Taking part in Non Islamic Festivals

Sajid Iqbal —

Question

To what extent are Muslims allowed to take part in non–Islamic festivals such as Christmas, Halloween, Easter etc?

For example, can Muslims give Christmas cards to non-Muslim neighbours, colleagues and friends or attend Christmas dinners if invited by the local church?

Answer

Answered by Shaykh Salim Giza

There are different rulings for Muslims participating in non Islamic festivals and this depends on whether the festival is a religious cultural or habitual practice.

The following therefore applies; It is Haram for a person to take part in a religious festival belonging to other faiths where practices of Kufr or Shirk take place, i.e. singing statements which worship other deities e.g. ‘Jesus is the son of God’. Or where the act would mean going into a religious place of worship such as Church, Synagogue, Temple etc and then being part of their worship. It is also forbidden to take part in festivals such as Halloween as it entails a medieval pagan festival of the coming of winter.

It is Makrooh (disliked) to participate in festivals where there is no benefit to an individual and money is wasted.

It is permissible for a person to take part in an event which does not entail Haram activities and enables unity and love amongst each other.

A Muslim may not be allowed to take part in another person’s religious festival but must respect other people’s belief and therefore cannot criticise to cause offence to other faiths.

Also, Muslim leaders and scholars may be involved in activities such as multi faith events where the intention is to give the position of the Muslims and to provide Muslims with a positive view in front of other faiths.

Where Muslims take part in dinners or a get together especially if it involves members of their family who are Christians then this is perfectly allowed as long Haram activities as drinking or the presence of Alcohol or Music are not involved. It is important for Muslims to maintain family ties and show love and respect for others. Shaykh Gibril Haddad writes ‘Keeping family ties is an obligation on every Muslim, i.e. with one’s parents. If wine is served then such meals or gatherings are devoid of blessing and one should neither condone nor participate in them except for the minimum presence that filial respect demands’.

Sending Christmas cards to non-Muslims can be permissible if the intention is to promote good character of a Muslim but again this should not be done in general circumstances as it is a waste of money and time.

Of course Allah knows best.

Omrow — Mon, 3 Nov 2008 - 16:31

Salam

Christmas is a beautiful time in which everyone should take part.

Its the birthday of Jesus Christ.

Jesus was our Prophet too.

I think muslims and christians should get together and celebrate birth of Jesus.

Omrow

1R4M — Mon, 3 Nov 2008 - 21:34

[quote=Omrow]Salam

Christmas is a beautiful time in which everyone should take part.

Its the birthday of Jesus Christ.

Jesus was our Prophet too.

I think muslims and christians should get together and celebrate birth of Jesus.

Omrow

[/quote]

Yes
but
you do realise that 25 Dec is NOT the actually birth date for prophet Isa pbuh

Courage — Tue, 4 Nov 2008 - 13:55

He was born in the middle of summer. Christmas, as it is, is actually a pagan festival to celebrate the end of this year and the coming of the new year and the days that are getting longer.

Ya'qub — Tue, 4 Nov 2008 - 16:37

[quote=Omrow]Do you when Jesus was born?

If not, then how can you say what you had said.

[/quote]

The Qur'an says that Maryam (as) took shelter under a date palm while in labour with 'Isa (as), and ate fresh dates.

Dates ripen in the summer.

Q.E.D.

1R4M — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 - 22:43

[quote=Ya'qub][quote=Omrow]Do you when Jesus was born?

If not, then how can you say what you had said.

[/quote]

The Qur'an says that Maryam (as) took shelter under a date palm while in labour with 'Isa (as), and ate fresh dates.

Dates ripen in the summer.

Q.E.D.[/quote]

oooooooooooooh
ur so clever!!!

anyhoo
yes!
Isa as was not born in the winter
25 december isn egyptian festival
for the Sun god!
much of christian symbols are actually pagan!
so HA omrow!

You — Sat, 8 Nov 2008 - 14:17

[quote=Omrow]Do you when Jesus was born?

If not, then how can you say what you had said.

[/quote]

[quote=Ya'qub][quote=Omrow]Do you when Jesus was born?

If not, then how can you say what you had said.

[/quote]

The Qur'an says that Maryam (as) took shelter under a date palm while in labour with 'Isa (as), and ate fresh dates.

Dates ripen in the summer.

Q.E.D.[/quote]

Muslim Rebel — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 - 21:58

Sending Christmas cards to non-Muslims can be permissible if the intention is to promote good character of a Muslim but again this should not be done in general circumstances as it is a waste of money and time.

I do not think giving a Christmas card has any reflection on good character of a Muslim.

How can we send out Christmas cards, when the whole premise is that of Shirk?

To greet someone with "Merry christmas", is condoning it as a legitimate celebration. Whether or not someone believes in it or not.

There are plenty of other fatawa on this issue, rather than that of mumayi'een.

Anonymous76767676 (not verified) — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 - 23:39

you're no allowed to celebrate christmas as it's not part of islam .. and doing so will be bid'a, adding somthing to our religion.. the porphet said we should not celebrate any religious festivals except for the two eids.. we shouldnt even celebrate his milad as he didn't celebrate it either