Maybe in the near future, you will hear, there will be a sign that reads “Merry Christmas”, or which means Merry Christmas. And usually, this moment is accompanied by a Happy New Year greeting…
Maybe soon, it will be heard, there will be a sign that reads “ Merry Christmas ”, or which means Merry Christmas. And usually, this moment is accompanied by a Happy New Year greeting.
Some people think that such statements are not problematic, especially those who think so are infidels. But this becomes a big problem, when a Muslim congratulates the celebration of the infidels.
And there are also some among the Muslims, who think it's odd like the opinions of the unbelievers. On the grounds of tolerance in religion!? Religious tolerance is not like unlimited patience. However, religious tolerance is upheld by the Shari'ah, as long as there is no difference in Shari'at. The form of tolerance can also take the form of allowing them to have a holiday without participating in their event, including no need for congratulations.
Islam teaches nobility and commendable morals. Not only good treatment of fellow Muslims, but also to non-believers. Even a Muslim is encouraged to do good to unbelievers, as long as the unbelievers do not fight the Muslims.
Allah Ta'ala says,
God does not forbid you with regard to those who did not fight you because of religion and did not expel you from your homes, that you treat them justly and justly. Indeed, God loves justice.
" Allah does not forbid you to do good and act justly towards those who did not fight you because of religion and did not expel you from your land. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly ." (QS. Al Mumtahana: 8)
However, this is used by some people to generalize the good attitude that must be carried out by a Muslim towards unbelievers. Some people think that saying Merry Christmas is a form of good deed to Christians. But it is necessary to distinguish between doing good (ihsan) to disbelievers and being loyal (wala) to unbelievers.
Reasons For Forbidding Merry Christmas Greetings
1- Not a celebration of the Muslims
The Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam has explained that there are only 2 celebrations for Muslims, namely 'Eid al-Fitr and 'Eid al-Adha.
Anas bin Malik radhiyallahu 'anhu said: “When the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam came to Medina, the people of Medina had two holidays to have fun and play around during the ignorance period. So he said: I came to you and you had two holidays during the Jahiliyah era which you filled with fun. Allah has replaced both of them with better ones for you, namely the feast of sacrifice ('Eid al-Adha) and the feast of 'Eid al-Fitr” (HR. Ahmad, authentic).
As a devout Muslim, it is enough for the guidance of the Prophet -shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam- to be the best guidance.
2- Approve the disbelief of those who celebrate Christmas
When when congratulating something, we are essentially giving an appreciation. For example congratulating a friend who has graduated from college at graduation.
Well, so does a Muslim who wishes a Merry Christmas to a Christian. It's as if the people who said it, pinned sentences agreeing with their disbelief. Because they think that Christmas is the birthday of their god, namely the Prophet 'Isa' alaihish salatu wa sallam. And they think that the Prophet 'Isa is their god. Isn't this a very clear and obvious disbelief?
Although Allah Ta'ala has said,
you have your religion and I have mine
" To you your religion, to me my religion ." (QS. Al-Kafirun: 6).
3- It is a wrong attitude of loyalty (wala).
Loyal (wala) is not the same as doing good (ihsan). Wala has the meaning of being loyal, helping, or glorifying our loved ones, so that when we are wala towards someone, feelings will grow
When we say Merry Christmas, it can slowly grow our love for them. Maybe some of us deny, what is said is only verbal. Whereas a Muslim is commanded to deny the gods of infidels.
Allah Ta'ala says,
قَدْ كَانَتْ لَكُمْ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ فِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَالَّذِينَ مَعَهُ إِذْ قَالُوا لِقَوْمِهِمْ إِنَّا بُرَاء مِنكُمْ وَمِمَّا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ كَفَرْنَا بِكُمْ وَبَدَا بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمُ الْعَدَاوَةُ وَالْبَغْضَاء أَبَداً حَتَّى تُؤْمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَحْدَهُ
" Indeed, there has been a good role model for you in Ibrahim and those who were with him; when they said to their people: "Indeed we have separated ourselves from you from what you worship besides Allah, we deny your (disbelief) and have manifested between us and you enmity and hatred forever until you believe in Allah alone . " (Qs. Al Mumtahana: 4)
4- The Prophet forbade to precede greetings
Nabi shall Allahu 'alaihi wa sallam bersabda,
Do not initiate greetings to Jews or Christians
" Do not precede the Jews and Nashara in greeting (congratulations). ” (HR. Muslim no. 2167). Christmas greetings are included in the prohibition of this hadith.
5- Impersonating an infidel
It is no longer unclear, that some Muslims participate in the Christmas celebration. Just look when in markets, on the streets, and shopping centers. Some of the Muslims are dressed in clothes typical of Christmas celebrations. Even though the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam had forbidden the Muslims to imitate the infidels.
Whoever imitates a people is one of them
" Whoever resembles a people, then he is one of them ." (Narrated by Ahmad and Abu Dawud)
The Talk of the Birth of Isa in the Qur'an
Read the excerpt below. Allah Ta'ala says,
فَحَمَلَتْهُ فَانْتَبَذَتْ بِهِ مَكَانًا قَصِيًّا (22) فَأَجَاءَهَا الْمَخَاضُ إِلَى جِذْعِ النَّخْلَةِ قَالَتْ يَا لَيْتَنِي مِتُّ قَبْلَ هَذَا وَكُنْتُ نَسْيًا مَنْسِيًّا (23) فَنَادَاهَا مِنْ تَحْتِهَا أَلَّا تَحْزَنِي قَدْ جَعَلَ رَبُّكِ تَحْتَكِ سَرِيًّا (24) وَهُزِّي إِلَيْكِ بِجِذْعِ النَّخْلَةِ تُسَاقِطْ عَلَيْكِ رُطَبًا جَنِيًّا (25)
" So Maryam became pregnant with him, so she isolated herself with her pregnancy to a far away place. Then the pain of giving birth forced her (to lean) against the base of a palm tree, she said: 'Oh, how good it would be if I died before this, and I became an insignificant object, forgotten.' Then Gabriel called to him from a low place: "Do not be sad, indeed your Lord has made a stream under you. And shake the base of the date palm towards you, the tree will surely drop ripe dates to you ." (QS. Maryam: 22-25)
The above verse quote shows that Maryam was pregnant with the Prophet 'Isa' alahis salam when the dates were fruiting. And the season when the dates bear fruit is summer. So so far, Christmas has been synonymous with winter , which is wrong.
Closing
Know, O Muslims, a trivial matter can become a big matter if we don't know it. Congratulating on a celebration that is not only of Islamic origin is prohibited (eg birthday greetings), how else to congratulate an infidel celebration? Of course it's even more forbidden.
Even though congratulation is just a light greeting, it becomes a serious problem in terms of aqidah. What's more, if there are among the Muslims who help celebrate Christmas. For example, by helping to spread Christmas greetings, it may be in the form of banners, billboards, or even worse, wearing clothes typical for Christmas events (Santa Claus, pent.)
Allah Ta'ala has said,
And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression.
" And help each other in (doing) virtue and piety, and do not help each other in committing sins and transgressions ." (QS. Al-Maidah: 2).
Wallahu waliyyut taufiq.
Source: Muslim.or.id