What R U Doing For New Year Eve

[laian]

Assalamu alaikum everyone,


JazakAllah khair sister Muslimah for your reminder, even though I just now read it, a little late but I've been sick so I spent Dec 31 night sleeping.


I just wanted to say to keepthefaith that I understand your point about not wanting to make a bad impression of muslims by refusing to return non-muslim's happy new years. But, if any of you know a revert, and there are plenty even on this board, then you will know that we are SO strict and picky when it comes to practicing Islam, in particular when it comes to differentiating between our old religion and old lives, and our new beliefs. Being raised as a Christian and in the western society these holidays are so ingrained into our lives, they become second nature. And it's awful to imitate the unbelievers, let alone imitate them thoughtlessly by saying, oh there's no harm in wishing someone a happy new year.


Me personally, I refuse to say merry christmas, happy new year, happy birthday, or any kind of holiday greeting. The only thing I say to someone on a holiday is EID MUBARAK! It's especially tough when christmas time comes (and alhamdulillah that it is over), because everywhere you go you hear christmas songs, and I grew up with those songs and I find myself starting to hum along, or even start humming them after I've left the store, because it is SO ingrained in me, from birth, and I really have to fight hard to stay focused and not sing those silly christmas songs. So that's even more reason for me to adamantly refuse to have anything to do with any holiday.


You are right keepthefaith that we are judged by our intentions, but the way I see it is it is more important to differentiate ourselves as muslims than to try to "blend in" in order to avoid making bad impressions.


And anyway, pretty much all of the holidays celebrated these days are all from pagan origin (even new years), and even the christians should not be celebrating pagan holidays. I know a *few* christians who are aware of this and they dont celebrate christmas or easter, etc... but most christians do, which is sad. And I for one do not want to join them in celebrating pagan holidays, not even in the tiniest way.


Anyway, sorry to go on, it seems like I always make long posts but I would like to know if there are any other reverts who share my view on this? It may be a minor point, but to me it's major because a huge part of my muslim identity is getting RID of my past christian/western society life.


But I'm glad to hear that everyone seemed to have survived the holiday season, and I am especially looking forward to Eid coming in a few weeks inshaAllah, I love going to Eid prayer when the masjid is the most crowded, and all with people in worship... it is an amazing sight, and an amazing feeling to participate in that kind of celebration, the way it should be done subhanAllah... alhamdulillah for Islam!