Unhappy Evening

By: Muhammad Hussain Ya’qoub


Overall looks at celebrating the Christmas

All praise is due to Allah the Lord of the worlds. And prayers and peace of Allah be upon the Messenger of Allah, the last Prophet, and his family and companions and whoever followed them till the Day of Judgment.

Dear Muslim brother (may Allah mercy us all), you should know that among the grave catastrophes which have descended upon the Muslims in these days is their following and imitation of the non-Muslims (i.e. Jews, Christians, etc,) till we did what he Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said in his Hadeeth. “You would tread the same path as was trodden by those before you inch by inch and step by step so much so that if they had entered into the hole of the lizard, you would follow them in this also.” They said: “O Messenger of Allah, do you mean Jews and Christians?” He said: “Who else (than those two religious groups)?” [Reported by al-Bukhari]

قول النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: «لتتبعن سنن من كان قبلكم، شبرا بشبر وذراعا بذراع، حتى لو دخلوا جحر ضب تبعتموهم، قلنا: يا رسول الله، اليهود والنصارى؟ قال: «فمن» [صحيح البخاري].

Allah is Greatest! It is the path that is trodden by them! Nowadays, we can not distinguish the majority of the Muslims from the other people. Furthermore, this majority is subdivided into numerous segments:

The first segment:

They completely turned away from the religion, followed their own lusts and their affairs got lost. Now, they know nothing about the religion except its name and appearances; this is either pride and mocking to the religion and its people and following to the enemies of the religion or turning away from it and being busy with the worldly life and acquiring its perishable wreckage. Actually, the second group is great and they are counted as Muslims because of their names and lineage. Indeed we seek help from Allah.

The second segment:

They found that they can not afford steadiness and adhering to the state of the religion that was in the first century (i.e. the century of the companions of the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him), because it requires adhering to the two revelations, exerting every effort for fulfilling the Sunnah of the Prophet and tolerating the bitterness of saying the truth. When they failed to do that, they tried to accompany between Islam and something else to bring to us contemporary Islam that satisfies the whims of those who do not know. So, they began to twist the meanings of the verses and Ahadeeth and resemble the people of hellfire (i.e. Jews, Christians, Magus) in the majority of their traditions and appearances. Actually, those are much and we do not doubt their being part of the scum that is mentioned by the Messenger of Allah (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) when he said: “Nay. You are much, at this time, but you are scum like the scum of the flood” [reported by Abu Dawud, Authenticated by Albani].

«بل أنتم يومئذ كثير ولكنكم غـثــاء كغثاء السيل» [الراوي أبي داود، وصححه الألباني]

Even if much of them demonstrated the outward of Islam or, even more, demonstrated their being callers to Islam care for the interest of the religion; they follow a way other than the way of the Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) and their guidance is not like his guidance. In fact, I think that religion would not gain victory by such people, even if they became numerous and spread over the world.

The third segment:

They are the Muslims whom Allah guided to the truth and grant to them steadiness; so, they adhered to the Book of Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, and the guidance and the right religion that the Messenger of Allah (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) left to them; they would not desert or change it till meeting him (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) at his basin. Those are the people of the truth and the supported group that the Messenger of Allah (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said about them: “A group of my nation will always remain triumphant on the right path and continue to be triumphant (against their opponents). He who deserts them shall not be able to do them any harm. They will remain in this position until Allah's command is executed” [reported by Muslim].

«لا تزال طائفة من أمتي ظاهرين على الحق، لا يضرهم من خذلهم، حتى يأتي أمر الله وهم كذلك» [صحيح مسلم].

May Allah make us among them, because they are the people of success and prosperity and they are very far away from resembling the infidels; they feel honored by their great religion, because honor is for Allah, His Messenger and the believers.

As for the first segment:

We seek refuge with Allah from them! They are the people of loss, remorse, and humiliation. They live in poverty and will be resurrected, on the Day of Judgment, as blind and their final stop would be hellfire, if they did not hast to repentance and returning to Allah and renewing the faith.

