:’ )
Author: Thurrock Muslim Community- thurrockmuslims.com
Muslims and Christmas- Thurrock Muslim Community
Muslims and Christmas
In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious The Most Merciful.
Peace people!
Let’s talk about the holidays.
In Britain it has traditionally been known as a Christian country, Christmas day, i.e. 25 December is considered a national holiday.
Let’s have a look at the history of Christmas:
According to Britannica Encyclopaedia, Christmas has become a Christian festival where Christians believe they are celebrating the birth of Christ, or Jesus. Historically, however, the date coincides with pagan Roman festivals which celebrated the winter solstice. It is believed that early Christians wanted to celebrate the 25th to coincide with the pagan festival. There is no clear statement in the New testament supporting the celebration of Jesus’ birth on the 25th. Nevertheless, it is still widely celebrated in that manner.
So basically in a nutshell, Christmas day has pagan origins!
And did you know, there are many groups and sections of society who do not celebrate Christmas, such as Jewish people, some atheists, and even some Christians.
So do Muslims celebrate Christmas? In Islam, the MOST IMPORTANT belief is that of Islamic monotheism. That is, we are commanded to submit to and believe in Allah (The One True God), and attribute complete Oneness to Allah as He deserves in His Lordship, Names and Attributes and right to be worshipped alone.
Consequently, as a Muslim, i.e. one who submits to Allah (The One True God), we believe that we must abandon and turn away from anything that contradicts the principles of Islamic monotheism. Polytheism, idolatry and ascribing partners to Allah are MAJOR SINS! The biggest sin which Allah will not forgive, is ascribing partners to Him !
‘Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with Him (in worship), but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He wills; and whoever sets up partners with Allah in worship, he has indeed invented a tremendous sin.’
Allah is so self-sufficient, it does not befit His Majesty to take a son or wife, or to beget or be begotten. He does not resemble His creation, for He is the uncreated Creator, and there is no similitude to Him.
In fact, a remarkably concise description of Allah can be found in chapter 112 of The Noble Qur’an, which is the verbatim words of Allah, and Allah’s final revealed book to mankind.
Have a listen to this chapter here:
Regarding Jesus (peace be upon him), in Islam we believe he was a mighty messenger of Allah. Jesus, or Isa in Arabic, was born a miraculous birth, from the virgin Mary. We refer to Jesus as ‘Isa ibnu Maryam, which means Jesus son of Mary. Jesus did not have a father, and he is not the son of God/Allah, because as we mentioned earlier, it does not befit the majesty of Allah to beget. Allah decreed that Jesus would be born miraculously without a father from the pure chaste virgin Mary. We respect them very much and we know that Jesus never claimed divinity, rather Jesus called his people to worship Allah alone, the same message each prophet and messenger of Allah called to. Jesus’ (peace be upon him) story can be found in the Qur’an in numerous places. (for more information, please see the upcoming post on chapter 19 of the Qur’an entitled Maryam!)
And ˹on Judgment Day˺ Allah will say, “O Jesus, son of Mary! Did you ever ask the people to worship you and your mother as gods besides Allah?” He will answer, “Glory be to You! How could I ever say what I had no right to say? If I had said such a thing, you would have certainly known it. You know what is ˹hidden˺ within me, but I do not know what is within You. Indeed, You ˹alone˺ are the Knower of all unseen.
Incidentally, Paganism supports polytheism. Polytheism means worshipping multiple deities. Therefore, the Christian Trinity is essentially polytheism. And as previously mentioned in this blog, Islam means submission to the One True God, Allah, and our purpose in life is to acknowledge Allah’s complete Oneness, to uphold Islamic monotheism, and to attribute absolute Oneness to Allah in His Lordship, names and attributes and right to be worshipped alone.
In honesty, Muslims don’t really party on Christmas. But despite that, we still spread peace and justice the best we can with everyone, regardless of our differences.
