Christmas

Pagan Origins of Christmas

Christmas is celebrated annually on December 25 by Christians Christians celebrate Christmas Day on December 25 and claim it as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive.

Is Christmas Really the Day Jesus Was Born?

By the fourth century, church officials had decided to institute the birth of Jesus as a holiday. Yet, the Bible does not mention date for his birth.

It is said Pope Julius 1 chose December 25. It is commonly believed that the church chose this date in an effort to adopt and absorb the traditions of the pagan Saturnalia festival.

It is commonly believed that the church chose this date in an effort to adopt and absorb the traditions of the pagan Saturnalia festival.

By holding Christmas at the same time as traditional winter solstice festivals, church leaders increased the chances that Christmas would be popularly embraced

The Story Of Nimrod, As It Relates To Christmas And Easter

By Wilhelm J Wolfaardt

Nimrod, the grandson of Noah, became the first king known as SargonI. He built Babylon and Nineveh. Being warlike, he wore a type of helmet with a horn in the front; a trait inherited by the druid Vikings of the Celts, descendants of the Assyrian line.

Nimrod means “tyrant”. He led the Sumerians of Babylon to pay tribute to the skies (sun, moon, stars, and planets) with the sacrifice of their children. The Tower of Babel was built for this purpose, echoed in other cultures such as the Aztecs, Mayans, and Incas. Since the head of this government was such an idolatrous tyrant, Shem (Nimrod’s uncle) killed him. Nimrod’s mother, Semiramis, consoled the people by making them believe the child she carried was Nimrod “reincarnated” and named him “Duzu” (Tammuz), Babylonian for the son who rises. This Duzu went into the groves (forests) and placed a gift on a tree to honour Nimrod each year at the winter solstice. It has been said that Duzu was the offspring of Nimrod, who mated with his mother. Nimrod became known as Baal, meaning LORD, and was worshipped by the Babylonians as the sun in the sky — thus the origin of “going to the heavens” at death.

Trees and branches became symbols of Nimrod. Because Nimrod was “cut down” by Shem, a tree stump became a place of honouring him. Thus, the Hebrew Scriptures speak of the pagans going into the “groves”, and bringing a “branch to the nose”, and going into the forest and cutting down a tree, decorating it, and propping it up a so that it will not totter. The winter solstice was the time when the sun was thought to be “reborn”, so December 25th was celebrated as Baal’s (Nimrod’s) birthday. By tradition, the artificial idea of a New Year following this birthday celebration became an integral part of every human culture, based on this pagan idolatry. Generally, all mankind is fast asleep, dreaming this old Babylonian dream.

Christmas is an attempt by Catholicism to revise and adopt this paganism. In the year 525, a Scythian monk named Dionysius Exiguus visited Rome. He witnessed the ancient pagan celebration of the winter solstice (then called Paganalia or Saturnalia), and this offended his devout sensibilities. Scripture itself demands that we observe the Messiah’s death, not His birth. But, since the pagan mind was so oriented around fertility and birth, it developed the way we see it today, blending the most important features of pagan interpretation. “Babel, the Great Mother of Harlots and of the Abominations of the Earth” — has intoxicated the masses, and she herself is drunk with the blood of the set-apart ones.

What is her name? It’s Easter! Semiramis, Nimrod’s mother, became known as “Magna Mater”, the “Great Mother”, and was worshipped as Mother Earth. The Sun “mated” with the Earth each spring, and the “Rites of Spring” symbolized by the “May Pole” and “Easter” came 9 moons/months before the December 25th “birth” of the winter Sun. Her Assyrian name, Ishtar, gives us the word “Easter”. The Romans called her Astarte, and the Phoenicians used Asherah. The Hebrews called her Astoroth, the consort of Baal. Her emblem is the flower of the lily. She is the “goddess of the dawn”, and her statue stands on a bridge in France. The French made a colossus of this image, and it now stands in New York Harbor, facing “East” — in itself a word referring to the rising son/sun — from which her name springs! (end of Story)

Can Muslims Celebrate Christmas, exchange gifts , attend Christmas Dinner, exchange Greetings?

When Muslims reject the celebration of Christmas it is out of respect for Allah and Prophet Jesus and the teachings Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon them both).

It is an integral part of our faith to reject celebrations that have not been prescribed and/or that have a basis in falsehood, as inevitably they lead to misguidance and alterations in faith, as has happened with Christianity.

Another reason is that as Muslims we know Jesus (peace be upon him) was a Prophet of God and for that reason we respect and we love him and it is forbidden to lie about him.

