shocking and surprising facts about Christmas including the question of whether Jesus was actually born on December 25th

1. Jesus Was Likely Not Born on December 25th The Bible does not specify the exact date of Jesus' birth. December 25th was chosen later, likely to align with existing pagan festivals. Early Christians may have adopted December 25th to coincide with the Roman festival Saturnalia, which honored Saturn, the god of agriculture, and the winter solstice celebrations. Some scholars suggest Jesus was born in spring or fall, as shepherds watching over their flocks in the fields (as described in the Gospel of Luke) was unlikely to occur in the winter. 2. Christmas Was Once Illegal Christmas was banned in parts of Europe and the American colonies in the 17th century. The Puritans considered it a pagan holiday and too frivolous to be a true Christian celebration. In Massachusetts, celebrating Christmas was punishable by fines from 1659 to 1681. 3. The Origins of Santa Claus Aren't Entirely Christian Santa Claus has roots in St. Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop known for his generosity. However, the modern Santa incorporates elements of Norse mythology—like Odin, who rode an eight-legged horse and delivered gifts during Yule. The jolly red-suited Santa we know today was largely popularized by Coca-Cola ads in the 1930s. 4. The Christmas Tree Has Pagan Origins The tradition of decorating trees predates Christianity. Ancient Germans and Celts used evergreen trees to symbolize life during winter solstice celebrations. Christians later adopted the tree as a representation of the “Tree of Life” or as a symbol of eternal life. 5. Xmas Doesn’t Remove “Christ” from Christmas Many people think “Xmas” is disrespectful, but the “X” comes from the Greek letter Chi (Χ), the first letter of “Christ” in Greek. So “Xmas” has been a legitimate abbreviation for centuries. 6. “Jingle Bells” Was a Thanksgiving Song Written in 1857 by James Lord Pierpont, “Jingle Bells” was originally titled “One Horse Open Sleigh” and was intended to celebrate Thanksgiving—not Christmas. 7. Mistletoe Was a Symbol of Fertility and Peace Mistletoe has pagan roots. The ancient Druids viewed it as a symbol of fertility, life, and peace. The tradition of kissing under mistletoe likely evolved from these beliefs. 8. Christmas Wasn't Always a Big Deal Christmas only became widely celebrated in the 19th century. Before that, Easter was considered the more important Christian holiday. The traditions we associate with Christmas today—like gift-giving, trees, and Santa Claus—were popularized during the Victorian era. 9. The World's Most Expensive Christmas Tree In 2010, the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi displayed a Christmas tree decorated with gold, diamonds, and precious jewels worth over $11 million. 10. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Was Created for Advertising Rudolph was invented in 1939 by Robert L. May as part of a marketing campaign for the Montgomery Ward department store. Summary: Was Jesus Born on Christmas? While December 25th is widely celebrated as Jesus’ birthday, there is no historical or biblical evidence that He was born on that day. Instead, the date was likely chosen to replace pagan festivals and encourage Christian observance. However, for Christians worldwide, December 25th has become a symbolic day to honor and reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ. Did any of these facts surprise you?

Why Disables are created by God? A divine perspective

Eid Milad un Nabi

Rebuttal: This is true that Sinni Muslims distribute sweets among the needy and poor but it is not compulsory for those who do not have sufficient sources. One should not doing good deeds for the reason that one could find out an element of showoff in this good deed. It is to be noted all deeds depend on intents and every Muslim should have good feelings for others. Only God knows the intentions and others have no right to critize on others good deeds. Rather this practice is in the guidance provided by the Quran in the following verses:-

Who believe in the Ghaib and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and spend out of what We have provided for them [i.e. give Zakat , spend on themselves, their parents, their children, their wives, etc., and also give charity to the poor and also in Allah's Cause - Jihad]. (Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #3)

And spend in the Cause of Allah (i.e. Jihad of all kinds) and do not throw yourselves into destruction (by not spending your wealth in the Cause of Allah), and do good. Truly, Allah loves Al-Muhsinun (the good-doers).

And spend in the Cause of Allah (i.e. Jihad of all kinds) and do not throw yourselves into destruction (by not spending your wealth in the Cause of Allah), and do good. Truly, Allah loves Al-Muhsinun (the good-doers).

They ask you (O Muhammad) what they should spend. Say: Whatever you spend of good must be for parents and kindred and orphans and Al-Masakin (the poor) and the wayfarer, and whatever you do of good deeds, truly, Allah knows it well. (Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #215)

And they ask you what they ought to spend. Say: "That which is beyond your needs." Thus Allah makes clear to you His Laws in order that you may give thought." (Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #219).

O you who believe! spend of that with which We have provided for you, before a Day comes when there will be no bargaining, nor friendship, nor intercession. And it is the disbelievers who are the Zalimun (wrong-doers). (Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #254)

 The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He wills. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower. (Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #261)

Those who spend their wealth in the Cause of Allah, and do not follow up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury, their reward is with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. (Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #262)

To meet the expenses donations are collected from sometimes unwilling people who give money under social pressure. According to the hadith it is not permissible to take any Muslim's money without his willingness.

Intermixing of men and women commonly takes place in these gatherings. People stay late at night in these meetings thereby missing the next morning's prayers. If a particular organ or a man is defected it is not rational to kill such human. It is reasonable to cut that particular organ. Similarly, if the ram of your computer is mal-functioning, only a fool would throw the whole computer, which could be very useful if the ram is replaced with a new one. Same is the position with regard to this allegation. First, it is not a common practice. It is just a propaganda made by Wahabis and Deobandies. Now, Madni Channel, which gives a true picture of Sunni Islam can be seen all around the world, and this allegation could prove to be just a misconception and propaganda from the hypocrites, who use world Razi allah-ho-Anho for Yazid and treat Hazrat Imam Hussain (Razi Allaho Anho as a rebel (Na a’uzo Billah).