Because the truth is, as Muslims, the most important One to us is Allah, and the only reason we are alive is for Allah, to serve Him, to worship Him, because we need to worship Him and He doesn’t need us to do that. Whether or not we worship Him, it does not detract or add to His majesty at all. Rather He is The Self-Sufficient, The Majestic, The Rich, Free of all needs. The Lord of all that exists, He is Allah.
Besides, our kind behaviour and gifts to you is not supposed to be limited to a certain day of the year, as Muslims we are required to deal with everyone in a just manner at all times, exhibiting the best character. If we have fallen short in fulfilling our rights towards you as our neighbours, please do forgive us. We make mistakes, after all we are human. Although, we endeavour to follow the best example of excellent moral conduct, as taught to us by Allah’s final prophet and messenger, Muhammad peace be upon him.
I’ll leave you with a verse from the Qur’an to get you thinking.
‘Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): “I am only a man like you. It has been revealed to me that your Ilah (God) is One Ilah (God – i.e. Allah). So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord.” ‘
[Qur’an, chapter 18: v110, english interpretation]
Thanks for reading.
Peace.
ThurrockMuslims.com
I believe… 6 pillars of Iman song
I believe… 6 pillars of Iman song-
Amantu billahi…
wa malaaikatihi
wa kutubihi
warusulihi
walyawmilakhiri
walqadri
khayrihi washarihi
minal Allah
wal ba’thi ba’dal mawt.
la ilaha illAllah!
I believe in Allah
and His angels
and His books
and His messengers (peace be upon them)
and the last day,
and the divine decree/destiny, all of it the good and the bad,
it is from Allah,
and the resurrection after death.
There is no true God but Allah!
Artist-Talib Habib
From Money, Girls & Crime… to Islam.
REVERT STORY
From Money, Girls & Crime to Islam.
May Allah bless the brother for sharing his story and may Allah keep him and us firm in faith.
May Allah guide, forgive and protect us all. May Allah keep us all steadfast.
It’s not too late to come back to Allah.
SEERAH sessions- The Biography of Rasoolullah, Muhammad peace be upon him
In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful
‘Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes for (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day,and remembers Allah much.’ [QUR’AN, 33:21]
Day 1 (Life of Muhammad PBUH) – Ramadan 2012 – speaker: Mufti Ismail Ibn Musa Menk of Zimbabwe.
iERA X Taleem Mosque- Dawah Crash Course Weekend- FREE
iERA X Taleem Mosque- Dawah Crash Course Weekend -FREE Entry
“And verily We have raised in every nation a messenger, (proclaiming): Serve Allah and shun false gods. Then some of them (there were) whom Allah guided, and some of them (there were) upon whom error had just hold. Do but travel in the land and see the nature of the consequence for the deniers!” {Qur’an 16:36}
Youngsters Poetry Competition! Summer 2024 -Thurrockmuslims.com
Youngsters Poetry Competition! Summer 2024 -Thurrockmuslims.com
The Summer holidays are coming to an end.
And we want to hear from you!
Are you aged between 5-18 years, live in Thurrock/Grays/London and surrounding areas and love to write?
Our poetry competition is open! Free entry! And the winner get’s their poem published officially on ThurrockMuslims.com! One entry per person.
The theme is “World peace”.
What are you waiting for! Get writing!
Deadline for submissions is 31 August 2024
(Parent/guardian email address and contact required for under 18s. Thurrockmuslims.com bares no responsibility for any failure to comply with our age limit protective clauses. More disclaimer/about)
Contact
Welcome to ThurrockMuslims.com poetry competition!
Youngsters Poetry Competition! Thurrockmuslims.com
The Summer holidays are coming to an end.
And we want to hear from you!
Are you aged between 5-18 years, live in Thurrock/Grays/London and surrounding areas and love to write? (Parent/guardian email address and contact required for under 18s. Thurrockmuslims.com bares no responsibility for any failure to comply with our age limit protective clauses. More disclaimer/about)
Our poetry competition is open! Free entry! And the winner get’s their poem published officially on ThurrockMuslims.com! One entry per person.
Theme is “World Peace”
Deadline submissions- 31Aug2024
AND THE WINNER IS: little AM
congratulations!
