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HUKUM MENGUCAPKAN ‘MERRY CHRISTMAS’ SELAMAT HARI KRISMAS KEPADA ORANG KRISTIAN

Tidak boleh bagi seorang Muslim TURUT SERTA bersama orang-orang Kristian merayakan Hari Krismas ataupun mengucapkan ‘selamat’ sempena perayaan mereka.

Ini kerana perayaan merupakan antara UPACARA KEAGAMAAN yang menjadi syiar kepada sesebuah agama itu.

Umat Islam ditegah daripada menyertai penanut agama lain dalam apa jua bentuk perayaan mereka.

Ini berdasarkan dalil-dalil AL-QURAN, AS-SUNNAH dan IJMAK kesepakatan umat Islam sepanjang zaman.

Dalam AL-QURAN, Allah berfirman:

وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَ وَإِذَا مَرُّوا بِاللَّغْوِ مَرُّوا كِرَامًا

“Dan mereka (orang-orang beriman) yang TIDAK MENGHADIRI tempat-tempat TERLARANG dan sekiranya mereka bertembung dengan sesuatu yang sia-sia, mereka melewatinya dalam keadaan MENJAGA KEHORMATAN MEREKA.”

Surah Al-Furqan, ayat 72.

Imam Mujahid dalam kitab tafsirnya menjelaskan bahawa apa yang dimaksudkan ialah PERAYAAN ORANG-ORANG KAFIR, yakni orang-orang beriman TIDAK AKAN MENGHADIRI PERAYAAN orang-orang kafir, kerana perayaan orang-orang kafir merupakan sebesar-besar KEBATILAN.

Berdasarkan ayat di atas, Allah memuji orang-orang beriman kerana tidak menghadiri perayaan kebatilan.

Sekiranya perbuatan hadir ditegah maka bagaimana pula dengan perbuatan yang lebih daripada itu seperti mengucapkan ‘tahniah’ dan ‘selamat’ sempena perayaan kebatilan tersebut? Jelas ia lebih berat, ditegah dan dilarang.

Adapun dalam AS-SUNNAH, Anas bin Malik r.a. menceritakan bahawa apabila Rasulullah ﷺ tiba di Madinah, penduduknya pada waktu itu mempunyai dua hari perayaan di mana mereka menyambutnya dengan riang gembira. Baginda ﷺ bertanya: “Apakah dua hari itu?” Mereka menjawab: “Ia adalah dua hari di mana kami bergembira padanya.” Maka Baginda ﷺ bersabda:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ أَبْدَلَكُمْ بِهِمَا خَيْرًا مِنْهُمَا: يَوْمَ الْأَضْحَى، وَيَوْمَ الْفِطْرِ

“Sesungguhnya Allah telah MENGGANTIKAN buat kamu DUA HARI YANG LEBIH BAIK daripada kedua-duanya: Hari Raya Aidiladha dan Hari Raya Aidilfitri.”

Hadis sahih. Riwayat Abu Daud.

Petunjuk dalil daripada hadis ini ialah bahawa Rasulullah ﷺ TIDAK MEMBIARKAN mereka terus merayakan kedua-dua perayaan jahiliah tersebut atas apa jua alasan; kerana adat budaya, warisan sejarah, menjaga keharmonian antara kaum dan sebagainya.

Sebaliknya Baginda ﷺ bersabda “Sesungguhnya Allah telah MENGGANTIKAN BUAT KAMU (wahai orang-orang Islam) dua hari (perayaan) yang lebih baik daripada kedua-duanya.”

Perkataan Baginda ﷺ ‘MENGGANTIKAN’ membawa makna bahawa ‘APA YANG TELAH DIGANTIKAN’ perlu DITINGGALKAN kerana tidak mungkin ‘pengganti’ dan ‘yang digantikan’ terus kekal pada waktu yang sama.

Adapun dari sudut IJMAK kesepakatan umat Islam, jika kita imbau sejarah Islam, orang-orang Yahudi dan Kristian zaman-berzaman tinggal bersama orang-orang Islam. Orang-orang Yahudi dan Kristian ini terus menyambut perayaan-perayaan khas mereka.

