kaffir if I wish someone Merry Christmas or Happy Hannukah or Happy Diwali.
 

I agree with you , its supporting wrong idea that Jesus was son of God. Moreover even the date of birth of Jesus is not proofed to be in winter.
 
To think that someone would be more comfortable living in a western society but not comfortable with saying merry christmas to those who live there....

People do not live in western country free , they have to pay taxes . They contributed to the society. It does not mean that they will have to propagate and support a false idea.
 
I agree with you , its supporting wrong idea that Jesus was son of God. Moreover even the date of birth of Jesus is not proofed to be in winter.

Just because you wish someone Merry Xmas doesn't mean you have to believe the Christian version of Jesus?

Most people in the UK do not even care about Jesus or believe in him when celebrating Xmas. It's a cultural festival and not a religious one for most people here.
 
Meh I see absolute nothing wrong with saying Merry Christmas to people who celebrate it. Heck i even celebrate along with them, just never indulge in drinking alcohol and/or eating pork. But apart from that i see nothing wrong. IDRC what scholars have to say about it.

Anyways, Merry Christmas to ppers.
 
Only a couple of days ago I read an article by a reliable scholar on this issue. His verdict was there is nothing wrong in wishing merry christmas to those who celebrate it, it is part of normal manners and humanity to do it.

Basically this.
I mean what is the fuss about.
Wish some 1 if you feel like and if not dont.
 
Some Muslims feel the need to deem everything as haram. Personally, I would wish a friend if they celebrated.
 
People always need something to be judgmental about. It's totally fine to wish Merry Christmas.
 
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Growing up in the bible belt I've always wished people a merry christmas, it's not a big deal.
 
The fact that anyone would even think twice about extending a common courtesy is a bit sad.

On a happier note, Merry Christmas all!
 
There are so many other ways to reflect courtesy. Why crossing this one? You can still wish them a good day instead.

Pray tell what will happen to [MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION] if he wishes his neighbour a Merry Christmas? The only line he will be crossing is his friend's doorstep to have a slice of turkey. :91:
 
Some Muslims are really weird take something and blow it out of proportion.. You gotta be flexible in today’s world.
 
While this is true, and I agree with it, I don't think it applies only to Muslims.

In this particular case and reference it’s muslims if you see other threads I would say the same about Hindus, Jews or whoever when they do act like weirdos..
 
In this particular case and reference it’s muslims if you see other threads I would say the same about Hindus, Jews or whoever when they do act like weirdos..

Some atheists can also be weirdos, might as well put that in for clarification. C&P it and put it in the other threads as well for sake of balance if you like.
 
Some atheists can also be weirdos, might as well put that in for clarification. C&P it and put it in the other threads as well for sake of balance if you like.



Ofcourse they can be I am not an atheist btw, “Or Whoever” in my post which you quoted meant everyone else including atheist..
 
There are different extremes on this...

Question I guess is whether Independence Days, Remembrance Days are also innovations which most people celebrate...for some these are prohibited also...

In the case of Christmas the added caveat is the supposed acceptance of a pagan idea...it makes sense for those who view independence day etc as prohibited to also prohibit this...but you get those who view Independence days as acceptable yet Christmas as not...

I'd argue that Christmas in most places is simply a national custom not a religious one...it's one thing surely going to a church service and another in exchanging gifts or saying Merry Christmas...

Surely it's also different to say celebrate a Hindu festival or a Jewish one while being a Muslim in Britain cos these aren't national holidays...
 
I don't think god (any faith) is cruel enough to burn you for eternity or fry you for wishing your friend/neighbour/colleague Merry Christmas.

I think you're good to go.
 
I don't think god (any faith) is cruel enough to burn you for eternity or fry you for wishing your friend/neighbour/colleague Merry Christmas.

I think you're good to go.

Agreed. Wishing a Merry Xmas to a Christian isn't likely to see you being reincarnated as a dung beetle.so feel free to pass on good wishes to our Christian brethren.
 
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Of coarse you should. This isn't the era of crusades of all out war between the Christians and Muslims for goodness sake
 
Can’t believe we are having this discussion.

