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Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board

Mother's Day
Kathy
04/30/01 at 16:55:54
slm It is in two weeks. OK gang- I need your help. I have to talk about it. Jannah- I searched your site and didn't find anything. Then again I can't seem to "search" well. I would really appreciate any articles anyone could refer me to!

Re: Mother's Day
pakiprncess
04/30/01 at 19:40:41
asalaaam alaikum friends - uh oh...are you searching because theres potentially something wrong with celebrating mothers day? please say no! ive finally saved up to take my mom on a shopping spree! i even saved up for the matching hijabs....please let it be okay..... !

Re: Mother's Day
nehar
05/01/01 at 08:19:03
[slm] isnt mother day in march?? i hope u all know heaven lies under ur mothers feet,so mothersd day should b every day. [wlm] nehar

Re: Mother's Day
jannah
05/01/01 at 13:58:40
designated mothers day is may 13. i think nehar is correct "mother's day" should be every day in Islam. why follow someone else's ideas of when their mother should be appreciated. our deen is much more beautiful and comprehensive -- we celebrate mothers every day as part of it. the same goes for thanksgiving etc.. why pick one day to appreciate what Allah gave you. i really think that these days are perpetuated by smart advertising marketers and tend to "secularize" (forgive the word) concepts to specific days or times.  and since they are not islamic in origin there is really no point in "celebrating them". you can appreciate your mother at any time. you don't have to wait till may 13 to take her out shopping! go for it now... better sales ;)

Re: Mother's Day
Kathy
05/02/01 at 07:55:32
slm This must be a touchy topic - since not many have replied. I am still trying to figure out a nice and effective way to explain why not to celebrate it to reverts.- as I am not that convinced myself. I did find this information- thought you all might be interested. I printed this because I found the last paragraph interesting! A woman named Anna Jarvis is considered the real founder of Mother's Day in America. The Civil War had ended when Anna was only one year old, yet there was still much hatred among families in West Virginia. Anna heard her mother say many times that she hoped "sometime, somewhere, someone will found a Mother's Day." She was convinced that if the family honored their mother on a special day, the fighting and hatred would end. When Anna's mother died, Anna made a promise to herself that she would be the "someone" to make her mother's wish come true. At her request the minister in Grafton, West Virginia, held a Mother's Day service on May 12, 1907, and this service is remembered as the first Mother's Day celebration in the United States.  Anna continued to write letters in support of a national Mother's Day on the second Sunday of May, and   by 1909, almost every state was celebrating this special day. On May 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation declaring the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day in every state. Anna continued to write letters and give speeches, and she organized the International Mother's Day   Association.      After Woodrow Wilson had declared Mother's Day a national holiday in 1914, Anna may have thought her work was over. Unfortunately, the holiday took on a commercial tone, and in 1923, Anna filed a lawsuit to stop a Mother's Day festival. Later, she was arrested for disturbing the peace at a Mother's Day convention. She was furious to find the white carnations she had designated as the official Mother's Day flower being sold. "I wanted it to be a day of sentiment, not profit," she protested. She eventually admitted to being sorry she had ever started the holiday, and she spent all of her inheritance trying to return the holiday to its loving intentions.

Re: Mother's Day
Kathy
05/02/01 at 09:04:28
slm I agree. I am thinking about revert's moms. All of the mother's friends are talking about something special their child did for them on this day in a way of honoring her. The reverts mom will probably feel sad that their Islamic daughter did not recoginise her on this day. Sure her Muslim daughter cherishes and honors her every day- except on this day of all days she chooses not to do something special. Seems a little mean. In school should we tell our children not to make the traditional elementary gift? My son will most probably tell the teacher he does not celebrate it. The teacher has no Islamic understanding and this may give Islam a negative image. Of course I will alert the teacher and explain our idealology. But her comment will probably be- What is wrong with celebrating your mother? I will say we celebrate our mothers everyday. She will than say- so then let your child make you the potted flower. Which is true- because he can give it to me any day. Then my poor son will be confused. Does anyone out there understand me?

