In short, Easter is a Christian festival with remnants of Pagan traditions. Christians celebrate the alleged crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, this is the essence of Easter. The holiday has become rather commercial, with increase in sales of confectionary, chocolate and popular toys. (1)
Christians believe in the Trinity (father,son, holy spirit), which essentially means that they direct their worship to God, Jesus and the Holy spirit. So today, Christianity has polytheistic dimensions and is not a faith of complete monotheism.
Easter and Islam
Islam is absolutely Monotheistic. Muslims worship One God alone (Allah), without rivals. The Islamic narrative about prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) is simple. Jesus is not the son of God (as mentioned above, Christianity purports him to be). Muslims believe that God (Allah) is The Supreme Creator of all, The Self-Sufficient Master, He does not have children or a wife, and He does not need these things. It makes perfect sense, we are servants of The One Supreme Master- Allah. We go to Allah for all our needs, we don’t need any intermediaries! We need Allah, but Allah does not need us. That is the truth. And the truth makes sense.
We believe Jesus (‘Eesa) (peace be upon him) was a mighty prophet of God (Allah), born from the virgin Mary, who was pure and chaste. God does not need children. It’s the creation, humans and animals who need children. If God can create Adam without a father and mother, Eve without a mother, than surely it is easy for God to create Jesus without a father. Jesus’ story is mentioned in detail in Chapter 19 of the Qur’an, called ‘Maryam’.
If you remember the Christmas post a few months back and a few other blogs on Islam Explained, you’ll remember that as Muslims, we MUST believe in Jesus in order for our faith to be complete. Jesus never claimed divinity. Rather, Jesus peace be upon him was a messenger and prophet of Allah.
Jesus was not crucified, rather Allah (The One True God) took Jesus up to Him, while he was still alive, and another man was made to resemble Jesus and that man was killed. Jesus will return to earth, under Allah’s command, during the end times to fight the Anti-Christ (The Dajjal).(2)
Conclusion- Why Muslims don’t celebrate Easter
The Islamic narrative on monotheism and beliefs about Jesus are so markedly different to the Christian narrative. Thus, it’s no surprise Muslims do not commemorate a Crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, as these didn’t happen in the first place!
Incidentally, there are various members of society and other faiths who do not partake in such festivals either, each with their own reasoning.
Be wise and kind, there’s no need to offend or be offended. Let your peers know gently and respectfully, it’s not the diet that makes you turn down their chocolate treats, it’s your freedom of personal choice and more importantly, your religious belief which you must hold onto with integrity, because a Muslim must be truthful, first and foremost to Allah. Being truthful in word and deed is important in Islam.
Islamic monotheism is our focus, we worship Allah alone.
Just as we cannot force others to believe, we cannot be forced to disbelieve.
The truth is apparent, falsehood is apparent. May Allah guide us all to the truth. Amin.
EID PRAYER GRAYS THURROCK UPDATE: Eid-ul-Fitr 1446 Sunday 30th March 2025- TALEEM MOSQUE , GRAYS MOSQUE, Thurrock, Tilbury, C100, Basildon, Stanford Le Hope, Purfleet, MEN and WOMEN invited & Children-
Asalamu alaykum.
By His Mercy, Allah (The Most Generous Al-Kareem) has gifted us with the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr following a month of fasting in obedience to His command, Exalted and Majestic is He. Subhanallah
It is with great joy that we announce that the first day of Shawwal will be 30 March 2025 which in sha Allah will console us for the departure of Ramadan- The Month of Mercy.
May Allah accept (good deeds) from us and from you. ameen
Taqabbal Allahu minnaa wa minkum
ANNOUNCEMENT- LOCAL EID PRAYER ARRANGEMENTS BELOW**
EID PRAYER AT TALEEM MASJID, THURROCK, GRAYS TOWN CENTRE, 21 CLARENCE ROAD RM17 6QA- MEN, WOMEN, KIDS WELCOME
Arrival at 630am , 730AM & 830am & 930am & 1030am – 5 jamat. MEN AND WOMEN AND KIDS
*Eid Prayers Times at Taleem Mosque*
Eid Ul-Fitr will be tomorrow Sunday 30 March 2025.
Let us work hard to maintain TAQWA of Allah and try our hardest not to undo all the good we done in Ramadan! Remember Ramadan is training for the year round, so we remind ourselves to keep onto the good habits of fasting and prayers including night prayer. Allah grant us tawfiq and jannat al firdaus! May Allah bless our beloved Rasool Muhammad peace be upon him, amin!
