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(U.S.A. Edition)
Christmas season is upon us. It is nice to enjoy a long
break from our work and schools and spend the time with the
family and friends. We may also find many good bargains at the
shopping malls. It is the season when millions of christmas
wreaths and trees add to the decor in and around the houses,
businesses and streets of every town in the country. Thousands of
Santas also come into life all around us. Children write letters
to Santa Claus asking for toys they want for Christmas. Many
civic and church organizations donate food and clothes to the
homeless and the needy. Toys are collected for children who have
no family or whose families can not afford the expenses. The
Jewish Hanukkah also falls in the same season.
While the rest of the country is busy and involved in these
celebrations and activities, what does a small minority of about
seven million Muslims do? Because Muslims are scattered
throughout the United States, small Muslim communities sometimes
find it difficult to practice their faith due to the lack of a
community of believers with whom to interact. Muslims may react
to non-Islamic feasts in three different ways. A good number of
Muslims feel that they can not indulge themselves in activities
which have pagan, Christian, Jewish or any origin other than
Islamic. Then there are those who participate in activities such
as Christmas tree decorations and placing toys under the trees
for their children to pick up in the morning of December 25th.
They may not hesitate in narrating the story of Santa Claus to
their kids or let them watch television programs about Christmas.
Yet another group may be those who are Muslims by name but had
never really practiced Islam and can be assumed lost in the
“mainstream” of America.
Can Muslims participate in Christmas celebrations or any
other similar events such as Halloween and Easter? We need to
look at the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad
(S.A.W.) to find an answer. A fundamental question may have to be
addressed here before saying anything else. Under what conditions
can a Muslim live in a non-Muslim society? This issue requires a
careful and detailed answer, which we shall leave for future
issues. One thing should be clear to those who have studied the
Quran carefully. It is the primary responsibility of a Muslim
living in a non-Muslim society to preach and present Islam
through their character and conduct. Islam should be a dominating
force within and around Muslims instead of being a submissive
entity. Islam should stand tall and distinct from un-Islamic ways
for everyone to see, admire and appreciate. As we look at the
life of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.), we find that whenever there
was a chance of confusing events between Muslims and non-Muslims,
the Prophet made a clear separation. We see this in prayer times,
fasting and Eid festivals. We do not pray very close to sunrise
or sunset so it does not appear that we are worshipping the sun.
It is undesirable (Makrooh) to fast only on Saturday or Sunday.
The two biggest Islamic feasts are Eidul-Fitr and Eidul-Adha and
nothing else should replace the significance of their festivity.
Muslims in America need to get involved in caring for the
homeless and needy. They should develop institutions to provide
such a support. While giving charity and gifts is encouraged all
the times, Christmas season included, special occasions for
Muslims to give and launch campaigns should be Ramadan and Eidul
Adha days. The biggest gifts you would like to give to your
children or relatives and friends should not be the Christmas
time, but the times of Eids. This will help us develop a distinct
community, a caring community that will thus help present Islam
properly to the public.
Another point regarding the Christmas season is the position
of Jesus (PBUH) in Islam. If Christmas represents a feast of
celebration of the birthday of Jesus, then we should observe it
according to the Islamic principles and honor Jesus as a prophet
of God. Christmas trees and fairy tales of Santa Claus should
have nothing to do with such celebrations.
These holidays are a perfect time to pick up the Holy Quran and
other Islamic books and start reading. As the month of December
draws to a close, let us also pledge to be better Muslims, insha’
Allah. Our new year’s eve should not be at a bar or a “party”. It
should rather be at the prayer rug. If you are thinking of a
gathering at your house, consider reading the Holy Quran together
and an activity that involves remembrance of Allah as well.HADITH:
“The best word is the Book of Allah, and the best
guidance is the guidance shown by Muhammad (S.A.W.). The worst
practice is the introduction of new elements in the Islamic
faith and every innovation amounts to heresy.” (Muslim, Hadith
Number 170, Riyad Al-Saleheen)
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P.S…I’VE POSTED THE OTHER PARTS OF THIS EDITORIAL IN RELIGION.
CHRISTIANITY, JESUS- AN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE
SANTA CLAUS, NOT OF CHRISTIAN ORIGIN
‘JESUS IN ISLAM’ BY AHMAD DEEDAT AVAILABLE ON WWW
“…beauty is life when life unveils her holy face, But you are life and you are the veil. Beauty is eternity gazing at itself in the mirror, But you are eternity and you are the mirror.”
[This message has been edited by Hinna (edited December 23, 1999).]