Muslims. Can you answer a question from a convert to Islam?

Question

Salam,
I converted to Islam 2 years ago and I have a question about celebrating family holidays with my Christian family. I have been through one Christmas and 2 Easters since my conversion. Last year during Christmas, I didn't do anything with my family, but had dinner Christmas eve with my family, just dinner, not celebration. All my family gave me presents and I bought presents for my 6 year old brother. I completly skipped Easter and my family was fine with that, but they are pushing me to come Christmas eve again this year. Is it Haram to go, even it it is not celebrating to me, just spending a dinner with my family? My husband refuses to go to their house for Christmas, but it is very rare my whole family gets together and I only would get to see some of my family members who live far away during the Christmas holidays. What is the right thing to do?

Ma Salam,
Isra

Answer 1

hi isra!
first , i like ur care about ur religion (islam )teaching , may god always increase ur faith ,
your exact question is here , u better to read it ::

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-AAbout_Islam/AskAboutIslamE/AskAboutIslamE&cid=1123996015608

good luck ,
salaam.

Answer 2

U do know that we cannot fool Allah. If U say U R a Muslim now, do you still believe that Jesus (pbuh) is the son of God? If U do, U R still a Christian as far as God is concerned. No offence, I only meant that since U now believe that he is a Prophet like Mohammed (may Allah have peace on all the Prophets), then celebrating his birthrate is fine. I like Jesus and Moses too. Nothing wrong with it. Just remember, do not do anything that violates Islam's teachings. Don’t eat pork. Don't drink alcohol, I supposed you don't, but most important, as POKI POKI stated YOU CANNOT BE IN PLACE WERE ALCOHOL IS SERVED. At this point, I don't know whether U should go out to the garden when they are drinking and come back when they take the drinks back to the kitchen!! I'm not joking but trying to find a solution 4 U. Allah told us: please me, then your parents. See how important parents are. He also said: if your parents forces U not to worship me, try 2 B gentle with them. He did not provoke us to B harsh with them even when it comes to the most serious matter.
Better check scholars. Try these:
islamonline.net
sistani.org

Answer 3

Islam says that familial ties are very important. Your case is quite unique, so only you can understand how it feels. Islam also discourages anybody to halt onyone from seeing their family members, so theoretically you are correct in this matter (with respect to your husband.)

My suggestion is that you go to these gatherings, have fun and enjoy their company. Your husband may not want to celebrate Christmas since it's a Christian celebration, but tell him that you celebrate the gathering of everyone in the family, and nothing to do with Christmas being a Christian holy day.

Answer 4

Isra
Salaams. Islam is based upon intention. If you intend to go in order to be with your family and not to actually celebrate then it is fine according to many scholars. There are more conservative scholars who will say no way. And yes it is haram to go and celebrate since it is not our belief, but there is nothing in islam that says to alienate your family. In fact it is just the opposite. You are to keep them close to you and respect your parents. Now when you have kids I would highly suggest not going just because it will give your kids a mixed messege. That's what we do now - I just don't go around the holidays now. I miss going home because all the traditions my family has around that time of year but I also know it will confuse my 5 year old daughter. I used to take her when she was young - I took her up until age 2.
Hope this helps you insha Allah.

Answer 5

Salam

I believe that it is not 100 % haram to celebrate with other religions holydays.
It is an argument between Muslims, a friendly one. some says it ok, while other's say it is haram.
If i was in your place, i would have celebrated with family. Family is more important in Islam.
Search for fatwa for your special case.

Allah yothabbet qalbek
Salam

Answer 6

Walikum Asslam,

First I would like to congratulate you for your courage and being lucky in finding the true message of Allah. May Allah always bless you and your family. Subhan Allah.

This is not unusual for muslims to send regards to non muslim friends on their holy days as a gesture of good will. Sharing gifts on Christmas has merely a cultural value ( as far as I know) and it does not signify that one believes in Chrisitian faith. If Christians believe that Jesus was born on a particular day and they want to celebrate it, it is fine with me as a muslim. As far as your family does not make you do things which are against the basic principle of Islam ( Including the fact that Allah is the one and only and has no son nor has a father) bringing happiness to yourself and your family with your presence is just fine.

However, I hope you remian cautious as I do not want you two turning this into an unnecessary issue. I also hope that by now you understand the duties and rights of husband and wife towards each other. You can ask your husband to go with you to a local Islamic scholar ( if possible) to clarify this issue.

One way of resolving this issue is being patient as hopefully over period of time it will resolve itself. Another thing is that you can invite your family to Islamic holy days celebration like Eid. I am sure that this will be a refreshing experience for them and it will also help you and your husband to adjust to multi faith nature of your family. Peace

Answer 7

i'm no scholor, yet i think of you could speedy now even until now 'formally' get converted to Islam. in case you relatively have self belief with all your heart that the God almighty is one and basically one and Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) is his final messenger, then you definately already are a Muslim. circulate see the Imam on your nearest mosque to renowned extra approximately Islam. additionally study the English translation of Quran. You dont % every person's help for being a Muslim, you % basically the God Almighty's help. and there is no blacks and whites in Islam, there are basically Muslims.

Answer 8

Assalamualaykum sister :) I can see that you do want to attend this dinner but you don't want to offend Allah or your husband. I think if you are going with the right intentions, Allah will understand. If your parents want you to be there I think you should because in Islam children are to respect and honour their parents even if they are not Muslims. You should be there especially if they have made special efforts for you to attend.. such as making sure the food is halal and no alcohol is served.

However, the decision is yours and whatever you decide Allah knows your heart best :)

Answer 9

i think it's an obligation to visit them. of course you should go and tell them merry Christmas. have your dinner but DO NOT let the party distract you from doing what you are supposed to be doing like praying.

and also remember that you can't be where alcohol is being served. i know people drink on Christmas eve. so you can go have your dinner as long as there's no alcohol on the table.

in other words dint do any things that makes Allah unhappy.
God wants you to see your family as long as you dont break the commandments.


peace and good luck.

Answer 10

That shouldn't be a problem, unless your intention is clear that is you are visiting to see your family memebers.

Regarding going for celebration, there are only two 1) Eid ul fitr and 2)Eid ul adha.

GOD has commanded to follow the prophets from first prophet Adam to last prophet Mohammad (peace be upon them all) including Jesus (peace be upon him) in order to be SUCCESSFUL that is both in this WORLD and ETERNAL PARADISE. If any prophet of GOD ever celebrated birthday then the Muslims will have NO problem in celebrating it. Regards,

Answer 11

I don't think it is wrong to celebrate Christmas with your family. After all it is very important in Islam to have a good relationship with your family, especially your mother, to visit her regularly and your brothers and sisters as well. As long as u have good intentions then it is ok.