12th Rabi Awal - The Date of Birth of Holy Prophet (PBUH)

Objection No.5:   A particular date (12 Rabi-Awwal) has been designated for this remembrance. There is no evidence supporting this designation during the time of Sahaba (Companions), the tabiyeen (the generation that followed the companions) or taba-tabiyeen (the next generation). This designation is bida'a (innovation).

The element of showoff (riya) is commonly present in these gatherings. This is also true with the gathering of a marriage and such like other events. Then Mufti Sahib should also ban the gathering on the event of marriages. Deobandis also arrange annual congregations. Is it not a bida’at.

If someone does not attend these gatherings, he is looked down upon. This is totally false. In fact, Deobandis are minorities and when they see such a huge gatherings, which are not permissible according to their feelings, they get jealous.  

Distribution of sweets is considered an indispensable part of the proceedings.

Reality of Eid Milad Un Nabi

Objection No.4:-  There are rules governing the blessed remembrance of the Sirah. For example, also it can take any permissible form. But it is important to stay away from the evils found in the prevalent Milad gatherings.

Rebuttal:   What are the permissible forms to celebrate Sirah. Could Deobandis and Wahabis show us by practicing such “permissible forms”? In fact, the Fatwa of Mufti sahibs is again silent. A bare perusal of the above wordings clearly says that the Mufti Sahib has no argument to give Fatwa against Eid Millaat un Nabi with reasons and logic duly supported with Verses of Quran and Ahadith, so he helplessly admitted that remembrance of Sirah can take any permissible form which should include Millat Sharif where Muslims made arrangements to praise the Holy Prophet and thank God on bestowing this greatest blessing for us. Deobandis and Wahbis are persuaded to arrange gatherings to remember the greatness of Holy Prophet (PBUH) according their own ‘permissible forms’ and Sunni Muslims would not show any hesitation to attend such gatherings, even if there is no sweet or delicious food.

Eid Milad Un Nabi

If it is permissible to arrange gathering for the remembrance of teachings of the Holy Prophet than what went wrong with 12th Rabiul Awal, which is the date of birth of Holy Prophet (PBUH). Does any Deobandi or Wahabi has any evidence which says that it is a sin to:-

i.    Arrange gathering on 12th Rabiul Awal.

ii.   Remembering Holy Prophet on 12th Rabiul Awal.

iii.  Distributing sweets among the children, needy and poor on 12th  

      Rabiul Awal.

To prove their stance, Deobandis should bring on record a concrete Hadith or a verse of Quran just like the examples given by the Mufti Sahib about offering of Salah and reciting the Quran.

This is a mechanism of Quranic law that what is prohibited is mentioned in Quran and Ahadith and all other things are declared as lawful, as is evident from the following Verses of Quran:-

Forbidden to you (for food) are: Al-Maitah (the dead animals - cattle - beast not slaughtered), blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which Allah's Name has not been mentioned while slaughtering, (that which has been slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than Allah, or has been slaughtered for idols) and that which has been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by the goring of horns - and that which has been (partly) eaten by a wild animal - unless you are able to slaughter it (before its death) - and that which is sacrificed (slaughtered) on An-Nusub (stone-altars). (Forbidden) also is to use arrows seeking luck or decision; (all) that is Fisqun (disobedience of Allah and sin). This day, those who disbelieved have given up all hope of your religion; so fear them not, but fear Me. This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. But as for him who is forced by severe hunger, with no inclination to sin (such can eat these above mentioned meats. Allah has made lawful (meat of slaughtered eatable animals, milk products, fats, vegetables and fruits)]. And those beasts and birds of prey which you have trained as hounds, training and teaching them (to catch) in the manner as directed to you by Allah; so eat of what they catch for you, but pronounce the Name of Allah over it, and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Swift in reckoning." (Al-Maeda, Chapter #5, Verse #4)

Certainly, the Wahabis and Deobandis could not bring anything on record to prove that celebration of Eid Milaat un Nabi is Haram or illegal in the light of Verses of Quran or Ahadith, which is, indeed, an evidence that their perceptions and apprehensions about Eid Milaat un Nabi are false.

What you would say about a man who says that since there is no mentioning of vegetables and eggs in Quran, it is not allowable in Islam to eat such things. Most probable worlds for such a human would be “ignorant” and “fool”, who does not possess the knowledge of even the basic principles of Islamic law. There is no mentioning of modern equipments in Quran, neither there is any Hadith to prove that usage of the same falls within the ambit of Sunnah. According to the verdict of the Deobandis, they are all bida’ats, and hence they should ride on camels instead of driving cars and so on.

Milad Ul Nabi

Here is the rebuttal of objections regarding Eid Milad un Nabi. One Fatwas is given by Hazrat Maulana Taqi Usmani. I have selected the wording of the same fatwas and tried to answer the queries raised regarding Eid Milad un Nabi as under:

Objection No.1: Usually Anti-Eid Milat un Nabi sects start their discussion that “Remembering the life of Prophet (PBUH) and his teachings is an act of great blessing and virtue but………..

Rebuttal: What Muslims do on Eid Millaat Un Nabi. They do remember this great blessing of Almighty on the human race that He sent His beloved for the guidance of the humanity. This is the greatest blessing of the Almighty on the inhebitants of earth.