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As'kum/hello to all,

These days, we can see many muslims follow other beliefs or celebrate other religions such as Christianity, Hinduism, without knowing that it poses a great danger to the aqidah (belief) of the Muslim. As reported in an authentic hadeeth, "Whoever imitates a people is one of them". In fact, Muslims try to follow the non-Muslims(particularly the Western) in everything, major or minor, in the aspect of development, progress and civilization globalization and other dazzling but deceitful slogans.

Rulings on Celebrating and Imitating Non-Muslims' Festivals

These rulings or statements are issued by "The Standing Committee on Academic Research and Issuing Fatawa".

1. There are many evidences in the Qur'an and Sunnah which make it clear that it is forbidden to imitate non-Muslims with regard to things that are exclusively theirs. This includes imitating them in their festivals and everything that they venerate, and celebrating them.

One of the texts which specifically forbid imitating them in their festivals is the verse (interpretation of the meaning): " ...and those who do not bear witness to al-zoor (falsehood)… " (Holy Qur'an, 25:72).

A group of the Salaf (Predecessors) including Ibn Sireen, Mujahid and al-Rabi'i ibn Anas interpreted the word al-zoor (falsehood) as referring to the festivals of the disbelievers. 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Do not enter upon the polytheists in their churches on the day of their festival, for the wrath (of Allah) descends upon them." He also said: "Avoid the enemies of Allah during their festival."

2. It is also forbidden to join in the festivals of the disbelievers for many other reasons, including the following:

- Imitating them in some of their festivals implies that one condones and approves of their false beliefs.

- Imitating them and behaving like them with regard to external matters leads one to imitating them and behaving like them with regard to internal matters such as their corrupt beliefs, and being slowly and subtly won over to their way of thinking.

One of the greatest evils that results from this is that imitating the disbelievers with regard to external appearances generates feelings of love and friendship towards them, which contradicts faith, as Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): "O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as Awliya'a (friends, protectors, helpers); they are but Awliya'a of each other. And if any amongst you takes them (as Awliya'a), then surely, he is one of them. Verily, Allah guides not those people who are the wrong-doers." (Holy Qur'an, 5:51)

Based on the above, it is not permissible for a man who believes in Allah as his Lord, Islam as his religion, and Muhammad (PBUH) as his Prophet and Messenger, to celebrate any festival that has no basis in the religion of Islam. This includes the New Year and millennium. Neither is he permitted to attend such festivals or take part in them, or to help others do so in any way whatsoever, because this is a sin and is transgressing the limits set by Allah. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): " ....do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment." (Holy Qur'an, 5:2.)

Source: http://www.islamweb.net/ver2/archive/article.php?lang=E&id=53884

A Fact Sheet on Easter

What is Easter?

Easter is considered by many Christian churches the most important and one of the oldest holidays of the Church year after the weekly Sabbath which is held on Sundays. It is a time for redemption or deliverance from sin.

It is celebrated to commemorate the Christian belief in the death by crucifixion of Prophet Jesus and his resurrection three days later.

The date for Easter can fall between March 25 and April 25. There are two main churches who celebrate Easter: the Eastern Orthodox and the Western churches. Generally, the Western Church comprises the Protestants, Catholics, and Anglicans. The Eastern Church, on the other hand, is made up of: the Orthodox churches, the Oriental churches, and the Eastern-rite churches affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church.

The Eastern Orthodox church may celebrate Easter at the same time as the Western church, or one, four or five weeks later due to a slightly different method of calculation.

Some customs and practices surrounding Easter

Prior to the celebration of Easter, Christians may fast for the 40-day period called Lent. Lent is a time to prepare for Easter by making penitence. There are differences amongst Christians pertaining to this fasting and when it begins.

In Western churches, Lent begins on a day called Ash Wednesday. This is six-and-a-half weeks before Easter. Christians fast except on Sundays. While initially there were strict laws about fasting, the Roman Catholics later made these unnecessary during World War Two. Today, only Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are kept as days of fasting during Lent. However, there is still emphasis on penitence during this period.

In Eastern churches, on the other hand, Lent starts on the Monday of the seventh week before Easter and ends of the Friday nine days before the holiday. In Eastern churches, even today, those who are fasting cannot consume wine, oil and dairy products. Fasting also takes place on Sunday, unlike in the Western church. However the fasting on the weekends is more relaxed.

2. Easter eggs
In some churches, eggs are forbidden to be eaten during the fasting of Lent. During Easter, a time of joy and celebration, not only are they eaten, but they are colored and decorated. Eggs are symbolic of new life and resurrection, which are the themes of Easter.

Cultures where Christianity is practiced use eggs in different ways during Easter celebrations. For instance, in Greece eggs painted crimson red are exchanged with the belief that this practice honors the blood of Jesus. In Germany eggs are hollowed out, dyed and hung from shrubs and trees during Easter Week. Armenians decorate hollow eggs with pictures of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and other religious designs.

The Easter eggs also play a role in games. In North America, this can be seen on Easter morning with children going on Easter egg hunts in parks or backyards. They are looking for the eggs the "Easter Bunny" has hidden while they were asleep. Sometimes prizes of candy are awaiting the child finding the most eggs.

3. The Easter rabbit
In ancient Egypt, the hare was a symbol of fertility. While in Europe, the symbol of the hare has been adopted in relation to the celebration of Easter, it is different in North America. Here, we find the Easter rabbit, which is also a symbol of fertility. It is believed it the Easter Rabbit lays the eggs, for which reason they are hidden in a nest or in the garden.

My opinion: I would say that we, Muslims, cannot celebrate Easter due to the statements above. The act of giving people the 'eggs' for presents or eating them on the day of the celebration is a way of saying that we approve their belief. Having said that, I would like to let you know that I'm no ulama' to give fatwa, but this is just my humble opinon. Open for discussion.