Do Muslims Celebrate Christmas? A Guide For Muslims Living in North America

Reviewed by: Ustadha Al-shaimaa Nabil Abd-alfattah Abd-Allah

Christmas is pervasive in the West, making it hard for families to ignore. While it has become a season of commercialism, most Muslim scholars generally prohibit celebrating Christmas. Each year, media and businesses amplify the holiday's appeal, and Muslim children are captivated by the lights, gifts, and festive atmosphere. As they grow, their curiosity about Christmas celebrations and its significance often deepens.

Further, as parents, how do we encourage our children to respect their non-Muslim friends and their families without compromising our faith?

• Enrich your knowledge first

Your children come home from school with assumptions about Christmas and Santa that they have heard from their classmates or the media. Before you rush to enlighten them with your views, ensure you have enough knowledge and resources to provide them before you spark the conversation about Muslims and Christmas celebrations. Why shouldn't Muslims celebrate Christmas can be an excellent brief start.

• Muslim converts and Christmas

If you're a reverted Muslim, Christmas must be one of the most challenging times of the year for you. Suddenly you're no longer celebrating with your family or exchanging gifts, and you could feel nostalgic about the joy of the festivities. Even worse, you could be accused of betraying Jesus. Understanding the reasons behind the forbidding of Muslims and the Christmas celebration will make your patience worthwhile. It's like you're doing Jihad by going against the flow, and eventually, you'll immensely be rewarded.

• Trust our Islamic opinion on Muslims and Christmas celebrations. 

• Explain the commonalities

Building common ground between our children and others builds respect. Though Muslims and Christians possess differences in faith and practice, they share some connections.

1. Islam teaches us that the Prophet Isa (AS) is one of the five greatest messengers of God (SWT). The others are Ibrahim, Nuh, Musa, and Mohammad (PBUH).
2. Prophet Isa(AS) was sent the Injil or the Gospel from Allah. And as Muslims, one of the foundations of our faith is to believe in the prophets sent by Allah and the Holy books.
3. Lady Maryam, who happens to be the Prophet Isa's mother, is one of the most honored ladies in Islam. Besides, a whole Surah (chapter) in the Quran is named after her.
4. Islam acknowledges the miracles of Prophet Isa (AS), including the virgin birth, speaking from the cradle, healing the blind, curing lepers, and bringing the dead to life, all through the power of Allah (SWT).
5. We believe that Prophets sent by God are role models who guide us. For example, from the Prophet Isa (AS), we learned humility, simplicity in worldly matters, and his love and compassion for everyone around him.

• Emphasize the differences

While it is valuable to pinpoint the similarities between Muslims and Christians, it is equally fundamental to highlight their distinction.

Christmas is derived from the words' Christ,' which means 'Messiah' or leader and promised deliverer, and 'Mass,' which means a religious ceremony. Therefore, Christmas, at its roots, is originally a celebration of the life of Jesus Christ. And Christians believe that Jesus Christ is God's son, which contradicts the Islamic principles that Allah is one and has no son.

The Prophet Isa (AS) is not the son of God.

إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِيسَىٰ عِندَ اللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ آدَمَ ۖ خَلَقَهُ مِن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُونُ

"The example of Jesus to Allah is like that of Adam. He created Him from dust; then He said to him, "Be," and he was."

(Surah Al Imran 3:59)

يَٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لَا تَغْلُوا۟ فِى دِينِكُمْ وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلْحَقَّ ۚ إِنَّمَا ٱلْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ وَكَلِمَتُهُۥٓ أَلْقَىٰهَآ إِلَىٰ مَرْيَمَ وَرُوحٌ مِّنْهُ ۖ فَـَٔامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ ۖ وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ ثَلَٰثَةٌ ۚ ٱنتَهُوا۟ خَيْرًا لَّكُمْ ۚ إِنَّمَا ٱللَّهُ إِلَٰهٌ وَٰحِدٌ ۖ سُبْحَٰنَهُۥٓ أَن يَكُونَ لَهُۥ وَلَدٌ ۘ لَّهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ وَكِيلًا

"O People of the Book, do not go to extremes in your religion and do not say about Allāh except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was only a messenger of Allāh and His word, which He delivered to Mary and a soul from Him. So believe in Allāh and His messengers. And do not say, "Three"; desist - it is better for you. Indeed, Allāh is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And sufficient is Allāh as Disposer of affairs."

(AlQuran 4:171).

What do Muslims celebrate instead of Christmas?

Anas ibn Malik (RA) narrated: "The Prophet (SAW) came to Madinah during two days in which the people played. The Prophet (SAW) asked: What are these two days? They said: These are two days we used to play in, during the time of ignorance. The Prophet (SAW) said: Allah has replaced them with two better days: Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr."

Celebrate our special events

Our religion is filled with rich celebrations like Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr, the new Hijri year, Ramadan, and Hajj. Create anticipation around these days by sharing their stories, watching animated videos, and engaging in activities with your kids. Visiting their classrooms to explain our celebrations can also enhance their excitement and help them take pride in their identity and heritage.