Muslims do not celebrate the Christmas holiday as part of their religion. However, since they live in this world with members of other religions, they cannot help but be touched by the festivities. Advertisements of Christmas and the commercialization of the day mean that they cannot be blind to it. That does not mean that they celebrate the day. Instead, they usually watch their neighbours and have Eid al-Adha.
Originally, Christmas is a Christian holiday. Christmas (literally, the Mass of Christ) is a holiday in the Christian calendar, usually observed on December 25, which celebrates the birth of Jesus. This occasion is marked by gift giving and going to church. However, current cultural trends have diminished Christmas as a religious event; and it has unfortunately become largely commercialized.
Do Muslims Celebrate Christmas?
The Quran cautions Muslims against celebrating Christmas because they believe that if they do, they become like them. Hence they do not recognize Christmas. The Muslim holiday that may be slightly similar to Christmas is known as Eid el-Adha.
Similar to Christmas, Muslims do not celebrate Eid the same way. Some will choose to spend their day with their family and friends, while others may choose to go out and serve the needy. The morning prayers are normally held in a ‘masjid’, which is the equivalent of a church. Sometimes the faithful will gather in convention centers where there are more people.
In some families, the children receive presents or money, and this is referred to as Eidi. To summarize, Eid al-Adha shares certain similarities with Christmas in all other religions, mainly the sharing and giving and spreading good cheer. However, Muslims do not like the fact that Christmas has become more of a commercial venture than a religious festival.
Celebrating Eid – An Insight
Unlike Christmas, Eid al-Adha does not celebrate a birthday. Instead, it is based on the story of Abraham and his difficulties. The bible and the torah also mention Abraham. God ordered Abraham to sacrifice his only son, who is known as Ishmael by the Muslims, Isaac by the Christians and the Jews. When Abraham accepted the command, God rewarded him for his devotion and stopped him from sacrificing Ishmael.
Abraham then sacrificed a lamb; as a sign of respect, Muslims are expected to sacrifice a lamb or sheep and donate it to the poor, or else they can donate money. Eid al-Adha also celebrates the end of the pilgrimage to Mecca. The Hajj pilgrimage is an illustration of one’s devotion to God.
Muslims do not have Christmas traditions, but they usually do not have a problem when their neighbours who may be from a different religion do. It is expected of all religions to be tolerant of each other, and hence they will not pressurize other religions to not celebrate Christmas. In Muslim countries with Christian minorities, there are enacted laws that protect these minorities from persecution when they are observing their religious holidays. For example, in India, both Muslims and Christians are minorities, and they usually support each other and respect each others religions despite their differences.
• Dates, wine and nuts
Prior to the meal being taken, a prayer is said, a Holy Song is sung and a sign of the cross is made on everyone present and on the food. This sign is made with three right hand fingertips. Everyone holds the bread and turns it clockwise. Usually, the bread will not be cut; instead it is torn by the hand and each person must get a piece.
Holy Symbols at Christmas Celebrations
The wicks of two candles are intertwined and then rolled into a ball. The ball is lit, and this represents God as Light. When three candlewicks are twined into a ball, it represents the Holy Trinity: God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit.