Muslims, as we have already expressed are ordered by Allah to be good to the Non-Muslims. But this good conduct towards people of other religion particularly the Christians is being tested the most during the Christmas season. Most Muslims are confused and so do the Non-Muslims who may be clueless of the religious obligations and limitations of the Muslims.
Muslims do not have any festival apart from Eidul Fitr after Ramadhan and Eidul Adha during the Hajj season. Friday is also considered a festival as it is a time of gathering in the Mosque for Muslims and they are ordered to dress and look their best in these days.
Celebrating any other festival is not allowed and is either of two things: either it is an innovation in religion which which is celebrated as a way of getting closer to Allah, such as celebrating the Prophet’s Birthday. Or it is an imitation of the Non-Muslims like the celebration of Christmas, Valentine’s Day and others.
Therefore, it is clear that Muslims should not celebrate Christmas by virtue of this religious limitation alone even without mentioning that Jesus was not born on Christmas day, and this celebration was invented 300 years after him.
Today, we shall clarify some common situations that happen between Muslims and Non-Muslims and a brief explanation of the rulings. Please take note that these are mere explanations on why Muslims do not do such acts and it is never intended as an attack on any religion or denomination.
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS
Greeting the Non-Muslims Merry Christmas is disallowed because it implies that one accepts or approves that Jesus was born on December 25 as Allah’s begotten son or incarnate of Allah. If Non-Muslims greet us on the occasion of their festivals, we should not respond for the same reasons. We should also be courteous and honest in explaining why. You’d find that they will even be thankful in having known something that they did not know before.
CHRISTMAS PARTY AND EXCHANGING GIFTS
It is forbidden for Muslims to host or attend Christmas parties and participate in exchanging gifts, or distributing sweets or other foods. It is not allowed for a Muslim to accept invitations on such occasions, because this is worse than congratulating them as it implies taking part in their celebrations.
If you are invited by neighbors or the company to take part in a Christmas party, or if you are invited to it directly, then try to be courteous and be honest in informing them of your religious limitations and most Christians will respect your excuse.
LISTENING TO AND SINGING CHRISTMAS SONGS
Music clearly is not allowed in Islam and Christmas songs also glorify a belief that we Muslims do not believe in such as the birth of Christ on December 25 and his divinity. This is pretty much self- explanatory. This also denotes that are not allowed to participate in caroling and other similar events in schools, streets and companies.
PUTTING UP CHRISTMAS DÉCOR
Christmas decors are symbols of Christmas, and is not allowed according to the general rule mentioned before about Muslims having nothing to do with Non-Muslim celebrations.
13TH MONTH PAY
13th month pay has nothing to do with Christmas and is a law in most countries that companies must follow in order to reward an employee. It is usually being given during the Christmas season as it is the last part of the year and it is easier to compute how much of the year has an employee worked in a company.
CHRISTMAS VACATION
As a general rule, Muslims may take the Christmas vacations as there is really no choice for him except not to go to school or work because the school or company is closed anyway. As long as the Muslim knows that he is having this vacation not as a participation for Christmas or any other celebration, being on vacation these days is perfectly fine.
CHRISTMAS SALE
Most sellers, malls and stores end the year with a sale in order for them to get rid of old stocks of merchandise in order to have new ones the following year. Therefore, Christmas sales really have no relation to Christmas and there is generally nothing wrong in buying any merchandise on sale even if it falls on their celebrations if you’re intention is just getting a good deal and not to celebrate with them.
CHRISTMAS FOOD
It is not permissible to eat from that food which the Non-Muslims prepare for Christmas, birthdays and others.
GIVING AND RECEIVING GIFTS
Generally, a Muslim may accept any gift from a Non-Muslim even if it is connected to their celebration as an act of kindness and is not regarded as participating in it or approving of it. Him accepting it may be a way that he may share the giver some teachings about Islam.
On the other hand, it is not permissible to give a Non-Muslim any gift connected to their festivals although we may do it in any normal day.
SELLING FOOD, TOYS AND FOOD ON CHRISTMAS
Selling anything during the Christmas season or any festivities of the Non-Muslims is fine as long as one does not sell them for the sinful purposes or directly aiding their celebration. Examples of such is selling liquor, Christmas décor, Christmas DVDs, firecrackers and others. There are all clearly not allowed.
However, if you are a supermarket owner, for example, that sells toys, cheese, chicken, clothes and others, you may still open your shop even if people may buy from you for the purpose of using it for their Christmas celebrations. There is no sin upon you. You are selling these merchandise not because of Christmas but because you are doing it all year long.
Even if you take advantage of selling more merchandise because they run out quicker during this season because people are buying much is also fine. But if you should close shop, then it shall be a personal choice.
