Have Christmas Trees become part of Ramadan?
By pinkytabor
@pinkytabor (818)
Philippines
October 4, 2008 1:25pm CST
I am curious and i want someone to explain this to me. I was surprised to see a Christmas tree in a Muslim friend's house. I thought at first they have converted to Christianity, but no, they are devout Muslims. I felt embarrassed to ask and assumed it was just a house decor (the tree has ornaments too, with balls and stars.) Then during Eid, we went shopping and behold, Christmas trees are on for sale. It felt like Christmas inside the mall, also with colorful lights blinking. I honestly do not know what are those trees for? I mean, this is in a Muslim country. Perhaps they are selling those to Christians? But why do they also have it in their house? And during Ramadan?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@alkhansa (88)
• Saudi Arabia
4 Oct 08
Some Muslim converts still doing that because they got used to doing it before they convert. Some of them even call it "The Eid Tree" instead of a christmas tree. And no, most of the Muslim scholars said that it is not allowed to have a christmas tree in your house during Ramadan or Eid days, because it is not the tradition of the Muslims. You can decorate your house, but having a symbol of other religion is forbidden.
@pinkytabor (818)
• Philippines
5 Oct 08
It's a nice house decoration. But for me, it will always remind me of Christmas no matter the relevance of it. Well, "Eid Tree" sounds fine though Dates trees would look more reasonable than Pine trees don't you think? Since the fruit was the one eaten by their Prophet to break his fast. Both religion seem to evolve in the same way, knowing that these trees and other ornaments during their respective holidays are not really written about in their respective Holy Books.
@alkhansa (88)
• Saudi Arabia
5 Oct 08
Yes, I am more in favor of using palm/date tree for Eid tree :-) and using dates or other ornament to decorate it, instead of pine tree. And honestly, I never see pine trees in Jerusalem or any area around it, because it's desert ! I don't know where the pine christmas tree came from.
Peace.
@emarie (5442)
• United States
4 Oct 08
Well, if you think about it, what exactly does the tree itself have to do with christmas? i could be wrong since i don't know everything. my friends used to have christmas trees and celebrated christmas and they weren't christian. its a little early for selling christmas decorations i think. halloween then thanksgiving then christmas is normally the holiday decoration selling order, well thats my opinion. but like i said, not only christians celebrate christmas. if that person was a friend of mine, i would just ask them. its not that rude to ask what the tree is for. since i don't know about others customs i would try to learn a little something.
@pinkytabor (818)
• Philippines
5 Oct 08
I think since Christmas is celebrated during wintertime, there goes the relevance of Christmas (pine) trees. All i know is that these trees have long been practiced by Christians and are symbols of Christmas. It just is so new and surprising to me to see another religion seem to adapt some symbol from a Christian religion for their holiday.
@Harley009 (1416)
• India
6 Oct 08
Well, I never hear of such an EID tree, lol.
But it is a usual practice to keep our home very clean, tidy, nice looking and decorate for the blessed event. But borrowing other religious practice is not a nice thing to do though.
There exists some cultural practices in some countries like keeping a lamp in ramadan, making some special dishes on some special days or may have the tree you mentioned. Those things should not be taken as an Islamic thing, but just having them for joy and blessing won't many any problem.
