Christmas, which is now celebrated as a national holiday, originally has a religious basis. Due to it being a national holiday, Muslims living in Western countries face difficulties, as Islam does not permit participation in the religious festivals of non-Muslims in any form.
Allah Almighty commands: “Help one another in goodness and piety, but do not help one another in sin and transgression.”
During Christmas, they celebrate the birthday of Jesus (peace be upon him) by considering him the son of Allah, which is shirk. Shirk is the greatest sin, and there is no forgiveness for it if one dies upon it.
Similarly, in a hadith, it is mentioned: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said in Majmu‘ al-Fatawa (2/488):
“It is not permissible for Muslims to imitate them in any way specific to their festivals, whether it is food, clothing, bathing, lighting fires, refraining from usual work or worship, and so on. It is also not permissible to host a feast or give gifts, or to sell items that assist them in celebrating their festivals, or to allow children and others to play the games that are played during their festivals, or to adorn oneself or set up decorations.”
The question arises whether expressing happiness during this festival, such as saying “Merry Christmas,” is permissible or not. In response,
the scholars’ opinions vary. Some have said that anyone who celebrates this festival has shown respect for kufr, and showing respect for kufr is itself kufr.
Most of the imams say that it is disliked to eat the meat slaughtered by them on their festivals, as anything sacrificed for someone other than Allah is forbidden, and it falls under the category of animals sacrificed for their idols. Similarly, helping them in their festivals is also forbidden, such as giving them gifts or selling to them. It has been stated that it is not permissible for Muslims to sell anything to Christians for their festivals, whether it be meat, blood, or clothing; they should not rent them these things or assist them in their religious affairs, as this is akin to honoring their shirk and helping them in their disbelief.
The question arises whether expressing happiness during this festival, such as saying “Merry Christmas,” is permissible or not. In response, the scholars’ opinions vary. Some have said that anyone who celebrates this festival has shown respect for kufr, and showing respect for kufr is itself kufr.
Abdullah bin Amr bin al-As said: “Whoever imitates the non-Muslims and follows their Nawruz and Mahrajan (festivals), and lives and dies like them, will be gathered with them on the Day of Resurrection.”
Amir al-Mu’minin Umar bin al-Khattab, the Companions, and all the imams of the Muslims emphasized that it is not permissible to openly celebrate their festivals in the lands of the Muslims. Rather, they should celebrate these festivals privately in their homes.
If it is not permissible for non-Muslims to celebrate Christmas in Muslim countries, how can it be permissible for Muslims to celebrate it?
Some people say that Christians do not worship Jesus (peace be upon him), but they celebrate Christmas as the birthday of Jesus (peace be upon him). Therefore, celebrating Christmas itself does not equate to worshiping Jesus. Some people celebrate Christmas while worshiping Jesus, while others celebrate Christmas with no connection to Jesus at all. It has become a social phenomenon, especially widespread in Canada, whether people are religious or not.
Christmas has become so commercialized that people feel the need to remind others of the true essence of the season, which is Jesus (peace be upon him). As a result, people have forgotten about Jesus, let alone worshiping him. In this broader context, saying “Merry Christmas” to your colleague or neighbor does not imply that you are acknowledging the worship of Jesus. It simply means that you recognize it is a time when people are happy, and you are expressing a word of joy to others.
In the differing opinions of scholars on what the public should do regarding this matter, it will be said that some scholars have declared it equivalent to kufr, considering the teachings of the Quran and Hadith, while others, taking into account the circumstances and observing people’s behavior, have said that people have forgotten the religious significance of the festival and no longer celebrate Jesus (peace be upon him) as the Son of God. Therefore, they can join in their happiness. In this dispute, caution is advised, and Christmas should not be celebrated, as for a Muslim, the most valuable thing is their faith, and being careless with it could be dangerous. Even non-Muslims know that Islam does not permit celebrating this festival, and therefore they do not participate in their religious celebrations. However, Muslims should deal with them with kindness, which is the Islamic teaching.
