26
@glam.Halal | november-december. 2019
Lifestyle
Christmas
wish for Muslims
Muslims may partake in the joyful celebration, in the spirit
of hospitality and togetherness
I
t’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
Decorations are hung, Christmas cookies
are baked and the Christmas spirit is in
the air.
Living in a multiracial environment,
one could not escape the sights and the
merriment of joy and celebratory spirit
– whether it’s in the office or the neighbour-
hood and even in shopping malls where the
bells are ringing and faux snow falls from the
air conditioning unit.
As a Muslim in Malaysia, we are often told
that wishing others a “Merry Christmas” is
haram as it “acknowledges the existence of
other powers” beyond the Almighty Allah.
This falls under the category of shirk and
causes the Muslims to stray away from joining
the office celebrations and simultaneously
create controversies among the religions.
Here is the pressing matter; are we not
allowed to wish them a merry Christmas –
The Muslims are allowed to wish others Christmas; so long as it doesn’t contain
any religious significance.
even as a gesture of friendship and unity? Are
we prohibited to do so as it is considered to be
shirk and blasphemous towards Islam?
It’s okay to say
On 24 December 2018, the Mufti of Federal
Territory updated their decision on the
matter.
It is stated that Muslims are permitted
to wish the celebrating participants when
the social need arises. This gesture is seen
to strengthen the spirit of Muhibbah and to
bring the society closer together.
It is understood that living in a multiracial
environment means that we would all have
family members, co-workers and neighbours
who do not share the same belief. The wish
should be meant to be an act of good will – to
strengthen the relationship between the
two religions and not be used to glorify the
religion.
It is also stated that participation of a
Muslim in such occasion are permitted
to be at a minimum - to just fit the bare
requirement.
This includes feasting and taking photos.
However, the participating Muslim should
not wear something that they would not
wear on other occasions in order to follow the
Christmas tradition.
In addition, the article mentions that the
Muslims are allowed to partake in Christmas
get-togethers so long as it is not done in their
house of worship (churches).
The Muslims are also allowed to participate
in their gift exchange ceremony. However, the
gifts should be willed to be given as a present
out of their own participation and not to be
given as something to fit the occasion.