The Dangers of Celebrating Christmas and Other Non-Muslim Celebrations – By Abu Khadeejah ‘Abdul Wahid

Abu Khadeejah ‘Abdul Wahid

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all creation—and may He extol the Messenger in the highest company of Angels, and grant him peace and security—likewise to his family, Companions, and true followers.

[18/12/2022] The Dangers of Celebrating Christmas and Other Non-Muslim Celebrations – By Abu Khadeejah ‘Abdul Wahid  حفظه الله. Tele-link with Markaz Anas Ibn Mālik, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Some points discussed during this lecture:

  • The importance of maintaining our Islamic identity and heritage.
  • The perfection of the religion and its preservation. 
  • The days of celebration Allāh has given to the believers.
  • Proof that any practice or celebration not from Islām is rejected and will never be accepted.
  • Four points to note regarding the celebration of Christmas.
  • The one who will be gathered alongside the unbelievers on the Day of Resurrection. 
  • Imitating the unbelievers leads to the anger of Allāh.
  • The statement of ’Umar b. al-Khaṭṭāb (رضى الله عنه), “Do not visit the polytheists in their churches on the days of their celebrations because that is when Allāh’s anger descends upon them.”
  • The reason ‘Umar described them as polytheists.
  • The impermissibility of imitating the unbelievers in anything that is specific to them, even if it is not a religious practice.
  • The blasphemous statements and belief of the Christians. 
  • The impermissibility of accepting gifts or congratulating the non-Muslims on the days of their celebrations. 
  • How the Roman Catholic Church introduced and spread the celebration of Christmas more than 300 years after Jesus.
  • Quotations from the Catholic Encyclopaedia and Encyclopaedia Britannica regarding the pagan origins of Christmas. 
  • The real message Jesus (عليه السلام) was sent with.
  • Imām adh-Dhahabī (رحمه الله) on the impermissibility of Muslims participating with the unbelievers in their celebrations.
  • Examples of affairs in which the Prophet ﷺ commanded us to be different from the unbelievers.
  • The weak character and ignorance of the Muslim who imitates and seeks approval from the unbelievers.
  • The meaning of the verse, “And those who do not witness falsehood, and if they pass by some evil play or evil talk, they pass by it with dignity.” [Sūrah al-Furqān 25:72]
  • The response to those who say their intention is not to imitate the unbelievers. 
  • A warning against allowing one’s children to celebrate the festivals of the unbelievers. 
  • Encouragement from Fuḍayl b. ‘Iyāḍ (رحمه الله) regarding adhering to guidance and keeping away from misguidance regardless of numbers. 
  • A warning against increasing the numbers in these celebrations by attending.

Questions:

  1. Advice for a revert sister regarding finding a balance as it relates to kinship and implementing Islamic values with her non-Muslim family around non-Muslim celebrations and events.
  2. What would be your general advice for a revert who is feeling overwhelmed in seeking knowledge, navigating so many refutations and taking information from the right place? What areas of Islām should be the main focus?
  3. Why do we have to call ourselves Salafī? Did the term exist in the time of the Prophet ﷺ and the Ṣaḥābah? Isn’t Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamā’ah sufficient?
  4. Is it permissible for you to accept gifts from your non-Muslim family who announce that it is not a Christmas gift or birthday gift, yet they will likely gift it to you at the same time?
  5. Is it permissible to give someone a skin product that contains hemp oils or a concentrated perfume that contains alcohol?
  6. When it comes to the right of the mother and father, is it permissible for the father to forbid his wife from giving money to the children if they complete a task? In the father’s defence, it may be said that the children shouldn’t be rewarded with money for fulfilling their rights upon their parents. And in the mother’s defence, it is just a reward and preparation for them like a preparation system from the kindness of her heart and also to prepare them for labour in the future so they work to earn.
  7. How do we deal with the issue of giving or receiving gifts during birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas?
  8. Question regarding the correct translation of the Name of Allāh Al-Mutakabbir. 
  9. Can we celebrate pregnancy or after giving birth? And can you elaborate on what can be done in such times?
  10. Ever since Markaz Anas started my family and I have been attending and learning. We never knew or understood how important Tawḥīd and Sunnah was up until now. However, most Muslims we know think we are ‘Wahhābīs’ now. What advice do you have for us?

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