My first Christmas as a Muslim. It went wonderful. Alhamdulillah. It also helped to reinforce just how beautiful Islams core teachings - and one main pillar - really is. Im not about to jump on any bandwagon judging Muslims that celebrate Christmas with the Christain families and I will preface this also by saying I am not criticizing Christians. With that being said, being a Muslim this year and seeing countless pictures in my newsfeed of Christmas trees and presents stacked so high up, I can see the utter materialism in Christmas. Now of course Christmas was originally a pagan holiday, etc. Okay. We all probably get that common argument. But when did this whole Santa/presents thing become the focal point? Rhetorical question. People may be quick to disagree with that but generally speaking, there simply is NOT anywhere close to as much focus put out what the holiday is supposed to be. (By Christian standards, not Muslims.) No amount of arguing can truly dispute that. (In my humble opinion.) Christmas has become about the presents and deals and showing of the tree (which even the Bible I THINK says not to do as to not imitate the pagans) with said presents laying all around. And I used to be one of those people. No doubt! Im not putting myself ABOVE anyone here. But...it led me to realize this: Charity is one of the pillars of Islam. Now...I am not saying we Muslims are better than the other non-Muslims. Allah is to judge the intentions of the heart. Always. However, I simply cant help but wonder how much better of a place this would be of all that money spent on materialistic items were spent towards helping our homeless or hunger programs. We all claim we dont have the money, but Christmas is simply one time of a year that proves (generally speaking) that there IS money. What we lack is a desire or direction to place it on others and not ourselves. And that saddens my already sensitive heart. We have the power to help others, as Jesus (PBUH) would do and had done. Yet that isnt what the holiday is about anymore. At all. Anyway. This was the best Christmas I have ever had. Stress free. No worry of spending money other than the charity the kids helped with and then money raised for another cause. I managed to escape saying Merry Christmas to people. I learned the smile, nod and Take care! routine. I didnt put up a tree. I DID take the kids over to my mothers house. I am NOT ashamed, as I have obligations to my mother in Islam and as MUSLIM, I guard my intentions. My aim is to please Allah, not another Muslim. And Allah knows best. Alhamdulillah for Islam and for the reassurance Allah has placed in my heart that compulsory CHARITY really is such an important obligation and beautiful thing in the grander scheme of humanity. Religion should increase your empathy and compassion towards other human beings. Were all in this together.
Posted on: Thu, 25 Dec 2014 17:51:02 +0000
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