Re: Mother's Day
Malika
05/02/01 at 11:41:37
slm Ok I agree about not doing the big celebration but you are somewhat contridicting yourself because you say don't celebrate Mothers day do it everyday. so when that day does come do you not do anything for your mother on that day because everyone else is doing something? The woman who started the tradition as you have wrote did not do it for marketing purposes.  She was in effect honoring one of her mothers wishes.  I don't believe this day had any religious intonations in it at all so what actually makes it so bad?  The fact that everybody regardless of religion actually takes the time and effort to recognize their mother?   Isn't in fact Mothers very special to begin with.

Re: Mother's Day
Anonymous
05/02/01 at 13:46:00
Assalam I would like to remind readers that Islam is an accepting religion. The prophet did not stop people from practicing their traditions as long as they did not conflict with Islamic sharia and teachings.

Re: Mother's Day
Arsalan
05/02/01 at 14:15:14
[slm] [quote]The prophet did not stop people from practicing their traditions as long as they did not conflict with Islamic sharia and teachings. [/quote]Hmm.  Can you give an example?

Re: Mother's Day
BrKhalid
05/02/01 at 15:36:13
Asalaamu Alaikum ;-) Say I decide to give my dear Mother a gift on Dec 25. Does this mean I'm celebrating Christmas?

Re: Mother's Day
jannah
05/02/01 at 15:44:00
are you?

Re: Mother's Day
BrKhalid
05/02/01 at 15:53:33
I don't know...am I?

Re: Mother's Day
Jenna
05/02/01 at 16:43:26
As salamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh! I hope that this helps Insha'Allah! Question: What is the shar’i ruling on celebrating festivals such as the birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), children’s birthdays, Mother’s Day, Tree Week and national holidays? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. Firstly: ‘Eid (festival) is the name given to something which returns (ya’ood), and is used to describe gatherings which happen repeatedly, on a yearly, monthly or weekly basis, etc. So an ‘eid includes a number of things, such as a day which comes regularly, e.g., ‘Eid al-Fitr and Friday; gatherings on that day; and actions such as acts of worship and customs which are done on that day. Secondly: any of these things which are intended as rituals or acts of worship aimed at drawing closer to Allaah or glorifying Him in order to earn reward, or which involve imitating the people of Jaahiliyyah or any other groups of kaafirs, is a prohibited bid’ah, an innovation which comes under the general meaning of the hadeeth: “Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours (Islam) that is not part of it, will have it rejected.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim). Examples of that include Mawlid al-Nabi (the Prophet’s birthday), Mother’s Day and national holidays, because in the first case there are innovated acts of worship which Allaah has not prescribed, and because it involves imitation of the Christians and other kaafirs. And in the second and third cases there is imitation of the kuffaar. But in cases where the intention is to organize work to serve the interests of the ummah and to put its affairs straight, or to organize programs of study, or to bring employees together for work purposes etc., which in and of themselves do not involve acts of worship and glorification, then these are a kind of benign innovation which do not come under the meaning of the hadeeth, “Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours (Islam) that is not a part of it will have it rejected.” So there is nothing wrong with such things, indeed they are allowed by sharee’ah. And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions, and grant them peace. Jenna

Re: Mother's Day
Arsalan
05/02/01 at 17:57:43
[slm] Brother Khalid, if you decided to give that gift to her because *it's December 25th*, then I'd say you are celebrating Christmas! Why not give it to her a week earlier?

