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Prohibition on celebrating the festivals of the kuffaar

Date: 16 Mar 2008, 1:45 am / Mood: curious

Question: Is it permissible for Muslims to take part in their festivals, such as Christmas?


Answer: Praise be to Allah.



It is not permissible for the Muslim to join the kuffaar in their festivals and to express joy and happiness on these occasions, or to take the day off work, whether the occasion is religious or secular, because this is a kind of imitating the enemies of Allah, which is forbidden, and a kind of co-operating with them in falsehood. It was proven that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”

And Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Help you one another in Al‑Birr and At‑Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment” [al-Maa'idah 5:2]


We advise you to refer to the book Iqtidaa’ al-Siraat al-Mustaqeem by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him), for it is very useful on this topic. [Translator’s note: This book is available in English under the title “The Right Way,” published by Darussalam, Riyadh].


And Allah is the source of strength. May Allah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions, and grant them peace.