Easter Celebrations

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Easter Celebrations

 

If anything is reminiscent of Easter, then it is of shops filled with chocolate bunnies, eggs and hot cross buns. For many of us it may simply be a time to indulge in goodies that only come around once a year. But what really is the meaning of all these things and should we be indulging?

 

The BBC tells us the following: “Easter is the most important festival in the Christian calendar. It celebrates the resurrection from the dead of Jesus, three days after he was executed.”

 

According to Christian belief, Good Friday commemorates the Friday on which Jesus was killed on the cross and the next Monday was the day he was resurrected.

 

It is important for us and especially our children who may be exposed to such Christian beliefs at schools to know the true Islamic belief surrounding this issue.

 

î  Firstly, Allah is one, eternal and absolute. Neither does he have a son, nor does he die and subsequently be resurrected.

 

î  Secondly, Esa Alayhis Salaam (Jesus in English) was one of foremost prophets of Allah. His message, as was the message of all prophets before him, was to worship Allah alone and to submit to His will.

 

î  Thirdly, neither was Jesus killed or crucified. Allah Ta’ala divinely protected him and raised him to the heavens where he currently resides. Towards the end of this earthly life, Allah will once again send him to this world, where he will complete the rest of his earthly lifespan and will play his role in establishing Islam on the earth.

 

These are integral beliefs of a Muslim. Ensuring that our children and ourselves are educated regarding the same are essential requirements of Imaan.

 

Masjid Poster of this article can be downloaded here.

 

Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)

Council of Muslim Theologians

223 Alpine Road, Overport,

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Celebrating Easter

 

Q: What is the ruling with regards to Easter celebrations, Easter eggs, hot cross buns, etc.?

 

A: Easter is a celebration of the Christians. The Christians believe that it was on this day that Jesus rose from the dead after his crucifixion. As Muslims, we are commanded to refrain from imitating the Kuffaar and adopting their ways. If one participates in the celebration of the Kuffaar out of respect for such days, he will become a kaafir. The great jurist, Abu Hafs al-Kabeer (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) said: “The one who after worshipping Allah Ta’aala for fifty years gifted an egg to a disbeliever, in reverence for the Kuffaar celebration, will become a kaafir and lose the reward of all his righteous deeds.” If one participates in a celebration without respecting and honouring their celebration, he will not become a kaafir. However, this action will be makrooh-e-tahreemi. Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: من تشبه بقوم فهو منهم  The one who imitates a people will be counted among them (in the court of Allah Ta’aala). Hence, it is impermissible to celebrate Easter, buy, sell, or eat Easter eggs and hot cross buns etc.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

عن ابن عمر قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من تشبه بقوم فهو منهم. (سنن أبي داود رقم 4033)

( والإعطاء باسم النيروز والمهرجان لا يجوز ) أي الهدايا باسم هذين اليومين حرام ( وإن قصد تعظيمه ) كما يعظمه المشركون ( يكفر ) قال أبو حفص الكبير لو أن رجلا عبد الله خمسين سنة ثم أهدى لمشرك يوم النيروز بيضة يريد تعظيم اليوم فقد كفر وحبط عمله ا هـ (الدر المختار 6/754)

According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday (also Resurrection Day or Resurrection Sunday).

Easter marks the end of Lent, a forty-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance. The last week of the Lent is called Holy Week, and it contains Good Friday, commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Easter is followed by a fifty-day period called Eastertide or the Easter Season, ending with Pentecost Sunday. (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)

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Easter celebrations coming up...........