Molvis/muslims have no problem non-muslims saying Eid Mubarak but when it comes to christmas - our mouths hurt saying merry christmas. For hecks sake - focus on more pressing issues instead of creating conflicts.
 
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Just because you wish someone Merry Xmas doesn't mean you have to believe the Christian version of Jesus?

Most people in the UK do not even care about Jesus or believe in him when celebrating Xmas. It's a cultural festival and not a religious one for most people here.

Why is it necessary to wish and acknowledge something which is untrue ? Islam guides people to speak truth rather than supporting falsehood.

Its not that Islam does not respect Jesus , its a duty of every Muslim to do that , but as a created , not creator. Quran has whole Chapter named after Mother of Jesus , it even describes the pain she went through while giving birth to Jesus .
 
Can’t believe we are having this discussion.

Molvis/muslims have no problem non-muslims saying Eid Mubarak but when it comes to christmas - our mouths hurt saying merry christmas. For hecks sake - focus on more pressing issues instead of creating conflicts.

Eid is not related to anyone Birth.

Celebrations of birthdays are not allowed , that is why jehovas Witness also do not celebrate this.
 
Why is it necessary to wish and acknowledge something which is untrue ? Islam guides people to speak truth rather than supporting falsehood.

What is untrue? That many people decorate a fir tree, have a turkey dinner, watch television, exchange gifts and spend quality time together at home? These events are in fact truths - because they happen.

Christmas is a national and cultural holiday as much as it is a religious one, maybe moreso the national and cultural variety nowadays.

From your comments, you are obviously quite the fundamentalist Muslim, but surely even you are capable of being polite and courteous to other people who celebrate different annual holidays to you. Or are you?
 
Why is it necessary to wish and acknowledge something which is untrue ? Islam guides people to speak truth rather than supporting falsehood.

Its not that Islam does not respect Jesus , its a duty of every Muslim to do that , but as a created , not creator. Quran has whole Chapter named after Mother of Jesus , it even describes the pain she went through while giving birth to Jesus .

This is the issue, most people here in the UK who celebrate Xmas dont believe in Jesus(pbuh), it's culture to get with their families. As far as Im concerned it's not a religious festival and even if it was why did the blessed Prophet(pbuh) allow Christians to worship inside his mosque in Medina? He could have said your religion is a lie so you cant pray. There is also a story of the Prophet(pbuh) when entering Mecca and destroying idols, he saw a painting of the Mary and baby Jesus but didn't destroy it but instead covered it with a cloth.
 
This is the issue, most people here in the UK who celebrate Xmas dont believe in Jesus(pbuh), it's culture to get with their families. As far as Im concerned it's not a religious festival and even if it was why did the blessed Prophet(pbuh) allow Christians to worship inside his mosque in Medina? He could have said your religion is a lie so you cant pray. There is also a story of the Prophet(pbuh) when entering Mecca and destroying idols, he saw a painting of the Mary and baby Jesus but didn't destroy it but instead covered it with a cloth.

Great points, surely being the central figure in the religion and its universal role model, he (pbuh) knows better than anyone about how to treat people and how to conduct oneself.
 
Great points, surely being the central figure in the religion and its universal role model, he (pbuh) knows better than anyone about how to treat people and how to conduct oneself.

He was a great man, who is the example for all Muslims, we dont need to listen to hardliners from Saudi Arabia as we have his life in detail to make up our own minds. Christians are known as people of the book, heck you can even marry a Christian woman who doesn't have to convert. I think some believe if you wish someone Merry Xmas you are also misguiding them but you are merely wishing them and their families happiness on this day.
 
This is the issue, most people here in the UK who celebrate Xmas dont believe in Jesus(pbuh), it's culture to get with their families. As far as Im concerned it's not a religious festival and even if it was why did the blessed Prophet(pbuh) allow Christians to worship inside his mosque in Medina? He could have said your religion is a lie so you cant pray. There is also a story of the Prophet(pbuh) when entering Mecca and destroying idols, he saw a painting of the Mary and baby Jesus but didn't destroy it but instead covered it with a cloth.

First of all I must say that I am speaking from Islam point of view purely , not any moderate or non practicing Muslims etc. In Islam there is no such terms .

