Our popular media continue to focus our attention on the outrageous, misguided or reprehensible so-called Muslims who act in obvious contradiction of the Quran, not to mention any true love of our Creator and humanity.
In contrast is this excerpt which a friend passed along that I thought others might appreciate. It is by the late leader of the largest community of Muslim Americans, Imam W. Deen Mohammed.
Imam Mohammed, who came to be known as “America’s Imam,” died last year. But for me and countless others, Muslim and non, he continues to articulate the best contemporary expression of Islam.
Note the date. Even way back then, Imam Mohammed was leading our community to recognize the true spirit and logic of our faith, of all faith.
01/04/80
Muslim Journal
THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS
By Imam W. Deen Mohammed
BISMILLAH IR-RAHMAN IR-RAHEEM
It is important that we American Muslims keep separate in our mind’s eye the meaning of Christmas for the Church and Christmastide for (the assorted) players. The two spirits are as far apart as Christ and Old Nick.
Most often, the Christian will be welcoming his holiday season as an opportunity for restoring his family’s warmth and cheer. Many will meet the holiday as workers celebrating this chance to relax with relatives and friends for a few days.
With reference to a saying of the Holy Prophet, your Imam calls attention to the fact that Muslims are to contribute to the wholesomeness of Christian religious holiday festivals: an indication of the Muslim role in promoting respect for wholesome and sacred celebrations is found in the teaching of Prophet Muhammed, which prohibits arbitrary fasting during the holidays of people of the Book. The purpose serves to preserve and to promote solemn respect for G-d and for the sacred devotion of all people.
May we embrace the wholesome expressions and good cheer and warmhearted gifts in Christian society and not to celebrate non-Islamic holidays. A Muslim gives the signal of affirmation to whatever is good in society providing that Muslim’s role in encouraging the good does not violate law, principle or spirit of Al-Islam.
The following words of caution are as much in the spirit of, and compatible with, established Christian virtues as with the Islamic faith itself: Bad deeds lead to ruin. Good deeds lead to salvation. Allah orders the doing of good by the close relatives, by the needy, and by the down-and-out stranger. Feeding the fires of lust gives the victim to sin and corruption. The spendthrifts are the brothers of the devils.
Holiness and cheerful seasons greetings to all our Christian friends and neighbors.
Thank you. Though not truly a Christian, I’m a believer in God, or Allah, or Yahweh, whatever name you wish. I just wish to learn and you have helped me.