Muharram 1446AH – Ashura fasting 10th Muharram on 16Jul-2024- ThurrockMuslims.com-
MUHARRAM 1446AH– NEW YEAR Hijri Calender
Asalaamu alaykum Dear readers,
We are now in the first month of Hijri year 1446, Muharram.
**Scroll down for Ashura dates and fasting reminders**
Fasting dates:
9th Muharram- 15 Jul-2024
10th Muharram – Ashura fasting 16 Jul -2024
Muharram is a month of great virtue. It is of the four sacred months out of twelve months in the Islamic calendar.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Verily, the number of months with Allaah is twelve months (in a year), so was it ordained by Allaah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are Sacred (i.e. the 1st, the 7th, the 11th and the 12th months of the Islamic calendar). That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein”
[al-Tawbah 9:36]
Allah, The Almighty, has made it a sacred month of great virtue. May He allow us to abstain from sins, to turn to Him in repentance, and to run back to Him with good deeds, for verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds.
And Allah is The Most Generous. Oh Allah we ask for Your peace and blessings upon The final prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. Ameen ya Rabb al ‘aalameen.
It is encouraged to fast in Muharram, particularly the 10th (Ashoora’), and the preceding day with it (9th/ Tasooaa’). Let us take advantage of these beautiful days, in sha Allah.
It was proven from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) that the best fasting after Ramadaan is fasting in the month of Muharram.
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The best fasting after Ramadaan is the month of Allaah Muharram, and the best prayer after the obligatory prayer is prayer at night.” Narrated by Muslim, 1163.
**Ashura dates and fasting reminders**
Regarding the significance of fasting on Ashoora’ :
The reason why the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) fasted on the day of ‘Ashoora’ and urged the people to do likewise is mentioned in the hadeeth narrated by al-Bukhaari (1865) from Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him), who said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came to Madeenah and saw the Jews fasting on the day of ‘Ashoora’. He said, “What is this?” They said, “This is a good day, this is the day when Allaah saved the Children of Israel from their enemy and Moosa fasted on this day.” He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “We are closer to Moosa than you.” So he fasted on this day and told the people to fast.
Fasting the day of ‘Ashoora’ does expiate (minor sins) for the past year, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Fasting the day of ‘Arafah I hope Allaah will expiate thereby for the year before it and the year after it, and fasting the day of ‘Ashoora’ I hope Allaah will expiate thereby for the year that came before it.” Narrated by Muslim, 1162.
‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: When the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) fasted on the day of ‘Ashoora and told the people to fast, they said, “O Messenger of Allaah, this is a day that is venerated by the Jews and Christians.” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “Next year, if Allaah wills, we will fast on the ninth day.” But by the time the following year came, the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had passed away.
Narrated by Muslim, 1916.
It is expected that 9th Muharram 1446 will coincide with 15th July 2024 and 16th Jul 2024 will be the 10th, or Ashoora’. May Allah grant us sincerity and the ability to seize the opportunity this Ashoora’ by fasting to gain His reward, love and forgiveness, through implementing the Sunnah of His final messenger Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasallam. Ameen
With love for the sake of Allah
Thurrock Muslim Community
Thurrockmuslims.com
Muharram 1446AH
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EID PRAYER GRAYS MOSQUE/THURROCK 2024- EID UL ADHAA 1445AH 16th June 2024 (males and females welcome) updated MORE LOCATIONS- GRAYS,TILBURY, OCKENDON, BASILDON, C100, STANFORD-LE-HOPE,PURFLEET
EID PRAYER GRAYS MOSQUE/THURROCK 2024- EID UL ADHAA 1445AH
(males and females welcome)
Asalamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh!
EID MUBARAK!
Taqaballallaahu minaa wa minkum! May Allah accept (good deeds) from us and from you. ameen
(Adhere to covid19 guidelines- masks, own mats, bags, wash hands. Wudu from home)
EID PRAYERS IN GRAYS and surrounding areas ** SEE BELOW
We are still witnessing the best 10 days of the year, Alhamdulillah. Allah, The Self-Sufficient, The Most Generous, has honoured us with Islam and Iman, and before us we have a magnificent festival, Eid-ul-Adha, The festival of Sacrifice, on the 10th day of this sacred month of Dhul-Hijjah 1445. Let us congratulate one another on this joyous occasion.
