Some non muslim sau it to me sometimes but I don't know how to respond , Is it accebtable in Islam to say Merry Christmas or just happy holidays .
2007-12-18 05:03:11 · 14 answers · asked by sim sim 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Ramadan
Asalam Alaikum
Hope this helps.
Eid Mubarak!!
MAy you have a blessed Eid. Ameen
Praise be to Allaah.
Greeting the kuffaar on Christmas and other religious holidays of theirs is haraam, by consensus, as Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allaah have mercy on him, said in Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah: "Congratulating the kuffaar on the rituals that belong only to them is haraam by consensus, as is congratulating them on their festivals and fasts by saying ‘A happy festival to you’ or ‘May you enjoy your festival,’ and so on. If the one who says this has been saved from kufr, it is still forbidden. It is like congratulating someone for prostrating to the cross, or even worse than that. It is as great a sin as congratulating someone for drinking wine, or murdering someone, or having illicit sexual relations, and so on. Many of those who have no respect for their religion fall into this error; they do not realize the offensiveness of their actions. Whoever congratulates a person for his disobedience or bid’ah or kufr exposes himself to the wrath and anger of Allaah."
Congratulating the kuffaar on their religious festivals is haraam to the extent described by Ibn al-Qayyim because it implies that one accepts or approves of their rituals of kufr, even if one would not accept those things for oneself. But the Muslim should not aceept the rituals of kufr or congratulate anyone else for them, because Allaah does not accept any of that at all, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
"If you disbelieve, then verily, Allaah is not in need of you, He likes not disbelief for His slaves. And if you are grateful (by being believers), He is pleased therewith for you. . ."
[al-Zumar 39:7]
". . . This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islaam as your religion . . ."
[al-Maa’idah 5:3]
So congratulating them is forbidden, whether they are one’s colleagues at work or otherwise.
If they greet us on the occasion of their festivals, we should not respond, because these are not our festivals, and because they are not festivals which are acceptable to Allaah. These festivals are innovations in their religions, and even those which may have been prescribed formerly have been abrogated by the religion of Islaam, with which Allaah sent Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to the whole of mankind. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Whoever seeks a religion other than Islaam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers." [Aal ‘Imraan 3:85]
It is haraam for a Muslim to accept invitations on such occasions, because this is worse than congratulating them as it implies taking part in their celebrations.
Similarly, Muslims are forbidden to imitate the kuffaar by having parties on such occasions, or exchanging gifts, or giving out sweets or food, or taking time off work, etc., because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever imitates a people is one of them." Shaykh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyah said in his book Iqtidaa’ al-siraat al-mustaqeem mukhaalifat ashaab al-jaheem: "Imitating them in some of their festivals implies that one is pleased with their false beliefs and practices, and gives them the hope that they may have the opportunity to humiliate and mislead the weak."
Whoever does anything of this sort is a sinner, whether he does it out of politeness or to be friendly, or because he is too shy to refuse, or for whatever other reason, because this is hypocrisy in Islaam, and because it makes the kuffaar feel proud of their religion.
Allaah is the One Whom we ask to make the Muslims feel proud of their religion, to help them adhere steadfastly to it, and to make them victorious over their enemies, for He is the Strong and Omnipotent.
2007-12-18 08:54:32 · answer #1 · answered by Umm Ali 6 · 2⤊ 3⤋
It is acceptable.
Whoever said it is the same as drinking alcohol or having illegal sexual relations, wow! That is a completely far out, extreme belief. These things (adultery, alcohol) are explicitly forbidden by Allah SWT in the Qur'an! But where in the Qur'an does it say anything even similar to "do not wish Christians a happy holiday"? It doesn't! Interpreting a prohibition on wishing other people enjoy their holidays from 39:7, 5:3, 2:85 is.. honestly I can't even see where you could possibly get that interpretation. By saying "Merry Christmas", you are not seeking another religion, you are not practicing another religion, and you are not refusing Islam in any way! You are simply being a nice person, and that is encouraged in Islam!
2007-12-18 09:34:32 · answer #2 · answered by Somebody else 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You wish people Merry Christmas b/c you are celebrating it and wish to extend that joy to others. They can say it back to you, say thanks, or Oh I don't celebrate it. Anything else is just rude and shouldn't alter your salutation. If we have to omit the holiday name and just say Happy Holidays, shouldn't we do it all year?How 'bout saying happy holidays on Oct. 31, or July 4. Really it's silly. people need to lighten up. and BTW Merry Christmas!
2016-05-24 22:00:18 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Congratulate them back. There is nothing wrong with that. And yes, it's okay to say "Merry Christmas" to them to be more precise.
2007-12-18 09:06:41 · answer #4 · answered by Avenny [snowberry] 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't see anything wrong with it, it is nice of you to care enough as To ask on how to respond. Maybe you will feel more comfortable saying, Thank you and Happy Holidays! that will cover everything, don't you think?
2007-12-18 06:07:22 · answer #5 · answered by AleOmar 6 · 6⤊ 1⤋
Why wouldn't it be? Islam states peace for all people.. so why would it be against wishing someone a Merry Christmas is that is their holiday? I see nothing wrong with it. If you are uncomfortable, you could always say Happy Holidays. We celebrate both Christmas and Eid in my home so we always send cards that say Happy Holidays.
Best Wishes to you!
2007-12-18 05:08:45 · answer #6 · answered by Cupid 6 · 7⤊ 5⤋
Pass on the good tidings. Merry Christmas.
2007-12-18 05:10:55 · answer #7 · answered by jamoca 7 · 6⤊ 3⤋
it's just a celebration... I think nothing's wrong with it... Merry Christmas!
2007-12-18 05:24:37 · answer #8 · answered by me_eressea 2 · 5⤊ 3⤋
No it is not okay.
It is forbidden for all Muslims to congratulate any non-Muslims for their feasts. Allah Says (Interpretation of meaning): {This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion}[5:2].
In addition, congratulating them for this feast is synonymous of accepting their wrongdoing and disbelief in Allah. Is there a greater disbelief than attributing a son to Allah or saying that Jesus is Allah or that Allah is the third of three "gods".
Finally, if they congratulate us for our feasts, we do not congratulate them for their feast as we are on the right path and they are in error.
Allah Says (Interpretation of meaning): " {And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers}[2:85].
Allah knows the best. ~!
2007-12-18 07:14:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 4⤋
Either. if you know they are of christian faith, there's nothing amiss with wishing them to have a happy "chistmas" or whatever holiday they celebrate.
2007-12-18 05:06:58 · answer #10 · answered by American Spirit 7 · 5⤊ 3⤋
not acceptable, say: have a nice weekend instead!
2007-12-18 09:15:54 · answer #11 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