Forum: Can Muslims say 'Merry Christmas'?

Sat, 01/03/2009 10:31 AM  |  Reader's Forum

As a Muslim I do not have any problem at all in wishing someone Merry Christmas. Why can't we? As far as I am concerned Christmas is celebrating the birth of Jesus which is also our second most beloved prophet. SYAM
Jakarta

 

Do to others as you would want others to do to you. So, if a non-Muslim says "Happy Idul Fitri", you would appreciate it. Why should that be different to you greeting them on their special days?

It's about being courteous, it doesn't mean you are converting to their religion or believe what they believe. It is so sad this is even an issue you need to think about.
IAIN
Jakarta

 

This is indeed an issue that should be clarified by the Ulemas and experts of this area in this country, so that the same question will not come up again and again every year.

As a layman, I understand the hesitation Muslims have in wishing Merry Christmas because it somewhat touches the Tauhid side of religion which is very sensitive and also a principle.

Wishing "Merry Christmas" is considered by some as acknowledging that Jesus is God and not a prophet, as believed by Muslims. However, there is also some that are wishing it just as a courtesy and it has nothing to do with acknowledging the above.

There is one thing though that I would like to ask the writers, I stumbled across information that Dec. 25 is not really the date of birth of the Prophet Isa. If this is true, can we still wish it as if it were the celebration of the prophet that was born on that day?

Many of my friends and acquaintances are non-Muslims, and as a courtesy I usually send them best wishes on their important days. I believe that everything depends on niat (intention). HILDS
Jakarta

 

It was interesting to read the article. While I do not harbor any hatred for Christians as individuals I do not necessarily think that I should show solidarity with their false believes.

If I'm not mistaken the concept of X-mas originated somewhere in the middle ages or the 18th century and it has nothing to do with the birth of the prophet Jesus.

This should also give you some answers to your question why the prophet did not come across a situation of wishing someone "Merry Christmas".

Therefore, my advise to Muslims is that you respect your Christian colleagues for the human beings that they are but that does not require you to ratify their believes that are utterly false and have no solid basis.
FAZLY
Jakarta

 

This is a good article, and just to comment about the subject that all Muslims are prohibited from saying "Merry Christmas" to Christians. I am a Muslim and I have no issue with saying "Merry Christmas" to Christians. In addition to that we need to be aware that not all Muslims believe in the Hadith from Aisha.
MUHAMMED HUSSAIN
Jakarta

 

Reaction to Israeli Gaza strike -- Dec. 29, Online

Any Military has a contingency plan in case of conflict with their neighbor. Take Singapore for example, they have a war plan in case they need to fight against Indonesia, and Malaysia (although I think the effective time of it is about 6 hours due to the size of military), but does this mean that Singapore wants a war with Indonesia or Malaysia?

Probably not. Considering that Israel is way out there surrounded by perceived enemies, they are always ready to protect themselves against any and all threats. Good for them for showing that any attack on their citizens will be met harshly.
DAVID K.
Jakarta

 

Pak Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, please send TNI to Palestine to protect our Muslim brothers and Sisters. Take the lead in protecting and helping our Brothers and Sisters, who are in trouble.

The Arabs are too busy to even help their fellow Arabs. Let the world know that Indonesia has a say in the world. It is about time we Asian Muslims took the lead. If you do so, God-willing, God will bless Indonesia. Indonesia Raya!
KING CRIPPLER
Singapore

 

Violence can never be right. Injustice toward any group of peoples, nationalities or religions should be condemned. Many times we hear this said in the West and Arab nations, but we very rarely agree with the statements of our governments, which are not balanced and frequently unjust. I wish both sides wisdom and compassion, justice, and peace in the coming years.
JOHN STAFFORD
Jakarta

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Susana Reis (not verified) — Tue, 01/06/2009 - 9:42am

One last thing: if Fazly does not necessarily think that he should show solidarity with false believes, why it is not made a petition to the President of RI in order to abolish all the non-muslim holidays that muslims and non-muslims enjoy every year in this country?

Susana Reis (not verified) — Tue, 01/06/2009 - 9:37am

I don't even see what is the problem when a muslim wishes Merry Christmas ou a christian wishes Happy Idul Fitri to a muslim. It has to do with social contact not religion itself, I believe.
On the other hand, I must say I profoundly disagree the way Fazly, from Jakarta, described the faith in Christ as being "utterly false", having "no solid basis", which is some argument that other religions can also throw against Islamic faith and that most muslims woudn't like to listen to, for sure. Expressing views like that doesn't help establishing bridges between religions, quite the opposite, cause each faith is always false to another, otherwise it wouldn't be called faith.
Instead of talking of falsewood, one should look at the bonds existing between Jewish, Christians and Muslims, specially the fact that they all believe in only one God. And that is already and very strong and solid basis.

Rudi (not verified) — Mon, 01/05/2009 - 9:28am

@FAZLY:
Why do you know that Christians believes are utterly false? Why do you know that Muslim believes are right?
Have you been there when the message has been given to Mohammed? Have you been there when that message has been written down many generations later? Have you been there all the time in between when the message has been passed from mouth to mouth to check that nothing has been modified?
I don't know all that, if you know, you must really be a great man!
Rudi
Bali

Mauriceg — Sat, 01/03/2009 - 11:06pm

To Fazly, who proclaims that there is a problem with the date of Xmas, and in respecting Christians, I have read that your prophet was a stealer of horses. As a Muslim, you might wish to kill me for my words. Don't you see? Feel what it's like for your religion to be denigrated by another, showing no respect. You claim that another's is false. Of course as believers in a creator of the universe you're all irrational and dangerous to one another. You fail to see how it smacks of pre-rational thinking, and is just a multi-generational mass-delusion. It is perpetuated by those wishing power and control over others, especially women.Under-educated, simple-minded people are persuaded to slaughter others, and go to heaven, by so-called holy men. A plague on all your houses i say.

A.R.Tauran (not verified) — Sat, 01/03/2009 - 12:34pm

Dear King Crippler. I suppose our president should reserve some of our aircraft to ferry our troops to fight Israel in Palestine. In view of our aviation problems are you sure they will arrive there safely to deliver their contribution to the cause? Or do you consider just having embarked on the aircraft means that we completed our mission successfully, never mind we managed to arrive on the spot or not? What about the aircraft on the various American carriers? Do you suppose they will cheerfully escort our troops to Gaza without giving us a farewell party with plenty of fireworks? I suggest you think again dear King Crippler. Writing comments is just such fun, I imagine. Making sense is apparently not required. By all means do have fun!

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