Allah says:
In the Name of Allah, most Compassionate, most Merciful
1. Say (O Muhammad ): “He is Allah, (the) One.
2. “Allah-us-Samad (The Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, He neither eats nor drinks).
3. “He begets not, nor was He begotten;
4. “And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him.”
(Quran Surah Al-Ikhlaas)

Therefore God is not a tree nor inside plants, animals, humans or stones. Nor does God become a human being. Nor can a human being become God. But rather God is separate from His creation.

If there was more than one God then there would be chaos. One God may want it to be cold and rainy and the other God may want it to be hot and sunny. This would end up in chaos for human beings in particular.

On the day of judgment Jesus will be questioned by Allah

“And behold Allah will say: “O Jesus the son of Mary Did you say to men, Worship me and my mother as gods besides Allah He will say-“Glory to you I could never say what I had no right (to say’)” (Soorah Al-Maa’idah- 5:116)

Allah says “And they say: ‘The Most Gracious (Allah) has begotten a son (or offspring or children) [as the Jews say: ‘Uzayr (Ezra) is the son of Allah, and the Christians say that He has begotten a son [‘Eesa (Jesus)], and the pagan Arabs say that He has begotten daughters (angels and others)].’

Indeed you have brought forth (said) a terrible evil thing.

Whereby the heavens are almost torn, and the earth is split asunder, and the mountains fall in ruins,

That they ascribe a son (or offspring or children) to the Most Gracious (Allah).

But it is not suitable for (the Majesty of) the Most Gracious (Allah) that He should beget a son (or offspring or children).

There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto the Most Gracious (Allah) as a slave”[Maryam 19:88-93]

On Christmas day the Christian say on this day Gods son was born

Imagine how horrified even the mountains and the earth is when they hear Christians saying Allah has a son. This is a lie against Allah and against Prophet Jesus. So how can a Muslim celebrate or participate or greet them saying merry Christmas. If you have a relative who is Christian or a neighbour or a fellow student then you should use this opportunity to tell them why you do not celebrate Christmas and call them to Islam not encourage them in their shirk.

Shaykh al-Islam said: It is not permissible for the Muslims to imitate them in any part of the things that are exclusively part of their festivals, whether it be food, dress, bathing, lighting fires or changing their habits with regard to daily living, acts of worship, etc. It is not permissible to give a feast or give gifts or sell items that will help them to do that for that purpose, or to allow children and others to do any of that, whether it is playing, wearing new clothes etc. in conclusion, they should not make that day special by adopting any of their rituals; for the Muslims, the day of the kaafirs festival should be like any other day.

(Majmoo al-Fataawaa, 52/923).

Al-Dhahabi said: “If the Christians or the Jews have a festival that is exclusively theirs, the Muslims should not join them in that, just as they do not join them in their laws or their direction of prayer.” (tashabbuh al-Khasess bi Ahl al-Khmaees, in al-Hikmah magazine, issue $, p. 391). I

Ibn al-Turkmaani al-Hanafi mentioned some of the things that some Muslims did on the occasion of Christian festivals, such as spending more than usual and taking the family out, then he said: “Some of the Hanafi scholars said: whoever does any of the things mentioned here and does not repent, is a kaafir like them.”

One of the companions of Maalik said: “Whoever cuts up a watermelon on the day of Nawrooz, it is as if he sacrificed a pig.” (al-Lam fil-Hawaadith wal-Bida, 1/492)

Avoiding using the means of transportation that they use to go to their festivals

Maalik said: “It is makrooh to travel with them in the boats which they use to go to their festivals, because the Divine wrath and curse is descending upon them.” (al-Hawaadith wal-Bida, 1/492).

Ibn al-Qaasim was asked about traveling in the boats which the Christians ride in to attend their festivals. He regarded that as makrooh, fearing the descent of Divine wrath upon them for the shirk which they agreed upon. (al-Iqtidaa, 2/625).

Not giving them gifts or helping them to celebrate their festivals by either selling or buying.

Abu Hafs al-Hanafi said: “Whoever gives an egg to a kaafir out of respect for that day has disbelieved in Allaah, may He be exalted.” (Fath al-Baari li Ibn Hajar al-Asqallaani, 2/315).

