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| Guest Name |
Idris Tawfiq
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| Subject |
New Muslims: Help for the Holidays
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| Date |
Monday, Dec. 11, 2006
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Makkah
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18:00...To...
20:00
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From... 15:00...To...17:00
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Host
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Dear visitors,
The session has just started. Please feel free to join us with your questions.
After the session has ended, you can view the whole dialogue by clicking Recent Sessions, or later on Archive .
For feedback and suggestions, please e-mail us at EngLivedialogue@islamonline.net.
Yours,
Islamonline Live Dialogue Editing Desk
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John
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| Question |
As a new Muslim, can I celebrate Xmas with my non-Muslim parents?
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As-salaamu `alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu. Thank you for your question.
I was talking to a teacher yesterday. Her classroom is the most decorated in the school with tinsel and Christmas tree and lots of decorations. She told me that she has a tree at home, even though she is agnostic and has no religious belief at all.
In many places, Christmas has become a festival of family and friends. It is for them a celebration of happy memories and a time to relax in the dark of winter. Celebrating Christmas nowadays, then, does not need to mean that we believe in the birth of Jesus as the messiah or the Son of God.
So celebrating Christmas with our parents presents us with no problems at all. We know that we are not celebrating the religious side of the feast and, if our parents are religious, we need to point this out. We can still have fun with them, though, and show how much we still love them.
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chanica
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How do I show non-Muslims the tolerant aspects of Islam with regard to their holidays?
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Asalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu. Thank you for your question.
Muslims do not need to compromise their beliefs in any way to get through the Christmas holiday period. It may be that you work in an office festooned with decorations, or in a school where the carol singing practice seems to be going on for weeks. In many societies, the Christmas shopping starts way back in September!
We don't, of course, have any part in the parties where alcohol is being consumed and we either decline such invitations or leave after making a polite appearance.
However, the rest of Christmas should not pose too much of a problem. We can respond to Christmas cards with our own cards. If they are to religious people we can wish them "Every blessing on you and your family at this time of the year." If they are not religious, our cards can wish them "Peace and Joy" or "Compliments of the season." In fact, we don't need to refer to the Christmas festival at all.
It is an opportunity, too, to let others know that Muslims have a deep love and respect for Jesus, as a Prophet of Islam, and for his mother. If people are prepared to listen, we can show them where these two are mentioned in the Holy Qur'an.
We can try to talk about Islam as a religion of peace, at a time when many think of peace in the world.
We can show that Muslims respect the religious convictions of others and that many prophets of the Jews and Christians are, in fact, considered prophets of Islam.
Turning our backs on the celebrations of our neighbours does not give a good impression, and there is no reason for us to do this. We can wish our Christian friends a very happy feast and invite them to join us, at the right time, to celebrate one of the feasts of islam.
As in all things, Christmas is just another opportunity for Muslims to show the world what Islam is really like.
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Um Ayah
- United States
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Thank you for taking my question. I have a problem in that I grew up singing and loving Christmas carols, but now that I am Muslim, I feel quilty that I still love to hear them.
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Asalaamu alaykum. Thank you for your comment.
We do not ever need to feel guilty or ashamed about what we used to believe, if we were Christian, and we can even rejoice in some of the happy memories from that time in our lives.
Like you, I love some of the tunes of the Christmas carols and it pleases me when I hear them being sung in the street. That doesn't mean I believe in what the words of the carols say. It simply means that I can look back with fondness on my past, remembering people and places, and thank Almighty Allah for bringing me to where I am today.
In fact, each time you hear a Christmas carol can be a reason for thanking Allah twice. Once for the joy of happy memories. Twice for the blessing of being called to be Muslim!
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khatice
- Turkey
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Assalamu aleykum. I've read about hýjab and I know that it ýs useful and necessary but I don't feel I'm ready for it. Thanks and best regards
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Wa alaykum salaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu. Thank you for your question.
When each person becomes Muslim, he or she finds different things a challenge. For one, giving up alcohol might be a severe test. For another, getting into a routine of praying five times a day. For each one, time is needed to settle into this sweet and beautiful Islam to which we have all been called.
