I don't send christmas cards, so this isn't a christmas card! But you like the trees and snow so that's why I chose this Inshallah you have a fantastic new year
I learnt that around the world too Baptist and Jehovah's Witnesses too dont celebrate Christmas! And it was only in 350 A.D., that December 25 was declared the official date for celebrating Christmas by Pope Julius I and that orthodox celebrate it 7 january...
I would like to invite you to spare a few moments of your life and read what the Qur'an says about Mary and Jesus (may peace be upon them).
[(And remember) when the angels said: O Mary! Lo! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a word from him, whose name is the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, illustrious in the world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near (unto Allah).
He will speak unto mankind in his cradle and in his manhood, and he is of the righteous.] (Aal `Imran 3:45-46)
Naturally, for Mary, this news was both strange and seemingly impossible.
[She said: My Lord! How can I have a child when no mortal hath touched me? He said: So (it will be). Allah createth what He will. If He decreeth a thing, He saith unto it only: Be! and it is.
And He will teach him the Scripture and wisdom, and the Torah and the Gospel.] (Aal `Imran 3:47-48 )
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Just because we don't have the same beliefs, doesn't mean we can't try to understand each other better and treat each other with kindness and respect :
Prophet of Islam (pbuh) setting the example that there is freedom of worship in Islam for all who believe in God :
The Treaty with the Christians of Najran
The 9th year of Hijra was of great importance because of the treaty with the Christians of Najran, This treaty is regarded of vital importance because it was the result neither of war nor of any discussion but ended in Mubahela between the Prophet pbuh and the Christians of Najran.(This means cursing each other).
The Christians of Najran were unhappy because of the rapid spread of Islam in the land of Arabs. They wished to discuss this matter with the Prophet (pbuh) and arrived in Madina. Few learned scholars were selected by the Christians who had a continuous dialogue with the Prophet for three days. It started on Saturday, when Sunday arrived and they asked to leave to go outside the city to pray the Prophet (pbuh) told them to stay and pray inside the Mosque of the Prophet which they did to their surprise. Prophet of Islam was setting the example that there is freedom of worship in Islam for all who believe in God. After their Sunday service their discussion continued. They were unable to arrive on any mutual understanding. The sticking point was the claim by the Christians of the divinity of Jesus Christ pbuh as the son of God. The Prophet (pbuh) told them, “ The birth of Jesus Christ is similar to the birth of Adam. Allah created Adam without father and mother while Jesus was born without a father and from his mother only. None of the two was the son of God. This is the truth, for you accept the creation of Adam without parents yet do not claim him to be of divine essence. Why then do you deviate from this truth." When they did not agree on this point revelation from Allah came on the Prophet. (Sura Ale Imran V 61) The Verse reads like this.” If you are not prepared to accept the truth after the fact that you have failed in your arguments, Say, Come now, let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, our Selves and Your Selves, then let us humbly pray and so lay God’s curse upon the ones who lie.”
The next morning the Prophet (pbuh) emerged from his house with his closest family. He held the hand of Imam Hasan (peace on him) walking beside him, held Imam Hussain (peace on him) in his arms, followed by his daughter Fatimah (peace on her). She was followed by Ali (peace on him). He came and stood with this family in front of the Christian Bishops who also came forward to perform the Mubahela. The chief of the Christians was Bishop Abul Harris. When he saw this small family of the Prophet pbuh he turned towards his fellow christians and told them,” do not indulge in Mubahela with this family, for I am observing such pious faces that if they would order the mountain to come to them the mountain shall move towards them. It is therefore prudent to make treaty with them rather than confrontation of this spiritual imminence. They asked the Prophet pbuh for peace and it was accepted. The Prophet pbuh extended the hand of friendship towards them, a treaty was signed and both parties left on friendly terms.
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Christmas is also time for gift-giving and cakes and special food ... Please keep those less fortunate in your thoughts.
May 2008 bring everyone peace and happiness Inshaallah
Thank you
Mohamed
