I’m Muslim, and I Love Being Told “Merry Christmas”
And please, say “Merry Christmas,” not “Happy Holidays” or “same to you” in reply
I always find it curious when people think that, if they say “Merry Christmas” to me, I will somehow get offended. True, I am a Muslim, and I do not celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday. At the same time, that does not mean that I am “offended” if someone wishes me a “Merry Christmas.”
This is because, as a Muslim, Jesus Christ — the birth of whom is the primary reason Christians celebrate Christmas — is a huge part of Islamic belief.
The story of Jesus’ birth is actually told twice in the Quran (3:42–47 and 19:16–33). In addition to the story of the birth, the Quran recounts how Jesus spoke in his infancy (3:46 and 19:29–33), healed the blind, those stricken with leprosy, and raised the dead back to life (5:110). The Quran even mentions that Jesus used to fashion birds out of clay and breathe life into them, all by the permission of God Almighty (3:49). In addition, the Quran recounts the story of what seems to be the Last Supper (5:112–116).
The Quran describes Jesus as being “honored in the world and the hereafter, and one of the intimates of God” (3:45) and “in the ranks of the righteous” (6:85). He is also described as “a word, from God, which God sent down to Mary, [and] a spirit from him” (4:171) and that Jesus was “strengthened with the Holy Spirit” (2:253, 5:110). Classical commentators have interpreted the “Holy Spirit” to mean either divine inspiration or the Angel Gabriel.
True, I am a Muslim, and I do not celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday. At the same time, that does not mean that I am “offended” if someone wishes me a “Merry Christmas.”
Now, Muslims do not consider Jesus divine or the begotten Son of God. Nevertheless, if someone were to wish me a “Merry Christmas,” it only makes me glad, not angry or offended. This is because the phrase, “Merry Christmas” — or “Happy Christmas,” as our British cousins like to say — is a wish (or even prayer, if you like) of happiness on Christmas Day. What is so wrong with that?
Even if someone were to say, “Be happy, Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ,” or “put the Christ back in Christmas,” that would be great as well. As a Muslim, I am very happy, in fact, that Jesus Christ was born. He was the Christ, or Messiah, sent to the Children of Israel, and he was the last in the line of Prophets sent to our spiritual forebears. His birth and ministry was a very happy occasion indeed in Abrahamic religious history. So, no, saying “Merry Christmas” to me would not offend me in the least.
You know what does bother me a little?: the reply of “same to you” of “you do the same.”
When I say “Merry Christmas,” I am praying that God gives you happiness on Christmas Day. It is very akin to my saying to fellow Muslims, “Assalamu Alaikum,” or “Peace be upon you.” “Merry Christmas” is an attempt at a connection with someone I do not know on a spiritual level. And so, I would like a “Merry Christmas” in return.
Yes, I know, saying “same to you” or “you do the same” is technically returning my greeting back to me, and the person doesn’t mean any ill will by saying it. Still, it just doesn’t feel the same. I feel so happy when I hear the words, “Merry Christmas” said back to me when I say them to someone else first.
And “Happy Holidays” just doesn’t do it for me. Of course, this is a “holiday season” being that Christmas and New Years are both national holidays and are quite near to one another in the calendar.
Still, when I say, “Merry Christmas” to someone, and they reply with “Happy Holidays,” it is just not the same. I appreciate the sentiment of not wanting to offend me, but I am writing this to say that, even though I am Muslim, “Merry Christmas” makes me very merry and glad indeed.
Muslims and Christians have so much more in common than in distinction. Yes, it may “blasphemy” according to Christians if we Muslims don’t believe Jesus was divine, and it is “blasphemy” in Islam to believe Jesus was divine. Yet, we can look past this difference in belief and focus on what is in common: both our communities love Jesus Christ, adore Jesus Christ, and hold Jesus Christ in very high esteem. And our common love for Jesus can be the bridge for our two communities to live together, work together, and — most importantly, — love one another as fellow Americans and fellow believers in the One True God.
Now more than ever, we need more connection between us in these horribly divided times. It is too easy to divide; it is too easy to separate; it is too easy to retreat into our corners of familiarity and demonize those from whom we are different. We need to resist this with as much effort as possible. And saying “Merry Christmas” is a small way we can accomplish this.
And so, from my family to yours, a very Merry and Happy Christmas. May the peace and blessings of our Lord be with you all.