I do not think this incident has been mentioned in any authentic hadeeth books with narrations.
 
What is untrue? That many people decorate a fir tree, have a turkey dinner, watch television, exchange gifts and spend quality time together at home? These events are in fact truths - because they happen.

Christmas is a national and cultural holiday as much as it is a religious one, maybe moreso the national and cultural variety nowadays.

From your comments, you are obviously quite the fundamentalist Muslim, but surely even you are capable of being polite and courteous to other people who celebrate different annual holidays to you. Or are you?

I said that the incident on which the celebration is based on , that is birth of Jesus is not proved .
If people want to celebrate let them , but that does not mean I am here to please them , by agreeing with anything.
 
If anybody in your life sees you wishing other human beings an enjoyable festival and responds to that with "you shouldnt do that" you need to take steps to remove or limit wherever possible your interactions with that person completely.
 
If anybody in your life sees you wishing other human beings an enjoyable festival and responds to that with "you shouldnt do that" you need to take steps to remove or limit wherever possible your interactions with that person completely.

Or challenge them to a public duel
 
It is a General courtesy to wish people who are celebrating the festival. I do it and I did before I left work last Friday. They also wish us for Diwali if they are aware of the dates.

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I wish my friends Merry Xmas and ask them about their day the same way they say Eid Mubarak and ask me about my day, it is a nice thing to do. I heard someone say that the Prophet (pbuh) would try and get as many people to become Muslim but in today's age, people are quick to condemn your actions and say you're not a Muslim and in their mind they want to consider less people as Muslims for doing the most trivial things. We want more people to understand Islam and people claiming we can't say Merry Xmas to a neighbour just helps the racist narrative that Muslims can't integrate into society. Imagine trying to explain to a non-muslim that you can't simply wish them a happy holiday because some Online Molvis has said it is Haram.
 
I said that the incident on which the celebration is based on , that is birth of Jesus is not proved .
If people want to celebrate let them , but that does not mean I am here to please them , by agreeing with anything.

This isn’t a matter of people-pleasing though, it’s a matter of being polite and courteous when called upon to do so.
 
did somebody say Xmas is not a cultural festival? Happy to see it's nothing to do with Christianity..
 
And I don't have a problem with who does but personally I won't. Allah knows best.
 
It is a General courtesy to wish people who are celebrating the festival. I do it and I did before I left work last Friday. They also wish us for Diwali if they are aware of the dates.

Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

agreed.
 
wishing merry xmas is just a friendly courtesy. no matter what the zakir naiks of this world say that saying merry xmas means that u accept Jesus is the son of God which is a total illogical jump. its just being cordial and friendly they extend it to you when u celebrate Eid. Wishing merry xmas is not converting to Christianity as some extremists seem to think
 
This isn’t a matter of people-pleasing though, it’s a matter of being polite and courteous when called upon to do so.

Being polite can be done in numerous ways , there is no necessity to accept the wrong ideas and further propagate them. If this was something like national day etc , there was no harm in participating in that. The basis is religious beliefs , related to Jesus born as divine .
 
This isn’t a matter of people-pleasing though, it’s a matter of being polite and courteous when called upon to do so.

Tbh what [MENTION=60967]Justcrazy[/MENTION] saying is religiously the right thing to do. But most of us ignore it according to our circumstances. Whether we will be punished or not? I don't know. Allah knows the best.
 
Tbh what [MENTION=60967]Justcrazy[/MENTION] saying is religiously the right thing to do. But most of us ignore it according to our circumstances. Whether we will be punished or not? I don't know. Allah knows the best.

Can you point the verse or hadith which shows it is the right thing to do?
 
This is the issue, most people here in the UK who celebrate Xmas dont believe in Jesus(pbuh), it's culture to get with their families. As far as Im concerned it's not a religious festival and even if it was why did the blessed Prophet(pbuh) allow Christians to worship inside his mosque in Medina? He could have said your religion is a lie so you cant pray. There is also a story of the Prophet(pbuh) when entering Mecca and destroying idols, he saw a painting of the Mary and baby Jesus but didn't destroy it but instead covered it with a cloth.