As for the second segment:

They are whom we want to remind by this message and call to return to Allah Almighty and follow His straight path; the path of those on whom Allah has bestowed His Grace, of the Prophets, the Siddiqûn (those followers of the Prophets who were first and foremost to believe in them, like Abu Bakr), the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are! Also, we want to warn them from following the lusts and imitating the non-Muslims, because most of them follow the non-Muslims as a result to ignorance, not having insight and the weakness of faith; they found no body to guide them to the right or lead them to the straight path.

Among the ways of resembling the infidels, which we intend to talk about, is celebrating the New Years Eve or what is called “Christmas”!

The Christians, whom Allah Almighty said about them "Surely, in disbelief are they who say that Allah is the Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary)" [Surat Al-Maidah 5: 17]


{لَقَدْ كَفَرَ الَذِينَ قَالُوا إنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ المَسِيحُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ} [المائدة:17].

Transliteration: Laqad kafara allatheena qaloo inna Allaha huwa almaseehu ibnu maryama

and said "Surely, disbelievers are those who said: "Allah is the third of the three (in a Trinity)" [Surat Al-Maidah 5: 73]

وقال: {لَقَدْ كَفَرَ الَذِينَ قَالُوا إنَّ اللَّهَ ثَالِثُ ثَلاثَةٍ} [المائدة: 73]

Transliteration: Laqad kafara allatheena qaloo inna Allaha thalithu thalathatin

Celebrating this occasion, in this day, and invent lies against Jesus (peace be upon him) while he is innocent from what they ascribe to him. They originate, in this holiday, evil acts have nothing to do with the religion of Jesus or the religion of any other prophet (peace be upon them all). They prepare free mixing parties between males and females together in which there are often dancing, singing and drinking wine beside the other evil acts that there is no time for counting them. All of these things, in their claim, are celebrating the Christ and the date of his birth. In fact, the Christ is innocent from all of that and is not pleased with it.

Let alone their manifestation to their nullified creed that includes pretending that Jesus (peace be upon him) is God. In fact, he will repudiate them in front of all people on the Day of Judgment when Allah Almighty asks him about that by saying:

"Did you say unto men: ‘Worship me and my mother as two gods besides Allah?’" He will say: "Glory be to You! It was not for me to say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, You would surely have known it. You know what is in my inner-self though I do not know what is in Yours; truly, You, only You, are the All-Knower of all that is hidden (and unseen). Never did I say to them aught except what You (Allah) did command me to say: ‘Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.’ And I was a witness over them while I dwelt amongst them, but when You took me up, You were the Watcher over them; and You are a Witness to all things. (This is a great admonition and warning to the Christians of the whole world)" [Surat Al-Maidah 5: 116-117].

{يَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ أَأَنتَ قُلْتَ لِلنَّاسِ اتَّخِذُونِي وَأُمِّيَ إلَهَيْنِ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ قَالَ سُبْحَانَكَ مَا يَكُونُ لِي أَنْ أَقُولَ مَا لَيْسَ لِي بِحَقٍّ إن كُنتُ قُلْتُهُ فَقَدْ عَلِمْتَهُ تَعْلَمُ مَا فِي نَفْسِي وَلا أَعْلَمُ مَا فِي نَفْسِكَ إنَّكَ أَنتَ عَلاَّمُ الغُيُوبِ (116] مَا قُلْتُ لَهُمْ إلاَّ مَا أَمَرْتَنِي بِهِ أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ رَبِّي وَرَبَّكُمْ وَكُنتُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَهِيداً مَّا دُمْتُ فِيهِمْ فَلَمَّا تَوَفَّيْتَنِي كُنتَ أَنتَ الرَّقِيبَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَأَنتَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَهِيدٌ} [المائدة: 116-117].

