Thread: The Muslim and his Christian neighbor during Christmas
I begin with the Name of Allaah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
“Verily, you will find the strongest among men in enmity to the believers (Muslims) the Jews and those who are Al-Mushrikun (polytheists) and you will find the nearest in love to the believers (Muslims) those who say: “We are Christians.”
“.....That is because amongst them are priests and monks, and they are not proud.” Qur’an 5:82
In the verse above, The Christians, in an unequivocal terms have been described as those nearest in love to the Muslims. This is the beauty of Islam.
In the verse above, The Christians, in an unequivocal terms have been described as those nearest in love to the Muslims. This is the beauty of Islam.
Islam is a balanced and just religion and not only does it frown at, but also, it prohibits injustice and extremism. The Muslims have never lived alone on the face of earth because Allaah has not willed it to be so.
This has been alluded to in the Glorious Qur’an where Allaah the Exalted says: “And if your Lord had so willed, He could surely have made mankind one Ummah (nation or community -following one religion i.e. Islam), but they will not cease to disagree.” Qur’an 11:118
Al-Baghawi in his Tafseer (exegesis) explained the statement “but they will not cease to disagree” to mean- they will be upon different religions between Judaism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism and polytheism as against adopting one Religion -Islam which has been chosen by Allaah.
Consequently, Islam being a total way of life of the Muslims has directed the Muslims on how to effectively interact with the non-Muslims. Undoubtedly, the methodology of Islam in interacting with people of varying faiths is the best because it calls for justice and kindness....
.....without allowing the Muslim to compromise on the tenets of the Religion itself.
In the context of this article, the Muslims find themselves living largely with Christians and consequently, interact more with them than they do with people of other faiths.
In the context of this article, the Muslims find themselves living largely with Christians and consequently, interact more with them than they do with people of other faiths.
One of the salient teachings of the Prophet of Islam is that of kindness to one’s neighbor. He said: “Whoever believes in Allaah and the Last Day should be courteous and generous to his neighbor.” Bukhari and Muslim.
What constitutes neighbor? Shaykh Uthaymeen (Rahimahullah) in his commentary of Riyaadh as-Saliheen said scholars have concluded that there are three types of neighbors: a neighbor who is also a relative and a Muslim. A neighbor who is not a relative but is a Muslim.
A neighbor who is neither a relative nor a Muslim. But there is one thing common to all, courteous and kind treatment.
Let us flip the coin and put the spotlight on our Christian neighbors.
Amazingly, throughout the year Islam has allowed us to take and give gifts to our Christian neighbors and colleagues. To eat their food, to visit their sick, generally to be nice and kind to them hoping to melt their hearts towards Islam.
However, there is a fundamental difference between Muslims and Christians and that lies in the latter’s claim of the Divinity of Isa bin Maryam (peace be upon him). That is the point of departure between the two.
So what happens, when the Christians celebrate Christmas which is hinged on that which separates them from the Muslims?
Are Muslims allow to drop their fundamental belief in the name of merrymaking and peaceful coexistence?
Does sticking to one’s fundamental religious belief that does not harm anyone equates extremism and anti-peaceful coexistence?
Does a Muslim’s refusal to attend Church service on Sundays equate non-tolerance?
Furthermore, our Christian colleagues, neighbors and acquaintances have always appreciated the fact that being a Muslim prevents us from following them to churches on Sundays.
In the same spirit, we should let them know that being a Muslim prevents us from congratulating them during Christmas.
It is clear that Muslims are not allowed to congratulate them in that which separates them but they are allowed to accept gifts (other than meat slaughtered, or anything that helps in imitating them such as candles etc) from them especially if that’ll soften their hearts to Islam
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in ahkaam al-dhimmah that congratulating the kuffar on their rituals that belong only to them is haraam by the ijma' (consensus) of scholars.
A Muslim is a Muslim by the virtue of the fact that he disagrees with the Christians in their approach toward Isa bin Maryam (Peace be upon him).
If a Muslim is proud to profess his Islam&does not think of it as being intolerant, then he should not feel ashamed to tell the Christians that his being a Muslim has conditions&one of such is that he is not allowed to participate in their religious rituals or congratulate them.
In addition, the argument that the Christians do congratulate us during Eid so we should also reciprocate the kind gesture during Christmas would have been laudable and logical if only Islam was based on sentiments.
Perhaps, the following analogy will make matters more clear. Almost each household has a way of receiving their guests. So it will be unfair if a guest comes into someone’s house and expect them to treat him the way he treats his own guests.
The fair argument here will be for the guest to appreciate and accept his hosts methodology.
In conclusion, I end with this amazing quote; “The Muslim should be proud of his religion and apply its rulings, and he should not give them up out of shyness or to impress anyone, for Allaah is more deserving of us feeling shy before Him.”
May Allaah guide us and establish us firmly on the path of Haqq (Islam).
