Christmas for Muslim Reverts

Aaaahhh Christmas - it comes up time and again.

There is alot to talk about Christmas, since it is really the hype of the year. I am not here to analyse or comment too much on the festivity, since for many many and many many years that I was living in Europe, I learned alot about Christmas - the good, the bad and the ugly. The last two I learned from people who did not practice Christianity but were all out there to have a jolly good time doing everything but good.

I think due to the bad and the ugly, not everyone finds Christmas as the time of the year to reflect and find solace.

I know another group of people who may find Christmas a little difficult. Muslim reverts who were formally followers of the Christian faith. It takes baby steps for many reverts to help their families come to terms with their reversion. It's not easy - some parents are far more accepting than others, while others shun their children away. There are those though who accept but would like to share the holiday cheer with their family, including family members who have reverted to Islam.

I suspect it is difficult "losing" a child to a different faith and I also suspect that it is difficult for new reverts to not visit their parents during Christmas. Parents hold special status in Islam, regardless of their religious beliefs: Keep their company with kindness in this world, and follow the path of him who turns to Me. Then unto Me will you return, and I shall tell you what you did. (Luqman: 15)

If you feel you are in this position and are not quite sure how to handle Christmas invitations from family, there are several fatwa found on Islam Online that will help guide you. Visit their fatwa bank.

The consensus among scholars is that you are allowed (and in fact, encouraged) to visit your parents and partake in feasts and even the exchanging of gifts. However, please steer away from any forms of worship that compromise Islamic principles. In fact you should also avoid anything else that would deter your steadfastness in faith, such as alcohol and free mingling with other guests who are not your Mahram.

Simple enough, insha'Allah. We try our best to make the best out of every situation and Allah Ta'ala provides us felxibility to live in this world - provided we do not transgress His guidelines.

And We have recommended to man his parents; his mother bore him in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning was in two years. Thank Me and your two parents. To Me is the return. But if they try to force you to associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not. (Luqman: 13).

Where I have really been...

Assalamu'Alaykum,

It was the eve of 'Eid when I started packing our belongings to head to the place where time stands still - my grandma's house.

The usual - packing the whole house into the carboot and leaving my laptop all alone in the house. I told my husband that when we returned to his parents' we would bring my laptop along so that I COULD BLOG throughout the holidays.

Well, time really did stand still at gran's for two whole days. By third Shawal we were back and repacking for the longer trip up North. We really see my husband's family so we always make it a point to stay a little longer than usual.

I thought I would catch up with my work and would actually have more time to myself since my kiddies' grandparents would be around to entertain them.

Unfortunately, the Malaysian torrential rains had led to thunderstorms. Lightning had hit the phoneline in my inlaw's house. They too had just returned from their hometown and looked at the gaping hole in my brother in law's room with much curiosity.

Yes, there was a hole. At first, my brother in law suspected somehad tried to break in. After making some sense and a few attempts to log on to the net, he decided that the modem had gone kaput.

By the time the contractor was over to fix the connection it was time to leave. I guess everyone was on holiday for that week!

As much as I enjoy visiting (most) of my family, I was quite pleased to return home, smelly pillows and all. I had some pending assignments too and felt so "out of it" without an internet connection! Ever feel that way? We can't live without technology.

I unpacked my laptop the night we returned and was eager to check my email. That was the least I could do at that time.

Unfortunately my phone had been hit too! Astarghfirullah!

We could not call out and neither could callers hear our voices when we received calls.

After a few days of prodding the phoneline company finally paid us a visit. I told them it was useless to call us and keep asking us "is there something wrong with your phone? Hello? Hello? IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG. WITH. YOUR. PHONE?"

Our phone was fixed immediately by connecting to the net was still proving a difficulty. The broadband guy sauntered over after endless calls to the company. Turns out he was in the neighbourhood.

He could not get us connected though. It is weird that my laptop would have been affected. It was unplugged when I had left it at home and it was with me during the rains.

I guess I will never know why.

As I blog, my husband is getting it checked at his office, while I have set up a mini station at my mum's place. Time to check out of the dark ages already! Golly.

Insha'Allah things will get back to normal. It shows that we really are not in control of our plans, no matter how efficient or effective they may seem to be! Best thing is, is not to get wound up and take it in stride.

People were probaby were less stressed out living in non-technology-reliant times. More time to focus on Allah Ta'ala alone. I wonder. I wonder. I wonder. What would it have really been like without running after time, the way we do especially when hooked up to the rest of the world.

Nevertheless, it is good to be back and enjoy the privilege of blogging for this blog. Even after an eventful 'Eid!

Eid al Fitr (Holiday Feast)

Depending on where Muslims are located throughout the world, they may have celebrated Eid today, while some tomorrow, and the rest may even be on Sunday. Yup, you are not seeing a typo. For some reason, Muslims could never agree to celebrate the Eid on the same day around the world.

Declaring it an Eid, takes work. It is based on traditions (called Hadiths) that our prophet Muhammed did.

However, declaring Eid on different days is a controversial topic amongst Muslims, especially in the U.S. In one large city, you will find some Muslims celebrating today, the set of Muslims fasting today and will celebrate tomorrow. I guess it depends on the interpretation you take or follow.

Don't get me wrong, there were times when the entire Muslim population celebrated Eid on the same day.

Anyways, I want to shout out Eid Mubarek to all the Muslims around the world.