Transliteration: ya AAeesa ibna maryama aanta qulta lilnnasi ittakhithoonee waommiya ilahayni min dooni Allahi qala subhanaka ma yakoonu lee an aqoola ma laysa lee bihaqqin in kuntu qultuhu faqad AAalimtahu taAAlamu ma fee nafsee wala aAAlamu ma fee nafsika innaka anta AAallamu alghuyoobi (116) Ma qultu lahum illa ma amartanee bihi ani oAAbudoo Allaha rabbee warabbakum wakuntu AAalayhim shaheedan ma dumtu feehim falamma tawaffaytanee kunta anta alrraqeeba AAalayhim waanta AAala kulli shayin shaheedun (117)

These nullified lies and false creeds, with no authority from Allah, turn away the sound selves and natures; even the solid bodies, like earth, sky and solid great mountains, turn away from them. Allah Almighty described this situation by saying:
"And they say: "The Most Gracious (Allah) has begotten a son (or offspring or children) [as the Jews say: ‘Uzair (Ezra) is the son of Allah, and the Christians say that He has begotten a son [‘Îsa (Jesus), peace be upon him], and the pagan Arabs say that He has begotten daughters (angels and others.)]." Indeed you have brought forth [Said) a terrible evil thing. Whereby the heavens are almost torn, and the earth is split asunder, and the mountains fall in ruins, That they ascribe a son (or offspring or children) to the Most Gracious (Allah). But it is not suitable for (the Majesty of) the Most Gracious (Allah) that He should beget a son (or offspring or children). There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto the Most Gracious (Allah) as a slave. Verily He knows each one of them, and has counted them a full counting. And everyone of them will come to Him alone on the Day of Resurrection (without any helper, or protector or defender)" [Surat Maryam 19: 88-95].

{وَقَالُوا اتَّخَذَ الرَّحْمَنُ وَلَداً (88] لَقَدْ جِئْتُمْ شَيْئاً إداً (89] تَكَادُ السَّمَوَاتُ يَتَفَطَّرْنَ مِنْهُ وَتَنشَقُّ الأَرْضُ وَتَخِرُّ الجِبَالُ هَداً (90] أَن دَعَوْا لِلرَّحْمَنِ وَلَداً (91] وَمَا يَنبَغِي لِلرَّحْمَنِ أَن يَتَّخِذَ وَلَداً (92] إن كُلُّ مَن فِي السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ إلاَّ آتِي الرَّحْمَنِ عَبْداً (93] لَقَدْ أَحْصَاهُمْ وَعَدَّهُمْ عَدا (94] وَكُلُّهُمْ آتِيهِ يَوْمَ القِيَامَةِ فَرْداً} [مريم: 88-95]

Transliteration: Waqaloo ittakhatha alrrahmanu waladan (88)Laqad jitum shayan iddan (89)Takadu alssamawatu yatafattarna minhu watanshaqqu alardu watakhirru aljibalu haddan (90)An daAAaw lilrrahmani waladan (91)Wama yanbaghee lilrrahmani an yattakhitha waladan (92)In kullu man fee alssamawati waalardi illaatee alrrahmani AAabdan (93)Laqad ahsahum waAAaddahum AAaddan (94)Wakulluhum ateehi yawma alqiyamati fardan (95)

The most astonishing people are the ignorant people of our times who are called Muslims and follow the Jews and Christians in every major or minor aspect, even in these nullified occasions. Their ignorance makes them claim that development and civilization could not be gained unless by following the Jews and Christians in everything. Actually, this is a result to knowing nothing about their religion, the source of their honor. They became flunkies following them blindly in aspect, although the fundamentals of our great religion includes being dissimilar to whoever goes away from the Shari’ah of Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, in every thing the Muslim could do about their religions, customs and holidays, and even their clothes and the way of their eating and talking and their appearances.