By extension- I hope you aren't saying that you'll wish your townsfolk a Merry Christmas only because it is supposedly not a religious festival anymore, and not because it's courtesy and socially harmonious to do so.
 
Tbh what [MENTION=60967]Justcrazy[/MENTION] saying is religiously the right thing to do. But most of us ignore it according to our circumstances. Whether we will be punished or not? I don't know. Allah knows the best.



I think religions need to be upgraded with modern times if people still believe wishing someone merry Christmas is wrong as per their religion then that religion itself is regressive and needs to be updated.. This is the problem with religions and hardcore religious folks some of the things written are from centuries old and rather than upgrading the religion like any other thing the hardcore peeps still hang on to those things..
Hence the clashes happen..
 
Tbh what [MENTION=60967]Justcrazy[/MENTION] saying is religiously the right thing to do. But most of us ignore it according to our circumstances. Whether we will be punished or not? I don't know. Allah knows the best.

Most religions are decentralised and do not have an earthly singular authority who tells the adherents what is correct and incorrect. Islam is no exception to this.

Personally I know of no evidence in the primary texts - Qur’an, Hadith, Life of Muhammad pbuh - that wishing people a Merry Christmas is forbidden. But I could be ignorant.
 
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Some Muslims are really weird take something and blow it out of proportion.. You gotta be flexible in today’s world.

They are not Muslims but morons. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to one and all (incl the believing Muslims).
 
Why is it such a big deal? When we can celebrate "Urs" of so many Saints, whats wrong in wishing Happy birthday to Eesa ( As) and those who celebrate it?
 
Most religions are decentralised and do not have an earthly singular authority who tells the adherents what is correct and incorrect. Islam is no exception to this.

Personally I know of no evidence in the primary texts - Qur’an, Hadith, Life of Muhammad - that wishing people a Merry Christmas is forbidden. But I could be ignorant.

Infact i have heard of a Hadith that once the jews were fasting and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) asked them why they are fasting. To this the jews replied that they commemorate that day as the day of Moses (AS) and they fast to observe that day. So Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) went on to say that the muslims love Moses too and would also fast to observe this day.
 
Why is it such a big deal? When we can celebrate "Urs" of so many Saints, whats wrong in wishing Happy birthday to Eesa ( As) and those who celebrate it?

Ofcourse we love and respect Prophet Easa but did Muhammad nabi (saws) celebrate the birthday of the previous prophets?or his wives or children? If he didn't then we shouldn't be doing this either.
 
I do and always will. With all due and undue respect, the opinion of anyone who opposes the idea of wishing Christians Merry Christmas belongs in the garbage.

Jesus belongs to both Muslims and Christians. So what if the literal meaning of 'Merry Christmas' is ...? It is all about your intentions - the intention here (clearly) is to pay respect to people and show that you care about them.
 
Ofcourse we love and respect Prophet Easa but did Muhammad nabi (saws) celebrate the birthday of the previous prophets?or his wives or children? If he didn't then we shouldn't be doing this either.

Why shouldn't we do it if the Prophet (pbuh) didn't do it? There are a lot of things we do like drive cars, use internet and visit Pakpassion, things which have no precedents in Islam.

Moreover it isn't a part of our basic belief in Tawheed and Khatm-e-Nabuwat. At the most it would be considered Bidah-Al-Hasanah (A new thing which doesn't oppose Shariyah)

The Prophet didn't ask us specifically to not celebrate it either. He observed Prophet Musa's (Pbuh) day when he was informed of it by the Jews.

We shouldn't think that Islam is so narrow that it wouldn't leave scope to adapt to the changing eras. Islam is more flexible than most muslims think. We should take it upon our shoulders to use this flexibility to mingle better with the rest of communities while at the same time retain our Muslim identities. That should be our next vision.
 
We shouldn't think that Islam is so narrow that it wouldn't leave scope to adapt to the changing eras. Islam is more flexible than most muslims think. We should take it upon our shoulders to use this flexibility to mingle better with the rest of communities while at the same time retain our Muslim identities. That should be our next vision.

