"A Muslim's Survival Guide for Christmas Holidays"

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.

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 issue

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, 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.
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.

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)



Source: Monthly magazine by ICNA, December 1993 issue