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said: “Ibn al-Qaasim regarded it as makrooh for a Muslim to give a Christian anything on the occasion of his festival to congratulate him. He saw that as respecting their festival and helping them in their kufr. Do you not see that it is not permissible for the Muslims to sell anything to the Christians that helps them to celebrate their festival? No meat, no food, no dress. They should not loan their riding-beasts to them or help them in any way with their festival, because that is like honouring their shirk and helping them with their kufr. The authorities should prevent Muslims from doing this. This is the view of Maalik and others, and I do not know of any dissenting opinion on this point.” (2/625-725)

Ibn al-Turkmaani said: “The Muslim is sinning if he sits with them or helps them to slaughter animals or cook food, or he lends them a riding-beast to take them to their celebrations or festivals. (al-Lama fil-Hawaadith, 1/492)

Not helping the Muslim who wants to imitate them in their festivals to do so

Shaykh al-Islam said: “Just as we should not imitate them in their festivals, so too we should not help the Muslim who wants to imitate them to do so. It is forbidden to so this. If a person issues an invitation on the occasion of their festivals that he would not ordinarily do, his invitation should not be accepted. If a Muslim gives a gift on this occasion that he would not ordinarily give at any other time, his gift should not be accepted, especially if it is something that would help a person to imitate them, as we have already stated. A Muslim should not sell anything that could help Muslims to imitate them in their celebrations, such as food, clothing and so on, because be doing so he is helping them in sin”. (al-Iqtidaa, 2/915-025).

Do Not congratulate them on the occasion of their festivals
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “As for congratulating them for the symbols of kufr that belong exclusively to them, this is haram according to scholarly consensus, such as congratulating them for their festivals and fasts, and saying, “A blessed festival to you” and the like. Even though the person who says this might not become a kaafir by saying this, it is still forbidden, and it is the same as congratulating them for prostrating to the cross. Indeed, it is an even greater sin with Allah and is more hated by Him than congratulating them for drinking wine, killing people and committing adultery, and so on. Many of those who do not care about religion do this, and do not realize how abhorrent their actions are. Whoever congratulates a person for his sin, bidah (innovation) or kufr exposes himself to the wrath and anger of Allah. The pious scholars used to avoid congratulating the tyrants when they were appointed to official positions, or congratulating the ignorant when they were appointed as Qaadis, teachers or Muftis, because they sought to avoid the wrath and anger of Allah .” (Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah, 1/144-244).

Congratulating the kuffaar on the occasion of their religious festivals is haraam as Ibn al-Qayyim stated, because this implies approval of their rituals and beliefs of kufr. Even if a person does not accept this kufr for himself, it is still haram for a Muslim to approve of the rituals of kufr for someone else or to congratulate someone else for them, because Allah does not approve of this. :

Allah says
“If you disbelieve, then verily, Allah 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 Islam as your religion”[al-Maaidah 5:3]

Congratulating them for that is haraam, whether they are taking part with them in that or not. If they congratulate us on the occasion of their festival, we should not respond, because it is not our festival and because these are festivals with which Allah is not pleased, because they are either innovated in their religions, or they are prescribed, but they (their religions) have been abrogated by the religion of Islam, with which Allah sent Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to all of mankind.

And Allah :
“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” [Aal Imraan 3:85].

It is haram for a Muslim to accept an invitation on these occasions, because this is worse than merely congratulating them, since it involves joining in with them. Anyone who does any of these things is a sinner whether he does it just to be friendly, or because he likes them, or because he is too shy to do otherwise, or for any other reason, because it is a kind of hypocrisy in the religion of Allah and is a way of making the kuffaar feel stronger and making them proud of their religion. (Majmoo Fataawaa wa rasaail Fadeelat al-Shaykh Muhammad al-Uthaymeen, compiled by Fahd al-Salmaan, 3/45-46)

Question: What if a Muslim wants to celebrate like they do, but he does it a few days before or after their festival so that he is not imitating them?

This is a kind of imitation and too is haram, because the prohibition of a thing , and the prohibition of celebrating their festivals also covers the days before and after the festival itself, when they do things that have to do with it.

The prohibition also covers the places in which they do things that have to do with their festivals .

The ruling on these things is the same as the ruling on the festival itself.

These things should not be done, even if some people avoid doing any of these things on the days of their festival such as the Thursday (what is referred to here is Maundy Thursday or the Day of Ascension, which is one of the rituals of Easter for the Christians, who call it the Great Thursday) or Christmas, but they tell their families, I will do this for you next week or next month, and their motive is the fact that the kaafirs festival is happening, otherwise they would not have done it at all. This is also one of the things meant by imitation. (See: al-Iqtidaa, 2/315).

Avoiding using their words and religious terminology
If it is forbidden to learn their languages unnecessarily for fear of resembling them, then using the names they give to their festivals and rituals is even more forbidden.

This is like using the word “mahrajaan” (festival) to describe any large gathering, because this is the name of a religious festival of the Persians.

