At Christmas time, many Muslims can find it bewildering as they struggle to understand whether celebrating it is prohibited under Islam or simply an imitation of unbelievers.
Muslims frequently question whether the story of Jesus’ birth is authentic or not, which leads them to wonder whether they should believe it or not. This article addresses these queries and helps Muslims make the best decision possible for themselves.
What is Christmas?
Christmas marks the birth of Jesus Christ, whom Christians consider to be God Incarnate. While its primary celebration occurs among Christians worldwide, Christmas Eve, Day, and Noel also commemorate this event. Christmas comes from the combination of Christ and mass, reflecting Catholic traditions of celebrating Mass during this event. Prior to Christmas being called Christmas, it was called Yule or Noel; some countries still refer to it by these names (Britannica). The festival has its origins in ancient pre-Christian winter festivals and pagan beliefs and practices have been integrated into Christian observance of Christmas. Candles and holly are used to recall Jesus’s incarnation, while gifts represent Magi’s gift from Jesus’s birth.
There is some uncertainty as to when Jesus was born, though most scholars agree he likely came into being between 280 CE and 275 CE. 25 December is considered most likely as it is Mary’s birthday, further supported by Zechariah being on duty as a priest on that particular day when Mary received news she would become pregnant with a special child.
Muslims are warned not to celebrate holidays that do not align with Islamic practice and belief, as doing so can lead to shirk (worship of things other than Allah). One exception would be commemorations of one of the prophets’ birthdays or Eid al-Mawlid; these events are allowed under Islam.
Why do Muslims celebrate Christmas?
Muslims living in Western societies face many difficulties when it comes to cultural traditions and holidays, balancing between building bridges with an America that is predominantly Christian and maintaining the pure teachings of Islam.
Christmas can be one of the most challenging times for Muslims, not only because it is an occasion for celebrating another religion’s beliefs but also because it commemorates Jesus, whose birthday is not observed by any other Muslim sect. Muslims honour him (peace be upon him) as a great prophet who restored religious truths that had been lost over time but do not consider him God himself; indeed, the Quran prohibits shirk, or associating someone or something with Allah—something Jesus specifically denied during his ministry.
Decorations used at Christmas time often stem from pagan practices, while singing during this season is actually a form of pagan “wassailing.” Thus, celebrating Christmas should not be considered part of Islam or something Muslims should participate in doing; therefore, it’s important that Muslims understand why they cannot celebrate Christmas to avoid losing sight of its meaning and its tenets, attending parties dedicated to Christmas or simply wishing people happy holidays without knowing.
Can Muslims celebrate Christmas?
Christmas can be an extremely divisive topic among middle east Muslims living in the West, creating even further confusion around this festive celebration. From Halloween and November through to December and New Year’s Day on January 1, Muslims often feel uncertain as to what celebrations can or cannot take place as part of Islam.
Islam prohibits celebrating Christmas for several reasons, unlike Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha for example. Christmas celebrates an entirely different religion’s beliefs as well as something Muslims regard as contrary to its teachings: Christ being “God in flesh.”.
But it’s important to keep in mind that Jesus’ birth story differs significantly from that of many pagan gods and goddesses. While we do believe some parts of it—for instance, that an angel visited Mary to encourage her to travel to Bethlehem for the census and give birth there—we do not accept December 25th or that wise men from the East followed a north star as their date or place of birth.
By following the Sunnah of Muhammad, it is forbidden to congratulate or celebrate any birthday celebration for religious persons who do not practice monotheism; thus, if your family is celebrating Christmas, you should remain present but make it clear that any prohibited aspects will not be part of your participation in their festivities.
Is Christmas Haram for Muslims?
Christmas, though often associated with Christianity, is in reality a secular holiday celebrated by people of many religions and backgrounds. While Christians used to celebrate it jointly with Jews at one point, due to growing division among Christian denominations, this practice has since diminished significantly.
As Muslims, we should respect the beliefs of non-Muslims rather than forcing our beliefs onto them. By doing this, we can avoid creating cultural clashes while remaining true to ourselves and remaining authentic as Muslims. Nonetheless, as parents, it is our duty to educate future generations of Muslims so they understand why participating in non-Islamic traditions such as Christmas is unacceptable for them to enjoy.
Christmas celebration is forbidden for Muslims as it is associated with pagan practices and idolatry, according to Islam. We believe that only God deserves worship; no other deities should take precedence over Him in terms of honour or reverence.
However, Muslims recognise the value of maintaining close family ties. If you have non-Muslim relatives and friends, it is acceptable for you to spend time with them during their holidays, as long as no inappropriate activities take place. Furthermore, you could send greeting cards wishing them happy holidays!