The Arab society during the time of the Holy Prophet(PBUH&HP), considered it a matter of pride to have male children and considered boys as the inheritors of the legacy of the fathers. Thus, having daughters was considered a matter of disgrace in the pre-Islamic Arabian society. After the demise of the two sons of the Holy Prophet(PBUH&HP) - at very young age - the community of polytheists of Mecca thought that with the eventual death of the  noble Prophet, his mission of spreading Islam would also cease to exist since he had no male children to carry on his message and this greatly pleased  those polytheist Arabs and they would often mock the Holy Prophet by calling him ‘abtar’ meaning the ‘cut off,’ assuming that his progeny and  noble mission would be cut off/truncated after him. However, Surah Al-Kawthar (Surah number 108 of Holy Qur’an) was revealed as a reply to these individuals to let them know that It is the enemies of the Prophet who will eventually become ‘abtar’ or cut off in progeny, and that the program of Islam and the Qur’an will never come to a halt!

The revelation of this chapter was in fact, a fitting reply to the enemies of the Apostle of Allah to inform them that Islam and the Qur’an will  survive forever. Apart from being a reply to  polytheists, this Surah was revealed as a consolation to the Holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH&HP).  
Allah (SWT) consoles his beloved Prophet in the following words:
In the Name of Allah, the All-beneficent, the All-merciful. Indeed We have given you abundance. (1) So pray to your Lord, and sacrifice [the sacrificial camel]. (2) Indeed it is your enemy who is without posterity. (Holy Qur’an 108:1-3)

‘al-Kawthar’ (translated as abundance in ayat [verse] no.1) has a vast, inclusive meaning which is ‘goodness in abundance’ and the examples are many.

 A large number of scholars believe that one of the  clearest examples of this word is the auspicious existence of Lady Fatima Al-Zahra (SA), because the occasion of the revelation of the verse indicates that the enemies accused the  noble Prophet of being without offspring to which the Holy Qur’an replied with this surah  and this verse upon which we understand that this ‘abundance of good’ is the daughter of the Holy Prophet (PBUH&HP), Lady Fatima Al-Zahra (SA)’.
Moreover, this abundance is not only limited to the physical and biological offsprings of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH&HP), but also to the abundance of his followers who  practice  Islam and are responsible for the preservation of all of its values  and continue to convey it to the future generations!(1)

Auspicious Birth and the Status of Fatima Zahra ( SA)

When Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) was informed that his wife Khadijah ( SA) gave birth to their daughter, he quickly went home and took his newborn daughter, kissed her, recited the adhan (the call for prayer) in her right ear, and recited the iqama (similar to adhan but recited between the adhan and salat) in her left ear. Thus the first voice Lady Fatima (AS) heard was that of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HP) and the first words (she heard) were “Allah is the greatest” and “there is no God but Allah”. After this, angel Gabriel   revealed upon the Holy Prophet (PBUH&HP) with glad tidings and blessings from Allah (SWT). 

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) and his beloved wife, Lady Khadija ( SA) enthusiastically received and cherished the birth of their child, Fatimah (SA). The Holy Prophet ( PBUH&HP) was aware that his  new-born daughter would have a very high status on the earth  besides in the heavens, that she would be unequalled in purity, chastity and faith from among all the women of the  world, and that his pure progeny would be (continue) from her. He was very delighted for the coming of this pure child, and loved and adored her till he left this world.

Fatimah (SA) was nurtured by her father, the master of all creation. He fed her with his talents and ethics , taught her the Holy Qur'an and all things about the verses of verdicts, the causes of the revelation of verses and every other issues  concerning the Holy Qur'an, educated her with the rulings of the Sharia, the nobilities of character, and high morals and principles. He nurtured her with sincere faith in Allah, the Creator of the universe, and Giver of life. Lady Fatima (SA) was known by many ephitets? nicknames/titles namely: Al-Zahra: the shinning, Al-Kawthar: goodness in abundance, Al-Siddika: the truthful, Al-Mubarakka: the blessed, Al-Tahira: the pure, Al-Zakiya: the chaste, Al-Radhiya* Al-Raadhiya?: the satisfied, Al-Muhaddathah: the one talked to (by angels), Al-Batool: the devoted (to Allah). )2(

Aisha, one of the wives of Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH&HP) says: ‘I have not seen anyone more similar to the messenger of Allah (SWA) in straightness, guidance, and talking in his sitting and standing than Fatimah, his daughter. When she came to the messenger of Allah ( SWA), he got up, kissed her, and seated her in his place. When the messenger of Allah ( SWA) came to her, she got up, kissed him, and seated him in her place.’)3( 