Al-Bayhaqi narrated that Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) was given a gift for Nawrooz and he said, “What is this?” They said, “O Ameer al-Mumineen, this is the day of Nawrooz.” He said, “Then make every day Fayrooz!” Abu Usamah said: “He, may Allah be pleased with him, did not even want to say “Nawrooz.” (Reported by al-Bayhaqi in al-Sunan al-Kubraa, 9/532).

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said: “Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) did not even want to say the same name as they gave to their own festival, so how abut doing the same things?” (See: al-Iqtidaa, 1/954).

We have already stated that this is not an Arabic term; the Arabic language is rich enough not to need such words, and has better words that can be used.

The ruling on accepting gifts on their festivals:

We have already stated above that it is not permissive to give gifts on their festivals because this is helping them in their falsehood.

It is also not permissible to accept a gift from a Muslim who is imitating them, because by accepting it one is helping him to imitate them and this implies that one approves of what he is doing and that one is not rebuking him for doing this haraam action.

With regard to accepting a gift from a kaafir if he gives something to a Muslim at the time of the kaafir’s festival, this is like being given a gift at other times, because it does not involve helping them in their kufr.

There is some difference of opinion with regard to this matter, based on whether one should accept a gift from a kaafir who is at war with the Muslims as opposed to a kaafir who is living under the protection of Islamic rule.

It should also be noted that their gifts may be of two types:

1. Gifts other than meat that has been slaughtered for the occasion of their festival such as sweets, fruits and so on.

There is a difference of opinion based on the question of accepting gifts from the kaafirs in general.

It seems that it is permissible because it was reported that Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) accepted their gifts, and it was reported that a woman asked Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her), “We have some birds from the Magians which they had during their festival and they gave them to us. She said, “If they were slaughtered for that occasion, do not eat them, but eat from their trees [i.e. fruits etc.].” (Reported by Ibn Abi Shaybah in Kitaab al-Atimah in his Musannaf, 5/521, no. 16342.

In al-Iqtidaa it says “We have some wet-nurses.” The editor of al-Iqtidaa said: perhaps what is meant by this is relatives through radaaah (breastfeeding)).

Abu Barzah (may Allah be pleased with him) said that he had Magian tenants who used to give him gifts on Nawrooz and mahrajaan, and he used to tell his family: “If it is, eat it, but if it is anything else, reject it.” (ibid., no. 26346).

Shaykh al-Islam said: “All of this indicates that refusing to accept their gifts has no effect on their festival. The ruling on accepting their gifts at the time of their festival and at other times is the same, because this does not entail helping them in the rituals of their kufr.” (al-Iqtidaa 2/455-555).

2. Or their gift may be of meat that was slaughtered for the occasion of their festival. This should not be eaten, because of the reports of “Aishah and Abu Barzah narrated above, and because it has been slaughtered according to the rituals of kufr.

Singling out the festivals of the kuffaar for fasting so as to be different from them

The scholars differed with regard to this:

It was said that it is not makrooh to fast on their festivals for the purpose of being different from them. This view is daeef (weak).

The correct view is that it is not permissible to single out the days of their festivals for fasting, because their festivals are occasions which they venerate, and fasting on these days and not others coincides with them in their veneration.

Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “Our companions said: it is makrooh to single out the day of Nawrooz and the day of Mahrajaan to fast, because these are two days which are venerated by the kuffaar so fasting only on these days and not on others is agreeing with them in their veneration of those days. This is like the case of Saturday, so by analogy this ruling applies to every festival of the kuffaar and every day which they venerate.” (al-Mughni, 4/924; see also al-Iqtidaa, 2/975).

This ruling applies in cases where one singles out that day to fast because it is their festival.

But if it happens to coincide with a vow or a voluntary fast, without intending to fast because it is their festival, then there is nothing wrong with that. (See Haashiyat Ibn Qaasim ala al-Rawd al-Murabba, 3/064).

The guideline in being different from them with regard to their festivals is that one should not innovate anything at all; one should treat the days of their festivals as being like any other day. (See al-Iqtidaa, 2/815).

So one should not take the day off work, or rejoice on that occasion, of single that day out for fasting, expressing grief, etc.

Shaykh al-Islam mentioned something which may be taken as guidelines with regard to the matter of imitation.

He said: “tashabbuh (imitation) includes those who do something because they do it, which is rare; and those who follow others in what they do for some purpose of his own even though the action is originally taken from those others.

As for the one who does something that happens to be done by others as well, but neither of them took it from the other, it is open to debate as to whether this is is imitation or not.

But the person who does this may be rebuked so that there will be no excuse for imitation, and because this will reinforce the idea of differing from them.” (al-Iqtidaa, 1/242).

