Exchanging congratulatory messages and good wishes at Christmas

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Question: With the advent of this calendar month begin the Christmas celebrations and festivals of the Christians. [So] what is the ruling regarding participating in their celebrations – either taking part or attending them, or exchanging gifts or congratulatory messages [and good wishes]?

Response: All of this is not permissible. It is not permissible to participate in them and nor to attend them; Allaah (Jalla wa ‘Alaa) says:

{And those who do not bear witness to falsehood…}, soorah al-Furqaan, aayah 72

…meaning – not to attend the [celebrations and] festivals of the disbelievers. That is because attending them is an acceptance of it, and an acceptance of that which is prohibited is not permissible; [so] do not congratulate them on this [occasion] – as all of these [practices] are prohibited. That is because they are innovated festivals – even in the Christian religion, they have not been legislated, rather it is something they have innovated.


Translation originally published on 21 December, 2015

He is a graduate of the Islaamic University of Madeenah, having graduated from the Institute of Arabic Language, and later the Faculty of Sharee'ah in 2004. He currently resides in Birmingham, UK.

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