Lady Fatimah ( SA) led an ascetic life and lived in satisfaction, devoiding of worldly pleasures or any kind of luxury just like her father, Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH&HP) and her husband Imam Ali ( AS) who had divorced this world and been abstinent from its pleasures. She was an example for all Muslims especially the women in all her conducts, she presented the true picture of Islam and taught  Muslim women about how to be  content with the blessings of Allah (SWT). For instance, despite  enjoying the privilege of being the daughter of the Holy Prophet ( SWA) she lived a simple life just like many other Muslims, devoiding luxuries,. She was a source of solace for her father during her lifetime and was the best companion and spouse to Imam Ali ( AS) while   performing the duties of a spouse in the best way and setting an example for generations to come. When Islam was in its nascent stage, she not only took care of her home, but also supported her husband in fulfilling his duties of Jihad and propagation of Islam. Despite her responsibilities of motherhood, home-maker and a spouse she also took upon herself to teach the Holy Qur’an, Hadith and other sciences to the Muslims of her time. Even when the position of caliphate -bestowed by the Holy Prophet ( PBUH&HP) through revelation- was snatched away from Imam Ali ( AS) she stood like a mountain defending her husband and his divine authority and even laid down her life protecting the rights of the true leader of the Muslim Ummah. She was the mother Imam Hasan and Imam  Hussain( PBUT), two great personalities who  devoted/dedicated their lives  defending the lofty values of Islam as Islam and Muslims are greatly indebted to Lady Fatima Al-Zahra ( SA) for her  devotions and services in protecting and preserving  these values  through her words, deeds and her teachings. Apart from nurturing children like Imam Hasan, Imam Hussain ( PBUT) she also gave the world, Zaynab (SA) who spread the message of Karbala and became the voice of Imam Hussain ( PBUH) after Karbala. (Lady Fatima ( SA) abstained from all desires of life in food, clothes, and others and she turned sincerely to Allah and preferred pleasing Him to everything else.)** …here it comes the matter of logic in writing so, in my belief. With all respect it neither sounds logical, nor seems professional to write this way, though the author indeed has been trying to seem so through writing this passage which can simply be found with even a glance at some explicit flaws such as redundancy and numerous examples of overrepetiotion! 

She was the most charitable woman and no one returned from her house empty- handed. Many a times when the Holy Prophet didn’t have anything to offer in charity, he guided people to his  daughter/daughter’s.

Fatimah ( SA) was the best example in chastity, honor and veiling for all Muslim women. Imam Ali ( AS) said, ‘Once, a blind man asked permission to visit Fatimah (SA), but she asked him to stay behind a screen. The messenger of Allah ( SWA) asked Fatimah ( SA), ‘Why did you screen him though he is blind and could not see you?’ She said, ‘He could not see me, but I could see him. (4)
Lady Fatima’s status is   ?! (Please have a closer look and define what exactly was employed by this very word?! I do wonder if I could get the proper meaning or maybe nor do the readers…)in this world and hereafter, and truly so the Holy Prophet ( PBUH&HP) says: “He, who has known Fatimah has known her, and he, who has not (let him know her); she is Fatimah bint Muhammad. She is a part from me and she is my heart and my soul that is between my two sides. Whoever harms her harms me, and whoever harms me harms Allah.(5)

References:

1.  https://www.al-islam.org/fatima-zahra-noble-quran-naser-makarem-shirazi/surah-al-kawthar-abundant-good 
2. https://www.al-islam.org/life-fatimah-az-zahra-principal-all-women-study-and-analysis-baqir-sharif-al-qurashi/fatimahs-birth 
3. Thakha’ir al-Uqba, p.40, al-Istee’ab, vol.4 p.450, Sunan of at-Tarmithi, vol.5
4.   https://www.al-islam.org/message-thaqalayn/vol-14-no-1-winter-2013/fatima-zahra-words-infallibles/fatima-zahra-words
5.  Noor al-Absar, p.41.
6. . https://www.al-islam.org/fatima-gracious-abu-muhammad-ordoni 
    

Some people ask why Muslims do not celebrate Christmas? Is that because they do not agree on the 25th of December as Jesus birthday? Or is that because they say Christians believe in Jesus as the son of God, while Muslims do not believe in Trinity, as well as they believe that Islam is the religion that is more complete than Christianity and all other religions that came in the past; the same way that Christians believe that Christianity is a more complete religion than Judaism.