On the basis of what Shaykh al-Islam has said, actions that happen to coincide with what they do may be divided into two types:

Imitation of them, which is where the person who imitates them wants to be like them ,for whatever reason. This is haraam.

Resembling them, which is when a person is not deliberately aiming to be like them.

In this case it should be pointed out to him, then if he stops, all well and good; otherwise he is guilty of the kind of imitation that is haraam.

“Abd-Allah ibn Amr ibn al-Aas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) saw me wearing two garments that had been dyed with safflower.” He said, “This is the clothing of the kuffaar, do not wear them.”

According to another report: He said, “Did your mother tell you to wear this”? I said, “Should I wash them?” He said, “No, burn them.” (The two reports were narrated by Muslim in al-Libaas wal-Zeenah, 2077)

Al-Qurtubi said: “This indicates that the reason he told him not to wear them was that by wearing them he was imitating the kuffaar.” (book title?? 5/399).

It seems from the hadeeth that Abd-Allah (may Allah be pleased with him) did not realize that he was imitating the dress of the kuffaar, but the Prophet (peace be upon him) still told him off for that and explained the ruling of shariah on this matter.

If something originated with the kuffaar, And it is done by them and by others, then this is not imitation, but Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah thought that it should be stopped so as to leave no room for excuses and so as to protect the Muslims from falling into imitation of the kuffaar, and because this serves the purpose of differing from them.

Ruling on selling Christmas Gifts

It is not permissible for Muslims to sell Christmas gifts, Christmas trees, Christmas cards, Christmas decorations and so on.

The hypocrites and their attitude to Non Muslim and Muslim festivals and the festivals of the

1. The socialist Baath party in one of the Arab countries tried to abolish Udhiyah (sacrifices for Eid al-Adhaa) on the grounds of famine and drought. Their supporters put up a huge banner on which was written: “For the sake of the hungry and the poor and the naked, donate the value of the sheep for udhiyah.” (See al-Istijaabah magazine, vol. 4, Rabee al-Thaani 1406 AH).

But when Christmas and New year came, they were official holidays in that country, lavish parties and promiscuous soirees.

Foremost among the people celebrating were the leaders of the socialist Baath party whose joy at the Christian festivals made them forget the needs of the poor, hungry and naked, whose plight they only remembered at the time of the Muslims Eids!

Shaykh Abd al-Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allah have mercy on him) said

It is not permissible for any Muslim man or woman to join the Christians, Jews or others kaafirs in their festivals, rather that must be avoided, because Whoever imitates a people is one of them. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) warned us against imitating them and adopting their ways. So the believer, man or woman, must beware of that; it is not permissible to help them in doing that in any way, because these festivals are against shariah, so it is prohibited to take part in them or to cooperate with the people who are celebrating it, or help them in any way, whether by helping them to serve tea or coffee or in other ways such as providing vessels etc, because

Allah says :
Help you one another in Al‑Birr and At‑Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment
[al-Maa’idah 5:2]

Joining in with the kuffaar on their holidays is a kind of cooperating in sin and transgression.

Majmoo Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz, 6/405

The festivals of the Christians are part of their religion, and if the Muslims venerate the festivals of the non Muslims by expressing joy and giving gifts, this means that they are imitating them.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”

Muslims must beware of imitating the Christians in their festivals and of following the customs that belong only to them. You did well and you did the right thing when you did not agree to collect donations for poor families on the occasion of Christmas, so adhere to that and advise your brothers and explain to them that this action is not permissible, because we Muslims have no festivals apart from Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adhaa. Allah has given us these two festivals and we have no need of the festivals of the kaafirs.

It is not permissible to eat from that food which the Christians or Mushrikeen prepare on the occasion of their festivals. It is also not permissible to accept their invitations to join them in their celebrations of those festivals, because this encourages them and is tantamount to approving of their bidah, which gives the wrong idea to ignorant people and makes them think that there is nothing wrong with that.

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem (may Allaah have mercy on him) wrote to the Minister for Trade, saying:

From Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem to His Excellency the Minister for Trade, may Allah preserve him. Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.

We have been told that last year, some traders imported gifts for Christmas and the Christian New Year, including Christmas trees, and that some citizens bought these and gave them as gifts to Christian foreigners in our country, joining them in this festival.

This is an evil action which they should not have done. Undoubtedly you know that this is not permissible, and you are aware of what the scholars have said about there being scholarly consensus on the prohibition on joining the kuffaar, mushrikeen and people of the Book in their festivals.

We hope that you will issue a ban on these gifts that have been brought into our country and other things that come under the same ruling and are things that are unique to their celebrations.

Fataawa al-Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem, 3/105.