Are you a new Muslim trying to survive Christmas? Are you feeling lonely, cooping yourself up in your room on Christmas Eve? Ignoring all the carols being sung outside your door? Or maybe you’re taking a stroll around the block trying not to notice all the Christmas trees, colored lights, and Santas that stare you in the face.

If all these trials of ignoring Christmas prove a complete failure (which they probably will), why not relax and think deeply whether Islam really prevents Muslims from enjoying their family gatherings?

Of course, socializing with your family does not mean you can join them in singing carols, drinking alcohol, and eating pork. Islam allows you to share the cheerful spirit of the family gathering, strictly according to Islamic teachings, just as you would on any other day. You are not actually celebrating Christmas or relating to the event in any way, but you are only there for the sake of keeping steady and strong relations with your family.

The Prophet clearly disapproved on finding the Muslims of Madinah celebrating two pre-Islamic holidays. He told them that Allah had given them two better holidays, which were `Eid Al-Fitr and `Eid Al-Adha (An-Nasa’i and Abu Dawud).

In fact, Christmas is not the day on which Prophet Jesus (peace and blessings be upon him) was born at all. December 25 was originally the god Mithra’s birthday in the Roman pagan cult, which is in no sense related to Prophet Jesus.

Muslim parents must make it clear to their children that they cannot participate in celebrating Christmas, even while visiting their non-Muslim relatives. But parents should teach their children that Muslims have holidays on which they can have fun, put up decorations, and get gifts. This is to help the children relate to Islam and correct the misconception that Islam is all about worship and no fun. On the contrary, having fun in Islam is in itself an act of worship, provided that a person does it with the right intention and according to the teachings of Islam.

At first, it may be difficult for your family to accept that you have taken up a new religion and they may give you a hard time, but as a Muslim you should be tolerant and set a good example that reflects the true Islamic morals. This is why Allah stresses that Muslims should never deal harshly with their parents, even if they are non-Muslims who may try to turn him away from Islam. In one verse Allah says what means:

During the lifetime of the Prophet a man was also put in this situation, so he went to the Prophet and said, “Allah’s Messenger, I have relatives with whom I try to have close relationship, but they sever (this relation). I treat them well, but they treat me ill. I am sweet to them, but they are harsh towards me.” Upon this the Prophet said, “If it is so as you say, then you in fact throw hot ashes (upon their faces) and there would always remain with you on behalf of Allah (an Angel to support you) who would keep you dominant over them so long as you adhere to this (path of righteousness)” (Sahih Muslim).

So you see, surviving Christmas is not so hard or depressing after all. It just needs some steadfastness and patience if any smart comments are made about you, a lot of love for your family so they know that Islam brings out the best in you, and plenty of faith in Allah that He will safely guide you through the holiday season and reward you for anything you have taken upon yourself for the sake of His obedience.

** Hala Salah is an editor in the Discover Islam Section of IslamOnline.net. She has a B.A. in tourism and hotels from Helwan University and has attended an English da`wah course in Al-Azhar University. She is a student in the Higher Institute of Islamic Studies. You may reach her at IntroducingIslam@islamonline.net