May Allah accept (good deeds) from us and from you. ameen
ALERT -GRAYS /THURROCK EID PRAYER ANNOUNCEMENT BELOW*:
TALEEM MOSQUE, GRAYS EID ARRANGEMENTS- MEN/WOMEN/KIDS INCLUDED, THURROCK AND SURROUNDING AREAS– 7am, 8am, 9AM, 10AM, AND 11AM ,5 JAMAT, FOR MEN WOMEN AND KIDS, 21 Clarence Road, RM17 6QA
LIMITED FREE PARKING AVAILABLE, please park responsibly. If needed, PLEASE USE NEARBY PAID PARKING ON ROADS/SUPERMARKETS/SHOPPING CENTRE CAR PARKS. LET’S BE KIND TO OUR NEIGHBOURS 🙂
Taleem Institute Eid jamat x5 – men, women, kids- PLEASE ARRIVE 30 MINS BEFORE JAMAT.
Assalamu Alaykum,
We are pleased to announce that we will be holding 5 Eid Prayers at Taleem Centre InshaAllah.
Brothers, sisters and children – please bring along your family to pray together (segregated floor for women)
Please arrive 30 minutes before each jamah.
630/7AM
730/8AM
830/9AM
930/10AM
1030/11AM
We are looking forward to seeing you all InshaAllah
Taleem Mosque
21 Clarence Road, RM17 6QA (next to Job Centre, minutes from Morrisons and Grays High street)
GRAYS MOSQUE EID PRAYER ARRANGEMENTS, SEE BELOW -MEN and women 930AM
IMPORTANT- EID PRAYER ANNOUNCEMENT 10 DHUL HIJJAH 1445
EID PRAYER TO BE HELD AT GRAYS MOSQUE IN SHA ALLAH,
Eid Jamath time: 9:30am
DIRECTIONS: Grays Mosque (Thurrock Islamic Education & Cultural Association), Park Way Centre, Park Road, Thurrock, Grays, Essex, RM17 6RB (minutes walk away from Morrisons shopping centre and Grays train/bus station.)
EID AT STIFFORD HOTEL –
Eid Jamath: arrival 9am for 915am, Stifford Hotel, High Rd, Grays, RM16 5UE.
Please pay for parking upon arrival. Indoors.
Tilbury Masjid(RM18 8LJ)
Tilbury Masjid Address:-
8am
930am
11am
159 St. Chad’s Road, Tilbury. Essex. RM18 8LJ
Other arrangements
Grays Nigerian Muslim group 930am, 10am
RM17 5LL
Purfleet- on-Thames
Eid jamah 815am
North Rd, RM19 1TU
South Ockendon
RM15 5ET 915am
RM15 5AY 10am
Stanford-le-Hope Mosque
SS17 0EY
8am
10am
BASILDON Eid salah- SEIT- 4 jamah all welcome
730 AM
830 AM
930 AM
1030 AM
Address:
SEIT
HIGH ROAD
VANGE
ESSEX
SS16 4ND
Please bring a mat, come with wudu. BOOKING REQUIRED
IMPORTANT:
Please take a few moments for the sake of Allah to discover the obligations, sunnahs and etiquettes of Eid-ul-adhaa:
The etiquettes of Eid, the takbeer etc.
Some top tips (see above links for references from Qur’an and sunnah):
1- Do make an arrangement immediately to offer the udhiyah, if you have not done so already. You can do it with various Islamic charities in the UK, in sha Allah. Let us offer sacrificial animals in obedience to Allah, following the way of His final prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. Let’s share this bounty with our brothers and sisters around the world, in sha Allah!
