What is Christmas? Islam Explains National Nasirat Team Qudoos Bhatti, Sabahat Pall, Attiya Ghani Jaziba Bahri, Rabia Anwar, Amna Anwar What is Christmas? Christmas is the annual Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ (as) The celebration is observed on December 25th It is celebrated religiously by Christians Christmas and culturally by non-Christians Christmas Day is a public holiday in many parts of the world and is an integral part of the holiday season Christians celebrate Christmas by visiting family, giving gifts, caroling, attending mass, and much more The History of Christmas: Origins in Pagan Customs Originates with ancient Dies Natalis Solis Invicti is The winter solstice was The winter solstice was Roman festivals of Saturnalia the “Winter Solstice” festival celebrated with fire, lights, celebrated by humans as far and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti’ that celebrates the shortest offering gifts and sacrifices to back as the Stone Age or Yule (Northern European day and longest night of the gods festival) year Saturnalia started as a single Instead of working, Romans Saturnalia was a pagan day but eventually extended During Saturnalia, Romans spent Saturnalia gambling, festival honoring the to a week starting December would close work, businesses, singing, playing music, agricultural god Saturn 17th and the winter solstice schools and courts feasting, socializing and fell on December 25th giving each other gifts This is why most of the Today, all of these traditions Christianity adopted the Romans decorated their customs, symbols, and rituals and customs of Christmas timing and the rituals of the homes with wreaths and associated with "Christmas" have become a BIG money- Pagan traditions to make other greenery are actually linked to the making business and have converting easier Pagan/Roman festivals little to do with the religion The History of Christmas: Origins in Pagan Customs Dies Natalis Solis Invicti (‘Birthday of Saturnalia the Saturn, the Roman Mithra, originally Unconquerable god of sowing an Indo-Iranian sun Sun”) seed. He is equated god that had a with the Greek great mystery cult agricultural god in the Roman Cronus empire The History of Christmas : Why Decemberth ?25 In 350 AD, Pope Julius I officially declared that the birth of Jesus would be Made celebrated on December 25th converting to Christianity easier Likely chosen based on two reasons The Immaculate The Pagan/Roman conception is accepted by Festivals of Saturnalia and Western Church to be the Winter Solstice March 25th (9 months later makes it December 25th) Christmas Customs and Traditions Custom/Tradition Brief Description Nativity Plays and Church Schools and churches have plays to reenact the birth story of Jesus Christ as in the services Bible. Christians attend either a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day service at their Church as an important part of the Christmas celebration. Music and Carols Christmas hymns appeared in 4th century Rome but songs or carols became popular and strong tradition by the 13th century Traditional Feasts Christmas feasts vary in different parts of the world but usually include a large bird like turkey or goose, gravy, potatoes, vegetables, sometimes bread and cider. Special desserts are also prepared, such as Christmas pudding, mince pies, fruit cake, Yule log cake and eggnog. In Europe, some countries have fish, lamb, beef, chicken or pork. Cards Christmas cards started in London in the 1800s and has since become a tradition where family and friends share cards the weeks before Christmas wishing each other a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Decorations Decorating houses and churches started in the 15th century. Today it includes lights, plants (Christmas tree, wreaths, holly, mistletoe), include bells, candles, candy canes, stockings, and angels. Santa Claus and Gift Giving This was the practice of Romans during the Saturnalia festival and has been adopted (continued…) by Christians. Santa Claus is the term referring to Saint Nicholas (born in 280AD in modern-day Turkey) who was known for his kindness and piety and became known as the protector of children, and his popularity spread around the world. More about Santa Claus During the Holiday season, seeing a Santa Claus somewhere is unavoidable, so lets learn a bit more He is a legendary, mythical, historical figure about him... who is the traditional patron of Christmas in America and other countries, who brings “Sinterklaas” was the Dutch gifts to children depiction of Saint Nicholas. The figure of Santa Claus, and his role during Christmas, is largely based on the Dutch Sinterklaas. He was His popular image