What is Christmas? What is Christmas? Islam Explains Islam - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

What is Christmas? What is Christmas? Islam Explains Islam Explains National Nasirat Team Qudoos Bhatti, Sabahat Pall, Attiya Ghani Jaziba Bahri, Rabia Anwar, Amna Anwar

What is Christmas? 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 The History of Christmas: Origins in Pagan Customs Dies Natalis Solis Invicti is Originates with ancient The winter solstice was The winter solstice was the “Winter Solstice” festival Roman festivals of Saturnalia celebrated with fire, lights, celebrated by humans as far and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti’ that celebrates the shortest offering gifts and sacrifices to day and longest night of the back as the Stone Age or Yule (Northern European gods festival) year Saturnalia started as a single Instead of working, Romans During Saturnalia, Romans Saturnalia was a pagan day but eventually extended spent Saturnalia gambling, festival honoring the to a week starting December would close work, businesses, singing, playing music, 17 th and the winter solstice agricultural god Saturn 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 The History of Christmas: Origins in Pagan Customs Dies Natalis Dies Natalis Solis Solis Invicti Invicti (‘Birthday of (‘Birthday of Saturnalia the the Unconquerable Unconquerable Saturn, the Roman Mithra, originally Sun”) Sun”) god of sowing an Indo-Iranian sun seed. He is equated god that had a with the Greek great mystery cult agricultural god in the Roman Cronus empire

th th ? The History of Christmas : Why December 25 The History of Christmas : Why December 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 March 25 th (9 months later the Winter Solstice makes it December 25 th )

Christmas Customs and Traditions 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 13 th 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 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 Christian saint jeweled staff.” Santa Claus He is said to bring gifts to the homes of the good children during the late evening and The modern day image overnight hours of Christmas Eve, December of Santa also became 24 th popular in the US and Canada during the 19 th century due to the He is depicted as a portly, joyous, white- significant influence of bearded man (sometimes with glasses) Clement Clarke Moore‘s 1823 poem “A wearing a red coat with white collar and cuffs, Visit From St. white-cuffed red trousers, and black leather Nicholas”. The Dutch settled in the Hudson Valley over 300 years belt and boots ago and brought Sinterklaas with them to the U.S.

Why Muslims do not Celebrate Christmas Why Muslims do not Celebrate Christmas Why Muslims Don’t Celebrate Christmas and Associated Customs اًدَﻟَو ُﱣ� َذَﺧﱠﺗا اوُﻟﺎَﻗ َنۡﯾِذﱠﻟا َرِذۡﻧُﯾ ﱠو ﴿٭۵﴾ It is SHIRK! Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ (as) as the ۡتَرُﺑَﮐ ؕ ۡمِﮩِﺋٓﺎَﺑِٰﻻ َﻻ ﱠو ٍمۡﻠِﻋ ۡنِﻣ ٖہِﺑ ۡمُﮩَﻟ ﺎَﻣ SON OF GOD born to save the world! َنۡوُﻟۡوُﻘﱠﯾ ۡنِا ؕ ۡمِﮩِﮨاَوۡﻓَا ۡنِﻣ ُجُرۡﺧَﺗ ًۃَﻣِﻠَﮐ The whole Christian belief system behind Christmas is a fabrication. We ﴿ ﺎًﺑِذَﮐ ﱠﻻِا۶﴾ know this because Allah tells us so in the Holy Qur’an in Surah Al-Kahf. “And that it may warn Even though we know Jesus Christ (as) was a Prophet, Muslims still do those who say, ‘ Allah not celebrate the birth of Prophets because the Prophets didn’t has taken unto Himself celebrate birthdays and we follow their examples. a son.’ No knowledge Most traditions and customs during Christmas originate in Pagan have they thereof, festivals (or were just created in recent history) and have nothing to do nor had their fathers. with the Christian faith itself. 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 25 th 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 Ahmadi Beliefs on the Conception and Birth of Jesus (as The Angel told her to avoid talking When Hadhrat Maryam (ra) was in to anyone about the baby, “if thou Hadhrat Maryam (ra), mother of childbirth, she sat under a palm seest any man, say, ‘I have vowed a Jesus was an extremely righteous tree and was told (by an Angel) that fast to the Gracious God ; I will woman and so was chosen by there was a stream below for water therefore not speak this day to any Allah to be the mother of Jesus she needed and to shake the tree human being.’” Christ 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)