Don't get me wrong brother, i do wish people happy birthday, merry christmas, happy diwali etc on their days out of respect and courtesy to others. But that doesn't mean it's the right thing to do strictly in a religious point of view. I know that i am not a perfect muslim and i completely agree with it, but i will never say that saying merry christmas is "okay" in Islam. That's where the problem lies...
 
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Don't get me wrong brother, i do wish people happy birthday, merry christmas, happy diwali etc on their days out of respect and courtesy to others. But that doesn't mean it's the right thing to do strictly in a religious point of view. I know that i am not a perfect muslim and i completely agree with it, but i will never say that saying merry christmas is "okay" in Islam. That's where the problem lies...

I get what you are saying. Have you done some research on why it isn't okay? can you quote some scholars?
 
This is the issue, most people here in the UK who celebrate Xmas dont believe in Jesus(pbuh), it's culture to get with their families. As far as Im concerned it's not a religious festival and even if it was why did the blessed Prophet(pbuh) allow Christians to worship inside his mosque in Medina? He could have said your religion is a lie so you cant pray. There is also a story of the Prophet(pbuh) when entering Mecca and destroying idols, he saw a painting of the Mary and baby Jesus but didn't destroy it but instead covered it with a cloth.

I mentioned it in above post , I do not find these stories in any authentic book of Hadeeth.

Also , I do not think there was any painting or statue of Jesus in Mecca , they would probably be having of Ibrahim and his son Ismail.
 
Don't get me wrong brother, i do wish people happy birthday, merry christmas, happy diwali etc on their days out of respect and courtesy to others. But that doesn't mean it's the right thing to do strictly in a religious point of view. I know that i am not a perfect muslim and i completely agree with it, but i will never say that saying merry christmas is "okay" in Islam. That's where the problem lies...

If you know well that it is not allowed , then you should not be doing.
 
Tbh what [MENTION=60967]Justcrazy[/MENTION] saying is religiously the right thing to do. But most of us ignore it according to our circumstances. Whether we will be punished or not? I don't know. Allah knows the best.

Yes , I mentioned it previously already that is all these controversial threads I am speaking from Islamic point of view. I am here to please Allah swt , not people. I would be accountable for what I am writing here .

Even if all Muslims gather together , and say it is right , it does not make that thing right.

I am not issuing any fatwa , against anyone, I am no one to do so. But end of the day , this thing is wrong .
 
I get what you are saying. Have you done some research on why it isn't okay? can you quote some scholars?

No i haven't done any research or followed any scholars tbh. This is what my Ustaad taught when i was in madrass.His references are same as those mentioned in post 6.

If you know well that it is not allowed , then you should not be doing.

I do a lot of mistakes in my daily life, knowingly and unknowingly like hearing music, watching movies,tv series etc. If saying merry christmas makes my friends happy, i don't mind adding one more to it. I hope Allah knows my intentions are not bad.
 
No i haven't done any research or followed any scholars tbh. This is what my Ustaad taught when i was in madrass.His references are same as those mentioned in post 6.



I do a lot of mistakes in my daily life, knowingly and unknowingly like hearing music, watching movies,tv series etc. If saying merry christmas makes my friends happy, i don't mind adding one more to it. I hope Allah knows my intentions are not bad.
We are supposed to make Allah swt happy , not friends. In fact this is an opportunity to tell them that there is no conclusive evidence that Jesus was born in winter
 
Well alot of people don't realize that when you are a part of society, you can practice your own cultures and traditions but respect whatever other is celebrating too. It is called being 'inclusive.' So if I get wished Merry Christmas in a foreign country abroad while I'm getting my coffee, I can just reciprocate that and show them respect, or I can be a total whackjob and pretend like I didn't hear it.

Islam is a religion, but especially Pakistani Muslims have the most exlcusive, and 'kattar' mentality when it comes to other religions.
Its just I am a little surprise when I hear this things from our ppl...
 
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I do not have courtesy for idiots. Christmas is not the birth date of Jesus. Most people don't know what they're celebrating. I'd also be an idiot if I wished them back, congratulating their ignorance.
 
No I never wish anyone "Merry Christmas" after all how many Christians congratulate us on Eid. Moreover, the whole event is fake for Muslim believers. I have no problem in wishing people "happy holidays" during this period.
 
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