Original Article by: Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Ameenpuri ḥafiẓahullāh
Edited with additional headings and formatting for clarity
Extending greetings on Christmas or sharing joy with Christians on this occasion is 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺. Such acts are committed only by sinful and hard-hearted individuals. A person who truly loves the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ would never engage in this. Participating in the festivals of Allah’s enemies is explicitly prohibited and impermissible, as Allah states in the Qur'an:
"وَالَّذِینَ لَا یَشْہَدُونَ الزُّورَ" (Surah Al-Furqan: 72)
Translation: "The servants of Allah do not attend false or sinful gatherings."
“It is a sign of deprivation and lack of good fortune when a misguided Muslim, on the occasion called ‘Milad,’ gives his children bamboo sticks, candles, and cages, and joins in these innovations. Such a person deviates from the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and imitates the disbelievers.”
(Al-Lumaʿ fi al-Ḥawādith wa al-Bidaʿ: 1/293)
“It is not permissible to imitate the disbelievers in their festivals, and Muslims should not participate in their rituals. If a Muslim arranges a feast on such an occasion, it should not be attended. Likewise, if a gift is given on these days, it should not be accepted, especially if it resembles disbelievers’ practices. It is also forbidden for a Muslim to sell food or clothing meant to imitate the disbelievers’ celebrations, as this constitutes aiding in sin.”
(Iqtiḍāʾ al-Ṣirāṭ al-Mustaqīm: 2/519-520)
He further added:
“This ḥadīth at the very least proves that imitating the disbelievers is ḥarām. Its apparent meaning is that such imitation may lead to disbelief. As Allah says:
(وَمَنْ یَّتَوَلَّہُمْ مِّنْکُمْ فَإِنَّہ، مِنْہُمْ)
(Whoever allies with them is indeed one of them.)”
(Iqtiḍāʾ al-Ṣirāṭ al-Mustaqīm: 1/314)
“During winter, many people celebrate the birth of ʿĪsā عليه السلام by lighting fires, preparing special foods, and buying candles. This celebration is rooted in Christian traditions and has no basis in Islam. There is no record of such festivities among the early generations; rather, it was borrowed from the Christians and adapted to include the lighting of fires in winter.”
(Al-Amr bil Ittibāʿ wa al-Nahy ʿan al-Ibtidāʿ, p. 145)
He also said:
“No Muslim should partake in the festivals of the Jews, disbelievers, Persians, or misguided Arabs. Allah instructed His Prophet ﷺ:
(ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَاکَ عَلٰی شَرِیعَۃٍ مِّنَ الْـأَمْرِ فَاتَّبِعْہَا وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَہْوَاءَ الَّذِینَ لَا یَعْلَمُونَ)
(We have placed you on a path of religion; so follow it and do not follow the desires of those who do not know.)”
(Al-Amr bil Ittibāʿ wa al-Nahy ʿan al-Ibtidāʿ, p. 146)
And:
“Remember, during the era of the Salaf al-Ṣāliḥīn, no Muslim ever participated in such superstitions. A true believer follows their path and the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. May Allah include us among them by His mercy, for He is indeed Generous.”
(Al-Amr bil Ittibāʿ wa al-Nahy ʿan al-Ibtidāʿ, p. 152)
➊ Can Muslims offer greetings to non-Muslims on Christmas?
➋ If they greet us, should we reply?
➌ Is it permissible to attend their gatherings on this occasion?
➍ If someone unknowingly or under compulsion does so, will he be sinful?
➎ Is imitating them allowed?
“Congratulating non-Muslims on Christmas or any of their religious occasions is categorically 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺, as agreed upon by the scholars. Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله stated in Aḥkām Ahl al-Dhimmah:
‘It is impermissible to greet them on their religious symbols, such as saying “Happy Eid” or congratulating them on their fast. Even if the person uttering such words is not a disbeliever himself, this action is still ḥarām. It is akin to congratulating someone for prostrating to the cross. In Allah’s eyes, it is a more severe sin than congratulating someone for drinking wine, committing murder, or engaging in adultery.’”