SAHABAT NABI TIDAK PERNAH UCAP ‘SELAMAT’ KEPADA PERAYAAN ORANG YAHUDI & KRISTIAN

TIADA WALAU SATU RIWAYAT pun yang menunjukkan bahawa umat Islam bermula dari zaman SAHABAT, TABIIN ataupun TABI’ AT-TABIIN pernah turut serta dalam perayaan orang-orang Yahudi ataupun Kristian dengan mengucapkan ‘selamat’ dan sebagainya.

Malah Khalifah Omar al-Khattab r.a. ketika meletakkan syarat-syarat yang perlu dipatuhi oleh orang-orang kafir Zimmi (Yahudi dan Kristian) yang disepakati oleh para Sahabat r.a. dan para fuqaha, beliau menegaskan bahawa golongan kafir Zimmi TIDAK DIBENARKAN MENZAHIRKAN PERAYAAN MEREKA di hadapan orang-orang Islam.

Sekiranya orang-orang Yahudi dan Kristian tidak dibenarkan menzahirkan perayaan mereka, bukankah perbuatan seorang Muslim turut serta dengan mengucapkan ‘selamat’ sempena perayaan orang-orang kafir itu lebih berat?

Terdapat ATHAR daripada Omar al-Khattab r.a., di mana beliau berkata:

لَا تَعَلَّمُوا رَطَانَةَ الْأعَاجِمِ، وَلَا تَدْخُلُوا عَلَيْهِمْ فِي كَنَائِسِهِمْ يَوْمَ عِيدِهِمْ، فَإِنَّ السَّخْطَةَ تَنْزِلُ عَلَيْهِمْ

“Jangan kamu belajar bahasa mereka dan jangan kamu masuk ke dalam gereja mereka pada hari perayaan mereka, kerana sesungguhnya kemurkaan (Allah) turun ke atas mereka.”

Riwayat al-Baihaqi dengan sanad yang sahih.

Imam al-Baihaqi turut meriwayatkan daripada Omar al-Khattab r.a. , katanya:

اجْتَنِبُوا أَعْدَاءَ اللهِ فِي عِيدِهِمْ

“Jauhi musuh-musuh Allah pada hari perayaan mereka.”

Imam Ibnu Taimiyah r.h. sesudah menyebut athar Omar r.a. ini berkata:

“Omar melarang perbuatan masuk ke dalam gereja orang-orang Kristian pada hari perayaan mereka. Maka bagaimana pula dengan perbuatan menyertai sebahagian daripada amalan-amalan mereka?”

Yakni seperti dengan memberi ucapan ‘selamat’ dan seumpamanya.

PERAYAAN SEBAHAGIAN AGAMA

Kita harus jelas bahawa perayaan orang kafir adalah sebahagian daripada agama mereka.

Perbuatan menyertainya walaupun dengan sekadar mengucapkan ‘tahniah’ atau ‘selamat’, realitinya kita telah turut serta bersama mereka dalam apa yang mengundang kemurkaan Allah serta azabNya.

‘SELAMAT HARI KRISMAS’

APA ERTI ‘SELAMAT’??

Ramai mungkin tidak sedar bahawa perkataan ‘Selamat Hari Krismas’ membawa erti yang cukup BESAR dan BAHAYA, dan sewajarnya ia dinilai dan ditimbang menurut neraca Syarak.

Apa yang dimaksudkan dengan perkataan ‘SELAMAT’?

Kamus Dewan menyebut bahawa ertinya ialah:

‘Terpelihara atau terhindar daripada bencana atau terlepas daripada bahaya’.

Perkataan ‘SELAMAT’ menurut Kamus Dewan juga membawa maksud:

‘Aman sentosa, sejahtera dan tidak mendapat apa-apa gangguan; ucapan atau doa dengan harapan supaya sejahtera (terhindar daripada segala bencana)’.

Demikian erti ‘SELAMAT’ dan jika kita bandingkan dengan perayaan Krismas, sejauh manakah benarnya perkataan ‘selamat’ buat perayaan Hari Krismas?

‘Selamat’ apakah yang kita maksudkan sekiranya kita beriman dan mengakui bahawa perayaan serta agama orang-orang Yahudi dan Kristian adalah BATIL dan KUFUR?

Firman Allah:

لَقَدْ كَفَرَ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ

“Sesungguhnya TELAH KAFIR orang-orang yang mengatakan bahawa sesungguhnya Allah ialah Al-Maseh (Isa) bin Maryam.”

Surah Al-Maa’idah, ayat 17.

Syariat Islam sangat tegas dalam menyatakan KEKUFURAN AGAMA KRISTIAN, termasuklah perayaan-perayaan mereka. Hanya perayaan dan Agama Islam sahaja yang diakui dan diterima oleh Allah ﷻ.

Allah berfirman:

إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ الْإِسْلَامُ

“Sesungguhnya agama yang benar di sisi Allah ialah Islam.”

Surah Aali ‘Imran, ayat 19.

Berdasarkan hakikat ini, penganut-penganut agama Kristian dan agama-agama lain yang mati dalam kekufuran diancam dengan api neraka, nauzubillah.

Justeru, mana mungkin kita sebagai orang Islam mengucapkan ‘selamat’ untuk perayaan kufur mereka, sedangkan dalam masa yang sama kita meyakini bahawa agama mereka kufur, dan bahawa mereka diancam dengan api neraka sekiranya mereka tidak bertaubat dan memeluk Islam.

Sama ada kita jahil, meragui kekufuran agama mereka, ataupun kita bersikap HIPOKRIT dalam ucapan ‘selamat’ kita terhadap perayaan mereka ketika mana kita meyakini bahawa perayaan mereka membawa kebinasaan dan azab api neraka.

Sesebuah perayaan itu tidak mungkin ‘SELAMAT’ dan ‘BINASA’ pada waktu yang sama.

UCAPAN ‘SELAMAT’ UNTUK ‘HORMAT-MENGHORMATI’

Dakwaan bahawa ucapan ‘Selamat Hari Krismas’ bertujuan untuk memupuk perasaan hormat-menghormati dalam kalangan masyarakat majmuk sewajarnya dinilai semula sejauh mana ia dibolehkan.

Sebelum kita pergi jauh, terlebih dahulu kita perlu faham erti ‘HORMAT’ itu sendiri.

APA ERTI ‘HORMAT’?

Perkataan ‘HORMAT’ dalam Kamus Dewan membawa maksud:

‘Perbuatan yang menunjukkan rasa TAKZIM’. ‘Takzim’ dalam bahasa Arab membawa erti ‘MEMBESARKAN serta MEMULIAKAN’.

Sekali lagi, kita perlu tinjau erti ‘HORMAT’, lalu kita timbang sejauh mana kewajaran kita MEMBESARKAN serta MEMULIAKAN sebuah perayaan KUFUR dan BATIL, sedangkan kita meyakini bahawa ia hanya akan mengundang kemurkaan Allah serta azabNya.

Yakinlah bahawa KEBESARAN dan KEMULIAAN tidak akan diperoleh dengan cara kita hormat kepada apa yang BATIL dan KUFUR.

Seperti mana kata Khalifah Omar Al-Khattab r.a. :

إِنَّا قَوْمٌ أَعَزَّنَا اللَّهُ بِالْإِسْلَامِ , فَلَنْ نَلْتَمِسُ الْعِزَّ بِغَيْرِهِ

“Sesungguhnya kita adalah kaum yang DIMULIAKAN OLEH ALLAH DENGAN ISLAM. Oleh itu, sama sekali kita TIDAK akan mencari kemuliaan dengan cara SELAINNYA.”

BATASAN TOLERANSI

Menjaga keharmonian dan keamanan dalam negara adalah PENTING tetapi dalam masa yang sama menjaga KESUCIAN AKIDAH dan AGAMA juga PENTING, bahkan LEBIH.

Adalah TIDAK WAJAR jika kita bersikap ambil mudah, sambil lewa dan acuh tak acuh dalam hal AKIDAH yang menjadi tunjang Agama.

Walhal maklum bahawa terdapat pelbagai cara lain yang boleh kita gunakan untuk menzahirkan KELEBIHAN dan KEISTIMEWAAN AGAMA ISLAM dalam interaksi kita dengan penganut-penganut Agama lain.

Jangan lupa, akhirnya TUJUAN dan MATLAMAT kita ialah untuk menarik penganut-penganut agama lain supaya memeluk Islam, BUKAN SEBALIKNYA!

Daripada Allah jua kita memohon hidayah dan petunjuk.

Ustaz Idris bin Sulaiman

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THE RULING OF SAYING ‘MERRY/HAPPY CHRISTMAS’ TO CHRISTIANS

It is impermissible for a Muslim to participate along with Christians in celebrating Christmas or saying greetings in conjunction with their holiday to them.

