3 Key Points About Christmas Wishes: An Islamic Perspective
Christmas Wishes:
Christmas Wishes: An Islamic Perspective
Christmas Day: Understanding Its Origins
Christmas is celebrated by Christians as the birth of Jesus (Isa, peace be upon him). They believe Jesus was born on December 25, and hence, they mark this day with festivities and religious ceremonies. Across the world, Christmas is known by various names and is celebrated with great enthusiasm as a sacred Christian holiday. However, from an Islamic perspective, it is essential to understand its historical context and the deviations associated with this celebration.
The Meaning of Christmas
Dr. Samuel Bacchiocchi, a professor in the Department of Theology and Church History at Andrews University, explains:
“The word ‘Christmas’ is not found in the Bible. It is derived from two words: ‘Christ’ (referring to Jesus) and ‘Mass’ (a Catholic ritual). The term signifies a Catholic ceremony commemorating the birth of Christ on the night of December 25. Interestingly, there is no mention in the New Testament of celebrating Jesus’s birth as a recurring annual festival.”
Further, Professor Herbert W. Armstrong writes:
“The word ‘Christmas’ means the ritual of Christ. This festival was adopted by the Roman Catholic Church through pagan influences, not from the New Testament or teachings of Christ’s apostles but from fourth-century pagan traditions.”
The Actual Time of Jesus’s Birth
While Christians widely celebrate December 25 as the birthday of Jesus, historical evidence and scriptural references from both the Qur’an and the Bible suggest otherwise.
1. Evidence from the Qur’an:
The Qur’an recounts the story of Mary (Maryam, peace be upon her) giving birth to Jesus under a date palm tree. Allah instructed her to shake the tree so that ripe dates would fall for her nourishment. This indicates that Jesus’s birth occurred during the summer or early autumn, as dates ripen in warm seasons.
2. Evidence from the Bible:
The Bible mentions shepherds tending their flocks in the fields on the night of Jesus’s birth, which is unlikely in the cold, harsh winters of December.
The Origin of December 25
The choice of December 25 as Christmas Day is rooted in pagan traditions. The Encyclopaedia Americana states:
“In the early centuries of Christianity, Christmas was not celebrated. It was only in the fourth century that this festival began to be observed, aligning with the Roman pagan festival ‘Dies Solis Invicti Nati’ (the birth of the unconquered sun). The Roman Church adopted this date to Christianize a popular pagan celebration.”
Christmas and Islamic Teachings
- Associating Partners with Allah (Shirk):
The Christian belief in Jesus as the “Son of God” contradicts the fundamental Islamic principle of Tawheed (monotheism). Allah explicitly condemns such beliefs in the Qur’an:
“Say, He is Allah, [Who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, Nor is there to Him any equivalent.” (Surah Al-Ikhlas, 112:1-4)
Wishing someone “Merry Christmas” indirectly endorses the belief that Jesus is the son of God—a notion that Islam categorically rejects.
The Dangers of Christmas Wishes
The Qur’an warns about the severity of associating a child with Allah:
“And they say, ‘The Most Merciful has taken [for Himself] a son.’ You have done an atrocious thing. The heavens almost rupture therefrom, and the earth splits open, and the mountains collapse in devastation that they attribute to the Most Merciful a son. And it is not appropriate for the Most Merciful that He should take a son.” (Surah Maryam, 19:88-92)
By extending Christmas greetings, Muslims risk inadvertently supporting beliefs contrary to Islamic monotheism.
Why Muslims Should Avoid Christmas Wishes
- Participation in Non-Islamic Festivities:
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” (Abu Dawood)
- Endorsing False Beliefs:
Congratulating Christians on Christmas implicitly agrees with their theological errors, which can be considered a grave sin in Islam. - Respect Without Compromise:
While Islam teaches respect for all faiths, it does not permit compromising its fundamental beliefs. Muslims should explain their stance politely and educate others about the Islamic perspective.
Conclusion
As Muslims, we must remain steadfast in our beliefs and avoid practices that conflict with our faith. While we respect the right of others to celebrate their festivals, we should refrain from participating in or endorsing celebrations rooted in beliefs contradictory to Islam. Instead, we can use such occasions as opportunities to share the beauty of Islamic monotheism and the teachings of Jesus as a revered prophet in Islam.
May Allah guide us all to the straight path.