is based on traditions “elegantly garbed in a bishop’s tall associated with Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century hat, red cape, shiny ring, and jeweled staff.” Christian saint Santa Claus He is said to bring gifts to the homes of the The modern day image good children during the late evening and of Santa also became overnight hours of Christmas Eve, December popular in the US and 24th Canada during the 19th century due to the significant influence of He is depicted as a portly, joyous, white- Clement Clarke bearded man (sometimes with glasses) Moore‘s 1823 poem “A wearing a red coat with white collar and cuffs, Visit From St. white-cuffed red trousers, and black leather The Dutch settled in the Hudson Valley over 300 years Nicholas”. ago and brought Sinterklaas with them to the U.S. belt and boots Why Muslims do not Celebrate Christmas Why Muslims Don’t Celebrate Christmas and Associated Customs ﱠو ﯾ ُ ۡﻧ ِذ َر ا ﻟ ﱠ ِذ ۡﯾ َن َﻗ ﺎ ﻟ ُ و ا ا ﺗ ﱠ َﺧ َذ ﱣ� ُ َو َﻟ ًد ا ٭﴿۵﴾ ۡ ٰ It is SHIRK! Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ (as) as the َﻣﺎ َﻟ ُﮩ ۡم ﺑِ ٖہ ِﻣ ۡن ِﻋﻠ ٍم ﱠو َﻻ ِﻻﺑَﺎٓﺋِ ِﮩ ۡم ؕ َﮐﺑُ َر ۡت ۡ ۡ !SON OF GOD born to save the world َﮐ ِﻠ َﻣ ًۃ ﺗَﺧ ُر ُج ِﻣ ۡن اَﻓ َواﮨِ ِﮩ ۡم ؕ ِا ۡن ﯾﱠﻘُ ۡوﻟُ ۡو َن ِا ﱠﻻ َﮐ ِذﺑًﺎ ﴿The whole Christian belief system behind Christmas is a fabrication. We ﴾۶ know this because Allah tells us so in the Holy Qur’an in Surah Al-Kahf. Even though we know Jesus Christ (as) was a Prophet, Muslims still do “And that it may warn not celebrate the birth of Prophets because the Prophets didn’t those who say, ‘ Allah celebrate birthdays and we follow their examples. has taken unto Himself Most traditions and customs during Christmas originate in Pagan a son.’ No knowledge festivals (or were just created in recent history) and have nothing to do have they thereof, with the Christian faith itself. nor had their fathers. Grievous is the word As Muslims, we know for sure that Jesus Christ (as) was not born in the that comes from their winter season and the date of December 25th was just chosen by a man mouths. They speak 350 years after Jesus’s (as) birth. naught but a lie.” The Holy Prophet (saw) said, “Whoever imitates a people is one of (Surah Al-Kahf, 18:5-6) them.” (Abu Dawood), and we are Muslims, so we should not take part in any Christian customs that go against our Islamic teachings. Ahmadi Beliefs on the Conception and Birth of Jesus (as The Angel told her to avoid talking When Hadhrat Maryam (ra) was in Hadhrat Maryam (ra), mother of to anyone about the baby, “if thou childbirth, she sat under a palm Jesus was an extremely righteous seest any man, say, ‘I have vowed a tree and was told (by an Angel) that woman and so was chosen by fast to the Gracious God; I will there was a stream below for water Allah to be the mother of Jesus therefore not speak this day to any she needed and to shake the tree Christ human being.’” for fresh dates to eat. She couldn’t explain the She was chosen to be part of a Hadhrat Maryam (ra) and miraculous conception and miracle which would prove to be a the Conception & Birth pregnancy to anyone, “So she great trial for her (as it would be for of Jesus Christ (as) conceived him, and withdrew with any young woman of that time) him to a remote place” (19:23) Hadhrat Maryam (ra) was in isolation when an Angel appeared. She was in shock because she The Angel said, “Thus it is.’ But She was scared because he was in wasn’t married so she replied, ‘How says thy Lord, ‘It is easy for Me…” the form of a man, but he told her can I have a son when no man has meaning Allah has the power to do he was a messenger of God and touched me, neither have I been anything. (19:22) gave her glad tidings of a pious son unchaste?” (19:21) Our Belief on the Conception and Birth of Jesus (as) Additional Explanations and Facts: According to the Qur’an, Hadhrat Maryam (ra) was instructed to eat the fresh dates. Fresh dates are found on palm tress in Judea in August and September, NOT in December. The Bible states, “And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son…And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night.” (Luke 2:7-8) This could not happen in the extreme cold winter nights of December. Hadhrat Maryam (ra) was told to wash in the streams below her. Again, this would not have been possible as the streams would have icy cold in December. NOTE: “How can we talk to one who is a Unlike Non-Ahmadi Muslims that believe Hadhrat Maryam (ra) returned home with a baby child in the cradle” Jesus (as) who literally spoke to the elders about who he was, Ahmadi Muslims believe that (Surah Al-Maryam, Joseph took Hadhrat Maryam (ra) and Jesus (as) to Egypt for many years.