This is because a celebration is among the religious customs that identifies a particular religion.

As such, the Muslim Ummah is prohibited from participating with followers of other religions in whatever holidays they hold.

This is based on evidences from the Quran, the Sunnah and Ijma’, the consensus of the Muslim ummah of all time.

In the Quran, Allah says:

وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَ وَإِذَا مَرُّوا بِاللَّغْوِ مَرُّوا كِرَامًا

“And they (the believers) that do not attend to places which are forbidden and if they come across something that is in vain, they pass by in a state of preserving their honour.”

Surah Al-Furqan, Verse 72.

Imam Mujahid in his book of tafseer explains that what is meant is the celebrations of the disbelievers, i.e. believers will not attend celebrations of disbelieving peoples, because such celebrations are the greatest of falsehoods.

Based on this verse, it is seen how Allah praises the believers because they will not attend events or celebrations of falsehoods, even though it is merely attending or spectating.

Thus what about actions that are beyond attending such celebrations, such as expressing ‘congratulations’ and ‘happy __’ in commemoration to the said false holidays?

Meanwhile in the SUNNAH, Anas bin Malik radhiallahu ‘anh narrates that when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ arrived in Madinah, its residents at that time had two holidays where they would celebrate with much joy. He asked “What are those two days?” They replied, “These are two days where we rejoice in them.” Thus the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ أَبْدَلَكُمْ بِهِمَا خَيْرًا مِنْهُمَا: يَوْمَ الْأَضْحَى، وَيَوْمَ الْفِطْرِ

“Verily Allah has replaced for you two days which are better than the both of them: the Day of Adha and the Day of Fitr.”

An authentic hadeeth narrated by Imam Abu Dawood.

The indication from this hadeeth is that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ did not permit them to celebrate the said two holidays of Jahiliyyah despite any possible justifications: because of cultural traditions, historical heritage, maintaining harmony among the races and so on.

Instead the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said “Verily Allah has REPLACED for you (O Muslims) two days (of holiday) which is better than the both of them.”

Note that his word replaced carries a meaning that whatever was replaced must be discarded – it is impossible that ‘the substitute’ and ‘the replaced’ continue to exist simultaneously.

Meanwhile from the view of ijmaa’ of the Muslim ummah, if we revisit the history of Islam, the Jews and Christians have long lived among the Muslims. Jews and Christians continued to celebrate their special holidays.

THE COMPANIONS NEVER SAID GREETINGS FOR JEWISH AND CHRISTIAN HOLIDAYS

Not even a narration exists to show that the Muslim ummah from the era of the Companions, the Taabi’een nor the Taabi’ At-Taabi’een ever participated in Jewish and Christian holidays by wishing ‘happy __’ and the like.

Even the Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab radhiallahu ‘anh when stipulating conditions to be adhered to by the Dhimmi disbelievers (Jews and Christians), what is agreed upon by the Companions and the jurists (fuqahaa’), he asserted that the Dhimmis are not allowed to openly display their holiday celebrations in front of the Muslims.

If the Jews and Christians were not allowed to openly show their celebrations, is it not the case that a Muslim participating with wishing ‘merry’ in celebration to the disbelievers’ holiday even more severe?

There are Aathaar from Umar ibn Al-Khattab, where he said:

لَا تَعَلَّمُوا رَطَانَةَ الْأعَاجِمِ، وَلَا تَدْخُلُوا عَلَيْهِمْ فِي كَنَائِسِهِمْ يَوْمَ عِيدِهِمْ، فَإِنَّ السَّخْطَةَ تَنْزِلُ عَلَيْهِمْ

“Do not learn their language and do not enter inside their churches on their holidays, because verily the Wrath (of Allah) befalls upon them.”

Narration of Al-Baihaqi with an authentic chain.

Imam Al-Baihaqi also narrated from Umar, where he said:

اجْتَنِبُوا أَعْدَاءَ اللهِ فِي عِيدِهِمْ

“Keep yourselves away from the enemies of Allah on their holidays.”

Imam Ibn Taimiyyah rahimahullah after narrating this aathaar of Umar he said:

“Umar prohibits the act of entering Christians’ churches during their holidays. Then how about the acts of participating in some of their rituals?” Meaning, with giving wishes of ‘happy _’ and the like.

HOLIDAY IS PART OF RELIGION

We must be clear that the holidays of the disbelievers are a part and parcel of their religion.

