Muslims Participating in Christmas

By The Great Scholar

Shaikh Abdul-Azeez ibn Baz
(‫ل‬
ّ ‫)رحمه ا‬

It has been noticed that some of the Muslims participate in Christmas along side the
Christians and advice is requested in this matter.

It is not permissible for the Muslims male of female to cooperate with the Christians,
Jews, or any other religious group in celebrating their holidays. It is obligatory that
they abandon such practices because whoever imitates a group of people
(becomes) from them and the prophet (salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) has warned us
from imitating them and adopting their manners. Therefore it is a must that the
believer be weary of that and not aid them in establishing these celebrations in any
way due to them being celebrations in direct opposition to Allah's legislation. The
enemies of Allah establish these celebrations thus it is not permissible to take part
in them, to cooperate with them, or to help them with anything (in this regard) not
even with tea, coffee, or even (using your) dishes. Allah the Glorified said,
ِ ‫لْثِم َواْلُعْدَوا‬
‫ن‬ ِ ‫عَلى ا‬
َ ‫ل َتَعاَوُنوْا‬
َ ‫عَلى اْلبّر َوالّتْقَوى َو‬َ ‫َوَتَعاَوُنوْا‬
"and help one another upon righteousness and piety and do not help one another
upon sin and transgression" (Al-Ma'idah 5:2)
Participating with the non-Muslims in their celebrations is a form of cooperation
upon sin and transgression so it is obligatory upon every Muslim, male and female,
to abandon this practice. Likewise it is not appropriate for then intelligent person to
be mislead by the people's actions. It is a must that one look to the legislation of
Islam and what it came with, to follow the orders of Allah and His messenger, and to
not look at the actions and issues of the people because most of them do not care
about what Allah legislated just as He said,
ّ ‫لا‬
‫ل‬ ِ ‫سِبي‬
َ ‫عن‬ َ ‫ك‬َ ‫ضّلو‬
ِ ‫ض ُي‬ِ ‫لْر‬ َ ‫طْع َأْكَثَر َمن ِفي ا‬ِ ‫َوِإن ُت‬
"And if you obey most of those on earth, they will mislead you far away from Allah's
Path." (Al-An'am 6:116 (
َ ‫ت ِبُمْؤِمِني‬
‫ن‬ َ ‫ص‬ ْ ‫حَر‬َ ‫س َوَلْو‬ِ ‫َوَما َأْكَثُر الّنا‬
"And most of mankind will not believe even if you desire it eagerly." (Yusuf 12:103)
Therefore, it is not permissible to adopt the traditions and customs which are in
direct conflict with the Islamic legislation even if all the people are practicing them.
The believer judges his actions, speech, the action of the people, and their speech
with the book of Allah and practice of His messenger (salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam),
and that which is in agreement with one or both of them is acceptable even if the
people do not practice it and that which conflicts with or opposes one or both of
them is rejected even if all the people practice it.
I ask Allah to grant everyone success and guidance and that He reward all of you
with good.

Translated by John 'Eesa' Starling

And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger after the right path has been
shown clearly to him, and follows other than the believers' way. We shall keep him
in the path he has chosen, and burn him in Hell - what an evil destination.
And Sheikhul Islam Ibn Taymiyyah ‫ل‬ ّ ‫ رحمه ا‬said: "If the believers mentioned in this
ayah are not the sahabis i dont know who else they can be."