But let’s put aside the issue of Islamic view on the date of birth of Prophet Jesus (PBUH). The most important fact that causes Muslims not to wish to celebrate Christmas is the matter of identity. Do Muslims expect Christians or Jews to celebrate Islamic occasions? Does it not sound logical that each culture celebrates its own occasions and rituals? Of course, people who were born Muslims in Muslim countries or communities would like to celebrate their own occasions.

But here we are discussing the issue of those who have converted to Islam. Or those who are Muslim and live in societies with a majority of Christians.

Is it forbidden (Haram) for Muslims to celebrate Christmas?

Jesus in Islam

Prophet Jesus (PBUH) is among the Prophets whose names and stories have been mentioned in many chapters of the Holy Quran. This shows the high status of Prophet Jesus (PBUH) and his respected mother – Mary- for Muslims. Prophet Jesus (PBUH) and his mother are so beloved for Muslims that many Muslims name their children after them, and the Islamic society takes every possible chance to admire their position.

It is for this very high level of respect for the Prophet Jesus (PBUH) that Muslims will be offended when he is called the son of God. Since Allah says in the Holy Quran “ That they attribute to the Most Merciful a son. And it is not appropriate for the Most Merciful that He should take a son. There is no one in the heavens and earth but that he comes to the Most Merciful as a servant.” (19: 91-3)

In the same chapter, Allah says “The Messiah, son of Mary, was not but a messenger; [other] messengers have passed on before him. And his mother was a supporter of truth. They both used to eat food. Look how We make clear to them the signs; then look how they are deluded.” (5:75)

Taking part in Christmas parties for Muslims

The ruling on taking part in Christmas parties is the same as taking part in any other party. It is allowed to participate in Christmas parties if there is no forbidden (Haram) act taking place; such as drinking, backbiting or forbidden (Haram) music, singing, or dancing [i], etc.

In Islamic jurisprudence, there is no harm in celebrating the birthday of Prophet Jesus (PBUH).  Also if Muslims do not wish to celebrate Christmas among their cultural occasion, it is forbidden (Haram) to disrespect Christian rituals.

Do Converts Have any Duty Regarding Their Christian Family?

“And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination. But if they endeavor to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them but accompany them in [this] world with appropriate kindness …” (31:14-15)

The above verses clearly define that respecting and caring for parents in the eyes of God is not because of their religion. But He says that you have to respect them, only because your mother carried you for nine months and fed you when you were a weak baby. Therefore non-Muslim parents have all the rights that Muslim parents have. And there is no difference between Muslim or non-Muslim parents if they ask you to do something which is not accepted by God. In those cases, you have to disobey them BUT keep respecting them and behave kindly towards them.

Congratulating Christmas to Christians

Congratulating Christmas to Christians is not forbidden (Haram), as long as it is not considered to be a confirmation of their belief in Trinity while keeping in mind that you believe that Islam is the last religion sent by God to complete the past religions, but it is rather recommended to respect our relatives, friends or neighbors who are Christians with congratulating them on their happy occasions.

The Duty of Muslims in Celebrating Christmas

Although we discussed that Muslims who live in Islamic countries or Western countries would rather celebrate their own cultural occasions among their Islamic communities, there is a duty upon those Muslims who live in the West and may live with non-Muslim friends and families.

It is a duty upon every individual Muslim to spread the words of God as much as possible. And if a Muslim has the position of clarifying the status of prophet Jesus (PBUH) as a prophet and not the son of God or as a god, then he/ she should not take this opportunity for granted and mention the fact that Jesus (PBUH) was not but a respected Prophet of God.

However, it is not obligatory for Muslims to speak out about this issue when they participate in Christmas parties (in which no forbidden (Haram) act will take place), but if there is a chance of talking about the issue, it would be good to mention the Islamic opinion about the Prophet Jesus (PBUH).

Notes:

[i] Read about forbidden (Haram) music in the related article.

[ii] “This day [all] good foods have been made lawful, and the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you, and your food is lawful for them. And [lawful in marriage are] chaste women from among the believers and chaste women from among those who were given the Scripture before you, when you have given them their due compensation, desiring chastity, not unlawful sexual intercourse or taking [secret] lovers. And whoever denies the faith - his work has become worthless, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.” (5: 5)

References:

1. celebrating christmas