As you rightly say, hijab is both useful and necessary. We read in the Holy Qur'an:
"Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty......And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms...."
24:30,31
Sometimes, even though we know what is right to do, it takes us a little time to do it. It seems from your comments that you already know that wearing hijab is the right thing. Finding the right time to begin wearing hijab is a decision only you can make. You need to ask yourself why you don't feel ready. Is it a personal reason, a cultural reason, a reason put on by society.
I know that wearing hijab in Turkey presents its own challenges. Talk to other Muslims who wear hijab. Read more about it. Most importantly, pray to Almighty Allah. May He give you the strength to do what is right.
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ahmed
- United Kingdom
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student
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| Question |
Asalaamu alaykum, Mr Idris. I would like to know if the 25th of December was the date on which Jesus was born. Do Muslims believe this?
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Wa alaykum salaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu. Thank you for your question, which is very interesting.
In pagan times in Europe, people celebrated the feast of the sun in the depths of winter, round about 25th December. Mistletoe and holly and fir trees come from this time, reminding people of life and continuity at a time when the leaves were missing from the trees and there was not much sunshine to be seen.
The Christian Church took over this date as the date to celebrate the event of the birth of Jesus. It was never intended to be seen as Jesus' "birthday." Nowhere in the Christian Gospels can we find dates or times, and there is no mention of when Jesus was born, except that it was at the time of a Roman census.
In some countries, for example, where the majority of Christians belong to the orthodox Churches, Christmas is celebrated on 7th January.
So, Muslims don't believe Jesus to have been born on the 25th of December, but Christians don't believe this, either. It was a date chosen to celebrate their beliefs.
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C.P.
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I am about to convert, should I tell my parents about it?
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Thank you for your question and for visiting Islamonline.
Only you can answer that question. You know your parents better than anyone else.
Do you want to ask them about becoming Muslim or to tell them that you have become Muslim?
At some stage you will want to tell them that you have become Muslim, because that will be a major part of your life and you will want your parents to share in your life. When the time is right, though, and this can be decided only by you.
Breaking the news to them on Christmas morning just after you have all opened the presents, might not be the best time! If you want to prepare them for the idea, you might start dropping little hints into the conversation like, for example, commenting on Muslims when they appear on the news. At a later stage you might talk about how you admire Muslims or some of the teachings of islam.
Your parents know you and they will begin to pick up your signals. The most important thing is to convince them that they are not losing you and that you are not rejecting them. They need to know that you are safe and haven't been captured by some extreme group.
Choose the time well, but let them into your secret when the time is right. Who knows, your example might inspire them to do something themselves!
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Annyomous
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As a new Muslim, how can I prove that God exists? I am not doubting His existence. I would like to know how to talk to my relatives during Christmas about this.
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Asalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu. Thank you for your question. Welcome to the brotherhood of Islam.
I am guessing that what you mean is that maybe your relatives are not particularly religious and you want to introduce a bit of religion into their lives.
All you can do is give a good example and slowly point things out, without sounding to them like you have gone overboard. We see the Hand of God in nature, in the seasons, and in how there seems to be a pattern and an order to the universe. Night follows day regularly, doesn't it? This suggests someone has created that order.
You can try to suggest God (Allah) as the first cause of all things. In other words, everything was created by something else, but there had to be a first Creator to start it all off.
All of this, though, is really for religious people. If they know you are Muslim, why not show them the Holy Qur'an? Why not tell them you have to break from all the feasting and the partying to go and perform your prayers. Let them see tht Islam brings you great happiness and that you don't need alcohol or material things for fulfilment in life. Tell them that Muslims believe in Jesus, too, and lead them to ask a bit more about Islam, without pushing too much.
You can be sure that if they have not asked you anything about why you became Muslim, they are really dying to know, even if just out of human curiosity. Use the time of Christmas to make da'wah and to tell them about Islam.
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Hudai
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From your CV I know that you are a convert. What attracted you much to Islam?
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Thank you for your question. If I had several hours I could tell you the full story!
To put it very briefly, it was a short holiday to Egypt that first introduced me to Muslims. I had never met a Muslim before then. Before that time I only knew what the television and newspapers told me - and most of that was not good.
