I heard from one of my brother-in-law’s friend when he visited last year around this time that saying merry Christmas to anyone is like confirming that you believe in Jesus being the son of god (nao-zu-billah)
What is the ruling on that?
Re: Greeting others with Merry Christmas…
Fatwa stating that is permissisible to wish non-Muslims on their religious occasions, though emphasising that it is not permitted for Muslims to celebrate those occasions themselves.
Congratulating Non-Muslims on Their Festive Occasions - Social Manners - counsels - OnIslam.net
Re: Greeting others with Merry Christmas...
excellent, excellent reference maddy.......thank you so much!
I have to pass this link along to some.....
Greeting others with Merry Christmas...
Thank you for the link.
Re: Greeting others with Merry Christmas...
that seems like the dodgiest fatwa ive ever read, atleast some of their proofs are way off. for example of the muslim woman and her non-muslim mother, there are other shariah reasons for her permission. i dont think i can personally actually challenge their end ruling by myself but they seem to be pulling for proofs abit, alot actually
Re: Greeting others with Merry Christmas...
as long as one doesn't believe in what he/she says to wish non-muslims on their religious festivals is permissible in Islam [avoiding words that are contradictory to Islamic beliefs]...i don't see any endorsement of divinity of Jesus [a.s.] in saying "Merry Christmas" but i'll avoid saying "Jesus, the son of God!".
Re: Greeting others with Merry Christmas...
Sometimes I wonder if this actually makes a difference. Quick question.. Is it OK for a non-Muslim to greet Muslims on Ramadan
Re: Greeting others with Merry Christmas...
Sometimes I wonder if this actually makes a difference. Quick question.. Is it OK for a non-Muslim to greet Muslims on Ramadan
thanx for liking the post...yes, it is OK...why shouldn't it be? In India Muslims do invite non Muslims at Iftar in Ramadhan and non Muslims throw Iftar parties for Muslims and non Muslims alike. as long as Halaal food is served, it's fine. Islamically, a Muslims is NOT supposed to turned down someone's invitation to have meal together unless there is a strong indication that the food to be served will NOT be Halaal.
Re: Greeting others with Merry Christmas...
Joel, I have read quite a few fatwa's by various sheikhs on this issue. Majority of them have specifically said that using the words "Merry Christmas" actually means accepting Christmas , jesus being son of god ..
Hence, muslims are advised to use words that dont specify the greeting to Christmas .. Since then, in muslim communities here, I have observed that muslims greet non muslims wtih generic terms like " Season's greetings to you and your family " . that way, us muslims get to convey our wishes to our non muslim friends while remaining within the boundaries of Islam.
As per the Fatwa link shared by our friend in the earlier posts , that actually sums it all up very beautifully. We dont celebrate Christmas ourselves, however if neighbours send you food gifts, provided they are halal as per islamic standards , you can accept them and return the favour back by sending them food or distributing little cards with a generic greeting not specifying Christmas itself.
Re: Greeting others with Merry Christmas...
"Actions depend on intentions."
If you don't believe in the divinity of Christ, saying Merry Christmas isn't going to force you to believe in it. It's like this or it's like that makes religion more difficult than it needs to be. Allah knows your intentions and would judge you on those.
I don't go out of my way to say merry christmas but if someone says that to me I have no issues saying 'same to you' or 'merry christmas to you too.' I have not sought out fatwas for this nor do I feel a need to.
Re: Greeting others with Merry Christmas...
"Actions depend on intentions."
If you don't believe in the divinity of Christ, saying Merry Christmas isn't going to force you to believe in it. It's like this or it's like that makes religion more difficult than it needs to be. Allah knows your intentions and would judge you on those.
I don't go out of my way to say merry christmas but if someone says that to me I have no issues saying 'same to you' or 'merry christmas to you too.' I have not sought out fatwas for this nor do I feel a need to.
precisely.
Re: Greeting others with Merry Christmas...
thanx for liking the post...yes, it is OK...why shouldn't it be? In India Muslims do invite non Muslims at Iftar in Ramadhan and non Muslims throw Iftar parties for Muslims and non Muslims alike. as long as Halaal food is served, it's fine. Islamically, a Muslims is NOT supposed to turned down someone's invitation to have meal together unless there is a strong indication that the food to be served will NOT be Halaal.
Did you pay royalty to STA before using the word Islamically? Our records indicate he coined it.
Re: Greeting others with Merry Christmas...
Merry Christmas, everyone.
Re: Greeting others with Merry Christmas...
How does Merry Christmas mean Christ (Issa AS) being son of God?
Greeting others with Merry Christmas...
Merry christmas simply means have a happy christmas. Its just a greeting and nothing to do with believing in a son of god!
Re: Greeting others with Merry Christmas...
Merry christmas simply means have a happy christmas. Its just a greeting and nothing to do with believing in a son of god!
Yes.
So what's the big deal for some people?
Issa AS is respected for Muslims too.
If his AS birth is celebrated then Muslims can say Merry Christmas.
Re: Greeting others with Merry Christmas…
^^ you people focusing word merry not but Christmas. If following definition is true then Muslims should not say Merry Christmas.
What is the true meaning of Christmas?
The true meaning of Christmas is
love. John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the
world that he gave his one
and only Son, that
whoever believes in him
shall not perish but have
eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of this incredible act of love.
Re: Greeting others with Merry Christmas...
That's just a long explanation by someone who is Christian. Yes everyone knows Christians believe some way Issa AS was the son of God.
But saying Merry Christmas (The celebration of birth of Issa AS or Jesus Christ) does not mean every person who is saying these two words is agreeing with Issa AS being son of God.
Re: Greeting others with Merry Christmas…
Re: Greeting others with Merry Christmas...
Hence the question. I didn't believe that just saying Merry Christmas is accepting the view of Christians towards hazrat Issa (AS) but when quite a few people that I met (Muslims) said that it is as bad since you are saying Merry Christmas you are accepting their views I had to find out more about it.