Religion and Celebrations

Haroon Mosque Khutbah

                                                           Friday  December 31^th. 2010

Brothers and Sisters,  

Every nation in the world has her holidays and celebrations that are characteristics or landmark of that nation.  Of course, there are reasons behind every celebration.  Songkran or water festival refers to the commencement of new agricultural season and Thai New Year.  Islam prohibits any act of worship according to the methods of Unbelievers. It depends on your judgment and Islamic Scholar to see whether the activity is or is not against any act of worship the Oneness of Allah.

      There is a great mix-up between religious holidays and celebrations that have no Islamic foundation.  It is worsening when some of these non-religious functions take on a religious appearance, which made it very hard for any common Muslim to distinguish between what is authentic and what is not. And sometimes, Muslims think that these unauthentic celebrations are an essential part of Islam.
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Surah An-Nur 24 : 47-48 and 51-47 : They (hypocrites) say: "We have believed in Allah and in the Messenger (Muhammad Sal.), and we obey," then a party of them turn away thereafter, such are not believers. 48 : And when they are called to Allah (i.e. His Words, the Quran) and His Messenger (Sal), to judge between them, lo! a party of them refuse (to come) and turns away.   51 : The only saying of the faithful believers, when they are called to Allah (His Words, the Quran) and His Messenger (Sal), to judge between them, is that they say: "We hear and we obey." And such are the successful (who will live forever in Paradise).
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      We can tell that a celebration is an act of ebadah (worship) in Islam.  Imams An Nasa’i and Ibn Hibban reported and narrated by Anas that when The Prophet (Sal.) came to Madinah and saw people have two days in celebrations.  The Prophet (Sal.) said: "Allah (Sub.) did replace these two holidays with better ones. The day of Fitr (after the month of Ramadan) and the day of sacrifice (in the pilgrimage season)."

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      Also Imam Muslim reported that the Prophet (Sal) used to say :"The best of the speech is embodied in the Book of Allah, and the best of the guidance is the guidance given by Muhammad. And the most evil affairs are their innovations; and every innovation is straying away from the guidance."

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       Is celebrating the messenger’s birthday a proof of our love for him? If the answer is "yes" then how come that none of the companions of the prophet or even the guided Caliphs after him celebrated his birthday? They were the most loving and respected to the prophet (Sal.). They showed their love and respect, however, in a different way. They followed his example in every aspect of their lives. This is the true celebration. We can show our love and respect the same way good companions did.

Surah An-Nur 24 : 36. In houses (mosques), which Allah has ordered to be raised (to be cleaned, and to be honoured), in them His Name is glorified in the mornings and in the afternoons or the evenings,

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     We are ordered to celebrate Allah’s Name and Glorify Him. So let’s see why in Thailand there is an official birth day celebration for Prophet Muhammad (Sal).  In the past when Thai Muslims were not well accepted and recognized in the eyes of the Government servants, things seemed to be difficult.  Therefore, a group of prominent Muslims in Thailand suggested hosting a grand celebration of Prophet in the distinguished place like palace.  His Majesty the King or His Royal Highness also presided at the ceremony.  Since then, Thai Muslims receive better treatment. And the relationship between the Thai Buddhists and Muslims are very much improved.  This is a valuable tradition that has been functioning till today.