Worried about whether or not you can celebrate this Thanksgiving? It can often be confusing as the history and intent of many American holidays have become muddled beyond recognition. In a sermon two years ago, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) directed us to abstain from celebrating Halloween. Though Halloween is widely thought to be merely a cultural holiday without religious roots, close examination shows this not to be the case and that it is an Irish pagan holiday with polytheistic roots. Many holidays celebrated in America are Christian holidays such as Christmas and Easter. These holidays are likely pre-Christian pagan celebrations that have been modified to fit Christian theology. An example of this is Christmas which was likely an adaptation of the Winter Solstice holiday turned into the birth of Jesus, who was almost certainly not born in December. For many reasons such religious based holidays are not recognized by Islam, primarily because they compromise the Oneness of Allah and lead us towards shirk (associating partners with Allah).However, Thanksgiving is a national or cultural holiday with a religious slant. This religious slant is to give thanks to God. The story goes that the original Thanksgiving was first celebrated in 1621 when the first European settlers in New England gave their thanks to God after a successful harvest following a difficult year. This was celebrated along with Native Americans who had helped the them get through the rough year. President George Washington declared the first national Thanksgiving day in 1789 "as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favours of Almighty God". This is not so different the following Qur’anic verse:
And remember the time when you were few and deemed weak in the land, and were in fear lest people should snatch you away, but He sheltered you and strengthened you with His help, and provided you with good things that you might be thankful. (8:27)
Unfortunately, the spirit of cooperation and gratitude towards Native Americans obviously did not last, nevertheless, the intent of the holiday is good. So feel free to indulge in some traditional turkey and mashed potatoes, but make sure you skip the traditional ham. Also, practice moderation and don’t gorge yourself into a food coma. Most importantly, express thankfulness to Allah for all that he has provided for us and for sheltering us in America where the right to openly practice our faith is protected.
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