Re: Mother's Day
pakiprncess
05/02/01 at 19:38:36
asalaam alaikum friends - [quote]But her comment will probably be- What is wrong with celebrating your mother? I will say we celebrate our mothers everyday. She will than say- so then let your child make you the potted flower. Which is true- because he can give it to me any day.[quote] if its no harm, like hes not going to go out and begin worshipping another god or something, why DOES it matter? arent there other things we've adopted from the american culture? such as being on time (this is for the desi crowd) and eating out as a way to celebrate ones achievements? (i dunno, thats a dumb example, but i cant think of anything but my moms happy face when i get her something on mothers day...true, i celebrate her presence everyday, but its almost like a birthday: although we dont [i]celebrate[/i] them, per say, theres no way my mom will forget to make my favorite dishes that night...its simply expected, you know?) sorry if ive said something wrong, but i think islam is a really simple religion, based primarily on intentions. if our intentions are pure, it doesnt matter whether we give our moms a present on mothers day or fathers day...although my mom would really be worried about me if i gave her somethin on fathers day.... ;) wasalaam :)

Re: Mother's Day
destined
05/02/01 at 22:19:53
[slm] [quote]Say I decide to give my dear Mother a gift on Dec 25.  Does this mean I'm celebrating Christmas?[/quote] hmm, I don't think so cuz... "Actions are but by intention and every man shall have but that which he intended." Sooo, if it's happens to be x-mas and u give ur momma a gift cuz it's x-mas then that's what u intended and that's what u'll get BUT if u just want to give her a gift cuz she's so wonderful :) and it just happens to be Dec 25th I don't see why that would be so wrong...and Allah knows best

Re: Mother's Day
nehar
05/04/01 at 07:33:46
[slm] who cares what the date is, i cud barley tell u the date 2day. anyways, i think presents should b given at any time, its the thoughts that count, not the date. [wlm] Nehar

Re: Mother's Day
Kathy
05/04/01 at 09:37:50
slm Here is the letter- pleas give me your comments and changes. Dear Miss. Teacher,      I have appreciated your efforts in addressing the religious sensitivities of Ali. As you are aware, Mother’s Day is quickly approaching us. As a Muslim, Ali has been taught to respect and honor me every day of the year. This is a quote from our teachings: ‘‘O Messenger of God! Who among the people is the most worthy of my good companionship?” The Prophet said: “Your mother.” The man said, ‘‘Then who?’’ The Prophet said: “Then your mother.” The man further asked, ‘‘Then who?’’ The Prophet said: “Then your mother”. The man asked again, ‘‘Then who?’’ The Prophet said: “Then your father.”      I taught him how Mother’s day started. I also told him that Ann Jarvis  eventually admitted being sorry she had ever started the holiday, because it took such a commercial turn for profit and she spent all of her inheritance trying to return the holiday to its loving sentimental intentions.      Ali is aware that we do not celebrate Mother’s Day as a one day celebration. He may be hesitant to make or be involved in any token of appreciation you may have the class make. I have told him that it is permissible for him to participate and such a gesture would be wonderful, as long as he is aware that he should honor me all the time and chooses not to give me the gift on Sunday.      Thank you for being attentive to  our  religious sentiments as well as showing a wonderful tolerance and an openness to diversity.      If you have questions, you may contact me. You may call me at 555-1212 or e-mail me at Kackie@lycos.com. Thank you for your time and attention. Kathleen
NS

Re: Mother's Day
Anonymous
05/06/01 at 01:13:28
Assalam I looked into an example of how the prophet saws allowed people to maintian their culture/traditions as long as they didn't conflict with Islam. all I can be sure of is that they refer to dress and beautification like women are allowed to pierce their noses etc. I now doubt it includes celebrations. There are only two celebrations really in Islam. Sorry if I caused confusion. Allahu alam.

Re: Mother's Day
Barr
05/06/01 at 06:38:52
Assalamu'alaikum, MashaALlah, Sister Kathy.. I think that is a good letter. If I'm the teacher, I would not only empathise, but be impressed as well, Alhamdulillah :) And inshaALlah, when I am a mother someday, I hope to follow your example as well, mashaALlah :)

Re: Mother's Day
Arsalan
05/06/01 at 12:51:37
[slm] There you go Anonymous :)

Re: Mother's Day
se7en
05/06/01 at 19:34:28
awesome kathy :)
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