(Aḥkām Ahl al-Dhimmah: 1/441)
“These greetings indirectly endorse and show satisfaction with their false beliefs. Even if the one greeting does not share those beliefs, expressing joy or congratulating them is still considered as supporting them. Allah has said:
(إِنْ تَکْفُرُوا فَإِنَّ اللّٰہَ غَنِيٌّ عَنْکُمْ...)
(If you disbelieve, Allah is independent of you and does not approve disbelief for His servants…)
and also:
(اَلْیَوْمَ أَکْمَلْتُ لَکُمْ دِینَکُمْ...)
(Today I have completed your religion for you and have chosen Islam as your religion.)”
(وَمَنْ یَّبْتَغِ غَیْرَ الْإِسْلَامِ دِینًا...)
(Whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will not be accepted from him…)”
“It is a greater sin to attend their feast than to greet them, as it constitutes active participation in their innovations.”
‘مَنْ تَشَبَّہَ بِقَوْمٍ فَہُوَ مِنْہُمْ’
(Whoever imitates a people is one of them.)”
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله further stated:
“Imitating the disbelievers in their festivals brings joy to their hearts and may lead to them gaining leverage over weak Muslims.”
(Iqtiḍāʾ al-Ṣirāṭ al-Mustaqīm: 1/546)
(Fatāwā al-ʿAqīdah, pp. 246-248 | Majmūʿ Fatāwā wa Rasāʾil al-ʿUthaymīn: 3/44-46)
Edited with additional headings and formatting for clarity
❖ The Issue of Extending Christmas Greetings
What is the Islamic ruling on greeting Christians on Christmas?Extending greetings on Christmas or sharing joy with Christians on this occasion is 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺. Such acts are committed only by sinful and hard-hearted individuals. A person who truly loves the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ would never engage in this. Participating in the festivals of Allah’s enemies is explicitly prohibited and impermissible, as Allah states in the Qur'an:
"وَالَّذِینَ لَا یَشْہَدُونَ الزُّورَ" (Surah Al-Furqan: 72)
Translation: "The servants of Allah do not attend false or sinful gatherings."
❖ Opinions of Islamic Scholars
✿ Shaykh Idris Turkmani رحمه الله
He stated:“It is a sign of deprivation and lack of good fortune when a misguided Muslim, on the occasion called ‘Milad,’ gives his children bamboo sticks, candles, and cages, and joins in these innovations. Such a person deviates from the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and imitates the disbelievers.”
(Al-Lumaʿ fi al-Ḥawādith wa al-Bidaʿ: 1/293)
✿ Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله (661-728 AH)
He said:“It is not permissible to imitate the disbelievers in their festivals, and Muslims should not participate in their rituals. If a Muslim arranges a feast on such an occasion, it should not be attended. Likewise, if a gift is given on these days, it should not be accepted, especially if it resembles disbelievers’ practices. It is also forbidden for a Muslim to sell food or clothing meant to imitate the disbelievers’ celebrations, as this constitutes aiding in sin.”
(Iqtiḍāʾ al-Ṣirāṭ al-Mustaqīm: 2/519-520)
He further added:
“This ḥadīth at the very least proves that imitating the disbelievers is ḥarām. Its apparent meaning is that such imitation may lead to disbelief. As Allah says:
(وَمَنْ یَّتَوَلَّہُمْ مِّنْکُمْ فَإِنَّہ، مِنْہُمْ)
(Whoever allies with them is indeed one of them.)”
(Iqtiḍāʾ al-Ṣirāṭ al-Mustaqīm: 1/314)
✿ Ḥāfiẓ al-Suyūṭī رحمه الله (911 AH)
He said:“During winter, many people celebrate the birth of ʿĪsā عليه السلام by lighting fires, preparing special foods, and buying candles. This celebration is rooted in Christian traditions and has no basis in Islam. There is no record of such festivities among the early generations; rather, it was borrowed from the Christians and adapted to include the lighting of fires in winter.”
(Al-Amr bil Ittibāʿ wa al-Nahy ʿan al-Ibtidāʿ, p. 145)
He also said:
“No Muslim should partake in the festivals of the Jews, disbelievers, Persians, or misguided Arabs. Allah instructed His Prophet ﷺ:
(ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَاکَ عَلٰی شَرِیعَۃٍ مِّنَ الْـأَمْرِ فَاتَّبِعْہَا وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَہْوَاءَ الَّذِینَ لَا یَعْلَمُونَ)
(We have placed you on a path of religion; so follow it and do not follow the desires of those who do not know.)”
