In the West, saying Merry Christmas should be seen as a cultural practice, rather than identified as a symbol of a theological battle between Islam and Christianity. But, in Indonesia as the most populous Muslim country, this greeting is strictly prohibited for some Muslim groups. Although, Christmas celebrations are still lively in a number of places in Indonesia.
For some, Muslim who says merry christmas judged to has apostatized. The different thing happens in Middle East where United Arab Emirates celebrates Christmas in a lavish affair with ginormous tree in every malls.
The discourse on whether Muslims are permitted saying merry Christmas is a vigorous debate in Indonesia every day in December. In 1981, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) issued a decree (fatwa) for Muslims prohibiting participation in Christmas celebrations and greetings. On the other hand, a Muslim scholars based in Solo, H.M. Dian Nafi, wrote a popular article in Solopos (23 December 1998) on the “law of saying merry Christmas”, which to some extent permits it.
The prohibition of saying Merry Christmas cannot be separated from a very strong perspective on the existence of Ulama’s fatwa. Fatwas should be seen as pat of mechanism for growth and change in Islamic law, which makes Islamic law adaptable to social change. Muslims had to keep a tight distinction between ritual and non-ritual. Greetings and wishes were matters of human relations.
The scholars of Al Azhar University, the most prestigious religious institution in Sunni Islam had clarified this issue. In 2009, they said there is no harm in congratulating non-Muslims with whom you have a family relationship, or that are neighbors of yours.
The arbitrary conflict drawn between Islam and the most important celebration in the Western calendar. That conflict is triggered here by the mere words “Merry Christmas”, represented a whole canvas of barriers sewn together by leaders in our communities, intent on making life more difficult for us that it needs to be.
Certain Muslims do have reservations about celebrating Christmas simply because it is an expression of the Christian faith. Some go on to believe that participating in another religion’s festivals and beliefs may contradict their commitment to Islam. Many Muslims oppose parts of Western culture only because they are afraid of losing their own norms, so rejecting Christmas is a symptom of that.
Islamic Perspective on Jesus and Virgin Mary
There is a theological difference that can never be reconciled between Islam and Christianity, namely about whether Jesus is the son of God or not. Ahmed Deedat wrote though Jesus is mentioned by name in the Holy Quran, he is addressed with respect as Ibn Maryam, meaning “the Son of Mary”. Jesus is also known as Abdullah, “the servant of Allah” and Rasulullah ”the messenger of Allah”.
In Islam, every word that Jesus said as “the Word of God”. The Holy Quran honors Jesus as mighty messenger of God and as the Muslims that would not fallen short over the pas fourteen hundred years in doing the same.
So great are the figures of Jesus and the Virgin Mary that the Quran perpetuates the story of them. The Quranic chapter named Mary, mother of Jesus (Isa), is one of the most intriguing and touching of the Quran. Chapter Mary is the story of the Virgin Mary that described highly revered figure in the holly book of Islam. Not just because she was the mother of Jesus, but also on her own right as a woman of great devotion.
Love of God and Love of Neighbor
Islam and Christianity influence the behavior of over two billion people on this planet. Imagine if they cannot come to terms, then the world as a whole will never live in peace. The feast of Christmas is the ideal occasion for this, as Muslims and Christians could exchange wishes of peace, “Peace be with you and yours and on your house and family”. This would foster trust and peaceful coexistence in neighborhood, towns and communities where Muslims and Christians live together.
It would encourage a culture of attentiveness to the presence of others as an alternative to the barbarism of mistrust and exclusion. Peace could reign in the name of Him who was announced to Mary in the following verse, “Mary, God gives you news of a Word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Isa, Son of Mary, who will be held in honor in this world and the next, who will be one of those near to God.” (QS Al Imran: 45)
The most important thing in celebrating Christmas is mutual respect between Muslims and Christians. There is no need for wars on social media that result in polarization of social groups and increase the political temperature. Is it permissible to say Merry Christmas from a Muslim to a Christian? It is of course returned to each individual and there should be no conflict caused by this issue. Don’t forget your God and don’t forget your neighbors. It is the most important thing in life. (*)
