Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Dear Brother Burhan,

Although we are muslim and we would never convert to any other religion, my family have a xmas tree up nearly every year, as they did this year. Their excuse is "It`s colourful!" "So what, as long as our hearts are good and we believe in our own religion, there is nothing wrong". I know alot of people would be disgusted to hear this, but please do not judge my family on this basis. They even have a xmas dinner and love pulling crackers around the table with party hats. I tried to make them understand that they are somewhat accepting the christian faith and that they should do these types of things on Eid. I`m not a fully practicing muslim myself, so I think to myself that one day they will understand. This year they gave out presents aswell and I tried to keep away, as I did not agree to all of this, but out of respect, I sat with them around the table during the xmas meal. They said the meal was an excuse for all the family to eat together, so I kept quiet and objected to pulling a crackers when was asked to do so. They say "We all commit so many sins in a day" so they think that there is nothing wrong with all of this.

My question is: Is a xmas tree forbidden in a muslim house and if so, why?
Please explain about xmas and practising another faith`s traditions. Please explain in a brief and understadable context so that when I show this to my family, they won`t be upset that I wrote in and so that next year, I can make sure a xmas tree etc does not come in our house.

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

xmas tree in muslim house

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: Is a xmas tree forbidden in a muslim house and if so, why? Please explain about xmas and practising another faith`s traditions.

Every religion has its specific rites and rituals, and the traditions of Xmas or Christmas are particular to the Christian faith, who believe that their lord, savior, and messiah Christ Jesus was born on this day. Islam guides its followers towards the tolerance of other’s faiths and even in a proper Islamic State, the Christians would be permitted to celebrate their festivals in their own way.

Tolerance and respect for the right of others to practice their own faith is one thing, but for a believer, who sincerely believes in Allah and the Last Day, to actually participate and/or imitate pagan religious festivals such as Christmas or Diwali or Holi, etc. is absolutely another!

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 5 Surah Maidah verse 3 (part):

This day have I (Allah Subhanah) perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 3 Surah Ale-Imran verse 19:

Indeed, Islam in the ONLY right way of life in the sight of Allah.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 3 Surah Ale-Imran verse 85:

And whoever adopts any other than this way of Islam, that way shall not be accepted from him and in the Hereafter, he shall be among the losers.

Allah Subhanah, the Lord of the Worlds, has chosen, approved and commanded the perfect ‘way of life’ called Al-Islam for the believers; and it does not behove and befit one, who has pledged obedience to Allah and His Messenger (saws), to celebrate or participate in pagan festivals of those who associate other ‘gods’ with the One and Only True God, Lord, and Master of the Universe, Allah Subhanah!

Thus, in conclusion, the approved religion of Al-Islam has its own rites and festivals and days of celebration which should more than suffice for those believers who are satisfied with their deen, and proud of their ‘way of life’. To copy or imitate other rites or celebrations with this perfect deen would imply that one is not satisfied with the ‘deen’ and ‘way of life’ revealed by Allah Subhanah. So despised is this imitation of pagans and their rites and rituals and celebrations, that the Messenger of Allah (saws) declared that one who imitates other people will be counted amongst them on the Day of Resurrection!

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 4649 Narrated by Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'As

Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "He does not belong to us who imitates other people!”

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4020 Narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar

The Prophet (saws) said: ‘He who copies any people is one of them!’

Although putting up an ‘xmas’ tree, preparing a Christmas dinner, pulling Christmas crackers, wearing Christmas party hats, and distributing presents on the occasion of Christmas might seem harmless fun and a time to ‘party’; the base of this celebration is such that it is more than enough to bring about the Displeasure, Wrath, and Anger of Allah Subhanah.

Just try to gauge the Anger and Wrath of Allah Subhanah from the below quoted verses of Surah Maryam on those who dare to claim that Jesus son of Mary is (I seek refuge in Allah from stating this!) a begotten son of Allah Subhanah!

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 19 Surah Maryam verses 88-92:

88 They (the Christians) say: "(Allah) Most Gracious has begotten a son!"

89 Indeed ye have put forth a thing Most Monstrous!

90 At it, the skies are ready to burst, the earth to split asunder, and the mountains to fall down in utter ruin!

91 That they should invoke a son for (Allah) Most Gracious.

92 For it is not consonant with the Majesty of (Allah) Most Gracious that He should beget a son!

Is someone were to accuse or lie against our parents, we would never ever celebrate with them, leave alone gathering people and making a festive occasion of their accusation and their lie against our beloved parents!!! Then how is it possible that one who has professed belief in Allah and the Last Day celebrates this monstrous blasphemy against Allah Subhanah, Who has a right to be loved more than even our own parents!

It would be in accordance with perfect Islamic character for a believer, who sincerely fears Allah and the Last Day, to leave alone their pagan celebrations and have nothing to do with it.

Abu Basrah narrated that the Prophet (saws) said: "Part of a man's good observance of Islam is that he leaves alone that which does not concern him."

Related by Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah.

If one trusts, obeys, and follows the guidance and commands of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of never ever being misled; but if one believes, obeys and follows any other guidance, other than that of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of being led astray.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan