Question about Christmas

[ameerkam]

Salaam

If a Muslim accepts an invitation for a Christmas party would that be kufr/shirk? Or simply haraam?

 

[HisServant]

It might be best to avoid those invitations or spend as minimal time as possible because those environments (since the word "party" is used) seem to signify haram actions and activities, which can influence negatively. You'll have to possibly keep refusing food and drinks which are not halal for instance, as well as, being influenced to engage in other forms of behaviors which may put you in a difficult situation whereby wrongful actions such as dancing and music in a haram atmosphere (possibly mixing/flirting under the influence of alcohol). Most often than not, it's very far from being a religious affair.

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Q: I am an international student from Pakistan living and studying in Canberra, Australia. I am renting a room in a shared house with other students. My landlord has arranged a party on the occasion of Christmas today inviting all the tennants who follow different religions. I as a Muslim, can attend this party / get together? I understand the fact that wishing someone Christmas is doing shirk.

​

A: It is impermissible for a believer to have a close relationship with a kaafir. Apart from necessities of life (e.g. business dealings, work, etc) a Mu’min should not associate with a kaafir. For a believer to participate in kufaar celebrations and functions is totally impermissible. For further details regarding participating in kuffaar celebrations refer to http://muftionline.co.za/node/282
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
يـأَيُّهَا الَّذينَ ءامَنوا لا تَتَّخِذُوا الكـفِرينَ أَولِياءَ مِن دونِ المُؤمِنينَ أَتُريدونَ أَن تَجعَلوا لِلَّـهِ عَلَيكُم سُلطـنًا مُبينًا ﴿النساء: ١٤٤﴾عن ابن عمر قال قال رسول الله -صلى الله عليه وسلم من تشبه بقوم فهو منهم (سنن أبي داود 2/559)Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada


Attending a Christmas Party

 

[Nitro Zeus]

It might be best to avoid those invitations or spend as minimal time as possible because those environments (since the word "party" is used) seem to signify haram actions and activities, which can influence negatively. You'll have to possibly keep refusing food and drinks which are not halal for instance, as well as, being influenced to engage in other forms of behaviors which may put you in a difficult situation whereby wrongful actions such as dancing and music in a haram atmosphere (possibly mixing/flirting under the influence of alcohol). Most often than not, it's very far from being a religious affair.

- - - Updated - - -

Q: I am an international student from Pakistan living and studying in Canberra, Australia. I am renting a room in a shared house with other students. My landlord has arranged a party on the occasion of Christmas today inviting all the tennants who follow different religions. I as a Muslim, can attend this party / get together? I understand the fact that wishing someone Christmas is doing shirk.

​

A: It is impermissible for a believer to have a close relationship with a kaafir. Apart from necessities of life (e.g. business dealings, work, etc) a Mu’min should not associate with a kaafir. For a believer to participate in kufaar celebrations and functions is totally impermissible. For further details regarding participating in kuffaar celebrations refer to http://muftionline.co.za/node/282
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
يـأَيُّهَا الَّذينَ ءامَنوا لا تَتَّخِذُوا الكـفِرينَ أَولِياءَ مِن دونِ المُؤمِنينَ أَتُريدونَ أَن تَجعَلوا لِلَّـهِ عَلَيكُم سُلطـنًا مُبينًا ﴿النساء: ١٤٤﴾عن ابن عمر قال قال رسول الله -صلى الله عليه وسلم من تشبه بقوم فهو منهم (سنن أبي داود 2/559)Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada


Attending a Christmas Party

It is haram just because it contains alcohol and pig, right? So what if a Muslim accepts the invitation to Christmas party but in the same time avoids the haram food such as pig and alcohol? Would that still be ok as long as he rejects the Christmas belief?

According to my knowledge and logic, a Muslim can celebrate whatever he wants, with only condition to stay out of harmful foods such as Alcohol and pig, and rejects the false belief. Am I right? You can dance and sing, but also it’s important to protect the true belief which it is imprinted in your heart.

 

[HisServant]

It is haram just because it contains alcohol and pig, right? So what if a Muslim accepts the invitation to Christmas party but in the same time avoids the haram food such as pig and alcohol? Would that still be ok as long as he rejects the Christmas belief?

According to my knowledge and logic, a Muslim can celebrate whatever he wants, with only condition to stay out of harmful foods such as Alcohol and pig, and rejects the false belief. Am I right? You can dance and sing, but also it’s important to protect the true belief which it is imprinted in your heart.

Not quite right. Instead one should strive (with utmost ability) to should protect oneself from impermissible food and drink, as well as, generally protecting one's spirituality (as much as possible) i.e what the eyes view, the ears hear, who is being interacted with (and how)....thereby both beliefs and practices of Islam should be safeguarded. Only under certain conditions of necessity/obligation does it become permissible for instance a farewell graduation, workplace obligation, a family affair (as far as I am aware). If, ever you may consider yourself strong enough to handle these instances/situations then you may quickly come to the realization (sooner or later) that this may not actually be so.

Best avoid (if possible) or have the least possible interactions in similar environments of a party/celebrations. And singing and dancing in front of others (mixed crowds, non-family members) for entertainment purposes) isn't something which I understand to be approved, far less dancing with others. Hence, usually the scholars have discouraged these type of 'celebrations' and environments.

 

[innocent]

A Muslim cannot sit at a table where alcohol is being served.