Therefore actions of participating by mere wishing of ‘congratulations’ or ‘merry __’ in conjunction to their holiday, in reality, is that we are participating with them in whatever that harbours the wrath of Allah and His punishment.

‘HAPPY CHRISTMAS / MERRY CHRISTMAS’
WHAT DOES ‘MERRY’ MEAN?

Many may not realise that the phrase ‘Merry/Happy Christmas’ brings a severe and dangerous meaning, which must be assessed and weighed according to the Sharee’ah.

What is meant by the phrases?

The Oxford Dictionary defines it as:

Happy: “Feeling or showing pleasure or contentment, used in greetings.”

Merry: “Cheerful and lively, (of an occasion or season) characterized by festivity and enjoyment.”

It is clear that the two expressions are synonyms. However, note that the other meaning of ‘happy’ implies ‘contentment’, implies ‘peace, calm, without any disturbances’, thus the greeting is like a prayer with hope of the occasion without any calamity.

But how true is “happy” when assessed with the reality of Christmas?

What happiness do we mean when we believe and recognise that the holidays of Jews and Christians are FALSE and kufr / disbelief?

Allah reveals:

لَقَدْ كَفَرَ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ

“Verily, they have disbelieved, those who say Allah is the Messiah (‘Isa) ibn Maryam.”

Surah Al-Maa’idah, Verse 17.

The Sharee’ah of Islam is very strict in stating the kufr of Christianity, including its holidays.

Only the Islamic religion and holidays are recognised and accepted by Allah subhana wa ta’ala.

إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ الْإِسْلَامُ

“Verily the religion [that is true in the eyes of] Allah is Islam.”

Surah Aali ‘Imran, Verse 19.

Based on this reality, adherents of Christianity and other religions who die upon kufr is threatened with Hellfire, na’oudhubillah.

Therefore, how can we, as Muslims, wish ‘happiness’ for their holidays of disbelief, meanwhile we are sure that their religion is kufr, and they are threatened with Hellfire, if they do not repent and embrace Islam.

It is as if we are either ignorant, doubting the kufr of their religions, or acting hypocritically in wishing them our ‘happiness’ towards their holiday. Even though we are sure that their holidays brings them towards the punishment of Hellfire. Such a celebration cannot be merry or happy, and bring destruction at the same time.

WISHING MERRY AS A FORM OF RESPECT

Claiming that the greeting “Merry Christmas” intends to cultivate feeling of respect in a multiethnic society has to be reassessed in terms of what is permissible.

Before explaining it deeply, let’s understand the meaning of respect itself.

WHAT DOES “RESPECT” MEAN?

The word respect in the Oxford Dictionary is defined as:

“Admire (someone or something) deeply, as a result of their abilities, qualities, or achievements.”

Also: “Have due regard for (someone’s feelings, wishes, or rights).”

When we ‘respect’ another religion’s holiday, we have to again look into the meaning of ‘respect’, and we assess how sensible is it that we have a due regard and admire a holiday that is kufr and false, even though we believe that it will invite the wrath of Allah and His punishment.

Be sure that due regard and admiration cannot be obtained from respecting whatever that is kufr and false.

It is as what Caliph Umar ibn Al-Khattab radhiallahu ‘anh said:

إِنَّا قَوْمٌ أَعَزَّنَا اللَّهُ بِالْإِسْلَامِ , فَلَنْ نَلْتَمِسُ الْعِزَّ بِغَيْرِهِ

“Verily we are a people that is honoured by Allah with Islam.

Therefore, we will never gain honour by (any) other (means).

THE LIMITS OF TOLERANCE

Safeguarding harmony and peace in a country is important, but at the same time, safeguarding the sanctity of Aqeedah and religion is also important, actually even more so.

It is improper if we take it easy, and act nonchalantly in matters that involve Aqeedah which is the backbone of religion. And then, we give excuses of this and that and we object, even though at the same time we are aware that there are many other ways to exemplify the benefits and specialties of Islam in our interactions with adherents of other religions.

Don’t forget, in the end, our target and goal is to attract adherents of other religions into embracing Islam, not the other way round!

To Allah only do we seek guidance and help.

By Ustadh Idris bin Sulaiaman

Edited and translated by Ahmad Affendy Kamal

Kemas kini:

11 Jumadil Awal 1422H /
26 Disember 2020