2- Keep pronouncing the Takbeer, this is a great Sunnah! Remind each other! (starts on 1st Dhul Hijjah until sunset on the last of the days of Tashreeq, i.e. 13th Dhul Hijjah. Also read the takbeer after the obligatory prayers, starting from after Fajr on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah to after Asr on 13th of Dhul Hijjah.)
The Takbeer is:
Allahu Akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu Akbar, laa ilaha illAllah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillaahilHamd. (Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, There is no true god worthy of worship, except Allah. Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great and all praise be to Allah.)
الله اكبر، الله اكبر، الله اكبر، لا إله الا الله، الله اكبر، الله اكبر، ولله الحمد
3-Have ghusl in the morning before going out to pray
4- If possible, make an effort to delay eating until after the Eid salah and eat from the udhiyah if you offered a sacrifice.
5- Men should go out wearing their finest clothes, perfume etc.When going out or in the presence of non-mahram men, women should avoid perfume. Women can wear their fine clothes so long as it is concealed by a full and complete, unadorned Hijab. When in female only environments, or among their mahram relatives, women may adorn themselves appropriately. My dear readers, let us remind ourselves that obedience to Allah takes precedence over all else.
6- Pray the Eid prayer in congregation
7- Congratulate one another! Taqabbal Allahu minnaa wa minkum (May Allah accept (the fast and worship) from us and from you)
8- Go out to pray one route, and return by another. Check out the links above for more!
9-Keep up with the abundant dhikr, this last of the ten best days of the year!!!
say: Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, wa laa ilaha illAllah, wallahuakbar!
Let’s send salutations on the final prophet of Allah, Muhammad Sallallahu alayhi wasallam!
Jazakallah khair everyone who helped organise, and those who informed us, May Allah elevate you us and our families.
Pray for us and share for the sake of Allah!
May Allah forgive us, for He is the Perpetual Forgiver and may Allah guide us to unite upon belief in His Oneness. Allahumma salli wasallim alaa nabiyinaa muhammad salllallahu alayhi wasallam. ameen
Thurrock Muslim Community
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Day of Arafat- Fasting-Let’s Pray Our Sins are Forgiven!ThurrockMuslims.com
It’s the Day of Arafat soon- Let’s Pray Our Sins are Forgiven!!!
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- Reciting Takbeer: Let us not forget to make the Takbeer following the obligatory prayers, starting after Fajr on Arafat day, till when the sun sets on the 13th of Dhul Hijjah. (see below for details).
‘It is Sunnah to recite takbeer at any time during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah and all the days of Tashreeq, starting from the beginning of the month of Dhu’l-Hijjah (i.e., from sunset on the last day of Dhu’l-Qa’dah) until the end of the days of al-Tashreeq, which is when the sun sets on the thirteenth day of Dhu’l-Hijjah).
With regard to at certain times, it starts from Fajr on the day of ‘Arafah and lasts until the sun sets on the last day of the days of Tashreeq, in addition to the takbeer that may be recited at any time. So when a person says the tasleem at the end of the obligatory prayer, he should pray for forgiveness (by saying Astaghfir-Allaah) three times, and say, “Allaahumma anta al-salaam wa minka al-salaam, tabaarakta yaa dhaa’l-jalaali wa’l-ikraam (“O Allaah, You are al-Salaam [the One Who is free from all defects and deficiencies), and from You is all peace, blessed are You, O possessor of majesty and honour)”, then start the takbeer.
{Takbeer: Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, wa lillaahi’l-hamd(Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, there is no god but Allaah, Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, and to Allaah be praise). }
This is for those who are not on Hajj. The pilgrims should start the takbeer recited after prayer from Zuhr on the Day of Sacrifice (the 10th of Dhu’l-Hijjah).
And Allaah knows best.
See Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him), 13/17; al-Sharh al-Mumti’ by Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him), 5/220-224.’ [see http://islamqa.info/en/36627]
- Virtues of Arafat Day- [see for more: http://islamqa.info/en/7284]
Keep us in your prayers!
Alhamdulillah. May Allah have mercy on us all and forgive us,guide us and grant us jannat-al-firdaus, wasallallahu ala nabiyinaa Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasallam! ameen.
Thurrock Muslim Community
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