Here are some of the many evidences about this, to know well our great religion in a period of time has little advisors:

1- Allah Almighty said: "Then We have put you (O Muhammad prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) on a (plain) way of (Our) commandment [like the one which We commanded Our Messengers before you (i.e. legal ways and laws of the Islamic Monotheism)]. So follow you that (Islamic Monotheism and its laws), and follow not the desires of those who know not" [Surat Al-Jathiya 45: 18].

{ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَاكَ عَلَى شَرِيعَةٍ مِّنَ الأَمْرِ فَاتَّبِعْهَا وَلا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءَ الَذِينَ لا يَعْلَمُونَ} [الجاثية:18]

Transliteration: Thumma jaAAalnaka AAala shareeAAatin mina alamri faittabiAAha wala tattabiAA ahwaa allatheena la yaAAlamoona

Sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymyiah (may Allah mercy him) says: “Then He put Muhammad on a way He put for him and ordered him to follow it preventing him from following the whims of those who know nothing. Those who know nothing included every one got astray from his way (Shari’ah).

2- Allah almighty said: "And even if you were to bring to the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) all the Ayat (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), they would not follow your Qiblah (prayer direction), nor are you going to follow their Qiblah (prayer direction). And they will not follow each other’s Qiblah (prayer direction). Verily, if you follow their desires after that which you have received of knowledge (from Allah), then indeed you will be one of the Zalimûn (polytheists, wrong-doers)" [Surat Al-Baqarah 2: 145],

{وَلـَـئِــنِ اتَّبَعْتَ أَهْوَاءهُم مِّنْ بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَكَ مِنَ العِلْمِ إنَّكَ إذاً لَّمِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ} [البقرة:145]

Transliteration: walaini ittabaAAta ahwaahum min baAAdi ma jaaka mina alAAilmi innaka ithan lamina alththalimeena

and He Almighty said about the Jews and Christians: {And thus have We sent it (the Qur’an) down to be a judgement of authority in Arabic. Were you (O Muhammad prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) to follow their (vain) desires after the knowledge which has come to you, then you will not have any Walî (protector) or Waq (defender) against Allah} [Surat Ar-Ra’d 13: 37].

{وَلَئِنِ اتَّبَعْتَ أَهْوَاءهُم بَعْدَ مَا جَاءكَ مِنَ العِلْمِ مَا لَكَ مِـنَ اللَّهِ مِــــن وَلِيٍّ وَلا وَاقٍ} [الرعد:37]

Transliteration: walaini ittabaAAta ahwaahum baAAda ma jaaka mina alAAilmi ma laka mina Allahi min waliyyin wala waqin

Ibn Kathir (may Allah mercy him) said in his commentary on this verse: “This is a warning to the people of knowledge from following the ways of the misled people after having the prophetic way and the Muhammadian proof, the best prayers and peace of Allah be upon who came with it.” And Sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymyiah said: “This proves that being dissimilar to them is permitted completely.”

3- The Messenger of Allah (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever imitates a group of people, he is one of them” [declared authentic by Ibn Hibban].

«من تشبه بقوم فهو منهم» [صححه ابن حبان]

This Hadeeth includes strong threat for resembling the non-Muslims. Whoever imitates the pious and righteous people is one of them; on the other hand, whoever imitates the Jews and Christians and other infidels is one of them (we seek refuge with Allah). Ibn Kathir (may Allah mercy him) said in his commentary on this Hadeeth: “It implies strong prevention, threat and warning relate to imitating the infidels in their sayings, deeds, clothes, holidays, worship and all other things which are not legislated for us nor are we permitted to do.”

4- And the Messenger of Allah (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “O Abu Bakr, leave them. There is a holiday for every nation, and today is our holiday” [Reported by Al-Bukhari].

«دعهما يا أبا بكر، إن لكل قوم عيدا، وإن عيدنا اليوم» [صحيح البخاري].

Also, when the Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) came to Al-Medina there were two days, every year, in the pre-Islamic period, in which people used to play. Then, when the Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) came to Al-Medina he said: There were two days you play in them, and Allah substituted them, for you, with better two days; the first Eid (Eid Al-Fitr) and the second Eid (Eid Al-Adha). [Reported by An-Nasa’i and declared authentic by Al-Albani].