When I saw ordinary Muslims responding to the Call to Prayer and praying in the street, it left a deep impression on me. The Muslims I saw were not sword-waving fanatics, but kind, religious people. Their example touched my heart and made me want to learn more. Returning to London, people and events all helped me to learn more and more about Islam. Their example eventually led me to London Central Mosque, where I declared Shahadah.
You might like to refer to this link and read this article, not written by me, which tells the story of my journey to Islam in a bit more depth:
http://www.islamictimes.co.uk/content/view/421/50/
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Murad
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How can I introduce Islam to my family in the Christmas vacation, if I have a chance to talk to them?
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Asalaamu alaykum. Thank you for your question, which is similar to one which appeared a bit earlier.
Show them, if you get the chance, that Islam is tolerant of others and that you have no problem joining with them in this festive time of the year.
Tell them that Islam, too, honours Jesus and his mother. You might even show them the Holy Qur'an, where it talks about the birth of Jesus.
Point out, from that starting point, that Islam honours all the prophets of Christianity and Judaism, but that Islam believes that human beings are born good. The main Christian belief about Jesus is that he came down from heaven to atone for sins and to save the world. Since for Muslims there is no Original Sin committed by Adam and Eve and passed on to succeeding generations, there is no need for God to send a Messiah to save them. What would He save them from?
There are so many ways to talk about Islam with your parents. Start, though, by showing how much you love them.
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Koning
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Why are there only two holidays for Muslims?
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Thank you for your question.
I suppose the simple answer is that Allah has given only two - the feast of Eid ul-Fitr which comes after Ramadan, and the feast of Eid ul-Adha which comes at the end of the Hajj.
These two feasts are simple times, centered around the family and urging us to think of others less fortunate than ourselves and helping us to serve Allah more.
In truth, though, Islam helps us at all times to come closer to Allah. Each day, if lived properly, is a feast for us, since we bless and thank Almighty Allah for His goodness and we partake each day of His gifts. If prayer and rejoicing is one of the central aspects of a feast, then we can feast in Islam all the time!
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Joseph
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Can new Muslims imitate non-Muslims in their festivals?
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Thank you for your question.
If by "imitate", you mean copy their way of worshipping, then the answer is quite clearly NO. If you mean, can they celebrate alongside their non-Muslim neighbours and friends, then the answer is YES.
By rejoicing with family and friends at Christmas, for example, Muslims are not admitting they believe that Jesus was the Son of God who came into the world to redeem mankind of Sin. They are simply rejoicing with family and friends.
This is why Muslims do not decorate their homes, schools or offices at Christmas time, but they can happily reply to a card or a Christmas greeting.
In other words, Muslims would not themselves initiate the celebration of a feast which is not their own, but they can respect the belief of others and show good-neighbourliness in their celebrations.
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Aloysius
- Ireland
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I am a strident believer in live and let live, as well as not intruding into the next fellow's life, particularly in matters of religion. In other words, I respect people and presume that they are mature enough to select whatever religion they want to believe in. One religion is as good as another. This is why your attitude troubles me. You appear to be what some may call a "true believer" and a danger to the peace and welfare of our culture. It would be a terrible mess if everyone was a bloody Muslim running around flying airplanes into skyscrapers.
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Welcome. Thank you for your comments
If you knew me at all, I don't think you would describe me as a danger to the peace and welfare of anyone's culture. I have a deep respect for the beliefs of others and, like so many Muslims, try to encourage tolerance and dialogue between people.
I cannot understand why such an attitude would trouble you, since you respect people. I hope that your interaction with other people of faith will bring you closer to an understanding of what is true and what is not.
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Lorna Smugglewicz
- Bahamas
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Stockbroker
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| Question |
Is there a rational explanation why it is not legal to celebrate Christmas and Easter in Muslim countries? We let you have your holidays.
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Hello.
I live most of the time in Egypt, where about 94% of the population is Muslim. Christmas is a national holiday here. I'm not sure where you got your information from. I am not aware of any country where it is illegal to celebrate either Christmas or Easter.
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