Thanksgiving ia one of many of American and Western culture in general, which has been going on for hundreds of years. It occurs every fourth Thursday of November. Thanksgiving is a day that even more important than Christmas, a good day to be with your family and visiting the hometown.
It doesn’t belong to any of the religion, which means Thanksgiving is a general culture. There’s a lot we can learn about Thanksgiving, such as the importance and value of the family. It such a spiritual holiday which everyone can celebrate. But the question is, what about Islam? What is the concept of Thanksgiving in Islam? Are Muslim allowed to celebrate Thanksgiving? Let’s check out!
The National Day of Thanksgiving in America is a beautiful holiday. It contains a good spirit and noble message. It is not a holiday of any particular religion. It is not a Christian or Jewish holiday but it has many deeply religious and spiritual meanings. America at thanksgiving is America at its best. It is unfortunate that like many other moral and spiritual things this holiday is also turned nowadays into too much indulgence and commercialism. It is important that we remember and remind others about the spirit of thanksgiving.
1. It’s Not Prohibited
Too short to say that Islam simply prohibited Thanksgiving. The essence of Thanksgiving to gather with the loved ones, expressing thanks to God. Thaksgiving has no value that violated Islam’s.
Also read: Misconceptions about Islam
2. No Solid Reason to Make Thanksgiving Prohibited
Why is Thanksgiving not prohibited in Islam? Because there are no solid reason to do so. Islam is a flexible religion, and as long as something is not against its value, then it’s still permissible.
The Prophet (peace may be upon him), “This religion is easy. No one becomes harsh and strict in the religion without it overwhelming him”
3. Time to Gather with Family
Islam values family more than anything. Since Thanksgiving is all about gathering with your family, it will be such a shame for Islam to forbid it. Tying the kinship, caring about family, loving the parents are what is Islam all about.
Also read: How to Give Thanks in Islam
4. Thanksgiving is Shukr
Thanks in Islam is shukr. The word mentioned in the Quran for many times, and every Muslim should have that one quality in them. Shukr, according to the scholars means:
“It is the consideration of the favor and its acknowledgment. Shukr from the human means the recognition of the favor. Shukr from Allah means the reward and appreciation.”
5. It’ an Important Concepts in Islam
Shukr is one of the most important concept in Islam. Every believer must have this quality, as a proof of faith to Allah SWT. Even all the Prophet were always thankful. Not only our Holy Prophet (peace may be upon him), but also previous Prophets such as Prophet Abraham and Prophet David.
Also read: Dua to Thank Allah for His Blessings
[AdSense-B]
6. Time to Reflect Allah’s Kindness
We can also take Thanksgiving to give thanks to Allah
“Nor can a soul die except by Allah’s leave, the term being fixed as by writing. If any do desire a reward in this life, We shall give it to him; and if any do desire a reward in the Hereafter, We shall give it to him. And swiftly shall We reward those that who are thankful.” (Quran 3:145)
7. Everyday Should be a Thanksgiving Day
The concept of Thanksgiving in Islam is that there should not be a particular day to celebrate as Thanksgiving. It can be every day, since we have to thank Allah endlessly everyday. Allah’s blessing to us is not only for one day in a year.
Also read: Reasons For The Prohibition of Riba In Islam
8. Allah is Not the Only One to be Thanked
And speaking about giving thanks, Allah is the first one we have to thank. For everything that happen in our life are all due to His mercy and blessing. But Allah is not the only one. We must also thanked our parents, friends and relative, and the Prophets for sure.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Those who do not thank people, they do not thank Allah.” – Tirmidhi
[AdSense-C]
How Could It Becomes Haraam?
The concept of Thanksgiving in Islam is all about thanking Allah, the Prophet, famili, and loved ones. But it can be haraam at some point.
1. It’s Good As Long As Not Congratulating the Kuffaar
Celebrate Thanskgiving everyday among Muslims and don’t stick to a certain tradition. Since Thanksgiving is not a tradition passed on by the Prophet (peace may be upon him) nor something Allah has told us to do, the we should be focusing on the essence, not the celebration. It becomes haraam once us, Muslims, congratulating the kuffar (Allah’s disbeliever). Muslims must distinguish themselves from the kuffar, whim Allah hates most.
2. No Need to Do the Rituals
Once again, Thanksgiving is not an Islamic culture. It’s okay to adopt the tradition, especially for Muslims in the Western, but we should never do it the way the kuffar did. No need to congratulate anyone, nor doing th rituals they usually do on the day. Don’t associate ourselves with those disbelievers.
“If you disbelieve, then verily, Allaah is not in need of you, He likes not disbelief for His slaves. And if you are grateful (by being believers), He is pleased therewith for you. . .” – (Quran 39:7)
Also read: Virtues of Gratefulness in Islam
3. Don’t Celebrate It Together with the Kuffar
If us Muslims happen to receive invitations from the kuffar to celebrate the Thanksgiving together with them, we must turn it down. Allah SWT doesn’t allow Muslim to celebrate such things together nor taking part of the celebration.
4. Do Not Imitate the Kuffar Tradition
Muslims must now weaken their souls and let the kuffar mislead them in any ways. Adopting their tradition, imitating their festivals, and such is humiliating Islam.
Concept of Thanksgiving in Islam
Here are some ways to celebrate the Thanksgiving in Islam:
- Celebrate it in Islamic Way by sending many thanks to Allah, parents, and loved ones.
- Take It As a Good Time to Thank Allah for all the blessing he has given to us.
- Do Not Set Certain Date and Month since everyday is Thanksgiving in Islam.
So those are all the concept of Thanksgiving in Islam. May all of us could become a good Muslim.