(Al-Amr bil Ittibāʿ wa al-Nahy ʿan al-Ibtidāʿ, p. 146)
And:
“Remember, during the era of the Salaf al-Ṣāliḥīn, no Muslim ever participated in such superstitions. A true believer follows their path and the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. May Allah include us among them by His mercy, for He is indeed Generous.”
(Al-Amr bil Ittibāʿ wa al-Nahy ʿan al-Ibtidāʿ, p. 152)
❖ Fatwa by Shaykh Muḥammad ibn Ṣāliḥ al-ʿUthaymīn رحمه الله
✦ The Ruling on Congratulating Non-Muslims on Christmas
He was asked the following:➊ Can Muslims offer greetings to non-Muslims on Christmas?
➋ If they greet us, should we reply?
➌ Is it permissible to attend their gatherings on this occasion?
➍ If someone unknowingly or under compulsion does so, will he be sinful?
➎ Is imitating them allowed?
✿ Shaykh Ibn ʿUthaymīn رحمه الله’s Response
He said:“Congratulating non-Muslims on Christmas or any of their religious occasions is categorically 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺, as agreed upon by the scholars. Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله stated in Aḥkām Ahl al-Dhimmah:
‘It is impermissible to greet them on their religious symbols, such as saying “Happy Eid” or congratulating them on their fast. Even if the person uttering such words is not a disbeliever himself, this action is still ḥarām. It is akin to congratulating someone for prostrating to the cross. In Allah’s eyes, it is a more severe sin than congratulating someone for drinking wine, committing murder, or engaging in adultery.’”
(Aḥkām Ahl al-Dhimmah: 1/441)
✦ Why Such Greetings Are Prohibited
He further explained:“These greetings indirectly endorse and show satisfaction with their false beliefs. Even if the one greeting does not share those beliefs, expressing joy or congratulating them is still considered as supporting them. Allah has said:
(إِنْ تَکْفُرُوا فَإِنَّ اللّٰہَ غَنِيٌّ عَنْکُمْ...)
(If you disbelieve, Allah is independent of you and does not approve disbelief for His servants…)
and also:
(اَلْیَوْمَ أَکْمَلْتُ لَکُمْ دِینَکُمْ...)
(Today I have completed your religion for you and have chosen Islam as your religion.)”
✦ Attending Their Feasts and Accepting Gifts
“If non-Muslims greet Muslims on their religious occasions, Muslims should not reply. These are neither our festivals nor are they beloved to Allah. They are either innovations or festivals abrogated by Islam. Allah says:(وَمَنْ یَّبْتَغِ غَیْرَ الْإِسْلَامِ دِینًا...)
(Whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will not be accepted from him…)”
“It is a greater sin to attend their feast than to greet them, as it constitutes active participation in their innovations.”
❖ The Prohibition of Imitating Non-Muslims
“Celebrating by exchanging gifts, distributing sweets, cooking special dishes, closing businesses, or organizing special events in imitation of the disbelievers is also 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺. The Prophet ﷺ said:‘مَنْ تَشَبَّہَ بِقَوْمٍ فَہُوَ مِنْہُمْ’
(Whoever imitates a people is one of them.)”
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله further stated:
“Imitating the disbelievers in their festivals brings joy to their hearts and may lead to them gaining leverage over weak Muslims.”
(Iqtiḍāʾ al-Ṣirāṭ al-Mustaqīm: 1/546)
❖ What if Participation Is Unintentional or Due to Pressure?
“Even if a Muslim engages in these actions out of shyness, compulsion, or ignorance, he is still considered sinful. Such behavior shows leniency in religious matters and provides the disbelievers with an opportunity to feel pride in their false religion.”❖ Supplication
May Allah keep the Muslims steadfast on Islam, grant them honor through His religion, and help them against their enemies. Indeed, He is Mighty and Dominant.(Fatāwā al-ʿAqīdah, pp. 246-248 | Majmūʿ Fatāwā wa Rasāʾil al-ʿUthaymīn: 3/44-46)