Some top tips (see above links for references from Qur’an and sunnah):
1- Make sure you’ve paid zakat-ul-fitr, before the Eid salat.
2- Keep pronouncing the takbeer (starts on night of Eid until the imam emerges to lead the Eid prayer.) The Takbeer is:
(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.)
3-Have ghusl in the morning before going out to pray
4- Ensure you have eaten something before the prayer of Eid-ul-Fitr. Try eating an odd number of dates, as the prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasallam did.
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. We have just fasted Ramadan to gain Taqwa, let us keep working on it for Allah alone!
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!
May Allah subhanahu wa ta’alaa grant us mercy from Him in this world and the next, may He accept our good deeds, expiate our sins and make us adhere to the Qur’an and sunnah of the beloved messenger Muhammad peace be upon him. May Allah unite us in jannat al firdaus. May Allah abundantly bless His final prophet Muhammad upon him be peace. ameen!
Remember us in your duas too in sha Allah!
MAY ALLAH HELP US REMEMBER HIM ALWAYS AND REMIND EACH OTHER, ALLAHUMMA SALLI ALAA MUHAMMAD! AMIN
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’ân) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree)[] (1) And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is? (2) The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allâh in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months) (3) Therein descend the angels and the Rûh [Jibril (Gabriel)] by Allâh’s Permission with all Decrees, (4) (All that night), there is Peace (and Goodness from Allâh to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn.[] (5)
And if you are a lady on your menses, you can ibadah other than prayer: see this
Some reminders from our respected lecturers in the Ramadan Revival, this night, increase in Qiyam (standing in prayer at night), reading Qur’an, making dua- lots of it, pour our hearts out to Allah! We can also give zakah if one lunar year passed on the wealth which reached the nisaab, and do other good deeds, like istighfar (seeking forgiveness from Allah –click to see amazing this dua) sadaqah, reminding each other of Allah, dhikr- remembering Allah, salat and salam on rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam!
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever stays up and prays on Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” Agreed upon.
Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam taught ‘Aisha radi Allahu anhaa what to say on laylat-ul-qadr:
Let’s revive the sunnah and flee to Allah! please remember us in your duas, and like and share this in sha Allah!
NOTE: Congregational prayers are being held around Thurrock and Grays, don’t miss out!
Isha and taraweeh prayers:
Taleem Masjid has facilities for men, women and children (families welcome). Special guest Sheikh Qari Abdul Qadir from Algeria, and Ustadh Safwan (UK), and Imam Muhammed Rofu (UK). Sheikh Ayman of Egypt, every Thursday, and other guest Quraa through the week.
(21 Clarence Road, next to Job Centre, Grays, RM17 6QA)
(Wudu/ablution facilities available at Taleem Masjid, and parking in secure car park, arrive earlier)
Grays mosque has facilities for men and boys (in Grays Park, Grays)
Basildon has prayer facilities for families: organised by South Essex Islamic Trust
Stanford le-Hope and Tilbury masjids also have jamaat.
Arrive with wudu (facilities available) and make sure you park responsibly 🙂 (let’s be better neighbours in sha Allah).
Special note: Taleem Masjid is offering daily prayers, jumuah, taraweeh with Sheikh Qari Ayman of Egypt, daily iftar for brothers, weekly sister’s iftars and special community iftar, programmes for women throughout this blessed month, plus tons of Islamic seminars and community events year round. This Masjid is truly fulfilling its purpose of uniting the community in Allah’s cause, and the growing congregation testifies to its benefit.
Prominent shuyukh countrywide are supporting this excellent effort and proudly advocate for Taleem Masjid.
Here’s a message from East London Mosque respected Imam Muzzamil Ahmed.
Here’s a message from respected Shaikh Kazi Ashiqur Rahman.
Please donate generously for Taleem Masjid urgent appeal! Let’s build Masjids upon Tawhid and Qur’an and Sunnah in our town and beyond. May Allah help us spend sincerely in His cause and help us purchase Taleem Masjid swiftly and make it our sadaqah jariyah for generations to come.
May Allah grant us sincerity, and success and jannat al firdaus, May Allah guide and have mercy on us, forgive all of us who believe and admit us to paradise, by His mercy. Allah abundantly bless rasoollullah. Ameen
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]
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}
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!
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.
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
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)
EID PRAYER TO BE HELD ATGRAYS 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:
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 