وعندما قــــدم النبي - صلى الله عليه وسلم- المدينة «كان لأهل الجاهلية يومان في كل سنة يلعبون فيها فلما قدم النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم المدينة، قال: كان لكم يومان تلعبون فيهما، وقد أبدلكم الله بهما خيرا منهما، يوم الفطر، ويوم الأضحى» [رواه النسائي وصححه الألباني]

5- Sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymyiah (may Allah Almighty mercy him) said: “Holidays are part of the religion and religious ceremonies; Allah Almighty said: "For every nation We have ordained religious ceremonies which they must follow" [Al-Hajj 22: 67].

{لِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ جَعَلْنَا مَنْسَكاً هُمْ نَاسِكُوهُ} [الحج: 67]

Transliteration: Likulli ommatin jaAAalna mansakan hum nasikoohu

The religious ceremonies are like Qiblah, prayer and fast; therefore, there is no difference between sharing them in the holiday and sharing them in every thing. Actually, having agreement with them in all the aspects of their holiday is agreement on infidelity, while having agreement with them in some of its aspects is agreement in some of the branches of infidelity. Indeed, holidays are the most prominent thing in the religions and the most apparent ritual; therefore, having agreement in them is having agreement in the most prominent and apparent ritual of infidelity. Surely, this agreement may lead to the plain infidelity.”

The evidences in this issue are numerous could not be mentioned thoroughly in this article. And whoever wants the details should see the valuable book of Sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymyiah (Iqtida` As-Sirat Al-Mustaqim Fee Mukhalafat Ashab Al-Jahim); it is a great book that deserves reading.

The evidences that we mentioned are enough for whoever seeks the truth to know the aberration of many people because of resembling the infidels and neglecting the way of the best human being, Muhammad, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him.

Finally, Allah ordered us to be dissimilar to the infidels for glorious and great wisdom including; Not to have their love in the hearts of the Muslims. They are the enemies of Allah and Muslims, while agreement and similarity with them produce harmony and mutual approach lead to cordiality and love.

Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, disclaimed the faith of whoever loves His enemies have gone astray from His religion; He Almighty said: "You (O Muhammad, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him), even though they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred (people)" [Surat Al-Mujadilah 58: 22].

{لا تَجِدُ قَوْماً يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ يُوَادُّونَ مَنْ حَادَّ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَلَوْ كَانُوا آبَاءهُمْ أَوْ أَبْنَاءهُمْ أَوْ إخْوَانَهُمْ أَوْ عَشِيرَتَهُمْ..} [المجادلة: 22].

Transliteration: La tajidu qawman yuminoona biAllahi waalyawmi alakhiri yuwaddoona man hadda Allaha warasoolahu walaw kanoo abaahum aw abnaahum aw ikhwanahum aw AAasheeratahum

This does not contradict with justice with them and dealing kindly with them as long as they are not warriors; Allah Almighty said: "Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion nor drove you out of your homes. Verily, Allah loves those who deal with equity" [Surat Al-Mumtahinah 60: 8].

{لا يَنْهَاكُمُ اللَّهُ عَنِ الَذِينَ لَمْ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ وَلَمْ يُخْرِجُوكُم مِّن دِيَارِكُمْ أَن تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوا إلَيْهِمْ إنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ المُقْسِطِينَ} [الممتحنة: 8]

Transliteration: La yanhakumu Allahu AAani allatheena lam yuqatilookum fee alddeeni walam yukhrijookum min diyarikum an tabarroohum watuqsitoo ilayhim inna Allaha yuhibbu almuqsiteena

We ask Allah to make us among those who love whom loves Him and take as enemy whom takes Him as enemy and take as supporters whom takes Him as support. Indeed He is the Excellent Supporter and the Excellent Helper.